On March 21, we celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, marking the day in 1960 that 69 blacks were massacred in Sharpville, South Africa for opposing the hateful pass laws that sustained apartheid.
On this day and every day its essential that we renew our commitment to end discrimination and promote equality.
In this struggle, we in CUPE can be proud of the leadership weve provided and continue to provide.
Our National Rainbow Committee and anti-racism activists at the local and division levels continue to challenge myths, promote tolerance and build understanding.
An historic Aboriginal Partnership agreement, signed in Saskatchewan in November, underlines our commitment to create opportunities to make our workplaces and our union more representative of the communities where we live and work.
And this year, in schools and community centres and around the family dinner table, CUPE members and our children are Colouring in CUPE, raising awareness and promoting action by colouring and displaying posters to mark March 21.
For too long those with power have taken advantage of the diversity among us to divide and weaken. But we know that united we are stronger.
Our goal as a union is to make the struggle for equality everyones struggle. Our commitment is that we wont let up our efforts til weve succeeded.
JUDY DARCY
National President