The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Ontario), Canada is an affiliated Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (International) (“Ontario Chapter”). The Ontario Chapter consists of members from International and National unions residing predominately in Ontario but also in Quebec and across the country.
CBTU (Ontario), Canada seeks to fulfill the dream of Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who throughout our labour history in Canada have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that brings our collective strength and varied talents to bare in an unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for all.
The basic objectives of the CBTU are reflected in its activities and projects:
- Improve economic development and employment opportunities for workers of African-Descent.
- Work within the framework of the trade union movement to advocate for Black trade unionists and create a vehicle for advancing the inclusion of workers of African-descent in all spheres of our society.
- Challenge public policies based upon right wing ideologies that seek to undermine workers rights and perpetuate a culture of white supremacy including conservative “right-to-work” policies; contracting-out practices; back-to-work legislation and all other forms of attacks on Labour and workers of colour.
- Challenge systemic forms of racism within the Labour Movement itself by: (a) promoting access and opening doors for Black workers and workers of colour within the Labour Movement; (b) promoting the rights of equality seeking groups to the benefit of all workers within Unions; (c) organizing and maximizing our political influence within the Labour Movement; (d) encouraging and supporting the full participation of Black workers and workers of colour in their Unions.
- Increase union involvement in voter registration, voter education and voter turnout projects to advance policies that are in working-class interests and the interests of the African-Canadian community as a whole such as Black youth unemployment; publically-funded education; universal health care; employment equity and fair employment practices; consumer protection especially against inflation on basic necessities; social programs at federal, provincial and municipal levels; a strong social safety-net; community development initiatives and programs along with all other policies adopted by CBTU members through our demographic processes.
- Organize unorganized workers.
- Actively support human rights organizations working to improve living and working conditions within the Black community.
- Increase effective political alliances between labour, and community allies such as the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (“ACLA’), Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (“LATUC”) and other like-minded organizations to effectively impact the political process on issues and projects of common interest.
We pledge to continue the struggles of our ancestors dating back to slavery and throughout our history in Canada to create a more just society by working in coalition with organized labour and other allies whose mission is consistent with these objectives.
