Banff The participants at CUPEs Women Moving Forward Conference will focus on the social, economic and political forces which impact on women and womens wages. The conference, sponsored by CUPE Alberta and CUPE British Columbia, will be held September 23 25 in Banff at the Banff Arts Centre.
This years Womens Conference is closely tied to CUPEs Womens Wages Campaign launched on Labour Day said Terry Mutton, President of CUPE Alberta. The campaign and our conference are part of CUPEs contribution to the global Womens March 2000. These events and the marches, which are leading up to the March 2000 in Ottawa on October 15, all focus attention on eliminating poverty and violence against women.
The over 100 conference participants will use the image of a stone wall to depict a gender analysis of todays economy. In building the Wall participants will begin with their own lives, sharing experiences of how changes in the economy, especially changes to jobs and the social safety net, have affected them and their wages. They will then analyze their experiences, looking at how womens work has been undervalued, underpaid and unpaid. And finally, they will identify actions for change.
Were really excited about our Womens Conference and our March Celebration on Banff High Schools grounds at 5:30 on Sunday evening, said Barb Ames, Chair, CUPE Alberta Equal Opportunities Committee. Having over 100 CUPE activists from across BC and Alberta in Banff also gives us the opportunity to meet activists in the Bow Valley community who share our concerns over the issues of poverty and violence against women. Were looking forward to sharing our experiences and our visions for change.
CUPE is Canadas largest union, representing 485,000 women and men in health care, education, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines across Canada.
For more information, please call Terry Mutton, (403) 269-1160 and Barb Ames, (403) 268-2871(w) or (403)246-7144 (h).