Women's Network

 

Mission Statement

To identify areas of concern and make recommendations on issues which affect working women. To dissolve barriers that may discourage or prevent the involvement of women in their local union and workplace.


Purpose

The network will be a communications link of interested members. It will encourage input and participation. W.I.N will attempt to provide materials and information in order to educate and raise awareness on a wide range of subject matter of interest to working women.

The network is the voice of solidarity on the path to promoting and achieving equality support and respect. The W.I.N will work to inspire confidence for women in themselves, and in the efforts of their local union on their behalf.


What Can the Women's Issues Network Achieve?

  • Create a forum where women are comfortable speaking out about their concerns. Encourage more women to become involved in their union.

  • Communicate with other members and create contract proposals which create equality for women.

  • Encourage sisters to run as stewards and officers in our union, enabling fair representation of all members.

  • Identify and learn about areas of concern unique to women.

  • Support women in other workplaces and in other unions.

  • Spread the word about union wages, health and pension benefits, and working conditions to women who are working in places where there is no union (unorganized workplaces), i.e. Wal-Mart.

  • Identify health and safety hazards in your workplace and work with health and safety committees in order to eliminate them. Identify and inform members of community resources (for example victims of violence, respite care etc.)

  • Ensure that the benefits in your collective agreement (union contract) do not discriminate against women. Examine the language in your collective agreement to make recommendations for family friendly clauses (i.e. maternal, paternal and adoptive leave provisions).

  • Propose measures to end discrimination if it exists in hiring, training and advancement at work for women and/or other equity seeking groups.

  • Inform and educate women of the impact of politics on their social and economic well-being.


Regional Structure and Provincial Steering Committee
The province of Ontario was divided into 5 regions. Representation on the steering committee was determined by the number of members in each area, the types of workplaces represents, and the geographical distance to consider.
Each region consists of a Chair, a Co-Chair and an alternate.
The Chair and Co-Chair of each region are members of the Provincial Steering Committee. This committee meets several times a year to discuss issues and concerns that affect women in the workplace. In the event of an absence of a chair or co-chair from a region at a meeting, the alternate representative from the region will attend as their replacement.


W.I.N Committee Co-Ordinator
Rehya Yazbek
 Region 1 – East

Chair – Caroline Brisebois – Loblaws, Ottawa
Co-Chair – Katherine White – Riverside Market, Pembroke
Alternate – Maria Shouman – RCSS, Kanata


Region 2 – Central East
Chair – Petra Niebergall – Loblaws, Pickering
Co-Chair – Karen Tapscott, Loblaws, Pickering
Alternate – Heidi Tighe, RCSS, Whitby


Region 3 – Central
Chair – Lorrie Russell – No Frills, Toronto
Co-Chair – Anna Alers Alers – RCSS – Thunder Bay
Alternate – Vacant


Region 4 – Central West

Chair– April Inata – Loblaws, Mississauga
Co-Chair – Maria Cabral – Maple Leaf Poultry, Toronto
Alternate – Diana Gunn – RCSS, Mississauga

Region 5 – West
Chair – Gail Thrower – Regnier’s YIG, Petrolia
Co-Chair – Sheri Storey, RCSS, London
Alternate – Vannessa Ulch – No Frills, London


 

Become a W.I.N Member

If you are interested in becoming involved or wish to be added to the W.I.N mailing list contact Rehya Yazbek with your complete address, phone number, workplace, full-time/part-time status and the department in which you work.


Contact: Rehya Yazbek
905.850.4571
800.637.5936 ext. 4571