The national bilingual conference Justice 2024 is an exciting opportunity for USW health and safety, environmental and human rights activists as well as local union leaders – to meet, learn from each other, pick up new information and skills and form stronger networks.
During the member-expert panels and the skill-building workshops we will use manuals and documents that you can download from the below list.
Being an ally is a verb, not a noun. If you do not identify as racialized and would like to know what you can do, in your workplace and local union, to support racialized Steelworkers in a respectful, welcome way, join this workshop.
The workshop will focus on the role that everyone can play in ending gender-based violence. We’ll identify actions we can take to create safer workplaces and communities. Participants will increase their understanding of gender-based violence, strategies around bystander interventions and allyship. (This workshop is part of the “Elevating Action” program which is a partnership between the Canadian Football Players Association, White Ribbon and the United Steelworkers.)
Participants will learn about our International Emergency Response Team program, how it works, how to access the support and resources available. Participants will discuss how working conditions and accidents impact our mental health and how to access resources related to self-care and positive coping tools.
Exploring ways to make committees more effective and discussing how to implement these methods in the workplace. There are legislative differences across the country, yet the experience of Canadian workers is similar no matter where you work. Take this opportunity to develop or expand your network with other Health & Safety activists.
Our good intentions and our desire not to harm others can be hampered by our lack of knowledge and simple skills. In this workshop, you will gain a better understanding of some of the key terms used in current discussions about anti-racism work, such as “intersectionality” and “systemic racism”. We will debunk some common misconceptions about racialized people, learn about controlling for our unconscious biases, and how to recognize microaggressions and stop committing them.
We will define the issue and provide ways to help by dispelling common myths as well as addressing the stigma associated with mental health conditions. Participants will learn how to support others, about outdated language and how to keep the conversation going about mental health. There will be an introduction to a National Standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Health and safety includes mental health.
Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse persons are at much greater risk of being murdered or going missing than the rest of the population. This is a crisis that undermines women’s role in family, community, and the broader society. Discuss how this is a union issue and what we can do to make a difference.
No more stolen sisters: Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse persons
Especially for local union presidents and executive members.) Too many Steelworkers have been harmed by harassment and violence, including during union activities. USW’s Anti-Harassment and Anti-Violence Policies have undergone major revisions since early 2020. Learn about the new roles and responsibilities, and about other USW initiatives to end gender-based violence.
Not in our union: USW’s Policy against Harassment and Violence
You’ve heard about USW’s campaign on Raising the Bar for Women’s Health and Safety and you want to help. But, as a brother, you’re not sure how to ask the sisters to talk about health and safety problems without seeming. . . inappropriate. Or you’d like to understand how menopause, menstruation, or ill-fitting bras cause health and safety problems, but you’re afraid to ask. This workshop is a safe space to ask questions and learn how to be an ally in Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety in your local union.
Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety for female identifying delegates
Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety for delegates who identify as male
This workshop will address stigma and myths while presenting facts about suicide. Participants will learn about protective factors, risk factors and warning signs for suicide. The 5 basic steps to help someone contemplating suicide will be presented, and participants will have an opportunity to practice them in a roleplay exercise. Links to reputable websites and resources will be provided. Information about where to find additional educational workshops is part of this workshop and other ways to help prevent suicide will be presented.
Toolkit for people who have been impacted by a suicide attempt
Older workers are at increased risk of dying on the job. And while we don’t get hurt more often than younger workers, our injuries take longer to heal and our physical capacity changes over time. This workshop will cover issues common to older workers. And we’ll discuss strategies that can help older – and younger – workers stay safe and healthy on the job.
Human rights legislation requires accommodation for all prohibited grounds in several areas, including the workplace. While this workshop will focus on accommodating mental health conditions (occupational and nonoccupational) at work, participants will also learn about other grounds for accommodation. The threshold for the duty to accommodate and some sample accommodations will be discussed.
All people deserve the respect and freedom to be who they are, regardless of age, race, country of origin, gender, ability, language, gender expression and more. Similarly, we all benefit from fairer workplaces – so let’s talk and learn about ideas like using pronouns, sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and why it matters for a strong union. We’ll also discuss how to support 2SLGBTQIA+ members and family members too! This is a space for both 2SLGBTQIA+ identified members and those who would like to know and understand more what it all means.
Workplace violence and harassment are serious health and safety hazards. Canadian workers report some of the highest rates of assault in the world. Harassment is often a precursor to violence. Workplace violence can have detrimental impacts not only on the victim but also on the victims’ family and friends, co-workers and others who may have witnessed the incident or been targeted. Incidents of workplace violence can result in serious injuries, psychological trauma and in some cases, fatalities. This workshop will help you to recognize, assess and eliminate or control risk factors associated with workplace violence.
Preventing and addressing workplace harassment and violence
In this workshop, we will cover how and why to lobby, some key tips and how we can advance our work on the Westray Act to hold employers responsible for workplace accidents and fatalities, as well as current human rights issues. Together, we can win!