United Way British Columbia, the Vancouver & District Labour Council and the New Westminster & District Labour Council will celebrate the amazing things the Labour movement makes possible at this year’s annual Labour Appreciation Night. This year’s event takes place on Thursday, December 8. Unions are an important force for democracy impacting not only workers’ safety and job security, but also public policy, human rights and social issues like poverty. Unions and the Labour movement make our community stronger every day and actively support charitable organizations like United Way British Columbia. The annual event acknowledges the many contributions that Sisters, Brothers and Friends have made to strengthen their unions and our communities. Pacific Blue Cross returns as presenting sponsor of the event for the sixth time. “We are proud to support United Way British Columbia and celebrate the outstanding individuals recognized at this year’s event, who share a common vision to improve health and well-being in workplaces and communities across British Columbia,” says Mark Olsen, Chair of the Pacific Blue Cross Board of Directors. Pacific Blue Cross has a longstanding partnership with the Labour movement. Before the existence of universal health care, Pacific Blue Cross’ founding organizations administered group plans that covered the medical and dental costs of union members. Pacific Blue Cross has a mission to improve health and well-being in British Columbia. The not-for-profit organization is also the province’s leading benefits provider, serving approximately one in three British Columbians. “None of the work United Way does would be possible without the generous support of individual workers and unions. It’s by working together that we are able to tackle difficult social issues like poverty, a topic that keynote speaker Trish Garner of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition will address at this year’s event” said Nikki Hill, Director CLC Labour Participation Department, United Way British Columbia.” Three outstanding individuals will be honoured with a Community Service Award for their social activism. They are: United Way British Columbia Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award Recipient George Davison, President, Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC; Vancouver & District Labour Council Syd Thompson Community Service Award Recipient Ellen Woodsworth, Chairperson, Women Transforming Cities International Society and former Vancouver City Council; and New Westminster & District Labour Council Labour Community Service Award Recipient Chuck Puchmayr, Councillor, City of New Westminster. Purchase tickets to this year’s Labour Appreciation Night here.
