February is Black History Month

Black History Month

January 29 2025

February 1 marks the start of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, innovations, and leadership of Black people. It’s also a time to acknowledge and examine the discrimination and racism that was, and continues to be, inflicted upon Black people. The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is proud to take part in this month of reflection. Throughout February we will be highlighting important stories that reflect the history and future of Black history in our country.

Black History Month in Canada was introduced by Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society, who suggested it to celebrate Jean Augustine’s accomplishment of becoming the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. Augustine was first elected in 1993.

Labour and Black workers’ rights

Labour hasn’t always fought for Black workers. Many of Canada’s earliest trade unions denied Black workers membership. The Order of Sleeping Car Porters, formed in 1917, was the first Black labour union in North America. It was formed by John Arthur Robinson, J.W. Barber, P. White  and B.F. Jones due to a “whites only” clause that prevented them and other Black workers from joining the Canadian Brotherhood of Railroad Employees. Even as laws prohibiting discrimination came into effect—laws that had been fought for by Black activists and allies—and more Black workers became union members, anti-Black racism wasn’t a high priority for many unions.

The Ontario Coalition of Black Trade Unionists—now the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Ontario)—was formed by Black workers who had been advocating to put issues of racism and discrimination higher on labour’s agenda. They were instrumental in helping Herman Stewart become the first person of colour elected as a vice-president at the Ontario Federation of Labour in 1987. The coalition also ran a successful campaign to get the Canadian Labour Congress to add 2 seats for visible minorities to the board.

According to data from Statistics Canada, 33.6% of Black workers in Canada are covered by a collective agreement, compared to 32.6% of white workers. But Black workers are under-represented in union activities such as committees, convention, collective bargaining, and leadership. The labour movement should not ignore the ugly parts of its history. It should acknowledge this past and examine unions in their present state to see what can be done to remove further barriers to union participation for Black members.

Further reading