On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day, a day to mark the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also calls for all of us to take action to address the unresolved issue of gender parity.
Women are playing an ever-increasing and meaningful role in our Union at all levels. The IAM is stronger when all united voices are at the bargaining table. But we also know that we need to do more because the work must continue.
The theme for International Women’s Day (8 March) 2020 is, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme is aligned with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and is recognized as the most progressive roadmap for the empowerment of women and girls, everywhere.
This year, nearly 40 IAM members from the Greater Toronto area took part in the IWD 2020 celebration and brunch on March 1, at the Galaxy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton. The keynote speaker was Jan Simpson, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, another example of how women can lead their union at all levels.
Members from most local lodges attended and we had the largest contingent ever! All proceeds went to four local shelters which provide support for women.
Heather Kelley, Grand Lodge Representative and Responsible for Women’s Issues, Young Machinists and Human Rights, who also attended the brunch said, “Across our union and across the labour movement, women are rising up, speaking up, speaking out and being heard because we care! We are also moving into leadership positions across the spectrum. We also bring a new leadership style, one that is uniquely female – and women and men are listening!”
There are many events across the country and the IAM encourages all sisters and allies to attend local events in their communities. To find an event in your area, please look up International Women’s Day 2020 events, or contact your Federation of Labour or Labour Council.
If you do attend an IWD 2020 event, please include us in your social media (Twitter @iamawCanada), so we will be notified and will gladly retweet. Please use the following hashtags: #IWD2020 #canlab #canpoli.
Yours in Solidarity
Stan Pickthall
IAM Canadian General Vice-President
