Most workplaces and safety equipment have been designed to suit male workers. When we take women into account, we make workplaces safer.
Steelworkers pride ourselves on being the health and safety union. Women of Steel are pointing to hazards and health issues they face as women workers. Let’s make women’s health and safety issues a priority for action!
Most workplaces and safety equipment have been designed to suit male workers. When we take women into account, we make workplaces safer.
Steelworkers pride ourselves on being the health and safety union. Women of Steel are pointing to hazards and health issues they face as women workers. Let’s make women’s health and safety issues a priority for action!
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.
USW’s National Policy Conference in 2019 unanimously passed a resolution calling for action. Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety is the result.
The campaign aims to:
Increase awareness of women’s health and safety issues, making them core USW health and safety issues.
Increase women’s participation in health and safety activism, including on committees and in USW courses.
Increase respect and space for women’s voices and ideas in workplaces and our union.
Local 1944 Women of Steel Raising the Bar to Address Stress, Burnout
September 30, 2021| News Articles
What began as a response to workers’ concerns regarding bathroom breaks has grown into a far-reaching campaign by USW National Local 1944 to educate, engage, mobilize and support members facing workplace harassment, stress and burnout. In 2020, spurred on by the USW national campaign, Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety, the Local 1944 […]
Alma Steelworkers Raise the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety
April 14, 2021| News Articles
In conjunction with International Women’s Day and the USW’s Raising the Bar campaign, Steelworkers Local 9490 leaders launched a joint labour-management process in March to tackle women’s health and safety issues at the Rio Tinto aluminum smelter in Alma, Que. Issues were raised by seven women who are Local 9490 members: Guylaine Girard, Marilyne Gagnon, […]
Ken Neumann’s Statement for International Women’s Day 2021
February 25, 2021| Statements
USW makes work and activism more accessible for women A woman’s place is in the union … and in the workplace … and anywhere she wants to be! Our society still puts barriers in the way of women’s participation. And the USW is committed to removing those barriers. Women should be able to do any […]
Donna is Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety
January 19, 2021| News Articles
Late last year, the USW launched an important new campaign: Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety. Local union leaders and activists are off to a running start in 2021. Meet Donna Wingrove: she is the Financial Secretary for USW Local 8782 in Nanticoke, Ontario, where she works at Stelco. In advance of International Women’s Day, Wingrove is […]
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USW Anti-Harassment and Anti-Violence Policies and Programs
There are two principles fundamental to the trade union movement: human rights and solidarity. Harassment and violence strike at the heart of both. That’s why the USW has adopted these policies and programs.
At the 2019 USW National Policy Conference, sister after sister spoke passionately at the microphones about health and safety issues women face on the job. Delegates listened with respect, giving several standing ovations. Watch the highlights here:
Support from USW Canadian Directors
Here’s what former USW National Director Ken Neumann has to say about the campaign:
