Media Release
Unifor assists Surrey Women’s Centre Society
March 1, 2017
Unifor Local 780G together with Unifor’s Social Justice Fund is donating $2,500.00 to the Surrey Women’s Centre Society. The contribution to the society is part of a total of more than $150,000 being donated to similar organizations nationwide to aid families who are fleeing domestic violence.
“This contribution is to acknowledge the amazing work that this organization and its dedicated staff provide to the community to help those in need, during times of great difficulty. We know these services are greatly under-resourced,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor offers our support to women who are transitioning to new lives, free of violence, as part of the union’s effort to achieve equality for all.”
“The Women’s Centre in Surrey is doing phenomenal work in our community” added Local 780G President Alex Charles. “Violence against women is a serious, pervasive problem in Canada crossing all social boundaries and affecting communities across the country. The Surrey Women’s Centre Society is providing a critical service here in Surrey on a shoestring budget. Surrey is a large and diverse community where many families are facing challenges. The Women’s Centre provides many resources to families in need.”
To assist women in the workplace, Unifor has been successful in negotiating paid domestic violence leave into collective agreements and we continue to advocate for legislative change to include this as a right. Unifor’s ground breaking Women’s Advocate program also trains representatives in the work environment to assist other women with issues of harassment and abuse with the aim to create healthier workplaces, secure homes and safer communities.
Violence against women has no geographical or socio-economic boundaries; it flourishes where there is an imbalance of power caused by the economic, social and political inequality of women. Donations to shelters across the country take place as Unifor recognizes International Women’s Day, with the belief that the first step towards ending violence against women is ending inequality.
“To address the systemic issues at the root of inequality real change is required at all levels of government,” Dias said. “Unifor has been, and will continue to be, on the forefront of change to push for paid domestic violence leave, the eradication of sexual harassment and violence, the implementation of universal, affordable public child care, the elimination of the gender wage gap and the creation of good paying jobs.”
Unifor members will be participating in rallies, community events and discussions across Canada marking International Women’s Day. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers in every sector of the economy.
For more information, please contact Unifor Local 780G at ; 604-372-0029 or Unifor Women’s Department Director Lisa Kelly at or 416-409-8439 (cell)