Sisters Conference

Greater PA Regional Council was represented by fourteen sisters at the third UBC Women’s Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 17th through 20th, 2010. Participation was encouraged at our Local, Council, and International levels. There were about 400 in attendance from across the US and Canada. Several retirees were honored, as this marks the first wave of retiring women in the UBC since the initial entry of women in the construction field when President Carter passed legislation banning gender discrimination in the construction workplace in 1978.

The commitment of this Women’s Conference is to help build a stronger and more diverse Union through educating and organizing. The workshops provided information on the structure of the UBC and strongly encouraged our sisters to become involved and active in our Locals and in our communities. I think that all of us have returned from this Conference inspired, energized, and eager to better contribute to our Union. The three days were filled with speakers, workshops, and caucus groups by trade, region and interest.

Building ‘Sisters in the Brotherhood’ Committees at home was encouraged. This is a group of women within the Brotherhood that share a common interest, not unlike groups that gather by specialty, such as millwrights or floor coverers. Building local Sisters Committees can aid in recruitment, outreach, and retention. Getting the word out that the opportunities do exist for women who have the aptitude for and the desire to do this challenging and rewarding physical work. Once a member, casual meetings among sisters who can mentor and share encouragement can go a long way in retaining those members in whom we all have an investment.

Union Trades offer women and men the best training, benefits and worker protections. What we have in common is more important than our differences. We all need to build a strong, diverse and supportive Union community, and this Women’s Conference and the opportunity for so many of us to attend shows a commitment to work toward that end.

A highlight of the Conference for me was the keynote speaker in our closing session, Lilly Ledbetter. Lilly is an inspiring, distinguished, and determined woman in her seventies who worked successfully for many years in a management position in a union shop for Goodrich Tire. After 19 years someone slipped her a note informing her that she was being paid far less
than her male peers. She told her compelling story of the court battles that
lasted for years and ended at the Supreme Court. She ended up with no
compensation because the laws in place at that time stated that the discrimination should have been reported within 180 days. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know about it. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first law signed by President Obama. It restored workers’ rights to challenge illegal wage discrimination in the federal courts and removed the statute of
limitations that prevented justice to be served for Lilly. Lilly Ledbetter was a regular working person-turned activist, who through her determination and perseverance succeeded in making a positive difference in the American Labor Arena. Consider urging your Senators to vote for a sister bill that has already passed in the House, the Paycheck Fairness Act (S182), legislation that would guarantee that women workers are not shortchanged
solely because of their gender. This is not only an issue for women, but one that affects all of our families and our economy. When your mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters get equal pay for equal work and finally receive their rightful salaries, those dollars can flow more freely back into the larger economy.

Front Row: Kay D’Incau (759), Becky Maruca (1160), Marlana Camarda (2274),
Sheila Rex (2274), Lisa Bokinsky (1419)
Back Row: Patty Selby (922), Sarah Jordan (2235), Mary Fedorchak (922),
Linda Lachimia (230), Jamaica Johnson (165), Tamara Walls (230),
Jennifer Karafa (230), Kaitlin Taylor (214), Mary Betcher (81)

Anyone who is interested in Labor History is invited to join us in a field trip to the Pumphouse on Thursday, October 28th at 7:30 p.m. We will be viewing two 30 minute films that highlight women’s activism and contributions in the labor movement. These films are presented as part of the Battle of Homestead Foundation Film Series. The Pumphouse is located just east of Pemicky Rail Bridge on Waterfront Drive in the Homestead/
Munhall shopping district. Everyone is welcome.

By Patty Selby, JATC Instructor