Issue – Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

National Indigenous Peoples Day

National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, June 21, pre-dates the truth and reconciliation process, but it was an important step forward on that road. Advocacy to establish the day came from the Assembly of First Nations (then called the National Indian Brotherhood),...

June 21, 2025

Equity Human rights Social justice

Juneteenth Matters for Canada Too

Juneteenth is not officially recognized in Canada, but it is valuable in thinking about the history of slavery here and whose stories we are really telling in conventional history. Juneteenth is important because it de-centers the official experience of emancipation...

June 19, 2025

Apply now to serve on the UCTE Equity Committee

Equity Human rights Issue UCTE national office Uncategorized

Apply now to serve on the UCTE Equity Committee

Applications are now open, using this self-nomination form – deadline July 11. Co-chaired by the National Human Rights Officer, the UCTE Equity Committee will be made up of representatives from each of five designated equity groups, representing each of the...

June 5, 2025

Health and safety Labour movement

Injured Workers’ Day, June 1

A grassroots labour initiative, Injured Workers’ Day is observed every June 1 to celebrate and advance struggles for better supports for all injured workers, whether unionized or not. It is not a federal observance yet, but the labour movement in...

May 31, 2025

Equity Human rights Issue Social justice

IDAHOBIT 2025 and Pride

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The labour movement has long been closely tied with struggles for LGBTQ+ rights. Why? Because love and respect are for everyone, and also because it is in our interest...

May 17, 2025

Equity Human rights Labour movement PSAC Social justice

Bear Witness Day

May 10 is Bear Witness Day. It is a children-first approach to raising awareness of inequities in access to services for First Nations children. After he passed way, Jordan River Anderson’s family gave his name to Jordan’s Principle: that First...

May 10, 2025

Pilot Boat Crew: pitching and rolling for the safety of others

Pilotage Authorities Public safety

Pilot Boat Crew: pitching and rolling for the safety of others

UCTE represents ships’ crew and dispatchers at the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, and Laurentian Pilotage Authority. Jason Coakley works for the Atlantic Pilotage Authority in Halifax. There is more to our harbours than meets the eye of...

May 6, 2025

Health and safety

Mental Health Awareness week 2025

This year, the Canadian Mental Health Association reminds us that “Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination.” The masks can isolate and further burden people, making it...

May 5, 2025

Human rights Labour history Social justice

May is Asian Heritage Month

We salute our many members with Asian heritage, and we invite all members to learn and support Asian Heritage Month organizations and events in your community. We simply would not recognize the world we live in without the contributions of...

May 2, 2025

Day of Mourning: “Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living”

Health and safety Labour movement

Day of Mourning: “Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living”

April 28 is one of the most significant days on the global labour movement’s calendar. The Labour movement created the Day of Mourning to commemorate workers killed or injured on the job. It started with American unions, then Canadian unions,...

April 28, 2025