Anti-Violence campaign

Violence seriously impacts women workers’ lives around the globe, with sexual harassment its most reported form. Violence against women is a violation of women’s human rights. It is an obstacle to gender equality. Violence against women at work is a core trade union issue affecting workers’ rights, safety, health and dignity. All forms of violence and harassment against women and all workers are unacceptable! Sign the pledge.

I am joining my union, the USW International, in taking the IndustriALL “Say No to Violence Against Women” pledge:

To take a public stand against all forms of violence and harassment against women and to condemn all attitudes and actions that perpetuate sexism and violence
To take up the issue as a priority in our union and to allocate the necessary resources for activities aimed at preventing and combatting this violation of women’s rights
To foster a culture of respect for women within our union by raising the awareness of our members, staff and officials and providing education on the importance of eradicating violence and harassment in the workplace and in our union
To encourage our members to actively take a stand against violence and harassment against women, especially in their own workplaces
To organize campaigns aimed at preventing and combating violence against women
To demand that governments enact and enforce laws to protect women from violence
To demand that employers develop policies against all forms of violence and harassment at work, and promote awareness among their employees on the devastating impacts of violence against women and the importance of eradicating it
To demand that employers develop concrete policies and procedures to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women in their premises and supply chains, and establish safe mechanisms for women to turn to if they are assaulted or attacked at work
To include demands for the eradication of violence and harassment against women in our collective bargaining claims*.

News

Employers and governments must act to end gender-based violence at work

December 5, 2022 | Statements

The USW is joining with unions and social-justice organizations around the world to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. From Nov. 25 until Dec. 10 – including Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – we amplify our demand for an end to the violence.

CFL Players’ Association and United Steelworkers join together to take on gender-based violence

December 6, 2021 | Media Releases

TORONTO – On December 6, the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) and the United Steelworkers union (USW) join together to remember the 14 women murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique, whose lives were lost in an act of gender-based violence in 1989. Today, the two organizations not only remember their lives, and the lives of […]

Ken Neumann’s statement for December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

November 30, 2021 | News Articles

On December 6, we remember the women murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique. And we also renew our calls for better measures to end gender-based violence. Because the killings continue. This year, our union lost one of our own. Nadège Jolicoeur, an activist with Local Union 9400 in District 5, was murdered by her partner in […]

Ken Neumann’s statement for December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

November 30, 2021 | News Articles

Resources

Domestic Violence at Work – CLC Survey Report

Reports

April 11, 2018

Anti-violence Speaking Notes

Misc. Resources • Reports • Research & Publications

September 19, 2016

Anti-Violence PowerPoint Presentation

Misc. Resources • Reports • Research & Publications

September 19, 2016

Anti-Violence Video

Misc. Resources

August 23, 2016

Key dates

October 4
National Day to Commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

December 6
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Domestic violence at work – CLC survey report

The Canadian Labour Congress partnered with researchers at the University of Western Ontario and conducted the first-ever Canadian survey on domestic violence in the workplace. Almost 8,500 Canadian workers took part in a confidential on-line survey between December 2013 and June 2014.

Women with a history of domestic violence have a more disrupted work history, are consequently on lower personal incomes, have had to change jobs more often, and more often work in casual and part time roles than women without violence experiences, but according to the survey, resources and support in the workplaces can make a difference in the lives of workers experiencing domestic violence.

Download the full report CLC Domestic Violence at Work Resource Centre

Resources on domestic violence, harassment, and workplace violence

Bargaining language and other tools to take action against domestic violence, harassment and other forms of violence.

Learn more

Anti-Violence campaign