Toronto – February 28, 2022 –  A 2021 national survey led by York University’s Institute for Social Research reported that 96 percent of Black Canadians believe racism is a problem in the workplace. Today, we are proud to release the UFCW Canada Anti-Racism Collective Bargaining Guide to supportunion negotiators and activists in implementing collective bargaining language aimed at combatting racism and xenophobia.

The collective bargaining process is one of the most salient features of organized labour. The ability to negotiate terms of work with an employer provides the union an opportunity to better navigate the power imbalance in the workplace between workers and the company.

Along with featuring current research, the UFCW Canada Anti-Racism Collective Bargaining Guideaims to strengthen an understanding of how racial inequities show up in the workplace. Additionally, this guide provides practical collective bargaining sample language which can be used to address anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and wage and benefit clauses, among others.

In fighting for racial equity within the collective bargaining process, this guide reinforces our commitment as a union to combat racism and remain responsive to the different lived realities of our diverse membership across the country.

To access additional UFCW Canada resources on anti-racism and anti-oppression, visit our Human Rights, Equity & Diversity webpage.