Nope
I support, promote, encourage, and celebrate women in the trades. If we can see it, we can be it. We are hard working, capable, and driven. The trades are an excellent career, where you can see the fruits of your labour daily while making great money — and doing so without the burden of competing for equal salary or going into debt.
There is a dark side though, and one that women such as myself sometimes feel compelled to hide. Whether it be because of fear of retaliation or not wanting to “scare away” potential “sisters,” we often skip over the things that aren’t as wonderful. Mind you, this does not take away from all the positives. I still wholeheartedly love my career path.
However, misogyny still exists and no doubt contributes to the disheartening retention levels among women in the trades. I applaud the efforts by our unions and employers to make meaningful change in this regard, but also feel that in many cases we have stopped acknowledging that there is still more to be done.
I know of fellow sisters who have dealt with some awful stuff, situations that far exceed my own experiences. I can only share what I have faced in a short two years in the trades.
I have been:
Harassed and called a “c***” just because I am a woman
Pushed to the outside of a team of apprentices when trying to learn what my male counterparts are being taught
Denied properly fitting PPE because it was too much effort to find me something that fits
Rumoured to have performed sexual acts on a superior via a picture that was spread around
Told that I am only in my union because I have a vagina and they need to meet diversity requirements to earn government funding (Further, our team did not participate in a diversity, equity and inclusion meeting because they were doing enough for DEI “just by having [me] on-site.”)
The subject of a Facebook video posted about me by someone I don’t even know, saying that I gave head to an electrician foreperson to get my job.
Given a broom and told, “You’re a woman, this should be easy for you.”
Called emotional when I’ve reported issues to a general foreman
Told by my own trade school teacher, “You couldn’t handle 6 inches” and “Women don’t belong in the pipe-trades; [they can only be] electricians because it’s cleaner and less physical.”
Has any of this stopped me? Nope.I have still suited up and showed up to work every day.
Then there were the amazing sites — the brothers who treated me no differently than anyone else. There were the places where I laughed and learned and came home every day feeling proud and excited for the next shift. The trades have come so far, but they still have a long way to go.
I believe we need to educate and not berate. This is why I make it clear that 99% of our brothers are truly fellow tradespeople who want us to learn and grow and make you feel a part of a team.
I applaud the efforts by our unions and employers to make meaningful change in this regard, but also feel that in many cases we have stopped acknowledging that there is still more to be done. We can have all the training and policies in the world, but if there are no repercussions, it’s just words on paper. There is power in numbers — the more of “us” there are the louder our voice. I encourage women to get more comfortable sharing the 1% stories so we can further the goal of an inclusive and safe environment for all. I will also not stop encouraging women to get into the trades — we belong here.
In closing, please don’t come up to me in my first days on site and ask me if I’m “a carpet muncher.” How about you just ask me my name and treat me like any other eager and keen apprentice who just wants to suit up, show up, and contribute to an amazing industry?
I love the trades. If you can see it, you can be it. Thank you to the 99% of my brothers who just treat me like a second year apprentice. To the other 1%, I’m not going anywhere.
Will I keep silent?
Nope.
About the Author: Jill Stagg of Ontario, Canada, is a second-year steamfitting / welding apprentice with UA Local 46.