By Carolyn Egan
This past weekend the Ontario Federation of Labour held a conference entitled Labour Behind the Rainbow. It was aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered trade unionists and their allies, and drew over one hundred participants from across the province.
The trade union movement has a history in this country of fighting for lesbian and gay rights. It was the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that struck for two and one half months in 1981 for paid parental leave and no discrimination because of sexual orientation.
Other unions such as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) continued the struggle for benefits and pensions, because of pressure from activists.
The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) ensured that strong contract language was on the table in bargaining in many sectors including mining, autoplants, railroads etc.
The conference delegates for the most part were activists in their unions, and not only on lesbian and gay issues. They came from both the public sector and private sector. There were ten delegates registered from the Steelworkers, and more from the CAW.
The objective of the conference was to make the links between the interrelated struggles against racism, sexism and homophobia, and how to build alliances in the workplace and the community.
It was action oriented unlike many conferences, and there was a real emphasis on coming up with strategies to move the struggle forward.
Because the delegates were trade unionists there was an understanding that identity politics, "ourselves alone", was a no-win strategy.
One of the action plans was to revive the Days of Action in Ontario, and push the leadership toward a province wide general strike.
There was a real sense that a strong trade union movement fighting for working people was the best vehicle for winning lesbian and gay rights.
That is not to say that it is easy being "out" in every workplace. Many of these workers showed tremendous courage in the fights they waged for same sex benefits, and the right to be treated equally on the shop or office floor.
There were, sadly, examples of members being harrassed and even beaten by fellow workers. It was clear that the fight is far from being won.
But in the last number of years most have found their unions have fought for them, and every victory gives confidence to others to stand up for their rights.
At the closing plenary delegate after delegate talked about how hopeful they were that they can build on the foundation that has been laid by the struggles that came before, and the fact that the conference, because of its strategic nature, gave a direction forward.
As one worker said in the session, "I was a radical in the seventies. I'm not just looking for acceptance within the capitalist system. It's the capitalist system that oppresses us. I was really inspired by this conference to continue to fight."