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The work of Unifor women members in Ontario received special recognition at two separate events for their work to raise awareness on issues of intimate partner violence (IPV), and for their outstanding grassroots work advocating for women’s rights, social justice and the environment.
On Wednesday, June 19, the Ontario Regional Council (ORC) Women’s Committee Chair Sarah-Kai Antanaitis (Local 5555), ORC Member at Large Ayan Holland (Local 2458), and Local 240 President Jodi Nesbitt joined Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey at a roundtable on IPV hosted by Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West).
The Ontario NDP has tabled Bill 173 that would see IPV declared an epidemic, a classification that would spur government action. This reflects the Renfrew County Inquest Report’s first recommendation, one of 86 steps a jury recommended to address IPV in the region. The roundtable discussion featured many service providers, IPV survivors, and community advocates.
“Unifor has long known about the epidemic that is intimate partner violence and we have grown the union’s groundbreaking Women’s Advocate program that now covers 616 Unifor workplaces with new advocates being bargained every month across the country because we know the need is there,” said Ramsey. “It is important to have more conversations like we had with Marit and Lisa and the community of Windsor so that government policy can address and be active in preventing further violence.”
You can add your voice to those calling for support for Bill 173 and to enact meaningful change for survivors and those currently living in unsafe situations at ontariondp.ca/bill-173.
On Thursday, June 20, the Windsor District Labour Council hosted their annual Gary Parent Activist Awards, the first without the presence of namesake Gary who passed away in early May following a battle with cancer.
Three Unifor sisters received honours: Allison Kozolanka from Local 444 received an award for advocacy for Environment, Pam Strong of Local 200 for Women’s advocacy, and Madeleine Gagnier-Chauvin of Local 240 for Social Justice.
“What’s special about these awards is that they focus on those at the grassroots level doing the work, like Allison, Pam and Madeleine,” said Ramsey. “Shining a light on these sisters – all of whom do incredible work in the community – is so well-deserved. Our workplaces, our community and our union all benefit from their dedication and hard work.”
