Prairie School for Union Women 2012

"The Prairie School once again proved to be a resounding success with registrations from across the Prairies exceeding capacity, " says UFCW Canada Local 1400 member Carol Cisecki, who along with three other Local 1400 sisters recently participated in the 2012 Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW) retreat for women labour activists held at Waskesiu Lake in northern Saskatchewan. More than 100 sisters from a number of unions attended.

The annual retreat and conference was founded in 1977, and is coordinated by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL). Each June, it provides four days of intensive learning and sharing for trade union women from across Canada in various union and social justice topics.  A scholarship fund also provides access to Sisters from equity-seeking groups and non-unionized work settings to attend the school as participants.

“We had facilitators join us from across the country and the SFL/PSUW Planning Committee ensured we were all comfortable, inspired and ready to learn from each other," says Sister Cisecki, who works at the Affinity Credit Union in Saskatoon, and also acted as workshop facilitator at this year's PSUW.

"Not only are the classes geared at building stronger trade unionists. The sessions engage Sisters in social justice issues, strategies and tools to be a more effective activist, as well as how to successfully juggle workplace, family and community demands. The atmosphere created at the Prairie School for Union Women is truly one of Sisterhood and Solidarity."

For more information on the Prairie School for Union Women and participating in the future, contact the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.