BURNABY, BC-CUPE BC’s new Stop Workplace Bullying website is filled with campaign updates, resources, information and links aimed at making CUPE members and the public aware of the nature and extent of personal harassment, bullying and mobbing that exists in workplaces and make it clear that “it’s not part of the job”.
In a letter to all locals yesterday and on behalf of the CUPE BC executive, CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill encouraged all CUPE locals and 70,000 members in the province to support popular radio station CKNW’s “Bullying Stops Here” campaign which is calling on the public to wear pink on Wednesday, February 27, 2008.
In a letter to all CUPE locals, O’Neill writes:
Bullying is increasingly being recognized as a serious problem in our schools, workplaces and in society.
At work, personal harassment and bullying undermine the self-esteem and dignity of individuals and creates a hostile or offensive work environment.
Besides being destructive to worker health, it also has a negative impact on our ability to provide quality public services.
Many of you have identified that this is a problem in CUPE workplaces and the first step is awareness.
Two incredible high school students from the province I grew up in, Nova Scotia, one day stood up for a classmate that was bullied because he wore pink to school.
How did they do it? They organized. They encouraged everyone to wear pink t-shirts to school to stamp out bullying and before they knew it, high schools all across the province were wearing pink to school and their story has received international attention.
Let’s organize in the same way. I’m encouraging all CUPE locals and members to join CKNW’s “BULLYING STOPS HERE” campaign on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 by wearing pink to work on that day. Encourage your children, friends and neighbours to do the same!
For more information, please visit Bullying Stops Here!
For media inquiries, please contact Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, 778-229-0258.