Unifor raises $90,000 for Halton Women's Place

BURLINGTON, ON, Sept. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - A Unifor team, led by Unifor National President Jerry Dias, raised $90,000 for Halton Women's Place at today's "Hope in High Heels" fundraiser in Burlington, Ontario.

"Unifor is proud to support Halton Women's Place in their work to end violence against women and their children," said Dias. "As the only shelter in the area it provides desperately needed front-line aid to people who often have nowhere else to turn."

Halton Women's Place provides shelter and crisis services for physically, emotionally, financially and sexually abused women and their dependent children. The annual "Hope in High Heels" event is a men's only walk that raises awareness and funds to provide programs and services to support ending violence against women.

"Violence against women is not a woman's issue, it's a human rights one," said Dias. "Men need to engage and actively participate to end violence and promote gender equality."

In addition to gathering private donations for "Hope for High Heels", this year Unifor's Social Justice Fund donated $146,000 to shelters across the country to aid families escaping domestic violence. 

The union is a strong advocate for a national action plan on gender-based violence and paid domestic violence leave, and is also active with initiatives that deal with domestic violence and the workplace.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor