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From almost her first days in the General Motors plant in Oshawa, Bev McCloskey fought for women’s rights.
"Bev was very active in the struggle for women's rights in our union and fought for the equity that women enjoy today in our workplaces and communities. Her legacy will serve as a standard for activists who strive to create a better society," said Unifor Local 222 President Ron Svajlenko.
McCloskley passed away November 14. She was 85.McCloskey began at GM in 1949 at the age of 20. She was soon elected to the Local 222 executive as recording secretary, at the time the only position a woman could hold, serving for 17 years.
In 1968, she co-founded the locals’ first Women's Committee at the local, and led the fight to end segregated seniority lists and male-only jobs at GM.
In 1970, with the help of Oshawa MPP Cliff Pilkey, the committee pushed to amend Ontario Human Rights Code to include sex and marital status as prohibited grounds for discrimination. McCloskey lobbied to have inappropriate photos removed from workbenches and walls in the plants.
The Sisterhood Room at Unifor’s Family Education Centre are named in honour of McCloskey and other members of the first women’s committee.
