World Aids Day, December 1, challenges us to renew our commitment to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, at home and globally.
Earlier this year, CUPE launched new materials, including a booklet containing CUPE’s HIV and AIDS policy. This policy seeks to ensure the full protection of all human rights and labour rights for HIV positive workers, and those working or living with people who are HIV positive. It outlines CUPE’s vision for action in solidarity with those living with HIV in Canada and around the world.
Among our priorities, the CUPE HIV policy commits us to harm reduction strategies, such as safe injection sites. CUPE will continue to push for harm reduction strategies and programs. With a new federal government in Ottawa, it is now the time to move away from the counter- productive, Conservative ideology based on criminalization and punishment.
Prevention and social justice issues are also at the forefront of our efforts, some groups being more vulnerable than others because of inequality, marginalization and discrimination.
Among newly infected people with HIV in Canada, 12 per cent are Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people make up four per cent of the population, and are vastly overrepresented in the epidemic.
Here are some concrete actions you can take:
- Educate yourself and your members about HIV and AIDS issues, by downloading CUPE’s booklet “A labour response to the epidemic”.
- Check out CUPE’s HIV and AIDS Bargaining checklist, to include good language within your collective agreements.
- Join with other HIV and AIDS advocates in your community this World AIDS Day!
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Build awareness in your local with the new CUPE HIV poster - print or order on line.
Unions have an important role to play in the workplace and in the community. CUPE’s stand on HIV/AIDS is one example.
Unions work for fairness and equality every day, in the workplace and in our community, standing up for workers’ rights and human rights. Every day, we work in our community providing the essential public services our communities depend on.
