Inspired ideas

  • 4 May 2010
    What Is It? – Knights of Labor Medallion, August 13, 1883

    Union objects from the past tell a story.

    Oshawa Knights of Labour commemorative coinThis is a large, heavy cast-iron medallion with a fascinating history.

    The Knights of Labor held a major parade in Oshawa on August 13, 1883. They called it a ‘demonstration’, but it resembled a modern day Labour Day parade, with dignitaries and politicians at the front, floats and marching bands.

    The Knights of Labor was the first major union to organize on an industrial basis – embracing skilled and unskilled workers in the same union. Women and African American workers were welcomed. This egalitarian approach inspired workers across North America and the Knights had some one million members in Canada and the US in the mid 1880’s.

    Workers came from all over southern Ontario for the Oshawa parade, which ended up being more than a mile long.

    The floats...

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  • 11 Jan 2010
    Video palindromes

    Here are a couple of good videos to share that I find rather inspiring. Both are palindromes. That’s just a great word, eh?

    (In case you’re not sure what a palindrome is, check this out.) 

    One video is positive aspects of being a union member, and how it can improve a workplace. Well done with a copier machine, called Just another cog in the machine.

    The other is a moving statement from a young person out to change the world in many...

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  • 5 Jan 2010
    Eight Corners

    Welcome to a world of family, sisterhood and brotherhood. Welcome to Union Pride.

    Our logo represents a great deal. Of course, we proudly support the Canadian economy and that’s why the maple leaf is at its centre. It's a gear: that represents working people. The balanced half and half circle is tilted forward slightly because that’s the direction – forward. There are eight cogs, and there’s a meaning associated with that, too. 

    I am a graduate of the Labour College of Canada, CLC Class of 1990. It’s hard to believe, but that was 20 years ago! The logo of the college was also a gear with eight cogs, and my decision was based on this.

    This morning when I was thinking about welcoming you to Union Pride, I was reminded of the eight corners of the world. I am an international thinker and an idealist of the best or worst kind. The contradictions and hypocrisy of...

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  • 4 Nov 2009
    Getting it Ethical from the Start: Fashioning an Ethical Industry

    Can fashion designers have a role in improving apparel workers’ working conditions?

    Labour Behind the Label (UK) thinks they can.

    The apparel industry is rife with labour abuses for a number of reasons: subcontracting, last-minute orders and changes, the fast pace of fashion. Most corporate social responsibility initiatives focus on addressing abuses when they happen, but with Fashioning an Ethical Industry, Labour Behind the Label is taking a different tack: training fashion students to think about labour conditions well before needle meets thread.

    Have a look at their resources. It’s a great site.

    FEI Screenshot

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