Promoting awareness and action
The USW recognizes that our members are of different gender identities, sexual orientations, ability levels, religions, races and ancestries. And we recognize that, historically, not all of us have enjoyed respectful treatment or fair access to jobs, education, health and political voice. Part of the role of the USW is to promote awareness and action that ensures that our union and the wider society remove barriers and correct past injustices.
Work on Indigenous issues and solidarity
Through the USW National Indigenous Committee, the USW has supported a significant range of initiatives to engage Steelworkers of Indigenous ancestry and to advance Indigenous rights across the country. Please see the Indigenous Rights chapter in this report.
Combatting gender-based violence in the workplace and in our union
Ascending the Ranks
Workplace harassment and violence are threats to economic security. Many workers opt to quit rather than file a harassment complaint. Harassment and violence can also be tools to prevent some workers from succeeding in jobs traditionally held by the select few.
In January 2023, Canada’s federal government ratified the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. The resulting changes to the Canada Labour Code and regulations came into force in January 2021. A USW representative serves on the steering committee of a tripartite project aimed at providing tools and online training to bargaining agents and employers in federal jurisdiction. The project’s website is itsnotpartofthejob.ca and itsnotpartofthejob.ca/fr.
With the USW Legal Department, we have revised and expanded our union’s anti-harassment guides – one focusing on workplace harassment and one focusing on harassment during union events and activities – to offer additional resources for local unions to end harassment and support survivors. And we have created a number of courses to help equip local union leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to carry out their role under the revised USW policy.
The USW’s workplace anti-harassment courses are another way that our union works to end harassment. These short, interactive workshops are led by trained member-facilitators and allow management and union members to learn together.
Justice 2024! Our National Health, Safety, Environment and Human Rights Conference
In 2024, the USW Education and Equality Department contributed to this important national conference which took place Oct. 2-4 in Gatineau, Que. Plenary sessions looked at the new USW guide to human rights committees, recent developments in employment equity, how to effectively represent 2SLGBTQIA+ members, and how to think about health and safety through an intersectional lens, among other topics. Delegates attended allies and equity caucuses. And they took part in workshops on topics including how to make local union events more accessible, being an ally for more racial justice, Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety and breaking the silence on gender-based violence and more.
National Anti-Racism Committee
In 2023, USW’s National Policy Conference approved a resolution to make the National Anti-Racism Working Group a permanent standing committee of our union.
The current members of the committee are:
- From District 3: Rohini (Reah) Arora, Victor Ocran, Phil Hayden
- From District 5: Youssef Belgana, Maira Lebron, Hans Woosley Balan
- From District 6: Mark Austin, Elaine Steward, Tricia Watt
- From the Canadian National Office: Lorei Leigh De Los Reyes, Kristina Adhikari
The committee has created a workshop on how to be an ally for more racial justice and has updated USW’s Guide for local union Human Rights Committees. It will focus efforts on promoting use of the guide and supporting development of committees at the local union level. In the weeks and months ahead, its work plan includes developing a strategy to address anti-racism and anti-Black racism in workplaces, as well as creating a bargaining guide with sample language to advance racial justice.
Steel Pride Working Group
The 2023 USW National Policy Conference passed a resolution to create a Steel Pride Working Group at the national level. The group was formed and held its first meeting in December 2023.
The current members of the working group are:
- From District 3: Dexter Hunlin, Brandon Nicholson, Cindy Lee, Sarah Konig
- From District 5: Tomy Hyacinthe Bezeau-Héroux, Emmanuelle Gadoury, Johanne Richard
- From District 6: Mayson Fulk, Janet Moffat, Jordan Rego, Anita Bryan
- From the Canadian National Office: Shannon Devine, Brett Barden, Guillaume Charbonneau, Lindsay Kellin
The committee has produced several helpful resources, including an explanatory document on the importance of using correct pronouns, postcards about allyship and about transphobia and homophobia, a workplace poster and a glossary of evolving terms. It has also started to host online meetings of the Steel Pride Network, to engage and involve 2SLGBTQIA+ members across the union.
Additional work on gender diversity
Workshops and course content related to gender diversity exist in all districts. The department offered some initial training to Canadian National Office staff on the use of gender-neutral language at the December 2022 staff meeting. As a department, we will continue and expand our existing practice of using inclusive pronouns, first names, and other language in course materials when a specific gender identity is not relevant to the learning.
Mental health
The pandemic raised awareness of the importance of and challenges to good mental health. Our department continues to offer a range of courses on mental health. And we have created a practical tool for local unions, giving suggestions of concrete things they can do to support members’ good mental health.
Increasing accessibility of union events
The USW Task Force on Accessibility of Union Events was created following the 2019 National Policy Conference and was made up of four staff of the department. The task force report was approved by the four Canadian directors in June 2022 and posted to the USW website. In early 2023, an accessibility checklist for local union events was created and mailed to local unions, as well as posted to usw.ca.
Women of Steel
Members of the current USW National Women’s Committee are:
- From District 3: Alecia McLeod, Tara Cavanaugh
- From District 5: Chantal Lalancette, Maude Raîche
- From District 6: Anita Bryan, Tonia Murphy
- From the Wood Council: April Johnson
- From National Local 1944: Jenn Turner
- From the Canadian National Office: Dayna Sykes, Erin Epp
Through the USW National Women’s Committee and in collaboration with activists at all levels of our union and labour movement, Women of Steel continue the struggle for full equality, described in the remainder of this report:
Harassment and Violence at Work
Through this department, the USW has participated in two tripartite projects, led by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Western University. The first produced a range of tools to address domestic violence when it intrudes on our workplaces. Those resources can be found at dvatwork.ca and dvatwork.ca/fr. The second project aims to increase awareness of and action against harassment and violence at work. Resources, including online training, can be found at itsnotpartofthejob.ca and itsnotpartofthejob.ca/fr.
The USW National Women’s Committee continues to promote an initiative to provide supports inside workplaces for members experiencing domestic violence or harassment. Becoming a USW Women’s/Equity Advocate is a four-day course for members to become peer-advocates.
In collaboration with White Ribbon and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA), the USW is offering Elevating Action training to create more activists at the local union level who can speak up and take action against all forms of gender-based violence.
Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls
Half of Canadian women will experience at least one incident of sexual or physical assault by the age of 16. Because of racism, colonialism and poverty, Indigenous women are five-to-seven times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women.
Steelworkers and family members of Steelworkers are among the Indigenous women who have been murdered or are missing. When the final report of the national inquiry was issued, our union reviewed it carefully, identifying where we could offer practical support and committing to follow the lead of our allies in Indigenous communities and in Indigenous women’s organizations. Some of the specific steps taken include writing and circulating a paper on the USW’s position on temporary work camps and gender-based violence and offering support for Bill C-223 to create a framework for a guaranteed livable basic income.
Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety
The USW continues to promote this important campaign, addressing the safety and health needs of workers who identify as female, and is excited that it has spread to the U.S.
Women face different health and safety risks, because of biology and social attitudes. But because most workplaces, machines, personal protective equipment and safety programs have been designed to suit male workers, women have often been left out. Even worse, their concerns are sometimes ridiculed.
The campaign provides resources such as the USW Action Guide on Women’s Health, Safety and Well-Being; an Inspection Checklist to help local unions and members take action on issues particular to all workers who identify as women; and a presentation package for members to educate others in their local about the campaign. All USW health and safety courses now include a module on women’s health and safety. And Raising the Bar merchandise is available – including some at no cost! – to local unions and area or regional councils who put on presentations to members about the campaign. To find campaign resources, go to usw.ca/raiseTHEbar or metallos.ca/monterLEniveau.
Women in Industry Network
Women work in industrial settings throughout the union – in mining, forestry, manufacturing and transportation. Launched in the spring of 2022, the USW Women in Industry Network provides a confidential space for women in industry to meet, discuss issues of common interest, share ideas and support one another. Network meetings are hosted by Steelworker sisters who work in industry.
The network has held a number of online meetings, as well as a very well-attended in-person meeting at the USW National Women’s Conference in 2022, all with full English-French interpretation. Topics discussed have included orientation programs for new hires; addressing workplace harassment; and personal protective equipment (PPE) that fit women’s bodies. As a result of the PPE discussion, the network has helped create a growing list of suppliers with gloves, hard hats, fall-restraint harnesses, boots and other gear intentionally designed to suit women’s bodies.
National Women’s Conference – Women of Steel are Raising the Bar
Our National Women’s Conference was held in October 2022 in Quebec City and brought together almost 300 enthusiastic Women of Steel from all three districts. Panel sessions looked at how Women of Steel are demanding and achieving better when it comes to women’s health and safety, women’s committees, bargaining good collective agreement language and women in leadership. All delegates attended a workshop focusing on the Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety campaign. Subsequent workshop topics included allyship, addressing harassment and engaging more members in activism.
Planning will begin soon for the next national conference to be held in autumn 2025.
Support for Women’s Committees and Activists
Local unions which are launching or revitalizing their women’s committees can turn to our course, USW Women’s Committees: Leading Together. Sisters who attend walk through the steps to build an action plan for their committee that is based on the needs of women in the workplace. Contact your District Education Co-ordinator to arrange for courses in your local, area or region.
Another course, Women of Steel: Developing Leadership, helps nurture the activism and confidence of women to take on issues inside their local unions and communities.
Women’s committees and local activists can also turn to the USW Guide for Women’s Committees. The guide can be used together with the Women of Steel Action Calendar. Both documents are available from the USW website or from the Canadian National Office.
Closing the Gender Wage Gap
While local unions continue to lead the way on action, the USW provides research, education and legal information to close the gender wage gap, a key element in economic justice for women. And we work with other affiliates through the CLC to push for better legislative frameworks.
The revised course, Bargaining to Win and several conference workshops now include activities to raise awareness that collective bargaining is an effective tool for achieving equal pay for work of equal value, as well as for addressing gender inequities in access to pensions and other benefits.