Neither snow nor rain nor COVID-19 can stop Build TogetHER

Pandemic? What pandemic?

COVID-19 hasn’t stopped the women’s committee of the BC Building Trades from continuing its good work.

• Build TogetHER awarded two $1,000 scholarships in January, thanks to the generosity of the BC Regional Council of Carpenters. The lucky recipients were Virginia Davidson, with the UA Local 170, and Emily Schmit, with UA Local 324.
• The committee held its Annual General Meeting in January with guest speaker Andrew Mercier, the parliamentary secretary for skilled trades. Former executive director of the BC Building Trades, Mercier is well-versed in issues that are important to the construction industry as a whole, including issues that are unique to women in trades, such as workplace diversity, and bullying and harassment.
• The provincial NDP government has indicated its intention to restore compulsory trades in B.C., after the Liberals decimated the training and apprenticeship system back in 2001 (see story on page xx). Build TogetHER wholeheartedly endorses this move and has submitted a brief to government indicating our support.
• Build TogetHER is developing an electronic “welcome” package for new women members. Materials will include information about Build TogetHER, a list of resources and supports, and ways to connect with other women in the trades. Stay tuned as we’ll be looking for volunteers to help promote it.
• Although Build TogetHER membership is based on membership in a BC Building Trades-affiliated union, we have opened up the start of our monthly meetings to anyone with an interest in Build TogetHER and tradeswomen’s issues. Anyone can log in to our meeting using published credentials, introduce themselves and learn about Build TogetHER. They can then choose to leave their contact information for followup with Build TogetHER or our partner tradeswomen groups. The formal portion of our regular meeting will begin once this informal “meet-and-greet” concludes and all non-members leave the meeting.
• Build TogetHER is a partner of the BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT), which is hosting the 2021 Women Build BC Conference. The conference kicks off with a virtual opening on March 8, International Women’s Day, followed by a month of engaging speakers discussing issues and opportunities for advancing women and other under-represented groups in the skilled trades. Stay in touch with BCCWITT at bccwitt.ca for details.
• Finally, we’re starting a podcast! Details coming soon but expect to hear about a variety of topics selected by women in the trades, from the lighter side of life to the things that make us angry and inspired, and everything in between.