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Sisters in the Brotherhood

Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB) is an alliance of the International United Brotherhood of Carpenters. In Canada our numbers are growing, and we want to hear from you! SIBs support, help to obtain training and leadership skills, mentor, and advocate for seasoned, new, and potential members. As the new chair of the BC and Yukon region, I am reaching out to all the sisters and look forward to our continued success in the Union! Stay connected and find out about upcoming events and opportunities. Please contact me, Kristine, at [email protected]

The BC Regional Council Of Carpenters Create A Home For Female Ingenuity: Women Play Increasingly Vital Role In Future Of Construction In Canada

Local 1907 Sister Wins Build TogetHER Scholarship

Local 1907 Sister Kelley Jeong received a $1000 scholarship at the Build TogetHER Annual General Meeting on Saturday, January 26. Applicants submitted essays about their union activities, volunteerism, and what they are doing to advance women in the trades. The scholarship was donated kindly by the Sheet Metal Local 280. Congratulations Kelley! Moreover, the carpenter apprentice and Sisters in the Brotherhood member is interviewed in an article on the ITA BC website.

March on Vancouver 2019 – January 19, 2019

Sisters Kelley Jeong and Kristine Byers marched alongside over 1,000 participants at the 2019 March on Vancouver on Saturday, January 19, 2019. The march first began two years ago in response to Donald Trump’s inauguration. This year people marched not only in support of their southern sisters, but also in reflection of the struggles we continue to face here in Canada.

“Speakers opened the rally by discussing intersectional issues ranging from the environment to Indigenous rights to violence against women of different backgrounds and abilities. An hour later, the march’s more than 1,000 attendees poured into the streets of downtown Vancouver. Ahead of the sea of people, the Daughters of the Drum – a Vancouver-based collective of primarily Aboriginal women drummers, singers and musicians – led the way toward Robson Square Law Courts.”

B.C. Women Go to Seattle for the 2018 Women Build Nations Conference

Some female Local 1598 and Local 1907 members, along with other women from various sectors of the trades in British Columbia, went to Seattle on October 12 to attend the 2018 Women Build Nations Conference. After the event, Local 1907 member and chair of the B.C. chapter of Sisters in the Brotherhood, Julie Sawatsky, wrote the BCRCC a very kind and thoughtful thank-you letter, which also describes the event:

Last week I had the honour of attending the Women Build Nations Conference in Seattle, Washington, with five of my sisters. The support you have shown our Sisters in the Brotherhood Committee has been fantastic. We all boarded the Building Trades bus and our journey began! This year there were over 2200 attendees from every trade worldwide. I’m proud to say that B.C. alone tripled last year’s number of Canadian carpenters participating.

read the full story

Women in Trades and SIB Links

United Brotherhood of Carpenters SIB

It’s a great place to find out what our sisters in other regions are up to. There are also a lot of resources available here to help you write request letters, start programs, etc.

BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT)

They are working to eliminate the barriers faced by women in the trades by building a network committed to creating a culture of equality and equal opportunity.” Consider joining their email database to receive updates on training and mentorship opportunities in your area.

SIB facebook Groups

Other Women in Trades Groups

Canadian Women in the Trades

Build TogetHER BC

It’s a great place to find out what our sisters in other regions are up to. There are also a lot of resources available here to help you write request letters, start programs, etc.

BC Women in the Trades group

Offers an opportunity for you to connect, attend local meet ups and get updates on upcoming events with trades women from all over BC. There are also several subpages for various areas around BC:

Sponsor Apprenticeship Opportunities

Workers who complete apprenticeship programs earn $300,000 more over their lifetime than peers who don’t.