International Women’s Day – March 8, 2022
We as Albertan’s need to have a serious discussion on bias. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias, and for good reason.
Did you know that Alberta has the second highest gap in gender equity pertaining to wages? Women on average are paid 17.6% less than men.
As a Union we find this unacceptable. We are about equality and fairness. We are about making sure everyone has the opportunity to rise to the same levels as one another. This is clearly not the case across Canada, but especially concerning for Alberta and BC.
As you may remember from our Are You In? campaign last year, voting is the number one thing you can do to make a difference in these types of disparities. Non-progressive governments are content to exploit wage gaps and women workers. Women are, as a majority, responsible for child care roles in the majority of Canadian cities. When Governments make cuts to funding for programs in child care, health and education, not only are children very likely to suffer, women are as well. When child care costs are exorbitant and uncontrolled – it is mainly women who are having to leave the workplace to care for the children. This is just one example of how gendered pay bias hurts Canadians.
When it comes time to vote, be sure to use your voice for a candidate that wants to end this and other biases. When we don’t work to shift the paradigm, we set ourselves back.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our women Members. Each of you are capable and important. Your contributions to the workplace and society in general must be recognized. We will continue to work to ensure your voices are heard.
We would further like to recognize the many incredible women that are leaders in our Union:
Sharon Waugh – Chief Steward of Operations
Michaela Hannem – Executive Board Operations
Renee Dunn – Executive Board Community Shuttle
Natasha Mangatal – Shop Steward Office/Clerical
Cheryl Lundvall – Shop Steward Operations
Leanne Fitzgerald – Job Steward
Karin Gill – Job Steward
Sharanjit Kaler Badwal – Job Steward
Satvinder “Happy” Toor – Job Steward
Crystal Windley – Job Steward
Thank you for your hard work representing our Members!
A huge thank you to all the women who help make up our many committees as well!
