District 3 Women’s Committee

Who are Women of Steel?

Women of Steel are as diverse as Canada’s population. We are young, middle-aged and older. We are straight, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. We are First Nations, Metis and Inuit, or more recently arrived in Canada, from all cultural backgrounds.

One thing is for sure: we are a growing segment of our union. As USW organizes more workplaces, more women join our union and become Women of Steel.

Women work because we need to support ourselves and our families. Women of Steel are in all economic sectors where our union represents members:

• Education
• Telecommunications
• Health care
• Manufacturing
• Transportation and security screening
• Mining
• Hotels and food services
• And the list goes on

---

Role of women and women’s committees in District 3

This is our District! There are lots of ways women can play a role in our union, some of them—like being a steward—are of long standing. Or you could create a new role based on the needs of your local membership or in your community.

USW encourages women members to be leaders within the local union, as a way to make the local and our union stronger. You can be active in any elected or volunteer role.

One—but not the only—way that women take a leadership role in USW is through the local’s women’s committee. Here are some of the things that a local women’s committee can do:

• Connect with and be representative of the diverse women in the local
• Provide a safe environment for women to discuss current workplace, community or personal issues and strategies for change
• Mobilize and educate women on their rights in the workplace and how to participate in the local
• Educate and work with the men in our locals, so they will be good allies in advancing equality
• Work with the Executive and other local committees on issues for women in your local
• Research and advocate for collective bargaining provisions that advance women’s rights in the workplace
• Support lobbying efforts for legislative change. Connect the issues important to women in your local to USW national and district campaigns
• Act as mentors to young and newly emerging women leaders
• Organize educational and social events for/with women in the local and with community
• Assist with planning and organization of conferences and local schools to ensure the content, speakers and participants reflect the diversity of the union’s membership
• Identify and pursue women’s training needs to ensure union courses and programs are accessible and available

---

Want to get involved with Women of Steel in District 3?

Please talk to:

• Your local’s women’s committee chair
• Your local president or unit chair
• District 3 WOS Co-ordinator: Tara Cavanagh

Women of Steel Network

The USW District 3 Women of Steel Network is an opportunity for all sisters to connect with other sisters within their local and across Western Canada. This is a private Facebook group.

---

Upcoming Women of Steel events and meetings

No upcoming events found.

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.

---

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!

---