Some of CUPW's newest members are at Open Door Press - a three-person print shop run out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. What makes these members unusual isn't just the size of their local - as printers they collectively run all day-to-day operations.

"We established the company to provide alternative printing services that are reasonably priced and accessible for community members, trade unions, and social justice organizations," says local member Ken Kalturnyk.

The small printing plant is capable of printing anything from business cards to tabloid-sized materials on sheet-fed offset presses. The collective officially unionized with CUPW last May 29, 2003. Members of the trio are long-time trade union activists who strongly believe all workers should be unionized.

"We chose CUPW because its philosophy of social unionism is closest to our own philosophy and all of us have worked closely with CUPW members and local leaders on many projects over the years," says Kalturnyk.

You gotta love these guys!!

For more information call (204) 788-4941.


Halifax takes initiative: Private interest vs. Public goods tour

The Halifax Initiative, a coalition of development, faith, rights and labour groups, will launch a "Private Interest vs. Public Goods" cross-country tour in mid October 2003.

The tour will feature activists from Central and South America who have been involved in struggles against privatization, deregulation as well as the international trade agreements and financial institutions that are putting pressure on governments to privatize and deregulate.

"Southern activists will share their stories and strategies with people here who are facing privatization of health care, education, energy, water and other public services," said Halifax Initiative tour co-ordinator Robin Round. "Ideally, we'd like to develop a joint North-South response to privatization. "

"The role of the state as a provider and guarantor of universally, accessible social services is being rewritten with little public debate," said Round. "We hope the tour will encourage debate so that people understand what's happening before it's too late."

The tour will visit the following cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John's, Moncton, Halifax and Quebec City. To find out where and when, check out the following website in October: http://www.halifaxinitiative.org .


Coming events

Next Solidarity Assembly:

The Solidarity Network will hold its next assembly in Winnipeg from March 25 to 28, 2004.