For the second year in a row CUPE Local 474 will be issuing white ribbons to all its members to be worn from December 6 through December 8. The Local represents custodial workers in Edmonton�s Public schools.
"We remember not only the women killed in Montreal on December 6 but the fact that violence against women and in the workplace touched all of us two years ago when one of our members was viciously assaulted in her school while working alone" said Doug Luellman, President of CUPE Local 474.
The white Ribbon campaign adopted by the Local last year had a visible impact on other Edmonton Public School Board staff and administration. "Our members received many questions about what the white ribbons stood for, and many positive comments on our issuing the ribbons," said Luellman.
Taking up the challenge this year, the Local has written to each of the nine School Board Trustees asking them to recognize Dec.6 through 8 as a time to raise awareness about violence against women and violence in the workplace. "We hope they will join us in recognizing that the White ribbon Campaign has a positive impact in creating greater public awareness around issues of violence against women," said Luellman.
The Local provided each trustee with a white ribbon to wear .