Ottawa (29 Aug. 2013) — Do you know how unions make a difference? Do you have a story to share? The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) wants to hear from you.

Why Unions Matter contest

In anticipation of the upcoming Labour Day weekend, NUPGE is launching a new monthly contest called Why Unions Matter. You are encouraged to submit videos, songs, or poetry about why unions matter to you, your family, community and country for a chance to win $1000 each month. Any Canadian resident is welcome to submit entries.

You can read the full rules and regulations here. Submissions can be sent to whyunionsmatter@nupge.ca. Selections will be determined by the 15th of each month for the proceeding month.

Winning entries will be posted on the All Together Now!website.

Unions promote fairness for everyone

Over the last several, years, NUPGE has been promoting a broad narrative to help the public understand why unions matter to more than just union members. Unions promote fairness for all, at many different levels:

• workplace fairness – creating workplace democracy, a collective voice, fair treatment and safe working conditions
• economic fairness – negotiating decent wages and working conditions, raising wages of non-union workers in communities, sustaining local economies through higher purchasing power and increasing productivity and innovation
• opportunity fairness – advancing equality and inclusiveness for equity-seeking communities, advancing social rights and social justice for all citizens and promoting quality public services which help everyone
• political fairness – acting as a democratic counterweight to corporate power and the super wealthy’s influence on public policy, boosting political engagement and promoting workers’ interests to government.

Making the links, building connections

The Why Unions Matter contest hopes to share your stories about how unions have influenced your life. You don’t need to be a union member to know the value of unions.

Unions have increasingly become a target of Conservative politicians and powerful corporations. They see the threat collective voices have as they continue to push wages down, outsource jobs and silence critics. By undermining and reducing labour rights, they are trying to control opposition to their agenda of austerity.

Together, we make a difference

“We know there are thousands of stories out there from people all over the country waiting to be heard,” said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. “We want to share your stories to show Canadians everywhere why unions are important and how they have a positive impact on our daily lives.

“Be creative, be outspoken, be daring,” Clancy continued. “Your voice is powerful. Your stories are moving. People need to hear them because they will make a difference.”

More information:

Why Unions Matter contest guidelines