[homeles_ot-l] Looking for your support

[Linda Lalonde]

Hi folks,
 
As many of you know, I have been involved with social justice issues here in Ottawa for about 30 years. During that time, I've had the opportunity to meet and work with lots of phenomenal people who have supported the low income community as we tried to make Ottawa a kinder, gentler place where all residents have a chance to participate in everything our city has to offer.
 
One of the groups I've worked closely with has been the labour movement. They have supported me and the groups I work with by providing funds, in-kind materials, training, coffee and lots of moral support. A lot of this came through the work of Ken Clavette who will be known to many of you. He has been a huge supporter of the anti-poverty work in this community and of our activists. For many years, he was the staff person at Labour Community Services and, for the last while, has been the director of the Workers' Heritage Centre (WHC) in Vanier. Both these jobs, while under 'independent' boards of directors, were affiliated with the Ottawa & District Labour Council (ODLC).
 
Recently both Ken and Sanna Guerin, the WHC curator, were unceremoniously fired by the board - not the WHC board but the ODLC board. (You may not know Sanna but you may have seen her work on the west wall of the 5th floor board room at 280 Metcalfe which is used by the Social Planning Council as well as various community and labour groups. She did the display of workers' tools a number of years ago while she was a summer student with either the ODLC or LCS.) They are currently grieving that firing but, as we all know, that can take time.
 
The community is rallying behind Ken and Sanna and questionning this action by the Labour Council. Having worked with both of them over the years, we do not believe that the ODLC had just cause - or any cause - to terminate the WHC staff and we think they should be re-instated immediately. We will be at the ODLC at 280 Metcalfe Street next Wednesday, May 19th, at 7 pm to look for some answers. It seems a strange way for the "Labour" Council to honour the heritage of the workers of Ottawa. 
 
I would ask you to please join us in supporting Ken and Sanna. This is a very small way that we can repay everything he has done for our community over the years. 
 
I really hope to see you there on the 19th,
 
Linda.

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