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YUSAPUY - A Labour Union Where Everyone Matters

The York University Staff Association (YUSAPUY) was founded in 1970 as an association and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, and its 45th anniversary as a certified union. The documentary film, "YUSAPUY: A Union Where Everyone Matters," looks at the history, struggles and achievements of the predominately female union, its past and present leaders, and current social and political issues relevant to its membership.

The film interviews the founders of YUSAPUY, including Gabrielle Hardt, who along with July Steed from the Company of Young Canadians, and activist John Lang, spearheaded the effort to create the first university staff union in the province of Ontario.

The film also studies its ongoing activities throughout the weeks and months of a typical year at York University, including collective bargaining, executive and membership meetings, membership engagement, labour education and training, and where the union sees itself changing in the future over the next fifty years.

  • Sean Cain
    Director
  • Sean Cain
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Politics, Labour, Society
  • Runtime:
    58 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 25, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 24p, 1920x1080
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sean Cain

Sean Cain is a graduate of the University of Toronto and York University. He is a long-time activist with Canada's democratic socialist party, the New Democratic Party, and several progressive organizations and unions.

He is the founder of Better World Communications, which provides media and communications services for not-for-profit organizations, labour unions and small businesses.

His films focus on labour unions, working people, and progressive organizations and their struggles for social justice, equality and democracy.

Sean hopes his films will help raise awareness of the benefits of joining unions and becoming active in progressive politics, especially for younger workers and people from equity seeking groups.

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