NUPGE asks political leaders to sign pledge respecting workers
 James
Clancy says a promise in writing to abide by Workers' Bill of Rights
would boost the credibility of leaders, candidates and political
parties
Ottawa (8 Dec 2005) - James Clancy, president of the National Union
of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), is challenging the leaders
of the four parties in Canada's Jan. 23 election to sign a pledge
committing themselves and their parties to abide by the Workers'
Bill of Rights.
NUPGE is making public its request for a written pledge during the
week leading up to Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.
Dec. 10 is the anniversary of the ratification of the 1948 United
Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognized the
right to join a union and bargain collectively as a basic human
right.
Principal author was a Canadian
The principal author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
was a native of New Brunswick, Canada, John Peters Humphrey. He
wrote the first draft of what eventually became perhaps the most
important human rights document in history.
"During this election, all three party leaders have said they will
stand up for the rights of working people in this country and voters
are wondering who they can really trust," says Clancy.
"By signing our pledge, the leaders and their candidates will be
given a boost in credibility by formally and explicitly signaling
that they can be counted on to protect and uphold the fundamental
right to freedom of association as envisioned by Canadian John
Humphrey when he drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,"
he adds.
The Workers' Bill of Rights Pledge commits the party leaders and
their parties to affirm that "all workers have the right to join and
form unions without interference by an employer or government and
the right to bargain collectively as the means of determining their
wages, working conditions and terms of employment."
"Protecting the rights of workers to form unions and bargain
collectively is not only required by Articles 21
and 23 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
but also is vital to promoting broadly shared economic prosperity,
social justice and strong democracies," says Clancy.
A statement of trust
"This pledge is a very clear statement and by signing it the party
leaders and their candidates are telling working families that we
can trust their promises to stand up for workers rights," Clancy
adds.
"We encourage our members across the country to have their local
riding candidates sign this pledge as well."
More information:
•
Click
here to review, print and sign the Workers' Bill of Rights Pledge
•
Derek Fudge, National Director, Policy Development Liaison, NUPGE
Phone: (613) 228-9800 NUPGE
Web posted by NUPGE:
8 December 2005
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