Learning to Make Their Voices Heard

A Women and Lobbying Workshop was held on March 3. The workshop was designed to increase women's knowledge of how the lobbying process works and provide some hands experience. The day was a complete success in the eyes of the 15 sisters representing a number of different unions who participated in the workshop.

Workshop highlights included NDP Member of Parliament Judy Wasylycia-Leis talked about the impact of lobbying on politicians. Sister Heather Grant-Jury, Director of the UFCW Training Centre in Winnipeg, gave a presentation on how to mobilize others on important issues which was both interesting and informative. Both presenters (below, centre) left no doubt that lobbying does influence decisions by all levels of government.

Sister Nicole Campbell brought greetings on behalf of the MFL President to workshop participants. She provided participants with a short history of why labour gets involved in lobbying and the role the MFL in lobbying on behalf of unions and their members.

Participants in the workshop will get a chance to put into practice what they learned after the workshop was held. Thursday, March 8 is International Women's Day. On that day, meetings have been arranged with the Honourable Nancy Allan, Manitoba Minister for the Status of Women and the Honourable Dave Chomiak, Manitoba Minister of Justice.