British Columbia Federation of Labour

Date: Wednesday July 9, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 12:00 pm

B.C. Federation of Labour
Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women
July 9 - 13, 2008
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC

The Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment in which union women can develop their skills as workers, activists and leaders.

Sponsored by the British Columbia Federation of Labour, the Institute will be held at the University of Victoria (UVIC). The Western Regional SIUW brings together union women from BC, Washington State, Oregon and California.

Our theme, Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change, reflects labour's commitment to providing women with both the skills and strategies to understand the key issues for labour and how that understanding can help us participate in the upcoming elections, and develop stronger leadership among women within our unions and political institutions. We need the world to hear more women's voices speaking out on issues that matter to us like: pay equity, a higher minimum wage, universal childcare, health care, the economy, poverty and the right to join a union.

We need to see more women elected at all levels of government, and into union leadership positions, speaking out for our communities at the federal, provincial, state and civic levels. Women as elected officials can advocate for better legal protections, program funding and rights at the local and state/provincial levels, and lead national fights to fund issues that matter to women at the federal level. Electing women into office in our unions will bring our particular strengths to the internal processes of our labour movements, and give women a central role in advancing women's issues.

The Getting Equipped courses offer you the opportunity to learn new skills to enable you to take the next steps in the political arena, your union or in your community.

The Taking Action workshops are an opportunity to take an in-depth look at six key issues that matter to working women and are part of labour's priorities in the next elections. Why is the Employee Free Choice Act so important to working women? What is universal health care? What policies prevent women from being full participants in today's economy? What are the barriers for immigrant women, how do immigration policies hurt us and how can migrant workers participate in civic life? How do we ensure our views on these issues are reflected in legislation, hold our elected representatives accountable on these issues, and engage our Sisters in the political process, both within our unions and the broader public arena?

The Institute is designed to allow women a positive learning experience, acquire new skills and provide an opportunity to network in a safe, relaxed atmosphere.

Again this year, we have provided an incentive for early registration. Fees for registrations received on or before June 10, 2008 are $675 (single room), $600 (shared double room), and $500 (no accommodation required).

For registrations received after June 10, 2008, the fees are $725 (single), $675 (shared double room) and $550 (no accommodation required).

Course instructors are carefully selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. They are union staff, Officers, rank-and-file members, university educators and community activists. And we're pleased this year to have facilitators from both Canada and the US.

Come and participate in a unique school dedicated to increasing the awareness, skill level and knowledge of our women unionists.

For a copy of the registration form and brochure click here.

To apply for the Marianne Gilbert Scholarship to the school click here.

For the Canada - U.S. scholarship information and application form click here.

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