We are CUPE Women across Alberta from all sectors in the labour movement who have come together to form the CUPE Alberta Women’s Committee.

Our union needs women now more than ever. Unions have made great strides in improving working conditions for all workers. Workers have enjoyed higher wages and greater benefits, job security and human rights provisions because of this work. If working women are to gain equality, they must work with and through their union.

A women’s committee is a safe zone where women can gain leadership skills, organize to make changes, connect with other women, discuss their unique place in the workplace, and identify and strategize to overcome the barriers they face.

The women’s committee will focus on many issues faced by women in our workforce, union and day-to-day lives. Some of the focus areas are as follows; accessible and affordable childcare; reviewing contracts for discriminatory language; supporting women through education and skills development to increase the number of women in leadership roles; providing information on equity issues to local leadership; working with other labour organizations and women’s organizations to support events and campaigns; and actively supporting changes to bylaws and union practices to create a more inclusive union.