WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US? UNION DESIGNATED WOMEN’S ADVOCATES IN AUTO MANUFACTURING WORKPLACES

Abstract

Women’s employment in traditionally male manufacturing jobs is hinderedby both formal and informal structures (Levine 2009). In light of recent recession-based changes in the Ontario economy, it is becoming more important forwomen to maintain well-paying manufacturing employment. Women facedifferent challenges in the home and workplace thanmen. This paperinvestigates the Canadian Auto Workers’ (CAW) Union’s unique women’sadvocacy program, as a promising mechanism to secure women’s safety at homeand at work, while protecting their employment status. Drawing onethnographic research with women auto workers and union women, ourfindings suggest that the CAW’s women’s advocacy program is innovative andbeneficial in maintaining women’s employment as they attend to personalproblems. This program can be extended throughout other locals and unions toassist women dealing with violence and other issuesrelated to work-lifeexperience.