History of Women
in the I.W.A.

Cont. from page twenty-three

immigrants and visible minorities.
It means making inroads in non-
union sectors where the workforce
has large numbers of female
employees. According to I.W.A.
national president Dave Haggard,
these workers are often subjected to
intimidation from management and
this has made organizing difficult.
He says, “They (the workers) don’t

The future of the
ILW.A. is dependent
on successfully
organizing more
young workers, more
working women and
more immigrants
and visible
minorities.

realize they, too, are entitled toa
life with dignity, pride, fair wages
and proper working conditions free
from harassment, whether sexual or
otherwise from their employer.”
Angela Schira, Secretary-
Treasurer of the B.C. Federation
says, “Union women have to take a
greater role in helping other women
to build in their unions and
workplaces. We have to improve our
ability to reach out to women, to
young women, to visible minorities.
These are groups most in need of a
union. And we need to have effective
strategies to connect with them.”

Through educational conferences
and workshops to enhance com-
munication and planning skills,
I.W.A. members will be able to
convey this message to women in
non-union jobs. Judging from the
June Women’s Conference, there is
no shortage of ideas or enthusiasm.
from sisters wanting to help the
union grow and become stronger.

This sums up the goal for the years
ahead. Sister Schira advises,
“Organizations like the I.W.A. and
other male-dominated organizations
must create a political space and a
welcoming environment for women
to flourish in the house of labour.
By promoting women’s committees
at both the local and national levels
and encouraging the participation
of female workers as equals in the
union, the I.W.A. will be seen as a
welcoming environment to women
seeking the protection of a union in
their workplace.”

The importance of women in the
I.W.A. today reflects on the
accomplishments of years ago by
the Ladies Auxiliary and I.W.A.
sisters like the first-ever women
officer of a local union, Gladys
Shunaman (Local 217 in the 1940’s),
Verna Ledger, Marge Storm and
Alice Persons, who helped organize
the first regional conference of I.W.A
women in the 1970’s. Their efforts
helped to guide the development of
the I.W.A. and thus create a
workplace and a union that was
better for everyone.

Looking ahead to future women’s
conferences, Sister Wagg says she
would like one session on the history
of women in the I.W.A. “There are
women mentioned in the book (The
IWA in Canada) but we have a lot
more stories than are mentioned in
there, she says. “It would be really
neat to get some of the women that
have retired and bring them in for a
panel discussion - this is what it
was like in the workplace, where
are we now and what’s changed. It
would make people aware of how
much a part of the history of this
union women are.” B

e Led here by Edna Brown during the massive B.C. province-wide
breakthrough strike in 1946, the Ladies' Auxiliary raised funds,
strenghtened picket lines, and bridged the gap between family and

workplace issues.

TR

iN

¢ Today's I,W.A. women, a group seen here at the most recent National Women's Education conference, are progressively building on the achievements

of pioneer union sisters of the past. Front row (1. to r.) are Local 2171's Brenda Wagg, Local 2171's Deborah Mantic, Local 1-424's Macky Pi
Local 1-425's Carla Berkelaar. Back row (I. to r.) are Local 1-425’s Bonnie Herrett, Local 1-424's Peggy-Ann Vince, Local 3683's Leslie McNabb, aa ay

1-207's Karen Reay.

24/LUMBERWORKER/SEPTEMBER, 2001