Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

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.

Filipino-Canadian Progressive Youth Organization Fundraises for the Victims of Deadly Philippine Mudslide

Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA), a grassroots community organization for youth of Filipino ancestry will hold a fundraiser for the victims of the recent mudslide on the Philippine island of Leyte. The disaster has claimed an estimated 1,800 lives.

“Pinoy Poetiks” will be held on February 25, 2006 8:00 pm at El Cocal Restaurant, 1037 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC. Pinoy Poetiks will be a night of music, poetry, and spoken word, an open-mic event where Filipino youth can bring their thoughts, speak their mind, and of course, get creative. All proceeds will go the victims of the mudslide.

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Via email: As you know, another tragedy has befallen the Filipino people — the Mudslide Tragedy that happened on Friday, February 17th in Southern Leyte, Philippines. An initial report that there are over 1,800 death toll, and still there are more victims waiting to be rescued. However, due to slow rescue operation and worsening weather condition, there are more deaths expected. This is not the first time that another tragedy has befallen the Filipino people. We will send you updates on the situation as they become available in our website, www.kalayaancentre.net. In particular, we will try to send you articles analysing the root causes for such a tragedy.

In the meantime, the groups in the Kalayaan Centre are seeking your expressions of support (both financial and material) for the people of Leyte.

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