Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Vancouver, B.C. - The recent arrest of Philippine Congressman Satur Ocampo and the intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines has sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.

• Click to send an email message to the Philippine Government calling for justice and human rights in the Philippines.

The B.C. region of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), one of Canada’s largest unions, is co-sponsoring a forum “Building People to People Solidarity” to coincide with the Permanent People’s Tribunal: Second Session on the Philippines (which is occurring in the Netherlands). This forum will be held Thursday, March 22, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. at the Bonsor Recreation Complex, 6550 Bonsor Ave. in Burnaby.

Kay Sinclair, Regional Executive Vice-President of the PSAC for B.C. shares, “We need to build awareness amongst our members and other trade unionists about the grave political situation, for trade unionists and other activists, in the Philippines.”

“It is part of our effort towards international solidarity,” adds Sinclair.

The forum expects to gather around 100 people including trade unionists, members of the local Filipino-Canadian and Indigenous Filipino community and other human rights activists and concerned Canadians.

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Education Forum: Stop Political Killings in the Philippines

Join us to hear about the recently concluded Canadian human rights fact-finding mission to the Philippines to discuss ways that concerned and peace-loving Canadians can help to stop the political killings.

Presented by PSAC-B.C. (Public Service Alliance of Canada-B.C. Region) and the Vancouver Steering Committee for the “Stop the Killings in the Philippines” Campaign & endorsed by the Vancouver and District Labour Council

• Thursday, March 22, 2007
• 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Bonsor Recreation Complex
• 6550 Bonsor Avenue (Bonsor @ Central), Burnaby

Refreshments will be served, please RSVP to Amal Rana.

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The Global Solidarity School is an initiative of progressive Canadians involved in trade union and academic education, jointly sponsored by the Vancouver & District Labour Council and CoDevelopment Canada. The school, taking place in Cuba April 27^th through May 7^th, will combine educational programs with Cuban cultural explorations that extend well beyond a typical tourist experience. The program, designed for politically progressive activists from the labour and community movements, will focus on international issues from a progressive perspective - particularly corporate globalization and building a progressive response. It will also include leadership development, language skills, arts and culture.

 For more information visit solidarityschool.ca

Prepared by Megan Adam, Public Service Alliance of Canada

In July of 2006, twelve delegates from four Canadian trade unions traveled to Colombia as part of an ongoing campaign to defend public services and trade union organizing in that country. Over twelve days our delegation visited three major cities and several smaller communities, speaking with dozens of people representing trade union, human rights and indigenous community movements. During our densely-packed itinerary we heard the Colombians’ stories of repression and resistance, saw films about police attacks and murders, and were called on to witness the ongoing degradation of public services and Colombian society. The tour was not only a chance to make stronger links with our southern counterparts, but a wakeup call to our future if global social justice and civil society movements do not continue the struggle to halt privatization pressures by organizations like the IMF and WTO.

• The first portion of the Frontlines Tour took place in 2004 when a delegation of Colombian workers visited Canada: read more at the Social Justice Fund website and the psacbc.com archives.

This report will give a brief overview of our activities in Colombia as part of the Frontlines Tour. The four participating unions (PSAC, BCGEU, CUPE and CUPW) are the major representatives of public sector workers in Canada and we met with many of our counterparts in Colombia as well as their human rights and community partners. This initiative in the PSAC is part of the ongoing work of the Social Justice Fund, and a component of the Make Poverty History campaign, incorporating the fight to defend quality public services such as health, education, welfare, clean water, sanitation and energy around the world.

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Pinoy Poetiks: a night of poetry and cultural performances by Filipino youth and the community to fundraise for the victims of typhoon “Reming” in the Philippines

• When: Saturday Jan. 6th, 2007 at 7pm
• Where: Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway (near Kingsway - across Kingsgate Mall)
• Suggested minimum donation: $5

Just as we entered the holiday season, another tragedy has befallen the Filipino people –mudflows from the slopes of the Mayon volcano, triggered by heavy rains from typhoon “Reming” (international codename: Durian) buried at least eight villages in Albay province in the Bicol region. As of December 1, the mudflows have killed at least 338 people, more bodies are still being recovered. Local officials have warned that the death toll could hit a thousand.

Please come and support and help us continue to build our direct people-to-people support in the face of increasing hardships and adversity facing the Filipino people.

Organized by Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-Vancouver

Dear friends,

As you know, another tragedy has befallen the Filipino people: mud flows from the slopes of the Mayon volcano, triggered by heavy rains from typhoon “Reming” (international codename: Durian) buried at least eight villages in Albay province in the Bicol region. As of December 1, the mud flows have killed at least 338 people, more bodies are still being recovered. Local officials have warned that the death toll could hit a thousand.

This is not the first time that tragedy has befallen the Filipino people. Here is an article from Bulatlat weekly magazine on environmental disasters in the Philippines.

• Bigger Disasters Coming, Environmental Groups Warn

In response, community organizations in Canada are seeking your expressions of support (both financial and material) for the people of Albay.

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• Thursday, November 16, 2006
• Rally 4:30pm in front of the Philippine Consulate at
• 700 Pender St., (at Granville St. downtown Vancouver)

Since assuming power on January 20, 2001 until June 30, 2006, 64 leaders, members, organizers and supporters of trade unions and informal workers organizations have been killed. They are but part of the more than 770 victims of political killings under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

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“Stop the Political Killings in the Philippines!”

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

• Gather at 6:00 PM
• meet at Main Street and E18th Avenue (Vancouver)
• march/procession along Main St.
• ending with a cultural evening at Soma Cafe (2528 Main Street) at 7:30 PM

On November 1, All Soul’s Day, people all over the Philippines congregate at the burial sites of their ancestors to pay respect to their departed family and friends.

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Please join Concerned Canadians and Filipinos in Canada in marking the 34-year anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.

On September 21, 1972 in the Philippines, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. For 14 years, the Filipino people suffered unprecedented human rights violations and terror — drawing the attention and sympathy of the world. The iron-fisted dictator Marcos was eventually defeated by the Filipino people and the solidarity of peace-loving people all over the world.

Now, 34 years later, the Filipino people are once again facing another iron-fisted president. Since 2001, there have been 750 extra-judicial killings, 184 forced disapperances, and more arbitrary arrests under Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration. These gross human rights violations have intensified under Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her military counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bantay Laya (Operation Freedom Watch). The overwhelming majority of the victims of Oplan Bantay Laya are leaders and members of progressive community organizations, like the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance, trade unions, human rights groups, and political parties, like Bayan Muna (People First) asserting national freedom, social justice, democracy, and lasting peace in the Philippines.

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STOP THE POLITICAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

• Community Forum
• Sunday, September 17, 2006
• St. Mary’s Parish, 5251 Joyce Street, Church Basement, 2:00 PM
• Refreshments will be served
• Hosted by St. Mary’s Development and Peace Parish Committee

On September 21, 1972 in the Philippines, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. For 14 years, the Filipino people suffered unprecedented human rights violations and terror — drawing the attention and sympathy of the world. The iron-fisted dictator Marcos was eventually defeated by the Filipino people and the solidarity of peace-loving people all over the world.

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3 August 2006 Baguio City

Dear President Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Avelino Cruz,

I am writing to express my grave concern over the unabated political killings here in the Philippines, especially the recent killing and attempted assassination of key leaders of indigenous peoples’ organizations and members of their families here in the Cordillera.

The attempted assassination of Dr. Constancio Claver, M.D. in Tabuk, Kalinga which resulted in the death of his wife, Alice-Omengan Claver and wounding of a bystander, Janet Ewag is the most recent incident which took place in 31 July 2006. This happened just two months after the killing of Rafael Markus Bangit, (8 June 2006) which up to now remains unsolved. To date there are 73 indigenous persons subjected to extrajudicial killings since 2005. Up to now not a single perpetrator has been identified and brought to justice.

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from Monica Urrutia, PSAC Regional Representative

Hi all,

Many of you know that I am very active in the Filipino community. As the press release below states the political killings in the Philippines keeps increasing, so the Filipino community and our supporters and allies are also stepping up starting off with weekly actions at the Philippine consulate. International condemnation seems to be one of the few things the current Philippine President responds or reacts to. With that in mind I am sending this out to those within the PSAC and the labour movement whom I’ve met or worked with and ask for your support.

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EI appeal for Lebanon

Education International, the global organization representing education workers, is deeply concerned about the current situation in Lebanon and the impact it is having on innocent civilians, including many children. EI has issued a statement on the situation which it has published on its website and brought to the attention of the international community.

Both of EI’s members in Lebanon have requested EI solidarity assistance and any humanitarian aid possible.

LabourStart.org is responding to these pleas for help by issuing an urgent action appeal to member organisations seeking financial support for the teachers and their families who have been adversely affected by the situation. EI itself has made available immediately an initial amount of 20.000 EUR from the EI Solidarity Fund, which is being forwarded to EI affiliates in Lebanon, to provide humanitarian support to teachers and their families. The funds will be provided on an equal basis to the Teachers Syndicate of Lebanon (TSL) and the Ligue des Professeurs de l’Enseignement Secondaire Public du Liban (LPESPL). EI is asking affiliates to ensure that the funds are allocated to those teachers and their families affected most adversely by the current military activities.

EI is also in contact with international humanitarian aid organisations seeking their immediate assistance for Lebanon and encouraging them to make contact with our affiliates.

Continue reading the appeal for aid and find out how to donate at labourstart.org or visit the Education International website.

Progressive Filipinos in Vancouver will rally outside of the Philippine Consulate offices in downtown Vancouver this Monday to call for a stop to the political killings of activists in the Philippines and for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to the human rights group Karapatan, since 2001 when Arroyo came to power, there have been 690 extra judicial killings of political activists and other civilians. Women and children, priests, lawyers, trade unionists, peasants and progressive politicians are included in the list of those killed. The list may be viewed at cp-union.org.

In Vancouver, a mock funeral march and protest rally and vigil will take place in front of the Philippine Consulate offices at 700 West Pender (at Granville) on Monday, July 24, 2006 from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Rallyists will display the names and some pictures of the 690 people killed on tombstones and light candles to protest what they see as the Arroyo-sanctioned killings.

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Cheers to Jennie for sending us this report on the World/Labour Peace Forums, held recently in Vancouver. For more information about these events visit worldpeaceforum.ca and vdlc.ca.

Blogging on the World’s First Peace Forum in Vancouver BC, June 23-28, 2006by Jennie Chu, BC EO rep for PSAC-Agriculture Union

I was one of 4500 delegates registered for the World Peace Forum (WPF) and truly was grateful to Vancouver District Labour Council (VDLC) for organizing the 2-day Labour Peace Forum (LPF).

Patty Ducharme (NEVP, PSAC), Jennie Chu (AGR EO Rep, BC) and Yves Ducharme (National President, AGR).

The LPF was made possible through the generous financial support from CUPE National, PSAC, BCGEU, CUPW, BCNU, CEP, HAS, CUPE BC, HEU, CAW, COPE 378, BCFED, ILWU 500, CUPE METRO, IUOE 963, CUPE 402, MWBIU 1, UFCW, BCNU Shaughnessy Heights, CAW 2200, IBEW 258, Saskatoon Labour Council, and Campbell River Labour Council.

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Via email: Costa Rica has long stood out in Latin America as a peaceful and democratic society.  Its President, Oscar Arias Sanchez, is a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  It’s not the kind of place you’d usually find LabourStart calling for a global campaign — but that’s exactly what we’re doing today.

Costa Rica is now the kind of country where trade union leaders have their lives threatened, union offices get raided by armed men, and courts are mobilized in an effort to break unions.  All this takes place in the context of the struggle by unions against CAFTA — the free trade agreement between several Central American countries and the USA.

Costa Rican unions are appealing for a large number of email protest messages to be send to the country’s president and other leaders. Please lend your support to this campaign today: visit labourstart.org and send an email message to the Costa Rican government.

On the morning of May 27, 2006, at 05.54 AM local time (at 03.54 PM Pacific Time on May 26, 2006), a powerful earthquake shook the Special Province of Yogyakarta, inhabited by 2.6 million people, located in the central part of Java Island, Indonesia. The epicenter of the earthquake, registered 6.3 on the Richter scale, is 15 miles from Yogyakarta, the capital of the Special Province of Yogyakarta. Fatalities based on the latest official report were approximately 5,136 people, mostly the residents of the Bantul Regency, in the Southern part of Yogyakarta (population more than 770.000).

In light of this recent earthquake in Indonesia, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (explorASIAN Festival) will turn its two free concert events at the explorINDONESIAN Batik and Arts Exhibition at the Roundhouse Community Centre into benefit concerts for earthquake relief. Admission to both concerts will be by donation and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross. We invite the Lower Mainland community to attend the exhibition and the two concerts and make a donation.

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Via Labourstart.org: Nothing stays fresh forever. Not food, not news, and not online campaigns.

Online campaigns have their own typical life spans. In the first few days, they often succeed in mobilizing large numbers of people to send off messages of protest. After that, support steadily diminishes. After a few weeks, only a trickle of messages — if even that — reaches the target employer or government. This sends the wrong message, we think.

That’s why at LabourStart we tend to suspend campaigns that haven’t reached a satisfactory end after 90 days. We don’t want employers and governments to think that people have forgotten.

But this week, we’re making an exception to our rule — and we have a very special request to all of you.

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CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — The Philippines is fast becoming the most dangerous place for labor unions after Colombia, a US-based labor rights advocacygroup said Tuesday as members of a 12-nation International Labor SolidarityMission fanned out to various provinces to investigate killings, abductions and other attacks on labor leaders and supporters.

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When the city adopted its ethical purchasing policy in February last year, staff estimated that it could add $150,000 to the city’s budget and cost the parks board $185,000. A report Tuesday updating council on the progress of the policy says the costs have been negligible. In one notable instance-the cost of city uniforms-ethical purchasing resulted in a $14,000 saving, thanks to a consolidation of suppliers and a standardization of products. This is not the case in all areas. The introduction of fair trade coffee at the Carnegie Centre and the Gathering Place has tagged $11,000 on to their budgets.

The ethical purchasing policy governs the products city staff buy. Because of industry trends, availability and the nature of civic government, it applies mostly to uniforms and foodstuffs. When most of us hear the term “fair trade,” we think coffee. But the term, which designates that the farmer, producer or supplier has received fair compensation, employs environmental practices, and supports improved social services and investment in local economic infrastructure, also applies to the chocolate, sugar and bananas the city uses.

Read more about the COV’s ethical purchasing policy at the Vancouver Courier’s website.