subject: Iupat Ontario District Council 46: A Training Ground For Young Activists [print this page] As part of its commitment to educate young activists about leadership, IUPAT District Council 46 has unveiled a series of new programs for potential young leaders. Designed to offer new and potential leaders within the union, insights into the labour movement and the value of political action and organization, these programs will add to IUPATs existing initiatives in the field of education.
Described by IUPAT General President Williams as the "Young Lions" of the union, these potential new recruits will be educated on the need for political involvement and political action. With the 2010 Ontario elections for mayors, city councilors, and school board trustees due to be held on October 25, 2010, IUPAT District Council 46 and other Ontario Local Unions are upbeat that these programs will lead to a new generation of leaders who will motivate and inspire union members in the years to come.
In the past, there have been many threats to the labour movement in Ontario. Even today, some city councilors continue to support a move to remove the Fair Wage Policy and eliminate the collective bargaining agreements at the City of Toronto and the Metro Toronto School Board along with the other communities in Ontario that support organized labour. At the moment, both policies offer IUPAT District Council 46 and the Locals in Ontario enormous benefits. In DC 46 alone, 13 IUPAT District 46 members work for the City of Toronto paint maintenance department, accumulating 22,000 work hours and $683,000 in wages. Similarly, the Toronto District School Board provides work for 69 members. This adds up to 87,000 hours and over $975,000 in wages. Above this are the numerous contractors that employ our members in the various fair wage communities.
With so much at stake, it is crucial that the good work done by IUPAT in the Province of Ontario continue. This is where you, our bright and dynamic young activists, come in. By involving yourselves as trainers in our education and recruiting initiatives for leadership building, you will help our union pave the way for the future.
The initiatives, known collectively as TEAM [TOGETHER EDUCATING AND ACTIVATING MEMBERS], are designed to build a better understanding of the labour movement, and educate union members understand the intricacies of collective bargaining. TEAM will also address such issues as the decline of union action and the value of non-union members to the collective bargaining power of the union. Most importantly, TEAM will lay out a blueprint for future political action by IUPAT District Council 46 within the Province of Ontario. Members who attend these sessions will return with a thorough understanding of the history of the labour movement and the issues confronting it.
For more information on involvement as young activists in TEAM or any other education and recruiting programs organized by IUPAT Ontario District Council 46, visit iupat today and sign up!
