National Union reaches PSI goal of 50% women leadership

Canadian union achieves target nearly four years ahead of schedule Rio de Janeiro (November 18, 2004) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has reached a level of 50% leadership representation for women — nearly four years ahead of the 2007 target date set by the Inter-Americas Region of Public Services International (PSI).
	Diane Wood and Elisabeth Ballermann

In 2003, PSI’s Inter-Americas Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC) established a goal for national affiliates to reach 50% women’s participation by the time of the next PSI World Congress in 2007.

Diane Wood and Elisabeth Ballermann, both National Union executive board members, were able to report on this accomplishment while attending a women’s workshop sponsored by IAMREC. The workshop took place prior to IAMREC’s Regional Conference, which opens today in Rio de Janeiro.

NUPGE’s National Executive Board includes National President James Clancy, National Secretary-Treasurer Larry Brown and 19 other members from NUPGE Components across Canada. Just over 50% of the National Executive Board (11 members) are now women. This reflects the National Union’s overall membership of 337,000, which consists of approximately 55% women.

Major accomplishment

“This is a major accomplishment for the National Union,” said Wood, the Secretary-Treasurer of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

“We have reached IAMREC’s 50/50 goal four years ahead of schedule, a goal that has not yet been achieved by most of PSI’s affiliates around the world. It speaks volumes of the National Union’s commitment to gender equity.

"We’ve been on this road for two decades and can now see the positive results of our efforts.”

In January 2005 Wood will begin to serve as the women’s representative of Canadian affiliates on PSI’s World Women’s Committees.

Ballermann, who serves as President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE), noted that five National Union Components are now led by women.

“There's no doubt that there has been substantial and continued progress in achieving greater participation of women in decision-making bodies of our labour movement," Ballermann said.

“We must not forget, however, that our success is tied to affirmative action measures adopted by our National Union and the labour movement in general over the pass 20 years.”

PSI represents 10 million members in 540 public service unions in 120 countries. PSI estimates that women account for 62-65% of its total membership. Nearly one third (31%) of PSI affiliates worldwide are headed by women. In the Inter-Americas, PSI has 140 affiliates. There are 40 Presidents (28%) in the Inter-Americas, reflecting the global situation. NUPGE

Web posted by NUPGE: 18 November 2004

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