Today, on International Women’s Day, it’s important to celebrate the monumental impact that women have had throughout the labour movement – and also within CAPE itself. But it’s also an opportunity to look at where we can go from here.
Now is the time to get involved! Women make up more than 60 per cent of CAPE’s membership and that should be reflected in our priorities, organizing, and bargaining.
Right now, workforce adjustment and return-to-office are top of mind for all of us. But we also know that for members with caregiving roles who need more flexible working conditions – largely women – these issues are hitting harder and even pushing us out of the workplace.
CAPE members have already been advancing on critical issues. After you voted for a member’s resolution on perimenopause and menopause in the workplace, a working group was struck and has been working on advancing research and advocacy in this space – a historic first for a federal union. In February, CAPE’s member-led Gender Justice Caucus organized a townhall on the impacts of WFA and RTO on women and caregivers, and how we push back collectively.
Now, for the first time in CAPE’s history, we are launching open bargaining for ECs and TRs heading into bargaining this year, where members will elect their bargaining representatives.
We can improve our working conditions at the bargaining table and through caucuses and working groups. Now’s your time to get involved.
We can win change, but only if we do it together.
In solidarity,
Masha Davidovic
Chair, Equity Subcommittee
EC Director
