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.

Equity for Indigenous people Racial Justice Equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ Disability Rights Women of Steel Anti-Harassment and Anti-Violence Policies and Programs Accessibility Checklist for USW Local Union Events Report of the USW Task Force on Increasing Accessibility at Union Events

Human Rights Committee Guide

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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.

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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
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News

2025 graduates

Young Steelworkers from Canada and U.S. build ties with allies from around the world

April 3, 2025 | News Articles

Young Steelworkers activists from Canada and the U.S. recently participated in the Global Union Youth Exchange in Mexico City, where they built leadership skills and shared experiences with counterparts from Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Turkey. The youth exchange program attracted young members from all USW Canadian Districts and Districts 4 and 12 in the U.S., […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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More resources

The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Area Councils

Policy
June 6, 2022
Click to view The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Area Councils

The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Local Unions

Policy
June 6, 2022
Click to view The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Local Unions

The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Canada

Policy
June 6, 2022
Click to view The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Canada

The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Staff (International)

Policy
June 6, 2022
Click to view The USW’s Anti-Harassment Policy – Staff (International)

2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion Tool

Booklets & Manuals • Misc. Resources
June 1, 2022
Click to view 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion Tool

National inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two spirit/LGBTQ+ people

Misc. Resources • Reports
May 31, 2022
Click to view National inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two spirit/LGBTQ+ people

USW Summary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Reports
May 16, 2022
Click to view USW Summary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit/LGBTQ+ People: Poster

Misc. Resources
May 16, 2022
Click to view National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit/LGBTQ+ People: Poster
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