What Does #MeToo Mean for the Building Trades?

A simple two word hashtag that has gone viral has highlighted the magnitude of the problem of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace and beyond. The “Me Too” movement actually started with a Black activist in Harlem more than 10 years ago. Community organizer Tarana Burke founded the “Me Too” movement in 2006, in order to spread awareness and understanding about sexual assault in underprivileged communities of colour. The difference today; a social media environment that serves as a platform bringing large groups of people together, sharing a common story of inequality and unsafe workplaces.

What does this mean for the Building Trades? Unions have always been on the forefront of fighting for the protection of workers’ rights. In North America, Unions helped create things like maternity leave, vacation time, sick leave, minimum wage laws and safety. All based on fundamental principles of fairness, equitable and safe workplaces. Equal pay for equal work is yet another foundation of the Building Trades movement.

But the fact remains that in the area of sexual harassment in the workplace we have little to be proud of. The image of construction workers “catcalling” and “whistling” from the scaffolding at a construction site has been seen as the norm, and not for what it is – a degrading act against our sisters, mothers and daughters.

Although the Building Trades have been working on attracting more underrepresented groups to the trades, cultural and generational changes in attitudes and behaviors is slow and difficult work. We need to do so much more in the area of providing a safe and welcoming workplace. Acknowledging we have a problem is a first step. And this has been widely communicated and openly acknowledged. Now is the time for further and more aggressive action.

The Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council is pleased to announce that we’ve been working with Build Together – Women of the Building Trades to create a Nova Scotia Chapter that is composed of female members from our 13 Affiliated Unions who are inspired in their skilled trade. The official launch of the committee took place at this year’s conference on April 10th.

Through a Build Together Nova Scotia Chapter, the committee will:

• Provide mentorship and support to apprentices, journeypersons, and women considering the trades;
• Challenge and debunk existing myths and stereotypes of women in the trades;
• Provide awareness and exposure to careers in the trades;
• Promote retention and challenge policy makers and industry on the barriers that prevent the retention of women in the industry;
• Work to create a more inclusive, respectful and diverse workforce and workplace.

Build Together has created guidebooks for both employees and employers in creating a safe and welcoming work environment. Both of these resources can be found on the Build Together website. Many other resources can be found on this site, including forms and templates that will aid in setting up a welcoming work environment.

We understand that there is more to be done by both the Trades and our contractors to ensure a safe and welcoming work environment. It’s everyone’s responsibility to act when they see or hear discrimination or harassment. We’re excited for our partnership with Build Together, and we look forward to continuing our work with our contractors on these important issues.

If you are a female member of one of our 13 Affiliated Unions, and are interested in learning more about Build Together Nova Scotia, please contact Alison at alison(at)mainlandbuildingtrades.ca.