Women of Steel

The Women of Steel program gives women in our union the tools and skills we need to fight for and achieve equality and take leadership roles in our workplaces and in the USW.

Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety

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!

USW Guide to Women's Committees

This step-by-step guide will help develop and support an active USW network of local, area, regional and district Women’s Committees.

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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.

Taking action on women’s equality

At the largest ever International/ National Women’s Conference in Toronto in 2018, women from right across the union came together to build a bold plan of action to help guide our union and our activism at work and in our communities. 

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

Long-time government policies and deeply rooted social beliefs have put Canada’s Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit/LGBTQ+ people at greater risk of violence. USW helped in the call for a National inquiry, because an injury to one is an injury to all, and because Steelworkers and our family members are among the missing and murdered.

Featured resources

Finding good PPE for women

Misc. Resources
October 18, 2024
Finding good PPE for women

Bargaining Guide for Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Reports • Research & Publications
November 13, 2017
Bargaining Guide for Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Equality Agenda: Our Policy on Human Rights

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

News

A vacant land full with grass and surrounded by buildings.

Eleven years after the Rana Plaza factory collapse, Canada’s unions honour victims and continue demands to improve conditions for workers

April 24, 2024 | Statements

April 24, 2024, marks 11 years since the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This terrible and avoidable tragedy killed more than 1,134 workers and injured more than 2,600, unveiling the horrific conditions of work for millions of workers in an unregulated industry, not only in Bangladesh but in dozens of other countries as well.

Poster on dark background and graphic of illustrated women: International Women's Day 2024: Let's focus on women's economic and physical security

Let’s focus on women’s economic and physical security

March 1, 2024 | Statements

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate gains made by generations of women, girls, and female-identifying persons towards gender equity. And March 8 is also a time when we re-commit ourselves to take on the problems that remain.

Logo of the elevating action on gender based violence campaign.

The USW, CFLPA and White Ribbon train first cohort for new Elevating Action program

January 12, 2024 | Media Releases

Jasper, Alberta – This week, the United Steelworkers union (USW), Canadian Football Players’ Association (CFLPA), and White Ribbon took the next steps in an important partnership to ‘Elevate Action’ and end gender-based violence in workplaces and communities across Canada. The first cohort of CFLPA players and USW members were trained as spokespeople and leaders in […]

National events

District events

More resources

Poster with text: March 8, International Women's Day for ALL women and girls.

Poster for March 8, International Women’s Day

Misc. Resources
March 7, 2025
Poster for March 8, International Women’s Day

Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction

Policy
December 16, 2024
Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction
A poster portraying the effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health. There are two racialized people wearing their work outfit in the centre of the poster.

The effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health

Misc. Resources
December 3, 2024
The effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health

How unions can support members with family responsibilities

Misc. Resources
October 23, 2024
How unions can support members with family responsibilities
A group of people taking a photo outdoor whilemholding a banner with text saying "Training for leadership adn governance for women waste workers

Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – March 2024

Research & Publications
March 13, 2024
Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – March 2024

Pay equity backgrounder

Misc. Resources
December 6, 2023
Pay equity backgrounder

Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety: order form

Forms
November 29, 2023
Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety: order form

A Pay Equity toolkit for USW Staff Representatives and Pay Equity Committee members

Booklets & Manuals
September 18, 2023
A Pay Equity toolkit for USW Staff Representatives and Pay Equity Committee members