Picket Line Solidary, Red Dress Gathering, and National Day of Truth & Reconciliation Webinar
Recirculated on behalf of the NWDLC
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Picket support in our region. Please take a moment to stop by in solidarity and support these workers:
Public service workers represented by the BCGEU/PEA are on strike, issues are wages. There are pickets across the province, including two in our region. Click here for additional pickets and information.
Surrey 10470 152 Street, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm
Surrey 10475 138 Street, Monday to Friday from 6:20am to 6:20pm
Surrey 14323 57 Avenue, Monday to Friday from 6:20am to 6:20pm
USW 1944 workers at Rogers are on strike, and Rogers continues to contract out and is exploiting a loophole in Canada’s new anti-scab law – flying in managers to do strikers’ work. Write to your MP today and take a minute to back the techs: tell your MP to close the loophole now!
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Shared on behalf of HEU
Join this annual Red Dress Gathering to honour thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S) in Canada. There will be Guest speakers, as well as drumming, dancing, and story telling.
When: Sunday, September 21, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: Bear Creek Park at 13750 88th Avenue in Surrey, off 140th Street at the east side entrance
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Shared on behalf of the Moose Hide Campaign
Join us for a special webinar in honour of the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. It has been ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Final Report and 94 Calls to Action. This webinar offers space to reflect on the progress made, the challenges that remain, and the journey that lies ahead.
When: Monday, September 22, at 10:00am
Where: Online – register here
Moncada Day Event with Dr. Gerald Horne – July 26, 2025
-Circulated on behalf of Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Vancouver-
We invite you to join us for a special event in honor of Moncada Day, hosted by the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association – Vancouver (CCFA-Vancouver).
Solidarity Across Nations: Moncada’s Revolutionary Legacy
With Special Guest Speaker & Book Signing by Gerald Horne
📅 Date: Friday, July 26
🕡 Doors Open: 6:45 PM
🕖 Event Start: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Russian Hall – 600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver, BC
We are honoured to welcome Dr. Gerald Horne as our keynote speaker. Dr. Horne is a Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston, and a prolific scholar whose work explores racism, labor, anti-colonial movements, and international solidarity. He is the author of over thirty books, and his contributions offer deep insights into revolutionary history. We are happy to confirm Dr. Horne will be available at this event for a book signing of his new book: The Capital of Slavery.
This evening will be a gathering of activists, scholars, and community members reflecting on the legacy of the anti-imperialist struggle, the importance of self-determination and the vital role of international solidarity.
This event is free admission. Donations will be collected for material aid to Cuba.
The event is hosted by CCFA-Vancouver, a grassroots organization dedicated to building friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Canada and Cuba. The CCFA is a proud member of the Canadian Network on Cuba. Learn more about our work here:
🌐 https://vancouver.canadacubafriendship.ca/about-us/
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training with Len Pierre
Shared on behalf of the NWDLC Indigenous Standing Committee:
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training with Len Pierre – In honour of Indigenous History Month, join the NWDLC’s Indigenous Standing Committee for an afternoon of training, education, dancing and singing, and light refreshments.
When: June 7th, 11:30am-3:00pm
Where: Hilton Metrotown at 6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby
Register here
2025 National Day of Mourning – BC Ceremonies and Events
Dear KFA Colleagues,
Monday, April 28th, 2025 is the National Day of Mourning: a solemn day to honour workers who have been killed, injured, or made ill as a result of their jobs. It is a moment to grieve for the lives lost, recognize the suffering of those left behind, and renew our shared commitment to creating safer, healthier workplaces for all.
Please see the list of events taking place in communities across the province, as well as available resources in the link below.
Event listings across BC
BC Federation of Labour
This year, the BC Federation of Labour will co-host a Day of Mourning ceremony at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver.
10:00 am to 10:45 am
Jack Poole Plaza
1055 Canada Place
Vancouver V6C 3L5
You are welcome to attend in person, or to watch the livestream. Please visit the Day of Mourning website for more information on these and other events taking place throughout BC.
In solidarity,
Mark Diotte
President, Kwantlen Faculty Association
president@yourkfa.ca
May Day 2025
Shared on behalf of the Vancouver & District Labour Council
Celebrate International Workers’ Day! Join us at the May Day Community Social
Open to All Workers for food, drink, speakers, live music, and more
When: Thursday, May 1, 6:00pm-midnight
Where: The Birdhouse at 44 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Pledge for Canada
Circulated on behalf of VDLC
Workers know the power of solidarity, and in these uncertain times we need that power now more than ever. That’s why the VDLC has endorsed the Pledge for Canada, and we are encouraging you to do the same.
The Pledge offers a broad-based set of values, from which to work together to confront the threats to our economy and our sovereignty, and ensure that the future of Canada is determined by us – not by Donald Trump.
You can read the Pledge at https://engagement-canada-pledge.ca/, then join the tens of thousands of others who have already signed and are standing together for our future.
Conference on Relationship Violence May 15 and 16 – call for abstracts
Hello Colleagues,
The Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR) is hosting its annual conference, “Resilience: Improving Futures,” and invites you to submit an abstract for presentation. This conference focuses on the various factors influencing relationship violence and strategies to enhance resilience. Relationship violence encompasses all forms of violence (physical, financial, emotional, sexual, and spiritual) between individuals who know each other, occurring in any setting. Examples include workplace violence, gang violence, cyberbullying, neglect, intimate partner violence, and violence against men. The root causes of relationship violence are linked to the social determinants of health (housing, income, social roles, gender norms, immigration status, race etc).
If you have conducted research on addressing these root causes to improve resilience or can facilitate a workshop to improve front-line staff skills, NEVR would be interested in having you as a presenter/facilitator. Please consider submitting an abstract by February 21, 2025. The conference will be held on May 15-16 at KPU Newton.
Organizing for Justice: Black Workers, Unions, and Racial Equity
Shared on behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress
February 1 marks the start of Black History Month and the CLC’s theme is Organizing for Justice: Black Workers, Unions, and Racial Equity. In honour of this theme, the CLC is organizing a webinar featuring several Black labour leaders in conversations about the important role unions play in advancing the rights and opportunities for Black workers, the challenges and benefits of unionization for Black workers, and how unions help contribute to advancing racial justice and equity in Canada.
When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 1:00-2:30pm EST
Register here
Resources:
Factsheet on the issues Black workers are facing and how unions help address them
Statement
Ongoing Labour Dispute Between IAMAW and Kal Tire
Circulated on behalf of VDLC
We are passing along the following information from the BC Federation of Labour regarding the ongoing labour dispute involving IAMAW and Kal Tire. Please show your support for these workers by visiting them on the picket line, and in the ways described below.
The dispute involving members of IAMAW and KAL Tire continues. The employer locked out workers at unionized locations on October 31, 2024. The BC Federation of Labour announced a boycott of all Kal Tire locations on December 5, 2024.
In response to the ongoing dispute, Kal Tire has announced it will be permanently closing several locations. The company is closing the Grimmer Street location in Burnaby. Kal Tire also permanently closed two other profitable locations on Annacis Island leaving these “Team Members”, one with 37 years of loyalty, to fend for themselves.
Locked out workers at the other IAMAW locations need your support. The union is asking affiliates and their members to please increase their efforts to call on Kal Tire to negotiate a fair deal. Please post, repost, circulate IAMAW posts about the dispute, and the notice of boycott issues by the BCFED. Have conversations with friends and family to make sure they aren’t supporting Kal tire. Call Kal Tire’s Head Office in Vernon (250-545-2729) leave a voice message for Corey Parks (Pres). Send messages to hello@e.kaltire.com.
Further background from our strike coordinating call in November is listed below:
Background:
IAMAW has had an agreement with two Kal tire locations since 1960. These locations do both automotive and industrial tire servicing. The also represent a location in Sparwood that does tire repairs for the mining industry. IAMAW organized several new locations in the Lower Mainland and wanted to add these workers into the existing Kal Tire agreement. The employer has resisted these efforts insisting on two-tiered wages and benefits. IAMAW members are refusing to accept an agreement that would see them with wages as much as $4 an hour lower than the other unionized locations. IAMAW members issued job action notice and commenced job action with an overtime ban, escalating to a refusal to handle any tires marked as M/S. The employer locked out workers at the Grimmer location and then locked out workers at the other retail locations. On Cliveden Avenue the retail and industrial shops have a shared driveway though they operate as two separate businesses. IAMAW workers are honouring the retail lock out line at that location.
Main issues:
Two tiered wages for newly organized locations, want to pay workers as much as $4 less than existing locations, Pension, 40 Hour Work Week Guarantee
Job action start date:
Workers were locked out on October 31, 2024
Job action locations:
969 Cliveden Avenue, New Westminster, B.C. (2 locations)
1390 Boundary Road, Burnaby, B.C.
5390 Grimmer Street, Burnaby, B.C
2055 Clark Drive, Vancouver, B.C.
8130 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
Support requested:
Messages of support can be shared on X @iamawcanada.
Write customer reviews at the locked-out locations supporting the workers’ rights to a fair deal. You can find the locations here: https://www.kaltire.com/en/locations/ and click on the appropriate store, view details, and scroll down to leave a review.
You can also message Kal Tire on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551232316878X or on X @KalTire.
Early Bird Tickets for VDLC International Women’s Day Dinner
Shared on behalf of the Vancouver & District Labour Council
EARLY BIRD tickets are now on sale for our Annual International Women’s Day dinner. Early Bird ticket sales end at the end on January 31.
When: Saturday, March 8, 2025 – dinner buffet at 6:00pm, panel discussion starts at 7:00pm
Where: South Hall Event Centre at 8273 Ross Street, Vancouver
Purchase Early Bird tickets before January 31 here.
