We Support LaFerne Clarke's Nomination!
We Support LaFerne Clarke's Nomination for Woman of Distinction Award (Hamilton) and are appalled by the behaviour of The Hamilton and District Labour Council and Local 216 of OPSEU.
URGENT - Please sign before May 31st 2006!!!
We the undersigned are shocked by and resent the recent actions taken by The Hamilton and District Labour Council, boycotting Wednesday's (May 31st 2006) Women of Distinction Awards dinner over concerns about the nomination (not even award!) of LaFerne Clarke, former executive director of Family Services Hamilton (FSH).
The article published in The Hamilton Spectator does not challenge the wrong assumption that she could have been responsible for the $800 000 dollar debt the organization incurred. The organization had problems before LaFerne became Executive Director.
Clarke was nominated for an award in the community development and social activism category. Her profile speaks of Clarke's "relentless and inspiring enthusiasm and commitment to diversity, equality and social justice." She has advocated for marginalized groups, especially immigrants and visible minorities. Groups she has worked with include the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association, Strengthening Hamilton's Community, the Afghan Association, the Asian Association, and the Arab and African communities.
Furthermore:
"LaFerne demonstrates courage and commitment to change, acting as a bridge between communities, helping to build a society more accepting of cultural differences". The profile goes on to say that that although she lives in Cambridge, Hamiltonians benefit from her many contributions.
The labour council won't purchase tickets to the event because of a dispute between Local 216 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the steering committee for the Women of Distinction awards.
Clarke said yesterday she was shocked to hear that the labour council is boycotting the dinner because of issues stemming from the FSH bankruptcy. She said questions around severance pay and other issues should be addressed to the agency's board, not to her.
"I lost like everyone else. I was also an employee. Unionized and non- unionized staff were in the same position," she said. Clarke, who is black, then added "Racism is alive and well in Hamilton."
Heather Greaves, the last president of the agency board, stressed that its closure could be attributed to many different things, not just one factor. As Greaves put it: "They (the union members) obviously have strong feelings about (the nomination) based on their relationship with LaFerne."
We are upset that one person is being targeted as responsible for the bankruptcy of Family Services Hamilton - this is a person, a working single mother of two, who has been extremely dedicated to social justice and has worked tirelessly to manifest equity in her work and life. We will not tolerate this bullying from The Hamilton and District Labour Council and we are in support LaFerne Clarke's deserved nomination for the Woman of Distinction Award 100%.
We condemn the personal harassment and attacks directed against LaFerne Clarke by the Hamilton District Labour Council and Local 216 of OPSEU which are not in keeping with the ideals of solidarity, justice and equity of the labour movement. We stand with LaFerne Clarke against this personalized victimization.
Signera petitionenSignera petitionenWe the undersigned are shocked by and resent the recent actions taken by The Hamilton and District Labour Council, boycotting Wednesday's (May 31st 2006) Women of Distinction Awards dinner over concerns about the nomination (not even award!) of LaFerne Clarke, former executive director of Family Services Hamilton (FSH).
The article published in The Hamilton Spectator does not challenge the wrong assumption that she could have been responsible for the $800 000 dollar debt the organization incurred. The organization had problems before LaFerne became Executive Director.
Clarke was nominated for an award in the community development and social activism category. Her profile speaks of Clarke's "relentless and inspiring enthusiasm and commitment to diversity, equality and social justice." She has advocated for marginalized groups, especially immigrants and visible minorities. Groups she has worked with include the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association, Strengthening Hamilton's Community, the Afghan Association, the Asian Association, and the Arab and African communities.
Furthermore:
"LaFerne demonstrates courage and commitment to change, acting as a bridge between communities, helping to build a society more accepting of cultural differences". The profile goes on to say that that although she lives in Cambridge, Hamiltonians benefit from her many contributions.
The labour council won't purchase tickets to the event because of a dispute between Local 216 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the steering committee for the Women of Distinction awards.
Clarke said yesterday she was shocked to hear that the labour council is boycotting the dinner because of issues stemming from the FSH bankruptcy. She said questions around severance pay and other issues should be addressed to the agency's board, not to her.
"I lost like everyone else. I was also an employee. Unionized and non- unionized staff were in the same position," she said. Clarke, who is black, then added "Racism is alive and well in Hamilton."
Heather Greaves, the last president of the agency board, stressed that its closure could be attributed to many different things, not just one factor. As Greaves put it: "They (the union members) obviously have strong feelings about (the nomination) based on their relationship with LaFerne."
We are upset that one person is being targeted as responsible for the bankruptcy of Family Services Hamilton - this is a person, a working single mother of two, who has been extremely dedicated to social justice and has worked tirelessly to manifest equity in her work and life. We will not tolerate this bullying from The Hamilton and District Labour Council and we are in support LaFerne Clarke's deserved nomination for the Woman of Distinction Award 100%.
We condemn the personal harassment and attacks directed against LaFerne Clarke by the Hamilton District Labour Council and Local 216 of OPSEU which are not in keeping with the ideals of solidarity, justice and equity of the labour movement. We stand with LaFerne Clarke against this personalized victimization.
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