Strength in sisterhood-Women in the labour movement
Our structure guarantees the participation of women and other under-represented groups
The B.C. Federation of Labour not only believes in gender equity, we have incorporated equity into our internal structures. The Federation, through our Constitution, ensures that all structures guarantee equity not only in principle but also in reality.
Of the fourteen Executive Officers, the Constitution guarantees that a minimum of seven shall be women. In addition, it has for many years guaranteed that at least half of our Executive Council members be members of an affirmative action group, including women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities, lesbians, gay men, bisexual persons and transgendered persons.
At the 2006 Federation Convention, an additional four Executive Council seats were designated specifically to include one from each of the following groups: visible minorities; Aboriginal peoples; people with disabilities; and lesbians, gay men, bisexual persons and transgendered persons.
The Executive Council is the governing body of the Federation between Conventions.
B.C. Federation of Labour women's committee
In addition to our internal structures that guarantee the participation of women, the BC Federation of Labour Women's (Standing) Committee was established in 1970 at the Federation's Convention. This is one of several Standing Committees established under the Constitution of the Federation.
Our Committee organizes and participates in lobbies, campaigns, rallies, coalitions and many women's events, including International Women's Day (March 8th), the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (November 25th), and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on December 6th.
At each Constitutional Convention, the Committee prepares a Report, which is then circulated to Convention delegates with other Committee reports. In each Report to Convention, we raise issues we feel are important and current, and propose strategies to deal with them. Our Reports are then discussed and debated by the Convention delegates.
The full text of the 2006 Report can be viewed by clicking here.
Who makes up our committee?
The Women's Committee is comprised of women appointed by their affiliated unions to represent their issues, and to bring their perspective to the dialogue and work of the Federation.
Why we need union women's committees
Women's Committees offer a place for women union members to come together on issues of importance to your members, but also to build and provide support for one another. We can often feel isolated, especially when facing workplace challenges, and it gives us strength to know other women who may be facing the same things. To learn more click here.
