National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: High Rates of Third-party Violence in the Workplace

The labour movement wants to draw attention, on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, to the gender-based violence and harassment that New Brunswick workers experience, every single day. It is a time to reflect on our role in the effort to eliminate gender-based violence and harassment in our homes, our communities, our workplaces and our unions.
“We must continue to mark December 6 because gender-based violence remains a threat to women, two spirit, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people;” says Tasha Salesse, New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) Vice-President responsible for Women’s Issues. “This year the labour movement is highlighting the predominance of third-party violence in the workplace.”

The Canadian Labour Congress recently commissioned a study that found that 7 out of every 10 workers have experienced harassment and violence in the last two years at work. 1 out of every 3 of these incidents were perpetrated by a third-party. Despite the rampant rates of third-party violence, existing legislation and regulation on workplace health and safety does not adequately cover third-party violence.

“Workers and unions have few tools at their disposal to hold employers accountable in dealing with third-party violence in the workplace,” says Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. “Government, employers and unions must come together and develop an action plan to deal with this growing problem.”

Every year, from November 25, (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (the World Human Rights Day), Canadians participate in the United Nations’ 16 days of activism against gender-based violence which was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.

December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, falls within those 16 days of activism. It commemorates the École Polytechnique Massacre. On December 6, 1989, fourteen young women lost their lives simply because they were women. Since then, we take a moment on December 6 to mourn these 14 young women and all women and girls who were murdered or experienced various forms of violence in their homes, their communities, and workplaces. We also take this time to renew our commitment to work for change and to build a society based on respect, equality and peace.

-30-

The New Brunswick Federation of Labour represents over 40,000 unionized workers and is the central voice of organized labour in the province.

For information, please contact:

Tasha Salesse
Vice-President responsible for Women’s Issues
New Brunswick Federation of Labour
(506) 639-9851

Daniel Legere
President
New Brunswick Federation of Labour
(506) 857-2125 / (506) 381-8969 (cell)