The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) has put out the call letter for their 50th Anniversary Gala May 8-11, 2024. 

CLUW is America’s only national organization for union women. Formed in 1974, CLUW is a nonpartisan organization within the union movement.

The primary purpose of CLUW is to unify all union women in a strong organization to seek remedies to problems and develop action programs within the framework of the labor and women’s movements.

Join CLUW for its 50th Anniversary Gala May 8-11, 2024 in Niagara Falls, NY. Registration for the Gala is $200, which includes a welcome reception, workshops and the gala event.

The women’s movement and the labor movement are crucial for advancing equality, justice and change in the world. Join CLUW for its 50th Anniversary celebration.

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International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.  

This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion”. In a time where workers are organizing in record numbers, women and our LBGTQ+ siblings are still under attack. Sexist, racist, and elitist ideals create an environment where our members feel “less than.” That is not who we are! We must strengthen our movement, and that means creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive; we can all inspire inclusion.  

Everyone everywhere can play a part in helping to create gender equality. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we create a better world. When women are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging and empowerment.

The IAM has fought for many changes in the workplace to address issues of equity and inclusion. When we encourage positive visibility of women, we Inspire Inclusion.   We cannot do that without the support of our members and the help of constituency groups like Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition of Labor Union Women (cluw.org).  The primary purpose of CLUW is to unify all union women in a strong organization to determine and seek remedies to common problems and concerns and to develop action programs within the framework of the labor movement to effectively promote change. 

References:

International Women’s Day 2024 (internationalwomensday.com)

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This year Native Women’s Equal Pay Day is observed on November 30. This day marks the day that Native women need to work through in order to make the same amount made by their white male counterparts during the previous year. In other words, it takes Native women an additional 9 months longer to earn what white men earn in 12 months due to the disparity in pay. This is an important issue to highlight the inequality of pay women experience in our country. This day encourages us to raise awareness on such a topic and recognize the numerous struggles that women face.

President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963, noting that paying men and women different rates for the same work was “an unconscionable practice.” A year later, in 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was enacted, making it illegal to make employment-related judgments based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. However, gender and race disparity in pay has persisted in society and is larger for certain groups than others. Native women make 60 cents for every dollar made by white men.

Union members are largely protected from these unequal practices, because they have a Collective Bargaining Agreement that ensures they make equal wages for equal work. However, not all women have the protections of a CBA, which in turn affects their ability to make living wages and impacts the economy overall. It is important that we vote for representatives who fight for workers and families, and make sure their rights are being put at the top of the list. If you have not registered to vote yet, please do that today! Make your voice heard.

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, also known as “Ending Violence Against Women’s Day,” is observed globally on November 25 every year. On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic were brutally assassinated because of their identity as women and activists because they fought for their rights against the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961). Because of their bravery and in their honor, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

It serves as a reminder of the violence faced by women worldwide and the urgent need to address this issue. According to recent studies published by the United Nations, almost 1 in 3 women—about 736 million worldwide—have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from someone close to them. When it comes to lethal violence, on average, more than five women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their own family.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women acts as a catalyst for change and empowers individuals and communities to stand against all forms of violence, not just political oppression. Other examples include:

• Domestic violence;
• Sexual assault;
• Trafficking; and
• Other practices that result in violence against women.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 48/104 for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which defines this type of violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable—for instance, young girls; older women; women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex; migrants and refugees; indigenous women and ethnic minorities; women and girls living with HIV and other disabilities; and those living through humanitarian crises.

The IAM implemented a program called Be More than a Bystander. The program was designed to inform participants about how to recognize workplace harassment and violence, specifically against women and the LBGTQ+IA community. Every act to prevent violence against women not only creates a safer environment for our IAM Sisters, but makes life better and safer for everyone.

https://convoyofhope.org/articles/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women/

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Today we observe Latina Equal Pay Day. Latinas are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States, wielding more economic and political power than ever before. Latinas excel in every sector and industry in our country. Despite all of this, in 2022, Latinas continued to face the pay gap that is, on average, 52 cents to every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This number includes all Latinas with reported earnings, like part-time, seasonal, and migrant workers. For full-time, year-round workers, the wage gap is still a shockingly low 57 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. The wage disparity is a clear reflection of the economic hurdles Latinas continue to encounter.

Latinas are overrepresented in industries that are underpaid and often lack basic workplace protections. These include farmworkers, child care, and domestic workers, as well as migrant, seasonal, and part-time worker groups which continue to be left out of critical employment protections. Until these women who perform some of the most essential jobs are able to achieve economic security, our economy and communities will not be as strong as they possibly can be.

We believe achieving pay equity is not just a goal; it’s a necessity. For this equal pay day we will be organizing around two actions and call on you for your support two pieces of federal legislation:

• Passing the Fairness Paycheck Act, a bill first introduced in 1997 that would require employers to prove why pay disparities exist, prohibit them from asking about salary history, and be more transparent about how workers who feel they’re underpaid can seek recourse, according to the 19th. The bill has repeatedly stalled in Congress largely due to Republican opposition (Galvan).
• The Raise the Wage Act of 2023, which aims to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2028. This bill will eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers, ensuring equal pay for all covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Together, by supporting these legislative initiatives, we can improve the laws that do not serve our communities as a whole and pave the way for a more equitable future where all workers are paid what they rightfully earn. Join us as we seek justice and equality on Latina Equal Pay Day and all year round.

References:

https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/equal-pay-day-latinas-wage-gap

Galavan, Astrid, Latinas Wont See Equal Pay Day for Several More Months (3/14/2023) Retrieved from: https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/equal-pay-day-latinas-wage-gap

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August 26th is Women’s Equality Day, the 103rd anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S.

The right to vote, the cornerstone of democracy, belongs to all citizens — but this wasn’t always the case. Until recently, most countries denied voting rights to women. To claim their voice, women began fighting for the right to vote in the early 19^th Century.

First introduced as a congressional resolution in 1971 and formally adopted in 1973, Women’s Equality Day celebrates and honors the women’s suffrage movement and acknowledges the hurdles that women have overcome in their strides towards equality. In the U.S., decisions about who could vote were originally left up to the states. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, ensures voting rights for everyone regardless of gender. Today, Women’s Equality Day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face.

According to the Census Bureau chart below there are more women voters than males:

For the full table click here

Our elected officials get to decide what is passed in the House and Senate—and what could ultimately become law. This can impact Women and working families immensely. So your vote makes a difference!!

If you are not already registered to vote, you can still Register to vote!!

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What’s the state of parental leave in manufacturing? | Manufacturing Dive

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Last year’s Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day on Aug. 10 was a huge success. There were so many great community service projects happening all over North America and we are excited to see what lodges do this year.

The late IAM Western Territory Grand Lodge Representative Maria Santiago Lillis, whose birthday was on Aug. 10, was a tireless mentor and fierce advocate for workers’ rights, human rights, and social justice, tackling the most contentious issues with grace while treating everyone with dignity and respect. 

WATCH: Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day

Many local lodge women and human rights committees are very involved in community service. Some examples include:

• Adopting a park or beach to clean and beautify
• Volunteering at veterans’ homes
• Having a school supply drive to donate backpacks and school supplies for local school children
• Donating toys to local children’s hospitals
• Donating needed supplies for women’s shelters
• Donations to local food banks
• Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity
• Setting up an event to raise money for the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines.

READ: IAM Lodges Coast to Coast Honor Maria Santiago Lillis with Acts of Services

Pick a service and act of kindness that would best suit your community and take action!

After your local Day of Action, make sure to share your stories and pictures with IAM Women’s and Human Rights Director Julie Frietchen at jfrietchen@iamaw.org.

We want to share your community day of action with all of our union family. Let’s make this a memorable event to honor a memorable IAM Sister.

“Everyone knew that Maria was a champion of justice and fair play – all you had to do was talk to her for a few minutes, and you felt her love and support,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Her mentoring never stopped. She touched so many, and we will always keep her memory alive through a call to service.”  

READ: In Maria’s Honor

“The goal of this day is to highlight the qualities that made Sister Lillis an outstanding advocate for working families and her commitment to serve,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Her work has left an indelible mark on the labor movement, and we need to carry her torch with the same compassion and dedication in her name.”

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LL 1746’s Women’s Committee organized a collection of money and supplies at Pratt & Whitney’s East Hartford campus for the Prudence Crandall Center Women & Children’s Shelter. They received an outpouring of support from their members on the shop floor, demonstrating their Local’s commitment to the community.

“Our members, time and time again, show their commitment to helping each other and helping their communities, and LL 1746’s impressive success with this effort is no exception,” said Eastern Territory General Vice President Dave Sullivan.

“This generous effort by LL 1746’s Women’s Committee shows exactly the kind of impact these committees can have on our communities, which is why our membership prioritized founding women’s committees across our Union during our 2022 Convention,” said Julie Frietchen, Director of the IAM’s Women’s & Human Rights Department.

“Giving to our community is a pleasure and a privilege and such a successful collection displays our growing shared commitment to come together as a union and workforce for each other and those in need,” said Thérèse Hervieux.

This first-time collection raised almost $2,000 in cash donations, as well as several carloads of physical donations. LL 1746 looks forward to repeating their success next year.

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