Category: Publications

The second National Truth and Reconciliation Day will take place September 30. As one of the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the purpose of this day is to commemorate and honour the lives of Indigenous people killed by the State and the Church.

The Canadian State continues its colonial practices. Over and above the discovery of children’s remains on Residential School grounds, is the fact that Prime Minister Trudeau has promised change for Indigenous people and has yet to make good on these promises.  Whether it be clean drinking water, confronting the unjust proportion of Indigenous people who are incarcerated, the ongoing and unaccounted for abuse of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit folk, the brash imposition of pipelines on Indigenous territory, the ongoing theft of land and police brutality, the bulldozing of Indigenous rights remains complete.

Apologies like the one given by Pope Francis during his visit to Canada this summer are clearly insufficient. The Government and the Church were complicit in the genocidal practice of “to kill the Indian in the child.” Moreover, it was not only the Catholic Church but other denominations which took part in these unfathomable practices.

Thousands of children were stolen from their families to be murdered by the Government and the Church. Indigenous people, including some CUPW members, continue to suffer from the appalling treatment inflicted on generations of their people. For victims, and the children of those taken by the Church and State, the intergenerational trauma remains.

It is our collective responsibility to reflect on the legacy of colonialism and act to make the changes necessary to bring justice to Indigenous peoples.

Here are some things you can do on this Truth and Reconciliation Day:

• Wear your orange t-shirt
• Take some time to learn the history of colonial practices in Canada
• Read the 94 calls to action (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
• Find out whose land you are on and learn about those Indigenous nations
• Participate in a National Truth and Reconciliation Day action in your community.

With the resignation of Brother Chris Zukowsky, Grievance Officer, and Brother Nicholas Aubichon, 2nd Vice President from the Vancouver Local we have two full time officer positions to fill. We will do so in accordance with our Bylaws at our August General Membership Meeting.

On behalf of the Vancouver Local, I would like to sincerely thank both Brother Zukowsky and Brother Aubichon for all of their hard work and efforts over the years. I can personally say I have learned a lot from both Chris and Nick, and they both have mentored numerous members, activists, stewards, and Executive members during their tenure in a wide variety of topics.

Brother Zukowsky has held numerous positions within the local. He started as a Shop Steward at the Richmond Delivery Center in 2007. Not long after that he became a member of the Vancouver local Executive as Recording Secretary (2010). Other positions held include the 1^st Vice President (2014-19), President (2019-21), and Grievance officer (2021-22). His focus was always representing the membership to the best of his ability. He achieved many successful arbitration decisions, grievance wins, and spent numerous hours consulting with the employer to improve working conditions. Also, dedicated his efforts to help Letter Carriers, and MSC’s with his knowledge of the Letter Carrier Route Measurement System (LCRMS) and the Mail Service Courier Workload Structuring System (MSCWSS).  He facilitated many courses on those subjects as well as others as a level 2 trained Facilitator.

Brother Aubichon similarly started as a Shop Steward at LCD1/Depot 74 in 2012. He then became a member of the executive as the Health and Safety director in 2017. Next step? 2^nd Vice President of the Local in 2019.  During his time representing the local he was a worker advocate for Work Safe BC claims and appeals for the members. He has sent countless submissions to the board to recoup wage loses for numerous members. Nick is very passionate about Health and Safety, facilitating many courses on the topic, as well as mentoring many others to become worker advocates themselves. Brother Aubichon also facilitated other courses such as Basic Shop Steward, Welcome to CUPW, and Violence/ Harassment prevention in the workplace.

We wish both Brother Aubichon and Brother Zukowsky all the best in their future endeavors and thank them for all their contributions to Vancouver Local 846, and CUPW in general.

In solidarity,

Blair Bancroft

1^st Vice President

Vancouver Local 846                                                                                 lb/CUPE-3338