Most workplaces and safety equipment have been designed to suit male workers. When we take women into account, we make workplaces safer. Women have often been left out. Even worse, their concerns are sometimes ridiculed.
The USW’s Raising the Bar campaign provides information and action ideas for supporting women and health and safety committees in addressing the hazards and health issues women and female-identifying workers face.
Take action!
Let your union steward, local executive, Health and Safety Committee or Women’s Committee know about the USW’s Raising the Bar campaign and the resources available to get started on an action plan in your workplace.
Here are some ideas:
- Organize a lunch and learn event on Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety
- Ask your union’s health and safety representatives to hold a meeting for women and female-identifying workers to talk about their health and safety concerns
- Review the Raising the Bar Action Guide and Inspection Checklist
- Ask your joint labour-management committee to put the Raising the Bar campaign on its agenda
The campaign website has a presentation package that includes a slideshow, speaking notes and instructions for organizing an event.
Your USW local union could get funding from the Family and Community Education Fund for your event, if your local union is a contributor to the fund.
As an example, USW Local 1998’s Women’s Committee held a virtual lunch and learn, Menopause, Work and Our Union, in March. The event is the start of a member conversation about what menopause is, its typical symptoms, what resources are available and how the union can support those experiencing it.
Let’s keep mobilizing inside our local unions, Health and Safety Committees and Women’s Committees and use the Raising the Bar campaign to make women’s health and safety issues a priority!
usw.ca/raisethebar
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