IAMAW Canada – Thought you knew about the Gender Gap? READ THIS!

A recent report on the status of women by the World Bank revealed a concerning, but not an entirely surprising trend; the global gender gap is greater than was previously thought. The report reveals that no country in the world has achieved gender equality, at least in terms of providing the same opportunities for women as are available to men.

The sobering results come out of a study that examined the impact of childcare and safety policies, or lack thereof, on women’s participation in the labour market in 190 countries. When accounting for these two types of policies, results showed that women were further behind than previously thought. On average, women enjoyed just 64% of the legal protections men do, down from the previous estimate of 77%.

Labour Participation- Roadblocks

Countries that have policies on childcare and safety implemented only 40% of systems to fully enact either policy. This means that despite well intentioned policies, political clout and willingness simply weren’t there to implement the policies fully. Both policies have shown to eliminate obstacles to women’s participation in the labour force.  It goes to show that not only do governments need to develop policies, but that those policies need to go hand in hand with robust implementation systems in order for those policies to have an impact on the lives of women.

Pensions- Women More Likely to Live in Poverty After Retirement

The report also highlighted another area where women tend to fall behind; pensions. This is an important issue, given that women pensioners are more likely to live in poverty than their male counterparts. In 81 countries, a woman’s pension benefits do not account for periods of work absences related to childcare, which in turn impacts her retirement income.

Sexual Harassment- Broadening the Scope of Legislation

Sexual harassment has received significant attention recently, although, it’s been a rallying issue for women’s movements since the 1960s. 151 countries developed laws prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace, but only a fraction had laws prohibiting sexual harassment in public areas and public transport. Legislation has also to catch up with new developments like cyberharassment on various digital platforms where women often are targets of violent threats and hate speech. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-councillors-women-harassment-violence-epidemic-women-s-day-1.7131257

The Chief Economist of the World Bank indicated that, “discriminatory laws and practices prevent women from working or starting businesses on an equal footing with men. Closing this gap could raise global gross domestic product by more than 20% – essentially doubling the global growth rate over the next decade – but reforms have slowed to a crawl.”

There are many reasons as to why trends in global gender gaps are consistently increasing, but we cannot underestimate the impact of conservative governments who have defunded social and public services, targeting not only access but wages of public sector workers who are predominantly female. Over the last few years, we’ve seen rollbacks in women’s rights throughout the world, both in terms of constitutionally protected rights, but also rollbacks on policies that help women enter the workforce, and access well paid jobs.

What is the Gender Gap?

The gender gap is the difference between men and women as reflected in their participation in political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural attainments. The gap is also studied by analysing outcomes in four areas, health, education, economics and politics.

A Look Ahead

While the study findings are bleak, there are strides towards equality being made. EU member states have adopted EU-wide rules on the criminalization of certain forms of gender-based violence and better access to justice, protection and prevention. Some African countries have some of the best childcare and safety policies in the world that can serve as templates for other countries. International solidarity is essential when the issue is global.

However, none of these changes are possible without efforts of activists, allies and organized labour, inside our workplaces and communities.

This International Women’s Day, let’s not forget how far we’ve come and celebrate hard-won victories. Let’s also tap into the courage and wisdom of those who came before us and continue the hard work of achieving a more just world for us all. Let’s keep the hope and determination alive that a different kind of world is possible.

IAMAW Canada – IAM Canada Statement on the crisis in Gaza

The IAM in Canada has endorsed statements by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. This includes the call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and others held without due judicial process; and full respect for international humanitarian law.

The IAM condemns hate in all its forms. We join the ITUC and CLC in our support for a just and lasting peace.

The CLC is the national voice of the labour movement in Canada, and the ITUC is the largest trade union federation in the world. The IAM is affiliated to both organizations and supports their ongoing work to support workers in the region.

You can also see at the following links the information on IAM international site

IAMAW Canada – NDP MP stands up in House of Commons for IAM LL 16 Screening Officers

NDP Member of Parliament for Victoria Laurel Collins stood up for workers in the House of Commons this week, speaking on behalf of the 27 Screening Officers at Victoria Airport who were unjustly terminated. She stated the Liberal are dropping the ball when it comes to protecting workers. She received an immediate response from Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan, who promised to look at the issue immediately.

On February 6 and 7, 2024, twenty-seven IAMAW Pre-Board Screening Officers at the Victoria International Airport, along with nine salaried employees were terminated by the third-party screening contractor – Allied Universal Security Services (AUS) following a directive from CATSA to remove the employees from the workplace.

The sub-contractor intended to return the affected employees to work with a corrective action plan which included training, after determining that their conduct, while it deviated from the Standard Operating Procedures, did not give rise to grounds for termination.

Despite the subcontractor’s intention to return the affected employees with a corrective action plan, CATSA intervened in the decision-making process, directing the immediate removal of all twenty-seven (27) Screening Officers and nine (9) salaried employees without conducting its own investigation.

Tania Canniff, IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson, expressed deep concern over the lack of procedural fairness, stating, “Twenty-seven families have lost their ability to earn a living without an appeal, and that is shameful. We need immediate intervention! We need the Transport Ministers office to intervene; reverse CATSA’s course of action and allow for the subcontractor to manage their employees accordingly. This would restore due process and allow our members to feel secure in their jobs.

CATSA Interferes in Sub-Contractor Labour Relations – Directs Removal of 34 Workers at Victoria International Airport Without Due Process

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, BC – [14 February, 2024]

CATSA, a Crown corporation responsible for securing elements of the air transportation system, including passenger and baggage screening, oversees third-party contractors supplying screening services at airports nationwide. The pre-board screening in British Columbia is subcontracted to Allied Universal Security Services (AUS).

On February 6 and 7, 2024, twenty-seven IAMAW Pre-Board Screening Officers at the Victoria International Airport, along with nine salaried employees were terminated by the third-party screening contractor – Allied Universal Security Services (AUS) following a directive from CATSA to remove the employees from the workplace.

The sub-contractor intended to return the affected employees to work with a corrective action plan which included training, after determining that their conduct, while it deviated from the Standard Operating Procedures, did not give rise to grounds for termination.

Despite the subcontractor’s intention to return the affected employees with a corrective action plan, CATSA intervened in the decision-making process, directing the immediate removal of all twenty-seven (27) Screening Officers and nine (9) salaried employees without conducting its own investigation.

Tania Canniff, IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson, expressed deep concern over the lack of procedural fairness, stating, “Twenty-seven families have lost their ability to earn a living without an appeal, and that is shameful. We need immediate intervention! We need the Transport Ministers office to intervene; reverse CATSA’s course of action and allow for the subcontractor to manage their employees accordingly. This would restore due process and allow our members to feel secure in their jobs.

“In the present circumstance, the lack of procedural fairness is appalling and may lead to a dangerous precedent in future matters governed by the Collective Agreement and legislation,” continued Canniff.

“The ability to appeal is a cornerstone of the labour movement. CATSA has been operating as ‘the man behind the curtain’ for far too long. As a Crown Corporation, CATSA, cannot be allowed without recourse to override labour relation matters with their sub-contractors.” said a frustrated David Chartrand, IAM General Vice-President.

Continued Chartrand, “Our members deserve better and the people of this country deserve better. We need immediate intervention from this government.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) represents the largest number of workers at Canadian airports.