Ken Neumann Statement for Pride 2021
Beginning in June, Steelworkers join with LGBTQ2SIA+ communities across the world to celebrate Pride 2021.
We’re especially happy to announce an important addition to our resources, the USW Transition Handbook: A Helpful Guide When Gender Transitioning in the Workplace. The Handbook explains the union’s role in supporting transition, provides suggestions for members considering or in transition, sets out a checklist for individualized transition plans, and offers guidelines for local union executives, USW staff and employers.
Our union has also created increased protections for LGBTQ2SIA+ members. The USW Constitution now recognizes “gender identity” as a ground of equality. This is a significant step that strengthens human rights protection for our membership and supports our commitment to bargain anti-harassment language and programs in our workplaces and to help negotiate accommodation for members who transition gender.
Again this year, the pandemic means that Pride parades and other celebrations have been modified. This loss of connection and support is significant when discrimination and acts of hate are on the rise against the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. To further support LGBTQ2SIA+ Steelworkers and communities, I urge you to:
- Search for details of virtual Pride events in your community and take part in them. For events in our larger cities, keep informed through sites including Pride Toronto, Vancouver Pride and Pride Montreal.
- Create and support a Human Rights Committee in your local union to ensure the employer’s compliance with updated human rights legislation, particularly during this challenging time of the pandemic.
- Support political parties that work for equality at the federal and provincial levels of government.
- Be safe, and be kind to one another.
Ken Neumann
Canadian National Director
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