On this International Women’s Day, as we celebrate accomplishments of the past, and trailblazers who made them possible, we also take stock of persisting challenges women continue to face in Canada, and around the world, which are numerous, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. Femicide may not be a word you’ve heard often, nor one you’ve heard associated with Canada, but for decades, Canada’s inaction on violence
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, commemorates the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, in which fourteen women were murdered and ten others injured in the name of “fighting feminism”. Every year on December 6th, as we remember the senseless tragedy and tragic loss of 14 young women with bright futures, the IAM reaffirms our commitment to supporting
It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.On December 6, we remember: Geneviève Bergeron Hélène Colgan Nathalie Croteau Barbara Daigneault Anne-Marie Edward Maud Haviernick Maryse Laganière Maryse Leclair Anne-Marie Lemay Sonia Pelletier
The woman’s committee of LL1231 made a delivery of 70 purses filled with essential items to Loft 416 Community Services, a women’s shelter and outreach agency in Toronto. They were overwhelmed by the generous gift and said individuals would be given the opportunity to pick a purse as they came in to receive a meal or shelter. This initiative came from Local 1231 members who gathered resources available from their
March 31, 2022 During Women’s History Month this year, the IAM is highlighting current trailblazers in the union. Are you an IAM Sister interested in taking a more active role in your union? Reach out to your District leadership about the IAM Leadership Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) Program. Tania Canniff joined IAM Canadian Airways Local 764 in 1988 after being hired in line maintenance at Canadian Airlines in Vancouver, British
December 6, 2021 On December 6th 1989, 14 women were murdered in a horrific act of gender-based violence at Montreal’s École Polytechnique. This tragic event exposed a reality that many already knew and experienced: that gender-based violence is a constant threat to women and gender-diverse people in Canada, fueled by sexism and misogyny. “Here in Canada, we’ve made progress on recognizing gender-based harassment and violence as an issue in the
On 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, trade unions across the world will take action for the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment. They will maintain this action for 16 days of activism, 25 November – 10 December, calling for the further ratification of ILO Convention 190. Nine governments have ratified C190, with over 20 governments in the process
With more than 200 million jobs lost to the pandemic, another hundred million still at risk and large numbers of unemployed people – the vast majority of whom are women – simply dropping out of the labour market, the World Day for Decent Work on 7 October will call on every government to develop jobs plans. ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said : “Governments must have one overriding priority, and that
September 14 and 15, 2021 marks an important date in the history of the IAM. Following an announcement by International President, Robert Martinez about plans to launch the Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS,) a program aimed at increasing participation of women in the organization, representatives across the United States and Canada gathered at the Harbor. This is the first time that the organization has focused efforts on developing
Participants from around the world gathered for the United Nations 65th Conference on The Status of Women, taking part in numerous sessions, with a great number looking at the impact of COVID-19 on women, youth and women of colour. Much attention has been given to the experiences of women in the public sector given large numbers of women in sectors like education and healthcare, but the experiences of women in
