World AIDS Day - December 1, 2005

Every year on December 1st, millions of people around the globe observe World AIDS Day.  The aim of World AIDS Day is to educate people about HIV/AIDS, and to urge them to take action.

 HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue.  In some African countries, entire economies are being destroyed because the pandemic is killing millions of workers.  To date, more than 40 million people around the world have been infected with HIV.  Twenty million people have died.  One half million children die each year.  Fourteen million are orphaned by AIDS.  More than 14,000 people are infected with HIV every single day.  And every day, AIDS kills 8,000 people.

HIV/AIDS is also a concern in Canada where it is on the rise again among young gay men, older women and Aboriginal peoples.  CUPE’s Equality Branch has prepared two fact sheets on HIV/AIDS, one on Aboriginal Peoples and one on women.  Use them to educate your members.  Invite a speaker to talk at your local meeting.

PREVENTION IS PARAMOUNT!

CUPE members have an important role to play in the fight to limit the spread and impact of this devastating disease. We encourage you to donate to the HIV/AIDS Labour Fund, established by the Canadian Labour Congress. Please make your cheque payable to:

Canadian HIV/AIDS Labour Fund

2841 Riverside Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1V 8X7

Tel.: (613) 521-3400

Fax: (613) 521-8949

E-mail: international@clc-ctc.ca