Unifor members and their families from across Canada participated in Unifor’s Family Education Program (FEP) Week 1 for the week of July 7-14.
This particular week had the largest group ever to attend an FEP session.
National Representative for the Education Department Roland Kiehne said “82 families – 139 adults, 51 teenagers and 68 kids (12 and under) = 258 participants. This represents the largest number of members to ever participate in a single session of the program. Amazing!”
Adults attended classes to learn about Unifor, why we have unions, human rights issues and social justice.
Each class forms a local and they each develop a resolution to present and debate at a mock convention that happens on Saturday.
Local 2000 President Brian Gibson participated as a Discussion Leader and led a class during the week.
“The resolution our class was assigned was ending harassment against journalists,” said Gibson.
“After sharing the Unifor Media video on ending harassment against journalists, the class was really fired up and outraged about what is happening to our media members,” Gibson added.
The class did some research and put together a resolution for their upcoming mock convention. They made posters and buttons to help bolster their cause. They talked a lot about Bill C-63. (See the resolution below along with photos from the events and some of the signs and buttons made in the class.)
Although this bill is focused on child protection online, it also takes aim at anonymity and hate that is spread through online social platforms.
Some members of the class even wanted to ask for stiffer criminal penalties to those that engage in harassing behaviour towards media workers.
They also spoke about the importance of media in our democracy in holding those in power to account.
At the convention, the video was played for the whole group followed by the reading the resolution then the floor was opened.
“Our group stood behind the PRO mic and made points on why the other ‘delegates’ should support this resolution. One member from the auto industry said, they really hadn’t thought about or was aware of this issue but this has to stop,” said Gibson.
“Another felt comfortable to share his experience as a CBC reporter in Ottawa during the Freedom Convoy. It was emotional but it made participants realize this is a real issue that needs to stop.”
The resolution was passed unanimously by delegates.
After-hours. there are a ton of fun activities for families to participate in at the Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ont., including bingo, movie nights and a carnival. They also can just relax at the beach along the shores of Lake Huron or take a dip in the water and watch some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Families get to enjoy a free day on the Wednesday where they can relax and enjoy the centre. The food is amazing. They feed you three times a day with a varied menu always with some amazing desserts.
On the free day Wednesday, they have an amazing brunch complete with an omelette station and wide variety of breakfast and lunch treats.
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– Brian Gibson
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