Womens Committee

File 13923 Greetings, Rank and File Family!

There are so many facets to unionism, that is important to clarify our terms and what we mean. When we or see terms like “Women’s Committee," some automatically believe that this is meant to be a club, group, or "women only" association. The The fact of the matter is that we here in Local 100 stand firmly on the ground that our mission and the purpose must never exclude, but must always unite.

The purpose of the TWU Local 100 Women’s Committee is multi-tiered: To ensure equal pay for equal work, to empower women to have the confidence to seek leadership positions within their Union as well as in their workplace, to help women further the cause of all workers, male and female, and to elevate the awareness of working women’s needs, both inside and outside of the workplace. The Committee seeks to bring union members to a greater awareness of the need for better physical and mental health; to a greater understanding of financial issues, including investments and retirement planning, and to motivate women to get involved in their communities so that all women can gain more knowledge of how to obtain affordable housing or to own an affordable home.

In conclusion, the Committee exists to educate, encourage and mentor women of all ages to become future leaders. After all, I am sure our rank and file men expect as much.

There are so many battles for us to take on and so much ground that we must now cover. The workplace is becoming more and more hostile every day and this TWU Local 100 administration believes strongly that only by unifying, educating, and working together will we see a better tomorrow.

The Committee stands firmly with our brothers and sisters who have recently been dealt the severe blow of job loss. As the Committee grows, we will be able to extend greater levels of support and assistance to our recently separated comrades.

We have contract negotiations coming up in the near future. The Women’s Committee is beginning the arduous process of addressing age old issues that we have let go unanswered because in the past we have not been organized or informed enough about them.

We are the Union, is always said, but this truth is hardly ever thoroughly examined or embraced. The truth of the matter is that we must dare to be the change we wish to see, we need to see, and must see. One of the ways to start is right here and now, where we are together.

I look forward to your input, your strength, your support and your love. I look forward to being an instrument of our growth and our change. Over the coming months our Women’s Committee meetings will establish our foundation for the next two years of struggle, and beyond.

Join us. Let's not talk about it, let's be about it.

Your Forever in Solidarity

Benita Johnson

TWU Local 100 Recording Secretary

Women’s Committee Chair