Saturday, 30 June 2007
"'Precariat' workers are starting to fight for a little stability"
A article in the June 21, 2007 Japan Times says:
The new rallying cry of nonregular workers may become "Precariats of the world, unite!"
"Precariat" is a new Japanese word combining the English words "precarious," referring to the insecurity of part-time and contract work, and "proletariat."
Read the full article here.
(Thanks to Rhonda Sussman at the Centre for the Study of Education and Work.)
The new rallying cry of nonregular workers may become "Precariats of the world, unite!"
"Precariat" is a new Japanese word combining the English words "precarious," referring to the insecurity of part-time and contract work, and "proletariat."
Read the full article here.
(Thanks to Rhonda Sussman at the Centre for the Study of Education and Work.)
Labels: Labour
WEI Magazine Launch this Thursday
Women & Environments International Magazine welcomes you to the official launch of our latest issue, 'Women and Climate Change'.
On Thursday, July 5, 2007, enjoy an evening with music and refreshments as you meet with magazine contributors and editors, as well as the newly appointed Editorial Board.
Guest speakers at the event include Barbara Rahder (FES, York), Gerda Wekerle (FESYork & founding member of WEI Magazine), Becky Peterson (also FES York &founder), and Deborah Kaplan of Zerofootprint.
The event will be held at our new home at York University's Faculty ofEnvironmental Studies, Room 140, HNES Building. 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Please RSVP to weimag@yorku.ca if you can attend.
On Thursday, July 5, 2007, enjoy an evening with music and refreshments as you meet with magazine contributors and editors, as well as the newly appointed Editorial Board.
Guest speakers at the event include Barbara Rahder (FES, York), Gerda Wekerle (FESYork & founding member of WEI Magazine), Becky Peterson (also FES York &founder), and Deborah Kaplan of Zerofootprint.
The event will be held at our new home at York University's Faculty ofEnvironmental Studies, Room 140, HNES Building. 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Please RSVP to weimag@yorku.ca if you can attend.
Labels: Women and Environments International Magazine
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
MSN: Make Vancouver 2010 the No Sweat Olympics
As a follow-up to the June 23rd post, I realize we should specifically highlight the Maquila Solidarity Network Make Vancouver 2010 the No Sweat Olympics campaign.
Also, if you're on Facebook (and apparently there's 666,817 of you in Toronto alone) please consider showing your support by joining the Maquila Solidarity Network group and adding your vote to the Wish for sweat-free olympics in 2010.
Also, if you're on Facebook (and apparently there's 666,817 of you in Toronto alone) please consider showing your support by joining the Maquila Solidarity Network group and adding your vote to the Wish for sweat-free olympics in 2010.
Monday, 25 June 2007
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE, ANOTHER U.S. IS NECESSARY: UNITED STATES SOCIAL FORUM
June 27-July 1
Atlanta, Georgia
The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression.
The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.
The USSF sends a message to other people’s movements around the world that there is an active movement in the US opposing US Policies at home and abroad.We must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to get there.
A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible!
For details, visit the US Social Forum website.
Atlanta, Georgia
The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression.
The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.
The USSF sends a message to other people’s movements around the world that there is an active movement in the US opposing US Policies at home and abroad.We must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to get there.
A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible!
For details, visit the US Social Forum website.
Labels: United States Social Forum
Saturday, 23 June 2007
A Sweat Free Olympics in China?...and Vancouver?
From a recent post on the Maquila Solidarity Network site:
"A new report released today [June 10, 2007] by the PlayFair 2008 Campaign exposes gross violations of workers’ rights by several Chinese factories supplying goods under license for the Beijing Olympics, including employment of children, adults being paid half the legal minimum wage, and employees forced to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, in unsafe and unhealthy conditions."
This also has implications for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver:
"Although the new PlayFair report does not include information on VANOC-licensed Olympics products, it does point to systemic problems in Chinese factories that should be of concern to the Olympics movement in Canada and internationally, especially since VANOC-licensed goods are also produced in China."
"A new report released today [June 10, 2007] by the PlayFair 2008 Campaign exposes gross violations of workers’ rights by several Chinese factories supplying goods under license for the Beijing Olympics, including employment of children, adults being paid half the legal minimum wage, and employees forced to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, in unsafe and unhealthy conditions."
This also has implications for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver:
"Although the new PlayFair report does not include information on VANOC-licensed Olympics products, it does point to systemic problems in Chinese factories that should be of concern to the Olympics movement in Canada and internationally, especially since VANOC-licensed goods are also produced in China."
Monday, 18 June 2007
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: STUDY OF ONLINE SOCIAL ECONOMY ORGANIZATIONS
A graduate student at OISE's Social Economy Centre is seeking participants for a research study of online social enterprises. If interested, see blow for further details and contact information:
Looking for participants for a study attempting to identify and describe online organizations that meet the broad criteria applied to social economy enterprises.
Social economy enterprises are ones that have a strong social mission, are member or public oriented, depend in varying degrees on voluntary participation and support member engagement in democratic decision-making.
This study is searching for organizations or voluntary associations that subscribe to most of the above criteria and that also carry out a majorityof their work online. This study is interested in organizations that communicate, organize, provide goods or services, fundraise, advocate, etc., primarily using information and communication technologies. Although many of these organizations engage in some face-to-face activity and may have geographic addresses, their defining characteristic is that they rely on internet-based technology to achieve organizational objectives.
Participation is entirely voluntary and participants are encouraged toprovide only information that they are comfortable sharing. If privacy and confidentiality are of concern, please be assured that all respondents and responses will remain anonymous in any presentation of this research.
If you belong to, or know of, any such groups that fit the above criteria, please contact sryan@oise.utoronto.ca.
Sherida Ryan, Doctoral Student
The Social Economy Centre, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University ofToronto(OISE/UT)
http://webmail.web.ca/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsec.oise.utoronto.ca%2Fenglish%2Findex.php
Looking for participants for a study attempting to identify and describe online organizations that meet the broad criteria applied to social economy enterprises.
Social economy enterprises are ones that have a strong social mission, are member or public oriented, depend in varying degrees on voluntary participation and support member engagement in democratic decision-making.
This study is searching for organizations or voluntary associations that subscribe to most of the above criteria and that also carry out a majorityof their work online. This study is interested in organizations that communicate, organize, provide goods or services, fundraise, advocate, etc., primarily using information and communication technologies. Although many of these organizations engage in some face-to-face activity and may have geographic addresses, their defining characteristic is that they rely on internet-based technology to achieve organizational objectives.
Participation is entirely voluntary and participants are encouraged toprovide only information that they are comfortable sharing. If privacy and confidentiality are of concern, please be assured that all respondents and responses will remain anonymous in any presentation of this research.
If you belong to, or know of, any such groups that fit the above criteria, please contact sryan@oise.utoronto.ca.
Sherida Ryan, Doctoral Student
The Social Economy Centre, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University ofToronto(OISE/UT)
http://webmail.web.ca/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsec.oise.utoronto.ca%2Fenglish%2Findex.php
Labels: Social Enterprise
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
ALTERNA APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
News from Alterna (formerly Metro Credit Union):
The Boards of the Alterna Group have announced the appointment of John Lahey as the new President & CEO. Previously, Mr Lahey served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Hamilton-based FirstOntario Credit Union. Prior
to his joining FirstOntario, he served as Senior Vice-President and
Chief Operations Officer in the E-Commerce division of CIBC. Mr
Lahey's start date will be July 9, 2007 and he will be dividing his
time between Alterna’s Toronto and Ottawa Corporate Offices.
Now let's just hope that Mr. Lahey wasn't in charge during the FirstOntario strike. Any ideas whether this is a positive or a negative sign for the credit union formerly known as Metro?
The Boards of the Alterna Group have announced the appointment of John Lahey as the new President & CEO. Previously, Mr Lahey served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Hamilton-based FirstOntario Credit Union. Prior
to his joining FirstOntario, he served as Senior Vice-President and
Chief Operations Officer in the E-Commerce division of CIBC. Mr
Lahey's start date will be July 9, 2007 and he will be dividing his
time between Alterna’s Toronto and Ottawa Corporate Offices.
Now let's just hope that Mr. Lahey wasn't in charge during the FirstOntario strike. Any ideas whether this is a positive or a negative sign for the credit union formerly known as Metro?
Labels: Alterna
Monday, 11 June 2007
TorontoTheBetter Businesses at 2007 Green Toronto Festival
Among the eighty plus exhibitors at the City of Toronto's 2007 Green Toronto Festival tomorrow, there will be:
AutoShare
Cathy's Crawly Composters
Detour's UrbanSource
EarthRoots Toronto
FoodShare
Green Enterprise Toronto
Real Food for Real Kids
If you can make it, why not drop by and give them some support...
AutoShare
Cathy's Crawly Composters
Detour's UrbanSource
EarthRoots Toronto
FoodShare
Green Enterprise Toronto
Real Food for Real Kids
If you can make it, why not drop by and give them some support...
Labels: AutoShare, Cathy's Crawly Composters, Detour's UrbanSource, EarthRoots Toronto, FoodShare, Green Enterprise Toroto, Real Food for Real Kids
Sunday, 10 June 2007
Rabble Re-Launch Campaign Drive
"Every mainstream paper has a 'business section', but where are the
daily stories about labour, social justice and real environmental
action? One steady source for the past six years has been rabble.ca
featuring 'news for the rest of us'. Please join me in supporting
rabble's re-launch – adding new features and voices to a vital
and progressive news site."
George Heyman, President, BCGEU
Change is in the air at rabble.ca and we are rousing people to be a
part of it. rabble.ca is undergoing a redesign to provide a better
product, highlight more voices and promote more interaction on
Canada's site for alternative news and views. With this redesign
comes a re-launch and we are asking you to be part of Canada's new
rabble.
You can contribute right now by making a secure donation
athttp://www.rabble.ca/donate. Plus you can win cool prizes like a
guided canoe trip for two in Algonquin Park, a $500 shopping spree at
Grassroots Environmental, and new music by Bruce Cockburn and The Be
Good Tanyas—by visiting us herehttp://www.rabble.ca/relaunch.
daily stories about labour, social justice and real environmental
action? One steady source for the past six years has been rabble.ca
featuring 'news for the rest of us'. Please join me in supporting
rabble's re-launch – adding new features and voices to a vital
and progressive news site."
George Heyman, President, BCGEU
Change is in the air at rabble.ca and we are rousing people to be a
part of it. rabble.ca is undergoing a redesign to provide a better
product, highlight more voices and promote more interaction on
Canada's site for alternative news and views. With this redesign
comes a re-launch and we are asking you to be part of Canada's new
rabble.
You can contribute right now by making a secure donation
athttp://www.rabble.ca/donate. Plus you can win cool prizes like a
guided canoe trip for two in Algonquin Park, a $500 shopping spree at
Grassroots Environmental, and new music by Bruce Cockburn and The Be
Good Tanyas—by visiting us herehttp://www.rabble.ca/relaunch.
Labels: rabble.ca
Friday, 1 June 2007
TorontoTheBetter businesses in NOW's Green Shopping Guide
Several TorontoTheBetter businesses have been included in NOW Magazine's Spring 2007 Green Shopping Guide (I realize this went live a few weeks ago, but we've been very busy around here...better late than never):
AutoShare (Cars)
Beach Solar Laundromat (Cleaning Services)
Big Carrot Natural Food Market (Food and Drink; Natural Foods; Personal Care Products)
Come As You Are/CAYA Co-operative (Sexuality)
Earth and Fire (Books, Clothing, Household Goods, Magazines, Personal Card Products)
Earth Concerns Cleaning Service (Cleaning Services)
Eco Cleaners (Cleaning Services)
Eco Flora (Florist)
Fertile Ground Bookstore (Books)
Good For Her (Sexuality)
Grassroots Environmental Products (Books; Clothing; Household Goods; Magazines; Newspapers; Personal Care Products)
Hatcher Florist (Florist)
Ten Thousand Villages (Crafts; Food and Drink; Gifts)
Toronto Hemp Company (Books; Clothing; Food and Drink; Magazines)
Congratulations all!
AutoShare (Cars)
Beach Solar Laundromat (Cleaning Services)
Big Carrot Natural Food Market (Food and Drink; Natural Foods; Personal Care Products)
Come As You Are/CAYA Co-operative (Sexuality)
Earth and Fire (Books, Clothing, Household Goods, Magazines, Personal Card Products)
Earth Concerns Cleaning Service (Cleaning Services)
Eco Cleaners (Cleaning Services)
Eco Flora (Florist)
Fertile Ground Bookstore (Books)
Good For Her (Sexuality)
Grassroots Environmental Products (Books; Clothing; Household Goods; Magazines; Newspapers; Personal Care Products)
Hatcher Florist (Florist)
Ten Thousand Villages (Crafts; Food and Drink; Gifts)
Toronto Hemp Company (Books; Clothing; Food and Drink; Magazines)
Congratulations all!
