UFCW members across North America are speaking out on LGBTQ+ rights, through a recently released report from UCLA Labor Center.
The Center, which is a unit of the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, and United Food and Commercial Workers OUTreach, released its report recently, based on a survey of UFCW members across North America.
“We stand in solidarity with our members from the 2SLGBTQi community to advocate for fairness, safety and equality,” said President Wayne Hanley. “Thank you to all our members who participated in this important survey– your voices matter and your experiences matter. We are committed and proud to work with our sisters, brothers, friends and allies on the findings and recommendations raised in this report to build fairer and more equitable workplaces and communities for all.”
Click here to read full report
- 87% of union members believe LGBTQ+ workers should be protected by their union contracts.
- 83% of survey respondents said that LGBTQ+ issues should be supported by union leaders.
- 68% of survey respondents said that non-discrimination protections in collective bargaining agreements should be a top priority for local unions to improve conditions for LGBTQ+ workers.
- 43% of LGBTQ+ participants have felt unsafe in their current workplaces at least once because of their gender or sexuality.
UCLA Labor Center's Recommendations
- Develop proactive union agendas, policies, and structures that recognize and protect the rights and identities of LGBTQ+ workers.
- Create visible, clear, and concrete organizational structures for LGBTQ+ leadership and participation at every level of the union.
- Develop issue-based, worker-centered organizing and labor education programs that focus on lifting up and affirming LGBTQ+ worker rights and identities.
- Create worker-centered safe spaces where workers can address, denounce, and resist LGBTQ+ workplace violations, discrimination, and harassment.
Information courtesy of UCLA Labor Center.
