LABOUR UNION GRANTS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP TO MAGNETEWAN STUDENT

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — The local labour council is helping a post-secondary student continue her education by awarding her its first scholarship.

The North Simcoe Muskoka District Labour Council (NSMDLC) will assist Samira Schenker, of Magnetewan, who is in her second year at the University of Ottawa, with a $500 grant.

“We know how financially out-of-reach post-secondary education can be,” said union secretary Amylee Patterson.

“Rising tuition costs, sky-rocketing student accommodation and off-campus rental prices, increasing costs of food, course materials and independent living, all create for students and their families a significant barrier to accessing higher education.”

Schenker and other candidates filled in an application for the grant, which asked the respondents, among other things, to identify how unions have positively impacted their community, their family, or themselves.

Her response included how unions impacted her grandfather, as his union in the 1970s and ’80s “fought for paid sick leave, 35-hour work weeks, wage improvements, and much more.”

“Samira also spoke about the value of modern day unions; how they continue to support workers, their rights, their dignity, their safety, and their communities as a whole,” said Patterson.

“We’re so proud to be able to continue to support our student community in a small but important way. We desire to continue the program in the future, as we hear and understand there is a clear need to support our young workers, whatever educational pathway they choose, on their way to becoming Ontario workers.”

The union says it is committed to supporting workers, their families, and their communities through political action and advocacy.