March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
We are currently experiencing the rise of precarious work across the country. As precarious work becomes the norm, workers of colour are disproportionately forced to take on low paid jobs, contributing to their higher rates of poverty.
In addition to more precarious work, gun violence and discriminatory practices like racial profiling and carding targets youth of colour, new immigrants, and refugees. These practices have a devastating impact on these groups, and tear communities apart.
Human rights, economic justice and racial justice go hand in hand.
In light of that reality, we need to:
- Redouble our efforts to pressure our government to implement a $15 minimum wage and reverse the trends in precarious employment.
- Advocate to governments and the police to stop gun violence, racial profiling and carding practices.
- Demand that the federal government implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation commission.
March 21 is a special day of commemoration, but at CUPE, we believe the ideal time to renew our commitment to eliminating racism and discrimination is every day.
Creating a workplace where everyone is treated equally isn’t easy. But there are many things you can do to promote equality – read the letter attached below.
Please join us in calling attention to tools like our anti-racism brochure, Diversity, Our Strength and other online resources at cupe.ca/racial-equality.
