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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The United Steelworkers acknowledges the contributions and achievements African Canadians have made to our union, our communities and our country. Together, we celebrate African Heritage Month throughout the month of February.
African Heritage Month is also an opportunity for Steelworkers to speak out against racism and for the strengthening of human rights for those of African heritage, and for all visible minorities in Canada. As a society we are aware of the more extreme sorts of racial injustice that are often reported in the media. Individually, however, we also encounter these as personal injustices in the workplace, whether it is in the form of racist jokes and stereotypes, personal harassment towards members of visible minorities, and, more systemically, through as unfair hiring and promotion.
The Steelworkers continue to help protect and promote human rights for African Canadians and all equity seeking groups. Some of our most successful and visible efforts include:
Collective bargaining
negotiating anti-harassment policies and workplace training, employment equity, and human rights in contract language.
Steelworker education
“Human Rights are Workers’ Rights” is a workshop for union activists to better understand the union’s history and participation in the fight for change and social justice, and to develop and implement customized action plans for workplaces.
The “United Steelworker Anti-Harassment Program” is delivered to management and workers right in the workplace during work hours. Over 40,000 front-line supervisors and workers have participated in these workplace seminars delivered by Steelworker instructors.
Women of Steel: taught by women for women members. We provide a special course for women from racialized groups only in recognition of the particular issues and barriers faced by visible minority women.
For more information on how to access Steelworker education programs, please contact your USW staff representative or send an e-mail to usw@usw.ca
Political action
Steelworker members work side-by-side our New Democratic Party and social democratic allies to lobby for legislative change and enforcement of human rights.
Together with the Steelworker Humanity Fund, our human rights activists are linking with labour partners globally to help fight racism and inequality.
Below are some links available on the internet for further information, ideas and possibilities for promoting African Heritage Month. Each link provides information about promoting equality, and most have links to other resources.
In solidarity,
Ken Neumann
National Director
Policies and Positions
The United Steelworkers Equality Agenda
The United Steelworkers Anti Harassment Policy
The Canadian Labour Congress
Educational Resources
United Steelworkers Guide to Preventing and Dealing with Harassment
United Steelworkers Human Rights Committee Guide
The Implicit Association Test (English only)
Test your own equality consciousness immediately! This is a reputable website housed by Harvard University which reveals your individual attitude to a number of social justice issues arising from race, skin-tone, gender, weight, sexual orientation and race.
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is Canada's leading agency dedicated to the elimination of racism in the country. It offers stories, statistics and up to date national reports on the fight against racism in Canada
Black History Month Association
For activists and allies looking for a Canadian context to Black History Month
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (English only)
A resource with education, news and views for civil rights in the USA and human rights in Canada
African Canadian Online (English only)
The contributions of African Canadian singers, composers, writers, poets and visual artists to culture and society in Canada
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HUMAN RIGHTS
