Leading on Diversity Shortlisted Unions
Recognizing those owner/clients, contractors, and unions in Ontario that are leading the way by working together to increase the participation of Black, Indigenous and racialized workers in the construction industry through:
Leadership, Collaboration, Innovation, Action, Impact and Recognizable, or measurable change in recruitment, hiring, progress on the job and in apprenticeships, welcome and respect on the job
The award recognizes an organization that puts into practice best practices identified by the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB,) standards for organizations around the world.
Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers, Local 30
Local 30 includes Sheet Metal, Roofing, Siding and Decking and Production. It supports recruitment of women and racialized workers, increasing the number of women and underrepresented groups in this trade. It offers hands-on training to those who want to learn more about the trades and assists those who want to enter the trade to prepare for recruitment tests. By embracing new technology, it is able to reach out to more people in the community to learn about the Sheet Metal and Roofing trades. They have gone beyond traditional recruitment practices by creating awareness and access to their trade for underrepresented groups.
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
IUPAT opens doors and provides apprenticeship support to racialized groups. An example of this commitment, Ivan Dawns, an IUPAT Black Journeyperson who worked 13 years as a drywall finisher, took on the role of Political Director for the purpose of attracting more Black youth into IUPAT into the union. The union sanctioned this Role as an advocate and representative for the union. In implementing the Political Director role, IUPAT fulfilled the need for the union to have a union member who could relate to Black workers and represent their interests. The role acknowledges the need to support Black workers and that discrimination and racist comments occurring on the job need to be addressed by a trusted leader. By supporting and helping the BIPOC community members to get into construction, more Black people are joining the ranks.