In June this year, Steelworkers from all across Canada join with LGBT communities to celebrate Pride Month.
As a union, there are many opportunities in our communities to take part in LGBT activities. One of the largest Pride events in the country is Pride Month in Toronto, including the Trans March, the Dyke March, and the Pride Parade. www.pridetoronto.com/pride-month/
For communities outside Ontario, social media and the internet are good platforms to direct you to events in your area.
For our workplaces in Ontario, the enactment of a legislative amendment to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act should happen by the end of 2016. This amendment is Bill 132: An Act to amend various statutes with respect to sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence and related matters.
This new legislation will mean that the union will have greater ability to ensure protection at work, and fairness in promotion and hiring. For our LGBT community, the enactment of Bill 132 includes added protection against discrimination and harassment related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
While June is a month of celebration for LGBT communities, activists and allies, it must be remembered that the fight for equality must take place throughout the year. In our workplaces, we must continue to fight for transition leaves, parental leaves and harassment and bullying policies.
I urge our members to:
In solidarity,
Tomorrow is Election Day in British Columbia and there’s too much at stake for Steelworkers to sit this one out. Across our province, working families are facing real challenges. Forestry communities are fighting to protect jobs and keep mills running. Mining workers need stronger safety protections and training. Canadian jobs are threatened by outsourcing, and […]
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 7619 has issued 72-hour strike notice to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation near Logan Lake, B.C., following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a fair collective agreement. The notice was served Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., with the union preparing for potential strike action if an agreement […]
The jobs of thousands of USW members have been plunged into uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, outsourcing and offshoring. In 2025, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has supported initiatives that help build union-to-union solidarity, which is critical to ensuring workers have a voice. Over the years, the USW has supported the efforts of the Mexican […]