EDMONTON – A group of union leaders and activists from across Alberta with gather in Edmonton tomorrow to discuss strategies for combating racism, harassment and discrimination in the workplace and in the broader community.
The meeting is being held this weekend in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism – which falls each year on March 21st. On March 21, 1960, South African police fired into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville Township, killing sixty-nine people.

Since that time, the anniversary of the “Sharpeville Massacre” has become a rallying point for people involved in the struggle against racism – it’s a time to remember all the suffering that has been caused by racism and to celebrate successes in the battle for racial tolerance.

At the AFL meeting, members of the federation’s Workers of Colour and Aboriginal Workers caucus will discuss the role that unions can play in the battle against racism. In particular, participants will report on the progress made towards implementing recommendations from a conference on racism and human rights sponsored by the AFL last fall.

“We’ve come a long way since Sharpeville,” says AFL president Audrey Cormack. “But, unfortunately, racism and intolerance are still big problems, around the world and right here in Alberta. Just this month many Albertans were shocked when Conservative MLA Ivan Strang told New Democrat Raj Pannu to “go back to India.” “This was a clear example of the scope of the problem. That’s why we are doing our part to foster tolerance in offices, shops and factories around the province.”

Cormack says tomorrow’s meeting will be an opportunity for activists to build on the steps that have already been taken by unions to educate their members about the damage caused by intolerance.

“The labour movement is taking the problems of racism and discrimination very seriously,” says Cormack. “We see this meeting as just one more step in our continuing campaign to eradicte intolerance and promote a more welcoming environment at work, in our communities and within our unions. We are hopeful that the discussion we have this weekend will lay the groundwork for constructive change.”
Members of the AFL Workers of Colour and Aboriginal Workers Caucus will be meeting in closed sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 20. Participants in the meeting will be available to answer questions from the media between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in Rm 112 of the AUPE Building (10451-170 Street). Cormack can be reached for comment by phone.

For more information call:

Audrey Cormack, President: 483-302 (work) 499-6530 (cell) 428-9367 (home)