The Agriculture Union acknowledges International Women’s Day on March 8th, and we are exceptionally proud of all our women members who courageously stand up against patriarchy, sexism, queerphobia, and gender-based violence every day. Fighting for workplaces and communities that are safer, more equitable, and more joyful for everyone is the heart of the labour movement.
March 8th is a day to not only honour women in the labour movement, but also a day to reflect on and resist gender discrimination across Canada and around the world. From Muslim women in Quebec facing sexism and Islamophobia on the job, to women in war-torn countries across the world, to Indigenous women at home who are stewards of the land and water, our solidarity knows no borders.
On International Women’s Day, we are reminded of the struggles for women workers in the public service as the federal government moves towards imposing an unjust 4-day in-office mandate. Research has shown that rigid return-to-office policies disproportionately impact women, who continue to carry a greater share of caregiving and unpaid labour. Many women workers rely on flexible work arrangements to balance these demands, yet those realities are being dismissed by the employer. In response, the PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice to challenge the government’s new in-office mandate.
Moreover, the latest round of job cuts and workforce adjustments announced by the Carney government is expected to hit women, Indigenous people and racialized groups the hardest. As the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives outlined in a recent study, women make up 57% of public servants, yet 59% of the recent job cuts will fall on women. The Agriculture Union has been resisting the cuts to all workers we represent, and we do this knowing that women always pay the highest price for austerity measures.
While the federal government continues to pay lip service to gender equality, its cuts tell another story. On this International Women’s Day, we challenge the Canadian government to move from commemoration to action, and to abandon its job cuts and forced return-to-office mandate.
