Last week, organizations across the country celebrated Giving Tuesday – a day where people are encouraged to donate to charities that face a high demand for their services heading into the holiday season.
Often, large organizations match donations from the public to encourage giving and maximise the impact of the donation campaign.
This year, the UNW was pleased to play a small part in what has turned out to be one of the NWT SPCA’s most successful fundraising seasons. The UNW Executive, Regional Vice Presidents, and Local Executives from the union came together to collectively donate over $20,000 to help our furry friends over the holidays.
Social activism is a strong component of the labour movement. The basic principle of standing together in solidarity means Unions are ready and willing to support their communities in times of need.
Decisions about where donations from the UNW go are made by the members. Larger donations that benefit a majority of members and communities around the territories are reviewed by the members elected to the UNW Executive.
A great example is our longstanding partnership with the United Way NWT.
When donating to the United Way NWT, the UNW Executive often joins forces with the PSAC Social Justice Fund. The Social Justice Fund is a national committee of the Public Service Alliance of Canada dedicated to social justice causes, including disaster relief.
The Social Justice Fund contributes to causes in the NWT, across Canada, and all over the world. It receives contributions through negotiated agreements with employers.
For example, the UNW collective agreement with the GNWT contains an appendix where the employer agrees to match automatic employee donations to the Social Justice Fund, with fifty percent of those contributions going exclusively to the United Way NWT.
UNW members have negotiated similar language in several collective agreements with NWT employers.
Over the past five years, the UNW and Social Justice Fund have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in member and employer donations to the United Way NWT Emergency Relief Fund.
Many UNW members are front line responders – firefighters, healthcare workers, municipal workers, to name a few – but the personal impacts of local emergencies go beyond the workplace.
UNW members have been evacuees, volunteers, and support networks for friends and family in need. Though the NWT’s geography is large, its population is not and when disaster strikes, it truly feels like we are all one community.
The UNW is also a proud supporter of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife’s school snack program.
For over 20 years, the UNW has been helping to keep kids at Yellowknife schools focused on their education rather than their stomachs. The other UNW Regions also directly support school food programs for kids.
Around this time of year, you will start to see donations coming from union members through their Locals. These types of donations often have a connection to the Local or the community they serve.
UNW Locals are funded through union dues - a percentage of their members’ dues is provided directly to the Local.
Locals typically spend these funds on activities or initiatives to strengthen their Local members and build community partnerships. Some examples may include, but are certainly not limited to member socials, solidarity swag, team sponsorships, participating in union conferences, or hosting public events.
At the end of the year, if Locals have funds left over, their members may choose to make donations to charities or community fundraisers.
Over the decades, the UNW has donated thousands of dollars to organizations that lift workers and people up and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.
Union principles are solidly based in social justice and the joy in lifting each other up. We’ve fought hard for positive change, stability, and worker gains over the years. Union members are proud to give back to their communities, not just through donations, but also as volunteers.
Union members are more than just workers – we are your friends, family and neighbours. We believe that safer and healthier communities mean safer and healthier workplaces.