WSN Releases Top 10 Equity & Inclusion Guide
March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD). It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The first IWD gathering started in 1911 and has been recognized every year for over a century. This special day marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
In preparation for a new decade of women’s organizing in 2020, the IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network (WSN) has created a guide to assist Locals with integrating equity into our union’s work. The Top 10 Equity & Inclusion Guide has been designed to give IFPTE members, elected leaders, and staff ideas on individual and organizational steps that can be taken to promote equity inside our union.
“WSN is very pleased to launch this important guide just in time for International Women’s Day. Anyone interested in moving our union forward should get a copy”, said Tracy Miller, WSN Chair.
Kayla Blado, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union - IFPTE Local 70 President with a colleague
IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network
EQUITY & INCLUSION
GUIDE
This guide has been developed by the IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network (WSN) to assist IFPTE members, elected officers and staff to incorporate equity into our union work. Our membership is diverse and being conscious about equity issues will help our union thrive and improve the participation of all members. Members who identify as equity-seeking may include young workers, LGBTQ2S+ workers, Indigenous workers, racialized workers, workers with disabilities and women workers. Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Equity and equality are two different strategies that aim to produce fairness. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help.
An equity lens helps to:
Increase awareness about diversity, equity and inclusion
Allow the incorporation and recognition of diverse perspectives in the union/workplace
Improve administration of programs, policies and allocation of resources
Involve new groups of members who are not active or involved
Open new communication channels
TOP 10 DOs for EQUITY & INCLUSION
1) BECOME CULTURALLY COMPETENT
Be a diversity champion and be self-aware. Embracing diversity in our union/workplace starts with managing your own attitude and behaviour. Take time to learn about different cultures, gender expressions/identities, races, religions and backgrounds represented in our union/workplace. Be conscious about the words or phrases you use. Become familiar with diversity-related terms and, if you err, apologize and ask for help. Remember, it is not the responsibility of those who experience oppression to provide education or explain their struggles to those in the dominant group whose privilege has shielded them from understanding the experiences of marginalized groups. Google is your friend when you don’t know and want to learn! Selfawareness is key to developing an environment where all members feel safe and comfortable to talk about equity.
2) BE BOLD AND LEAD
As activists and leaders within the union, you have an opportunity to set the tone and influence the organization. You can demonstrate a commitment to incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion policies into every aspect of the union’s function and purpose. Leadership at the top must also provide guidance, resources and support to ensure success within the organization at all levels.
3) TAKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Take note of the structures and practices within your union. What’s working well and what isn’t? Who can you approach to assist in developing equity work in your local union? Talk to members who might be interested in getting involved. Familiarize yourself with what resources exist and find out about any previous and current equity initiatives within your local union. Look to see what other IFPTE Locals are doing and draw inspiration from groundwork that’s been laid elsewhere.
4) SEE BEYOND NUMBERS
Move away from conceptualizing diversity, equity and inclusion principles solely as a numbers-based goal and instead see its potential to transform your local union into a vibrant organization embedding equity, diversity and inclusion goals into its strategic plan.
5) HAVE A PLAN
Identify what you want to achieve. Develop a short term and long-term plan. Equity and inclusion work takes time. Building support for organizational change, whether it is for introducing a new policy or changing a practice, requires support from members and leaders. Think about your plan in small steps. Recognize that “quick fixes” will not sustain the level of commitment required to achieve diversity goals.
6) OFFER TRAINING
Sometimes members have had little exposure to the topic and learning about it is the first step in the right direction. Equity and inclusion is a process and organizations are constantly evolving and adapting to be more responsive. This is why ongoing education and training is an important element to achieving equity within our union.
7) DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION POLICY
Look up related union policies and resolutions. Is there anything that will help you advance your plan? Share what you’ve discovered with others in the union to help get things started. If there are no policies in place, you’re in a great position to start from scratch. There are many unions out there with comprehensive policies and materials you can analyze and adapt from. Top 10 Dos for Equity & Inclusion
8) BE AN ALLY
Speak up for diversity issues that are not necessarily your own. In social justice terms, an ally is typically a member of a dominant group who decides to stand beside and support member(s) of a group that is disadvantaged and/or marginalized. An ally works to create positive change rather than participate in oppression. Allies will never speak for the group but will always walk in solidarity to with them in support.
9) MAKE SPACE
Build space for members from equity seeking groups to come together. Give them tools and resources needed to self organize. Ensure there are enough supports available for them to develop their own agenda. This could include providing meeting space during conferences and conventions or forming a committee.
10) COMMIT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Be willing to learn, accept feedback and listen to the concerns of those around you. Even the most enlightened individual can fi nd opportunities for growth. Diversity, inclusion and equity work is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience and perseverance.
WSN is a project of the IFPTE. Our mandate is to connect members together and promote the involvement of women within IFPTE and the broader labour movement.