Honouring our past,fighting for our future
On August 26, we mark Women’s Equality Day, a day that commemorates the struggle for women’s suffrage in the United States, when in 1920 the 19th Amendment was certified and women finally won the legal right to vote. While this milestone reminds us of how far we’ve come, it also highlights how much work remains to be done for full equality in every workplace and community.
The work of UFCW 401 women
At UFCW Local 401, women are at the heart of our union. Our members work in retail stores, health care, food processing plants, meat-packing facilities, factories, and more. They are the backbone of Alberta’s economy, showing strength, resilience, and solidarity every day on shop floors, in lunchrooms, and on picket lines.Our Women’s Committee continues to push forward, raising awareness about workplace equity, promoting fair scheduling, advocating for childcare, and creating space for women’s leadership at every level of our union. UFCW Local 401 Secretary-Treasurer, Richelle Stewart, reflects on this moment as more than a day of recognition. She shares, “Women’s Equality Day is not just about reflection, it’s about action. It’s about recognizing the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in our workplaces and within our union. At UFCW Local 401, we are proud to champion the voices of working women who are breaking barriers, challenging injustice, and demanding the equity they deserve. Together, we are not waiting for change. We are making it.”
Barriers still faced
Despite decades of progress, barriers remain:Pay gaps persist. In Alberta, women continue to earn less than men on average, with racialized women, Indigenous women, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQ+ workers facing even greater disparities.Pay equity legislation is weak. Alberta still lags behind other provinces in implementing meaningful pay equity laws. Without strong legislation, women continue to fight workplace by workplace for fairness.Workplace discrimination and harassment remain daily realities, often pushing women out of good jobs or forcing them to remain silent to keep their livelihoods.
The Power of allies
True equality cannot be achieved by women alone. It requires allies, our brothers, coworkers, and leaders, to stand with us in dismantling systemic barriers and fighting for fair workplaces. When men champion women’s equality, when unions stand up for racialized workers, when the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ members are included, our entire movement grows stronger.
Our ongoing fight
As a union, UFCW Local 401 will continue to:Fight for stronger pay equity protections in Alberta.Ensure women in retail, health care, food processing, and all sectors have access to safe, fair, and respectful workplaces.Create leadership opportunities for women and equity-seeking members in our union.Stand in solidarity with racialized women, Indigenous women, and 2SLGBTQ+ workers whose struggles often go unseen but must never be ignored.On this Women’s Equality Day, we honour those who came before us and recommit to building a future where every UFCW 401 member, regardless of gender, race, or identity, can thrive with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Posted on: August 26,2025