Stay Informed and Engaged!

Here’s some of what’s happening in the world of tradeswomen and the issues that matter to us.

Tradeswomen and Sexual Harassment

The #MeToo movement has resonated deeply for many tradeswomen. Tradeswomen have been fighting discrimination and dealing with sexual harassment since the doors to these still male-dominated jobs opened up as a result of affirmative action in the early 80’s. Women working in construction experience the highest rates of sexual harassment second only to female miners.

Check out the comments of CWIT’s National Policy Director Lauren Sugerman, that were delivered at the screening of the film “Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power” hosted by the Chicago Women’s History Center. Read more

Being an Ally: Supporting tradeswomen on the job

Being an ally is a verb and means taking both personal and collective action to create an inclusive, safe and harassment free workplace. Not everyone knows how to put their good intentions into action. Would you like to conduct a training for your union, workplace or apprenticeship program on how male colleagues can support their tradeswomen co-workers. Check out this workshop that was delivered as part of Women Build Nations 2017 last fall in Chicago.

Stopping Violence on the Job: #WeAreOutiHicks

Outi Hicks was a pioneering tradeswoman who was killed on the job last year on Valentine's Day. She didn’t fall from a ladder or touch a live wire — the hazards tradespeople routinely get safety training for. Her death was from a cause barely talked about on the job — she was brutally attacked and beaten to death by a co-worker who harassed her from the day they first met on the job. Not every woman who faces sexual harassment, assault and misconduct can speak up as part of the #MeToo movement. Latisa Kindred, an electrician, teacher and CWIT board member wrote this account, and is organizing so we will remember, honor and speak out on behalf of #WeAreOutiHicks.

Workplace violence is one of the results of the way a male-dominated workplace and sex discrimination intersect to put women at even greater risk in dangerous working conditions. Check out the Health and Safety of Women in Construction (HASWIC) report to read more about how gender impacts safety and health issues and how safety and health need to also be addressed from a gender lens. Read more