Building Democracy for Women and Sexual Minorities: Union Embrace of Diversity

Posted: 2 Jun 2010

See all articles by Gerald Hunt

Gerald Hunt

Ryerson University

Judy Haiven

Saint Mary's University, Canada

Date Written: December 15, 2006

Abstract

This article assesses Canadian labour’s response to changed demographics by considering the way unions have engaged with women and sexual minorities (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people). Many unions have now adopted inclusive policies. However, to consider how effectively these policies have been articulated and implemented at the local level, we consider two illustrative cases. One case involves a serious breakdown at the local level over pay equity for women; another case tells the story of a local’s support for a gay man’s challenge to a school board. We conclude that labour’s apparent formal recognition of women and sexual minorities has not necessarily diffused into effective accommodation locally, although we also find grounds for optimism.

JEL Classification: J15, J16, J50, J52, J70

Suggested Citation

Hunt, Gerald and Haiven, Judy, Building Democracy for Women and Sexual Minorities: Union Embrace of Diversity (December 15, 2006). Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations, Vol. 61, No. 4, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1619497

Gerald Hunt (Contact Author)

Ryerson University ( email )

350 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
Canada

Judy Haiven

Saint Mary's University, Canada ( email )

923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada

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