How Unions Benefit Their LGBTQ+ Members

Unions benefit all workers, but during Pride month we wanted to take a look at how exactly unions can and have shown up for our LGBTQ+ family. 

In the past LGBTQ+ individuals were often subjected to discriminatory hiring practices, unequal pay, and workplace harassment, with little legal recourse. Even as laws caught up and offered some protection unions emerged as a powerful force to combat these problems. Joining a union not only offers protection and representation for workers, but it also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. Through their union LGBTQ+ workers can fight for fair treatment, secure anti-discrimination policies, and gain inclusive healthcare coverage. 

Part of safeguarding rights is the grievance procedure. By having a formal mechanism in place, LGBTQ+ workers can feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously and addressed promptly. When you are a union member the people you work with are more than co-workers, they are your union family—a network of support, understanding, and solidarity. Union siblings stand shoulder to shoulder, united by a common purpose, and having each other's backs with support and respect.

The fight for justice is not limited to individual struggles but is a collective responsibility. Standing in solidarity means recognizing that the fight against discrimination and inequality is interconnected. By organizing together, all workers can amplify their voices, push for transformative change, and create workplaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and free from discrimination.