Dear Brothers & Sisters:
On March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we will unite within our union and around the world to stand up against racism and reaffirm our dedication to equal rights for everyone.
The PSAC is committed to ensuring our members are protected from all forms of racism, discrimination and hatred in the workplace because as much as I wish I could say it no longer exists, the unfortunate truth, Brothers and Sisters, is that racial discrimination is alive and well in the world today.
Statistics have shown us that the wage gap between recent immigrants and Canadian-born workers continues to widen and that recent immigrants still have lower employment rates and higher unemployment rates than the Canadian born. Brothers and Sisters, this is discrimination. And we must do our part to put an end to it.
Next month, racially visible members from across the country will gather at the 2011 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members in Vancouver to strategize on how to take action and advocate for racialized workers’ rights –– an important step in creating change.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Together, on this day and every day going forward, we must commit ourselves to promote and protect this ideal.
United, Empowered, Fearless: Ready for Action!
In Solidarity,
Robyn Benson
Regional Executive Vice-President
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Prairies