Human Rights for First Nations Children

Today the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is hearing a case that alleges the Canadian government discriminates against First Nation children through its inadequate funding of family services. The Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society allege that the federal government is discriminating against First Nations families and children by funding child welfare at amounts that are far less than what’s provided by provincial governments off of reserves.

In solidarity, members of Local 30048 has signed dozens of "Have a heart for First Nations children" letters which we will be delivering to our local Member of Parliament, Jim Hillyer.

These letters were collected on February 14, on the International Day of One Billion Rising.

Read more: 

www.ctvnews.ca/canada/tribunal-hears-first-nations-child-welfare-case-does-ottawa-discriminate-1.1170503#ixzz2Lx1DfwGG

aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/02/25/human-rights-tribunal-into-how-feds-treat-first-nation-children-underway/

www.fnwitness.ca

Lethbridge PSAC Local shines in 2012

We did some good things in 2012! Thanks Local 30048 for all your support. Here's an article on us from the Prairie Region website -
http://prairies.psac.com/campaigns/we-are-all-affected/lethbridge-psac-local-shines-in-2012

Don't Sell Our Hot Springs

The federal government plans to privatize the federally owned Canadian Rockies Hot Springs including the Banff Upper Hot Springs, Miette Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs. 

PSAC has organized a campaign to save our hot springs. For more information and how to take action -
http://prairies.psac.com/our-organization/campaigns/dont-sell-our-hot-springs

Idle No More

 As you likely know, PSAC is supporting the Idle No More campaign. Here's a letter from Sister Benson -
http://www.psac.com/news/2012/messages/20121220-e.shtml

Locally, our Local and Area Council have lent support to a couple actions. Here is how you can get personally involved in Idle No More. We hope to see you out at some of these events.

All are on Friday, December 21, 2012:

10am-noon - Peaceful rally just west of Brocket 

12pm noon - Solidarity drum circle at Jim Hillyer's office 

Noon-4pm - Peaceful rally and detour near Cardston on Highway to Lethbridge

6pm - Flash mob drum circle and round dance at Park Place mall - Wear red, yellow, black or white and congregate in the hallways from Santa, to food court, to guest services desk. Wait for drumming and join the dance!

Also, take the time to educate yourself on the issues surrounding Idle No More.

http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/

Supporting our Brothers!

Local 30048 supports our Brothers with their Movember fund-raising campaign.

Donate to the Lethbridge Research Centre Movember Team.
https://www.movember.com/ca/donate/payment/team_id/494473

And

Wear a button!

Buttons are available by donation from Jan or Ken or a member of the Executive Committee or Shop Steward.

Political action required - Zellers, Public Child Care, Farm Worker Rights

PSAC Local 30048 encourages its members and the public to support three worthy campaigns that directly affect Lethbridge and our members.

1. Zellers
Our local Zellers will soon be closing. No Target store is scheduled to be opened. This limits shopping choice and puts valuable community members out of work. Further, all Zellers employees across Canada are losing their jobs and being asked to reapply to Target. Is this fair?
See www.targetfairness.ca and write to ask Target to keep our Zellers open.
Mr. Tony Fisher
President
Target Canada
5570 Explore Drive
Mississauga ON  L4W 5N1


2. Quality Public Early Childhood Education and Care
Public Interest Alberta is asking for support in their campaign. They are calling on the Alberta government to commit to accessible and affordable quality early childhood education and care. Visit http://pialberta.org/action-areas/childcare to share your voice.


3. Safety NOW for Alberta Agriculture Workers
Join UFCW in calling on the Alberta government to ensure that discrimination against Alberta Agriculture Workers is ended and to extend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include workers in the agriculture industry. Send a message to Premier Redford at Safety NOW for Alberta Agriculture Workers.

Information on Food Alerts

http://www.foodsafetyfirst.ca/

This is a great site for information on food alerts for both Canada and the USA. For instance, did you know there was a recent recall on ready-to-eat products from Costco due to Listeria?

And who is one of the Food Safety First members? You are! P.S.A.C. is a proud sponsor of this campaign.

About FoodSafetyFirst.ca

FoodSafetyFirst.ca is a network of thousands of Canadians who are concerned about the safety of our food.

In this age of global trade and factory produced food, and in the wake of the Maple Leaf Foods tragedy that left 22 dead and dozens ill, FoodSafetyFirst.ca advocates more and better government inspection and less industry self-policing when it comes to food safety.

The FoodSafetyFirst.ca network takes action in favour of better food safety protections and to expose the murky world of food safety policy-making that for too long has been influenced by the food industry at the expense of consumers and safety.