HEU equity caucuses
As a socially conscious union, HEU’s struggle for justice is aimed at ending discrimination and unfair treatment in all its forms – both in the workplace and in society at-large.
That commitment also reaches beyond our own borders to workers in other countries who need our support and solidarity. And it is the cornerstone of our efforts to promote global peace, environmental awareness, and respect for human rights.
History
In 1994, HEU established four equity committees to recognize the diversity of our membership and to help end discrimination based on race, gender, ethnic background, disability or sexual orientation.
And in 2008, delegates to the union’s biennial convention passed a resolution making the Women’s Committee a standing committee as well.
Working with HEU’s equity officer, these committees provide outreach and advocacy to HEU members, and work in solidarity with other social justice groups.
Every two years, the caucuses gather at equity conferences to discuss current issues, create action plans, and elect standing committee members.
Representatives from each standing committee sit on national equality committees through the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and CUPE, as well as the Provincial Executive’s Equal Opportunities Subcommittee (EOC).
Equity toll-free phone line 1-800-663-5813, extension 7192; (Lower Mainland: 604-456-7192):
- Committee for Ethnic Diversity, press 1
- First Nations Standing Committee, press 2
- Pink Triangle Standing Committee, press 3
- People with disAbilities Standing Committee, press 4
- Women’s Standing Committee, press 5
Check out the links to the left for a description of our equity caucuses, along with email contacts.
HEU equity conference 2011
This three-day conference was held in March 2011 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond. The conference focused on the equity portion of the union's Strategic Directions document that was passed by delegates at the 2010 convention. Conference participants developed two-year action plans to help end discrimination, organize effectively around equity issues, and develop ways to increase participation at all levels of the union for equity-seeking groups. Equity caucus delegates also elected new standing committee members to carry out these action plans over the next two years.