The 2017 Aboriginal and Workers of Colour conference brought together workers from across the country to talk about and make plans to act to address discrimination and racism in the workplace.
More than 190 delegates, many participating in the national union for the first time, showed the growing commitment to increasing involvement and representation of equity.
Unifor Human Rights and International Director, Mohamad Alsadi, addressed the crowd on the opening night marking that, “Equality is not going to happen just because we are nice or say please. It will happen because we will make it happen.” Delegates heard that message loud and clear and set to keep fighting for all workers to be treated with respect.
Christine Maclin of Local 195 and Kesang Kashi of Local 4004 presented the initial results of Unifor’s Equity Audit, which they coordinated over the past year alongside the Human Rights and International Department. Delegates reviewed the data and gave suggestions to increase support and representation through tools such as building equity committees.
Ruth Price of Local for Local 1106 was re-elected to the National Executive Board as Unifor’s Aboriginal and Racialized Worker’s Representative with a commitment to continue her work to bring more marginalized voices into decision-making spaces.
At the closing of the conference, delegates shared regional challenges and priorities. First-time delegates and experienced representatives all gained perspective and tools to take back to locals in all regions of the country to push for change.