Story of the Week
December 14, 1998
Our story this week is a special event, because we are launching a learner's story on the Internet, and you can read her story as well as hear it, plus you can also hear a song written and performed by Florence, with the proper audio program as shown below.
This poem was written by Florence Marquez, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Florencia or Florence Marquez is the President of UNITE Learning Experience Program (Union of Industrial Textile Employees), Local 459. She came to Canada from The Philippines in 1973 with her family. She became involved in the union when she took shop steward training and Canadian Labour Studies. As well, she took advanced conversational English and Integrated Learning at the Learning Experience Centre. She began working in the Apparel Industry in 1977, first at Miami Fashions Ltd., then at Midwest Garments and is presently employed by Gemini Fashions. Within UNITE Local 459, Florence began working as recording Secretary and also as Treasurer. She was first elected as President of Local 459 in 1991and remained until early 1997. During the June 1997 elections she was defeated by one vote.
Florence feels that being active in The Learning Experience Centre gave her the chance to win the trust and memberships vote in June of this year when she became UNITE Local 459 President once again. She is presently active in Union and Political activities and is a member in several Union committees such as, the Labour Support Committee for United Way, the MFL Human Rights Committee, UNITE 459 Women/Human Rights Committee and the UNITE LEC Committee. Florence's dedication and commitment has contributed to the success of UNITE 459's Learning Experience Centre as she finds time to help in any way that she could including its administration.
Play an audio version of this story
Child Labour and Stolen Dreams
by Florence Marquez
Some children in the third
world, are all out there
Struggling at work, so they can share
The fruits of their labour, with families they love and care
To live with dignity, even if they have to suffer
The dreams, they dreamt have been stolen
Twas taken from them, when they started working
For companies and sweatshops, who do not care for them
But only for profits and personal gains
The children lost their childhood, along the way
The laughter we use to hear, when they are at play
The education they must obtain, as young adults today
So they can face the world with honor and dignity.
For mistakes they've made, they're punished severely
Leaving them under the sun, to burn for the whole day
They're young and helpless children, who needs love and security
So let's protect them now, from abuses and slavery
Let's give them back their dreams, that was meant to be
Through training, education and the Union way
May they live their lives to the fullest today
With brighter future, good health and most of all they're free
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