Carol Wall
Encyclopedia
A long-time labour
and social justice
activist, Carol Wall (born ) ran for the presidency of the Canadian Labour Congress
in 2005, gaining 37% of the popular vote while running against incumbent Ken Georgetti
. Her campaign was widely seen as part of a broader movement to set the Labour Congress back on a more militant path.
She first became involved in labour politics during the seventeen years she spent working for the Toronto Star
, holding various positions in its ranks, where she became involved as an activist in the Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild (SONG). Starting out as a shop steward, she became the union's representative on various labour bodies. In 1995, she became a representative for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
(CEP).
Her strong interests in equality issues led to her being hired in 2000 as CEP's first director of Human Rights
, and she participated on their behalf in the World Conference against Racism
held in Durban
, South Africa
in 2001. In 2002, she was elected Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress
representing workers of colour. Most recently she has worked as a national negotiatior for the Public Service Alliance of Canada
, negotiating contracts in the public and private sectors from coast to coast to coast.
Wall is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and has served on the Women's Committee of the Ontario Federation of Labour
and the CLC's Human Rights Committee. She has also served as a member of several boards including the Pay Equity Advocacy and Legal Services Clinic, York University
's Centre for Research on Work and Society and the Chiropractic College of Ontario. As well, she co-chaired the 1998 Commonwealth Study Conference, and is co-author of a book on popular education entitled Education for Changing Unions.
Carol and her partner Gerry have three grown children. Born and raised in Toronto
, Carol now lives in Ashton, outside of Ottawa
.
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
and social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
activist, Carol Wall (born ) ran for the presidency of the Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
in 2005, gaining 37% of the popular vote while running against incumbent Ken Georgetti
Ken Georgetti
Kenneth V. Georgetti, CM, OBC is a Canadian labour union leader. He was elected president of the Canadian Labour Congress in May 1999.-Trade Union career:...
. Her campaign was widely seen as part of a broader movement to set the Labour Congress back on a more militant path.
She first became involved in labour politics during the seventeen years she spent working for the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, holding various positions in its ranks, where she became involved as an activist in the Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild (SONG). Starting out as a shop steward, she became the union's representative on various labour bodies. In 1995, she became a representative for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
See also Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol SCEPCommunications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, abbreviated CEP in English and SCEP in French, is a largely private sector labour union with 150,000 members...
(CEP).
Her strong interests in equality issues led to her being hired in 2000 as CEP's first director of Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, and she participated on their behalf in the World Conference against Racism
World Conference against Racism
The World Conference against Racism are international events organised by the UNESCO to struggle against racism ideologies and behaviours. Four conferences have been held so far, in 1978, 1983, 2001 and 2009...
held in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 2001. In 2002, she was elected Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
representing workers of colour. Most recently she has worked as a national negotiatior for the Public Service Alliance of Canada
Public Service Alliance of Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada is one of Canada’s largest national labour unions, with members in every province and territory. In fact, it is the biggest union in the Canadian Federal Public Sector...
, negotiating contracts in the public and private sectors from coast to coast to coast.
Wall is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and has served on the Women's Committee of the Ontario Federation of Labour
Ontario Federation of Labour
The Ontario Federation of Labour is a prominent federation of labour unions in the Canadian province of Ontario. The original OFL was established by the Canadian Congress of Labour in 1944...
and the CLC's Human Rights Committee. She has also served as a member of several boards including the Pay Equity Advocacy and Legal Services Clinic, York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
's Centre for Research on Work and Society and the Chiropractic College of Ontario. As well, she co-chaired the 1998 Commonwealth Study Conference, and is co-author of a book on popular education entitled Education for Changing Unions.
Carol and her partner Gerry have three grown children. Born and raised in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Carol now lives in Ashton, outside of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.