Creating equity

Changes in the workforce have demanded that unions remain representative and responsive. By applying the principles of equality, justice, dignity and respect within the union, the United Steelworkers has promoted human rights since its beginning. Steelworkers understand that everyone is entitled to the same rights and freedoms, regardless of race, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation.

Human Rights Committee Guide

Calendar of religious and special days

Use this calendar to recognize special holidays of many faiths and plan local union meetings and events so that all members may attend.

2025

Human rights & equity photos

View the Human Rights & Equity photo gallery on Flickr.

VIEW PHOTOS

Featured resources

D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

July 27, 2022
Click to view D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

USW Bargaining Guide for Advancing Indigenous Rights – Revised June 2022

Booklets & Manuals • Reports • Research & Publications
July 20, 2017
Click to view USW Bargaining Guide for Advancing Indigenous Rights – Revised June 2022

Equality Agenda: Our Policy on Human Rights

Policy
August 4, 2010
Click to view Equality Agenda: Our Policy on Human Rights

News

A photo of group of women taking a photo outside of a school in Liberia.

Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – March 2025

March 19, 2025 | Publications

Standing with women in the fight for global gender justice March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a moment to remember that the fight for women’s rights continues. True gender equity and a life free of gender-based violence are still aspirations for many women in Canada and around the world.   Lately, we are often being reminded […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – March 2025
A group of women working in a garment factory.

Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty

March 12, 2025 | Statements

In many Bangladeshi garment factories, the women and men who make clothes for export around the globe endure gruelling schedules – six days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day. But no matter how long and hard they work, their wages are so low, these workers cannot escape poverty.  The appalling working and living […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty
A person standing behind snow with a red dress hanging on a tree and red hand print on her face.

Standing in solidarity and raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples

March 10, 2025 | News Articles

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we must acknowledge that for many Indigenous communities, this day is about celebrating achievements and recognizing the ongoing struggle for justice, safety and dignity. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse people (MMIWG2S+) extends beyond national borders – it is a global human rights […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Standing in solidarity and raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples

More resources

Image: Poster for March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In the lower third of the poster, there is a layering of silhouettes in different colours including orange, red, purple, blue and green. Below the silhouettes is a blue band with white text: With the union, we have power and solidarity to celebrate diversity and take action to end racism in all of its forms. There is a USW logo in the upper right. At the bottom of the poster: #FightRacism

Poster for March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Misc. Resources
March 21, 2023
Click to view Poster for March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Calendar of Religious and Special Days

Misc. Resources
November 30, 2022
Click to view Calendar of Religious and Special Days

2021 Survey Results Regarding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Steelworkers

Reports
September 30, 2022
Click to view 2021 Survey Results Regarding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Steelworkers

What is Harassment?

Misc. Resources
July 28, 2022
Click to view What is Harassment?

Steelworkers Humanity Fund Annual Report 2021

Reports • Research & Publications
July 27, 2022
Click to view Steelworkers Humanity Fund Annual Report 2021

D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

July 27, 2022
Click to view D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

Steelworkers Humanity Fund 2019 Food Bank Contributions

Misc. Resources
June 30, 2022
Click to view Steelworkers Humanity Fund 2019 Food Bank Contributions

Food Bank Contributions – March 2020

Misc. Resources
June 30, 2022
Click to view Food Bank Contributions – March 2020