Bromley Armstrong Legacy Lives Through 2016 Award Recipients

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 9, 2016) - Bromley Armstrong was an activist whose light burnt paths of change for many generations to come. Helping early Jamaica immigrants reclaim their identity and benefits and bringing to light the many layers of discrimination in accessing housing and service, Bromley consistently created space for much needed discussion and debate on racism. Being an active trade unionist, his leadership created many channels of change that still thrives to this very day. Since 2004, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council honours an activist with the Bromley L. Armstrong Award in recognition of their dedication and contributions in furthering rights, values and understanding of labour and human rights. This year, there are two amazing recipients.

Winnie Ng is the Unifor Gindin Chair in Social Justice at Ryerson University. Starting as an organizer with HERE Local 75, she rose to become the former Ontario Director of the Canadian Labour Congress. Winnie has led equity work in many roles, from the Labour Education Centre to co-chair of Good Jobs for All Coalition. Ng is the recipient of numerous distinctions including the Urban Alliance on Race Relations' Leadership Award, the United Farm Workers' Cesar Chavez Black Eagle Award and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

David Onyalo is a lifelong trade unionist and anti-racism activist. He was active in CUPE Local One rising to position of Vice-President, where he played a central role in the ground-breaking equity work. David chaired the CUPE National Committee on anti-racism, anti-discrimination and employment equity. Since 1994 David has worked at the CLC, first on the Anti-Racism Task Force and now as National Director of the Anti-Racism and Human Rights Department.

Both award recipients' work and achievements highlight the continued need for human rights and labour rights activism, especially given the realities being faced by workers of colour and their families making updation of the Ontario Labour Law and Employment Standards Act priority especially after 20 years of neglect.

"The best Anti-Poverty program is a union. Imagine a world where workers have stable incomes. Imagine knowing you can pay your rent AND buy food for your kids. " said Andria Babbington, Labour Council vice-president. "A safe and decent job is a right for ALL Canadian workers."

On Friday, May 13^th, Labour Council celebrates its 145^th anniversary gala and Bromley Awards night at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 175 Wynford Drive, Toronto at 7pm.

The Toronto and York Region Labour Council is a central labour body that combines the strength of hundreds of local unions representing 205,000 working women, men and their families.

For information visit www.labourcouncil.ca and follow @torontolabour on Facebook and Twitter.