April 13, 2006
Ottawa -- As the national voice of the labour movement in Canada, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) represents over three million unionized workers. In recognition of this, Canada Post will issue on April 20 a single domestic rate (51¢) commemorative stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
The majority of national and international unions in Canada belong to the Congress, including 12 provincial and territorial federations and 135 district labour councils.
Formed in 1872 as the Canadian Labour Union from groups that had promoted the Nine Hours Movement, it evolved over the years as mergers and reorganizations took place. Between 1883 and 1956, it operated under the name the Trades and Labour Congress (TLU). In 1939, the TLU expelled members affiliated with the US-based Committee for Industrial Organizing (CIO); the expelled members set up the Canadian Labour Council. In 1956, the Trades and Labour Congress merged with the Canadian Labour Council to become the Canadian Labour Congress.
Labour movement membership and the workforce are changing; over the last decade the movement has worked to include more women, people of colour, First Nations members, gays and lesbians, workers with disabilities, retired members and young members. Labour also expanded and strengthened national and international links to social and coalition partners. In 1996, the CLC joined with the National Action Committee on the Status for Women in a country-wide Women's March Against Poverty to highlight the themes of jobs and justice. The CLC has also worked with unions and social groups in Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions, lobbying for fair trade rules and social clauses in trade agreements that support reasonable labour, social and environmental standards.
Montrealer Steven Spazuk created the stamp with photography by Marc Montplaisir. An accomplished painter and graphic designer, Mr. Spazuk's talents were last applied to framing the Jean-Paul Riopelle stamps issued in 2003; before that, he designed Canada's first customized stamp, the 1994 Greeting Stamp, and has developed various frame designs as the product evolved into Picture Postage.
This commemorative stamp is one of visual symbolism, what he calls "an interpretation in photography." Spazuk describes the vignette, "The illustration shows two hands holding the globe, with the Americas in view; one hand is masculine, the other feminine; one hand is white, the other black. Behind the globe, which serves as the logo or symbol of the CLC, is a tapestry showing the many benefits that unionized Canadian workers have received over the past 50 years".
The stamps will be available in panes of 16. Canadian Bank Note will print a total of 3,000,000 of these stamps, which measure 29 mm x 40 mm. The stamps will be printed using six-colour lithography and P.V.A. gum on Tullis Russell Coatings paper, and are general tagged on all four sides. The Official First Day Cover will read: Ottawa, ON.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and a downloadable high-resolution photo of the commemorative stamp of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Labour Congress is in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail-order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550.
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Media requiring further information should contact:
Cindy Daoust
(613) 734-4258
