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UNITED STEELWORKERS
ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

Steelworker members are entitled to a harassment free environment at all union activities, events and meetings.

There are two principles fundamental to the labour movement: human rights and solidarity. Harassment strikes at the heart of both.

Steelworkers will not tolerate nor condone behaviour that is likely to undermine the dignity or self-esteem of an individual, or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. As Steelworkers we must speak out against harassment and stand together to protect human rights.

Harassment is not a joke. It is an expression of perceived power by the harasser over another person, usually for reasons over which the victim has little or no control. Prohibited grounds under Human Rights Codes across Canada can include sex, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political or religious beliefs, and place of national origin.

Harassment can be defined as any action (verbal, psychological or physical) on a single or repeated basis which humiliates, insults or degrades and is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome by the victim of the harassment.

Harassment can include but is not limited to: unwanted comments, slurs, racist or sexist jokes, pictures or posters, bullying or intimidation, graffiti, physical contact of any kind, remarks about a person’s appearance or personal life, unwelcome sexual advances or demands, suggestive looks or gestures.

Steelworkers take harassment complaints seriously. Complaints of harassment at Steelworker activities will be investigated by one of our anti-harassment complaints counsellors and reported to the Canadian National Director for any necessary follow-up. A substantiated complaint will result in action by the Union, which could include the removal of the harasser from the event. A letter outlining the reasons for the removal will be sent to the local union.

“We can’t make people like each other. But we can, through concrete action, promote mutual respect in our union.”

Revised 2008 cope 343