Organization and Training of Women Metal Workers
October 2007 – December 2011
The National Confederation of Metalworkers (CNM-CUT) has over 850,000 members across the country of Brazil, in the metal sector. As with many other industrial unions, CNM/CUT is male dominated and, while efforts have been made to increase the number of women within the organization and in the leadership, it has been challenging.
This project aims to build on previous progress, including the establishment of a CNM women’s department; the first women’s conference in 2007; and the election of eight women to the thirty-five member executive at the last congress. While the women of the union have celebrated this progress, they acknowledge there are still many challenges to overcome, if women are to truly find equality in their workplace, in the union and in society.
This project has helped promote child care for inclusion in the national collective bargaining agreement and 2 regions have established new women's committees. There is also the probability of resolutions with a gender focus being presented at the next union Congress.
The Canadian Labour Congress works in partnership with the Confederação Nacional dos Metalúrgicos da Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CNM/CUT), National Confederation of Metalworkers (CNM) of the Unique Central of Workers (CUT), and the Canadian Auto Workers Union –Social Justice Fund (CAW-SJF).
Brazil