Milton, Ont. – December 17, 2012 – With two towering red and white candy canes behind them, Local 1000A members, activists and staff spread some holiday cheer at the annual Santa Claus Parade in Milton, Ontario.

Activists and members, including many from the Milton RCSS store, worked from early hours of the morning to decorate the Local 1000A float, and then handed out candy canes and lip balms to the thousands of spectators of all ages and cultures who came out for the annual event.

“It was a great experience for my family,” says Maria Cabral, a steward from Maple Leaf Poultry who brought her two granddaughters to the event. The young duo was busy handing out candy to other children on the parade route. “They loved being there.”

Sister Cabral, a member of Local 1000A’s CAN committee, said it is so important for Local 1000A to participate in events like the parade as it will increase people’s awareness about the work unions do in their community.

Decked out in full holiday gear, Mary-Joe Eaton, a member of CAN and the Local Union’s executive board, also marched in the parade.

“It is important for us to give back to the community and to show that we are fighting for everyone – our union members and the community,” said Eaton. “The parade is about giving the wider community and public a sense of who we are and the fact that we are trying to make changes in the community to make it better for everyone to live in.”

To see a photo gallery of the event, click here.