Solidarity, not charity: honouring social activism
“What we do together is not charity, it’s solidarity. Every person deserves a decent life,” said Jim Sinclair, one of three Lower Mainland Labour leaders and activists honoured last night for their outstanding community service at the 22nd Annual Labour Appreciation Night. The event was hosted by United Way British Columbia, the Vancouver and District and Labour Council and the New Westminster and District Labour Council. Pacific Blue Cross, B.C.’s only unionized benefits provider with employees represented by CUPE Local 1816, presented the event. The 2015 Community Service Awards were given to: • The Vancouver and District Labour Council Syd Thompson Community Service Award: Jim Sinclair. Jim Sinclair walked his first picket line at the age of 17. Throughout his Labour career, he has held several high-profile positions including President of BC Federation of Labour and Vice President of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union-Unifor. Jim was a founding member of and volunteer at Tools for Peace, and was a volunteer board member at the Vancouver and Richmond Health Authority. He is currently working with Canadian veterans’ organizations and is involved in farmworkers’ issues including the Golden Tree project in Abbotsford, BC. • The New Westminster and District Labour Council’s Labour Community Service Award: Darrell Causey. Twenty years ago, Darrell Causey witnessed employees being mistreated and subjected to unfair processes in his workplace. It was then he started volunteering for union-sponsored community events. He’s a tireless volunteer, often the first to arrive at an event and the last to leave. He has been a shop steward, Vice-President of the Executive Board and now Business Agent for United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) 1518. His other volunteer roles include Protein for People, and Board Director of the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (now Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada). • United Way British Columbia’s Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award: Debra Elless. Ever since she first volunteered as a summer day camp instructor when she was a teen, Debra Elless has been passionate about social activism. From conducting clothing drives for the Downtown Eastside’s Powell Place Shelter, to volunteering at the Lower Mainland Food Bank, she is the change she wants to see. Of her many volunteer experiences, she is most proud of working on Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s annual United Way campaign where she helped increase the annual donations from $2,000 in 2007 to $25,000 in 2012. She is Vice-President of Unifor Local 4275; and is a United Way Campaign Cabinet Labour Committee Member; Vancouver and District Labour Council Delegate; and Unifor Local 4275 Women’s Committee Co-Chair. Just over 300 people attended the event held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Read the full press release here. View our photo album of the event here. Here’s what people are saying on twitter via #LabourUnited : https://twitter.com/CupeLocal402/status/672605586677075969 https://twitter.com/bersonphoto/status/672626420208701440 https://twitter.com/stephenwebster/status/672628942394687488 https://twitter.com/amancheema604/status/672631710027153408 https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/672925346530992128 https://twitter.com/NicolaHill_UWLM/status/672613729125597184 https://twitter.com/UWLM_Campaign/status/672594923871309824 https://twitter.com/kathycorrigan/status/672619136086704128