Not surprisingly, child-care services were often closed during the first year of the pandemic. A 2021 survey of Steelworkers by the USW National Women’s Committee shows that mothers, more often than fathers, added those child-care duties to their workload, while still doing their paid jobs.
Not all parents are women, but women bear a disproportionate load. That was true before COVID-19; the pandemic has only made it worse. As a result, some working mothers chose to delay their return from a layoff, or decide not to pursue promotions, or even leave the workforce altogether.
In 2021, the federal budget announced $30 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide child-care system. To date, 12 out of 13 provinces and territories have signed agreements to access the funding, and parents are already seeing their fees drop. Only Ontario refuses to sign on, hurting women, families, and the economy. Visit the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care web site to find out more.
The USW wants to make sure all union activities are more inclusive of Steelworkers who identify as female. In March, for International Women’s Day, we’re holding two Zoom events, called Building Inclusive Locals. Join to listen and share what it means to be included in your local union. How can we work together to increase women’s participation and inclusion in locals and workplaces?
There are two chances to join:
I hope to see you there. Happy International Women’s Day!
Marty Warren
National Director for Canada
March is a moment to celebrate International Women’s Day and women’s work in their union communities. This month, we’re proud to highlight Amanda Slack, a passionate union activist, USW District 6 Women of Steel Committee member and Vice-Chair of Sub-Local 1-500 at USW. She currently works at Hartmann Canada. Amanda started her union journey as […]
Baie-Comeau, March 28, 2025 – Standing tall and smiling broadly, the twenty or so female workers at Comfort Inn Baie-Comeau unanimously accepted their new employment contract. With yesterday’s 100% vote in favour of ratification, a strike that began on March 22, 2024, i.e., more than a year ago, is now over. Retroactive to August 2023, […]
Over many years, on multiple occasions, The USW has demonstrated the vital role that a strong, progressive, international union can play in helping to resolve ill-advised cross-border trade and political disputes.