New UFCW OUTreach 2SLGBTQ+ Rights and Collective Bargaining Guide

Toronto – January 14, 2025 – UFCW OUTreach, in collaboration with UFCW Canada, has published a new 2SLGBTQ+ Rights and Collective Bargaining Guide.

“With increasing attacks against 2SLGBTQ+ workers across the U.S. and Canada, it is more important than ever to hold solidarity with UFCW 2SLGBTQ+ members and fight to protect and defend 2SLGBTQ+ rights through the collective bargaining process,” says Shawn Haggerty, National President President, UFCW Canada.

The guide includes workplace inclusion and collective bargaining checklists and sample collective bargaining language that has been successfully negotiated by UFCW local unions in the US and Canada. It also provides additional information on how to support 2SLGBTQ+ union members in the workplace and pathways to strengthen 2SLGBTQ+ workplace visibility and inclusion through a union lens.

“This guide is written in plain language and is accessible to activists and union negotiators alike. It includes proactive workplace strategies and collective bargaining language, that when negotiated into existing union contracts, can be life-saving for 2SLGBTQ+ union members on the job”, says Emmanuelle Lopez, UFCW OUTreach Executive Committee member and UFCW Canada Human Rights, Equity and Diversity Coordinator.

According to the majority of respondents who completed the UFCW OUTreach Union Values and LGBTQ+ Worker Experiences Survey, they supported collective bargaining for these protections, though some were opposed. However, nearly one-third of members surveyed said they were unsure where they stood, suggesting that a good portion of members are uninformed about LGBTQ+ equity issues. Participants said that knowing the union was negotiating for explicit language in their contracts was a powerful demonstration of the union’s commitment to LGBTQ+ people.

UFCW Canada Local Unions from coast to coast are committed to supporting the work of UFCW OUTreach and advancing 2SLGBTQ+ rights in the workplace and through political advocacy. This guide is one in a series of initiatives created by UFCW OUTreach and UFCW Canada to support UFCW local unions and UFCW 2SLGBTQ+ members on the job.

Access the 2SLGBTQ+ Rights and Collective Bargaining Guide here.

Check out additional resources and actions from UFCW OUTreach, UFCW Canada , Canadian Labour Congress and our partners at Egale Human Rights Trust.