Here are some ways to increase awareness, understand and change:
We have ordered buttons, stickers and posters- if you would like one please connect with Sarah Bomberry.
Learn:
- Download and print or order free copies of CUPE’s 2022 Black History Month posters and bookmarks. This year’s materials feature Bromley Lloyd Armstrong, a Jamaican immigrant who became a Canadian civil rights leader, dedicated trade unionist and committed community organizer who was known for being passionate about radical social change in the fight against racial discrimination.
- Are you a Black CUPE member? The National Rainbow Committee invites you to join them in celebration of Black History Month to express pride in being Black with CUPE’s “Unapologetically Black” button and sticker.
- The National Rainbow Committee invites allies to show your support with our “I Value Black Lives” button and sticker.
- Ask Black people in the union, workplace and community what they need in terms of support.
- Educate yourself and others on race and racism, including systemic racism.
- Invite a Black activist or representatives of community organizations to speak to your members.
- Contact Union Education to request CUPE workshops on Challenging Racism, Intro to Human Rights and Anti-Oppression to be delivered to members in your region.
- Check out CUPE’s landing page on Black History Month to view activities and learning resources.
Act
- See, listen, believe, respect and value Black voices and lives.
- Recommit yourself to the significant objective of racial justice in our union, workplaces and communities.
- Listen to current and former CUPE National Executive Board DVPs speak on Black Lives Matter.
- Take anti-Black racism complaints through the grievance process in its entirety.
- Recognize racial trauma as a mental health issue.
- Recognize workplace racial trauma as a health and safety issue from a psychosocial perspective.
- Create space for Black members to network, communicate, share and heal.
- Celebrate and promote Black History Month within your local.
- Lobby your government for the implementation of legislation that addresses anti-Black racism in your region, including employment equity legislation.
- Support community organizations and movements like Black Lives Matter and other community organizations that fight against systemic racism and violence.
- Visit blacklivesmatter.ca and follow #BlackLivesMatter on Twitter.
- Attend virtual Black History Month events across the county to celebrate, learn and network.
- Update your bylaws to create an Equity Representative position on your executive.
Bargain
- Bargain employment equity language into your collective agreement to help ensure that your workplace represents the diversity of your community.
- Ensure there is a Black equity representative on your bargaining committee.
- Bargain access to benefits and pension entitlements for precarious workers; bargain language that obligates the employer to convert part-time positions to full-time, permanent positions.
Learn more at cupe.ca/black-history-month