D3 USW Strong as Steel Podcast
District 3 United Steelworkers Strong as Steel Podcast.
D3 USW Strong as Steel Podcast
USW D3 Strong as Steel Podcast E31 with Maddi Genn and Dexter Hunlin
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In this episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, host Scott Lunny, USW District 3 Director, sits down with two emerging activists and leaders in USW District 3, Maddi Genn and Dexter Hunlin to talk about getting involved, finding your voice and building a stronger and more inclusive union.
As June marks Pride Month, the conversation explores the role of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, allyship and equity within the labour movement. Maddi and Dexter share their experiences as activists, committee members and leaders working to create workplaces and union spaces where everyone feels respected and valued.
Strong unions are built when members step forward, support each other and stand together in solidarity.
Hello and uh welcome to the Strongest Steel Podcast. Uh I'm Scott Lenny. I use pronouns he, him. I'm the Western Canadian director for the United Steelworkers. I am uh coming to you from the traditional and unceded territory of Coast Salish people, the Squamish Musqueam and Slave to First Nations. And this is episode 31 of the Strongest Steel Podcast, the official Steelworker District 3 podcast. Um and I'm excited today. We've got two uh uh great emergent uh new and emergent, newish and emergent uh activists and leaders in our uh in our union in our district that are are joining me, and we're that's what we're gonna talk about. We're just gonna talk about um getting involved in the union and you know, getting involved in uh various aspects of the union and what that's like and you know what we can learn from uh my two guests, Maddie uh again and uh Dexter Hunlan. So I'm gonna ask the two of them, uh, or each of them in turn to introduce uh themselves and um and uh just tell us you know who you are, your local, uh positions you hold in the union, uh you know, where you work, all that kind of stuff, and just so we the listeners uh have a bit of a sense of who you are. And so maybe we can start with uh Maddie.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, sure. So hi everyone. My name is Maddie. Uh I use she and they pronouns, and I'm currently the third vice president at my local 1417 in Kamloops on the traditional unceded land of Tikamloops, to Shikwetmek people. I work in the healthcare sector with At-Risk Youth, uh, but I've been super involved in my union basically since the day that we organized. Um I've done everything from health and safety to grievances organizing, uh, and I'm also the chair of my locals next gen committee.
SPEAKER_00Cool. Thanks, Maddie. And you just organized a new place. Well, hey, tell us about the new place you organized recently.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so uh we just I we're actually still waiting for paperwork from the the labor board to make it a super official, um, but we were granted the certification of a company that's very similar to the one that I work for. The company's called Wido Kodadwin Services. And it's indigenous.
SPEAKER_00But you can say that. I've been trying to pronounce that for I'm gonna have to get offline. I've been like I'm like this new place. That's this is look, this is how you spell it.
SPEAKER_02Some of the employees there call it WS uh or WeDo to make it a little bit faster. It can be a bit difficult to do that. I'm gonna go with that.
SPEAKER_04Yeah. Yeah, yeah. W S. W S.
SPEAKER_02W S is is definitely easier um to pronounce, especially on you know when we're trying to throw it, uh, throw it around. But um yeah, I mean, uh pronouncing other languages in general can be pretty challenging, but I always try to make sure that I can at least do my best. I can't guarantee that's exactly how you're supposed to say it, but to the best of my ability at least. Um but yeah, it's another healthcare company that's very similar to the one that I work for. They work with at-risk youth one-on-one. Um, so youth that aren't otherwise successful in the foster care system, that need a little bit more extra support or hands-on care. Uh, the company provides uh basically a resource uh and a home for that youth, and then the staff rotate through to provide 24-7 care to uh the youth in care.
SPEAKER_00That's great, yeah. And congratul congratulations again. That was really good. I think that's your first uh l you know lead organizer win for you as a as a uh for the still worker. So uh good for you and congratulations. Uh Dexter, why don't you tell us who you are?
SPEAKER_03Sure. Uh my name is Dexter Hanlon. I'm from local 6673 here in Calgary. Uh for the union. I'm currently working as a financial secretary. And I'm also on the uh human rights committee, um part of the working pride group, um, and I also am on the community steward committee, and uh I'm also a Choko native from BC. So the company I work for is called InterPro Steel and Pipe. We just changed from Elizabeth. Pipe and steel.
SPEAKER_00Interpro Pipe and Steel. Right?
SPEAKER_03We just changed from Ebrah, so it's uh still getting used to it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's great. And you you just started uh uh leadership, right? Leadership development.
SPEAKER_03Yes, I did that in Pittsburgh. So yeah, that was a great experience. Uh it was great meeting everyone else that was able to go. Um and then now I'm just working on my project that I was given.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's great. Yeah, well, maybe we'll get into that a little bit later. And uh we've sent you off traveling somewhere too, why don't you? Yes.
SPEAKER_03Uh I was in uh Africa as well, South Africa and Cape Town for the Ilga conference, which was a great experience. We learned a lot. Uh, met a lot of great people there. It was probably one of the biggest conferences I've ever been to. It was a little overwhelming to go to that.
SPEAKER_00And tell folks what's Ilga? Do you remember it's you know the gist of it if you don't know?
SPEAKER_03It was the International Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Intersex Association.
SPEAKER_00Cool. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. Well, thank you. Well, that's the the segue that I wanted uh to um to I wanted you to give me that segue is because June is Pride Month, and I just I know uh both of you have been involved in you know activities uh that the steelworkers do, maybe and other activities as well, around uh around pride and uh 2S LGBTQIA plus um issues in the steel workers. So like what's your sense, what's going on in the steelworkers in the labor movement around uh you know pride and pride issues and things like that? Um either of you can go starting to go ahead, Dexter. We'll cut out we'll cut out the long pause.
SPEAKER_03Uh well I think for Alberta, we have a lot of issues um with our government, for sure, but as far as the union goes, the only the one main thing that has been coming up quite a bit uh are the online comments from any post regarding the pride community. Uh I'm not really sure what we can be doing about it right now. Like we've had these discussions since I've joined, and we're still kind of working on how we can combat that uh through whether it's through more education, um, with our leadership. Uh like I'm on the executive board and I haven't had any personal issues within our executive, but I mean there are still members that have been posting a lot and still trying to figure out ways that we can communicate with them on just being better and respecting our members.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. And uh, you know, just certainly when when you know the the last thing we want to do is back up on some of the work we're doing to, you know, to make sure that we are inclusive and that there's space for uh members of the rainbow community in our union and that we're continuing to support uh allies and be allies around uh Pride events and and things like that. But you know, it is a challenge when we're you know open and transparent and democratic and all that, and folks want to express opinions that are maybe uh uh uh not um not consistent with uh uh respect respect and uh being respectful and uh not consistent with supporting each other. So yeah, I I know that is uh definitely a challenge, but um uh we're glad that we've we're we're working at it and we've got a working group that's working at it. Maddie, do you have any uh thoughts on what the union's doing and Pride Month that we should know about?
SPEAKER_02Uh yeah. Um I mean I've got I've got lots of feelings and thoughts on on Pride in general. Um actually Pride Month is is a more of a challenging month for me. I have a lot of conflicting feelings about it. Uh I think that in general, Pride Month is a time that a lot of us kind of get together and we really get the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on how far we've come as a community and we get to see just how many allies we have. Uh, but it's also the time of year that I see the most performative activism. Um and it it really drives me crazy this month uh because we see, you know, big corporations plaster a large rainbow on their window and they post a TikTok on how much they love the gays. And then as soon as the month is over, it's like their marketing strategy moves on. And uh a lot of the time their discriminatory policies don't ever end up changing. Um, but one of the things that I've really appreciated about our union as a whole, but in particular in BC, we tend to have you know more progressive governments in general here, uh, is that our activism has never striked me as performative. Um, don't get me wrong, we're far from perfect and we have a long way to go. But Pride Month is not the only time that I see that support and dedication from everyone in our union to just improving our work sites and making sure that people are really feeling respected. Uh, Pride Month is just when, you know, we we tend to speak the loudest for this community. Um this year I'll I'll throw in a couple of plugs. I'm not sure when this is gonna be posted, but uh I know local 2009 is having their their Pride Night and uh doing some family-friendly drag. Uh, and I'm planning to attend, which is gonna be so exciting. And then in Camloops, we have our annual Pride Parade that's hosted by the city. And uh we march my local marches every year, but this year we're actually putting together uh a booth and we're going to be presenting basically like a trivia game to hopefully teach the community and other union members that there is a really long-standing interconnected history between the labor movement and the fight for gay rights.
SPEAKER_00That's awesome. Great. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing you at the 2009 thing. So uh that's great. I didn't know you were gonna be down. Um that's excellent. Uh you know, I think um one of the first times I think Dexter that we met was at the Calgary Pride Parade, I think, a number of years ago. Yes. Uh and uh, you know, and it was you were, I think, the only only one from your local that was with us. Yes. Uh we had some folks from a couple other locals, and I think each year we're getting more and more folks involved in that from the steelworkers, which is great. But uh you that's sort of my segue into my other question, is that and you mentioned a little bit already about, you know, some online comments from members and things like that. But you know what are what are some of the challenges? I know like it's you know, like I don't I don't know, I guess, but I'm I'm assuming and maybe I shouldn't assume, but it it's a little bit challenging to like maybe start talking about you know having a a Pride Committee or or even a next gen committee, Maddie, or a Women of Steel Committee in some of our locals. Like the truth is we're not, you know, not always the the most diverse group of folks in a steel mill or in a sawmill or in a mine. And uh, you know, like what are some of the challenges that uh you face? Like, you know, you I know you both have stepped up and got more active on these issues in your locals, but like are there other challenges? It's like how tough is that for you to do to sort of step up and start to get the the the big local thinking about uh you know some equity issues or equity committees or whatever. Go ahead, Matty. Or go ahead, Dexter. There we go. You're both you're both so polite, you're waiting for the other one to jump in. So go ahead, Dexter.
SPEAKER_03I well, I think for myself, uh being like in the steelworker community, it's very conservative. So uh it is a challenge to have those open conversations or even still like like you said, I'm the only active member going to the Pride events. Um like currently this year I'm going to the Edmonton one and gonna be in the Calgary one again as well, but it has been just me. I'm not sure people have been going as participants watching the parade, but I'm definitely the only one that's going and marching. I'm not really sure. Like I don't have an answer on how to get people more involved. That's been a challenge, even to get the conversation going. So if anyone has any ideas, that would be great.
SPEAKER_00And when you say you're going to Edmonton, uh Dexter, that's where we're the we're actually the national, what is it, the National Pride, Steel Pride Working Group. So I think that's what it's called, right? Like you're you're on the National Steel Pride Working Group. Um, and we're hosting the meeting, I think, in Edmonton the day or you know, for a couple days before the actual Edmonton Pride events.
SPEAKER_03The meeting's on the 21st of August.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, cool. Yeah. No, and and how is it on the committee? How is the committee? Is the committee uh helpful? Like, how do you find participating in the National Steel Pride Working Group?
SPEAKER_03Well, it's been great. I find it's really nice to meet other people like myself. I feel at home with them. I was a bit nervous when I first started because I wasn't sure. Uh I think because we all come from diverse industries, so I wasn't sure how things were gonna go. But it's been really great. Like the support from them has been amazing. Uh, even like traveling with um Tommy, Mason, and Brett to South Africa, we got to know each other really well. We were there for about a week, so I really enjoyed getting to know them more outside of our meetings, uh, outside of texting all the time. So I really did enjoy that. It's it's definitely a community. Um, I wish there was more participants, like that's been a challenge. Um, but yeah.
SPEAKER_00Cool. That's great. Yeah, no, no, no, that's good. Um, Maddie, what do you think?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I mean, Dexter, that's those are issues that I can also really relate to. Um our my local is is mill heavy. And uh being sort of indust primarily an industry local can make these sort of more progressive movements a little bit more challenging. And a lot of the time it's felt, even though I think the people are very um tolerant of you know the committees, the work that we're trying to do, it can sometimes feel like all of that responsibility is on our shoulders. And you end up putting a lot of time and work in to kind of work towards a cause that at a local level can sometimes feel like you're the only person who cares about. Um that's been one of my big challenges as I've navigated um labor activism. Uh, being young, queer, a woman, and also living with disabilities, I kind of tick all the boxes. And uh yeah, it's it's definitely had its challenges. What I will say though, uh is that I mean, I've been working pretty closely with my local union for the last five years. And uh in that time, I have always felt really welcomed and accepted to be just exactly the person that I am. Uh, and that's not actually something that I can say about a lot of the other things that I've been involved in in the past, even in a lot of the more progressive movements that I've participated in. And I'd say that a huge reason that I've felt that way is because of what I'm sort of unofficially coining as micro-inclusions. Um, I think a lot of people have probably heard the term micro-aggression before. Uh, but for those of you who don't, uh, it's an intentional or unintentional, harmful action that's can be really easily missed if you're not the person that's experiencing it. And a microinclusion is the same, but directly the opposite. They're small acts of equity that probably for me, at least my local leadership, I think, doesn't even realize that they're doing. But these actions make people who are often excluded feel really suddenly and explicitly included in whatever's happening. Uh and I think in general, our union does a really good job on a larger scale when we look at the policies and legislation that we push for. Uh, but where I see us fall short is at our local levels, where a lot of the time, even some of our more progressive locals, their focus is on equity. And it can sometimes overlook the importance, or sorry, their focus is equality. Um, but they overlook the importance of equity. Uh, and that's not to say that every local should just go find their token queer and appoint them into a leadership position. Um, but I think that what we should be doing is is creating more of a space using those micro inclusions where people can feel that sort of explicit welcomeness, and then we can kind of work with them to help them overcome some of the other barriers that are in place.
SPEAKER_00Cool. Yeah. Is that a did you invent that or did somebody else invent that microinclusions? I'm not sure if it's I learned I'm not sure if I invented. Learn something every podcast. There you go. I just learned microinclusions. Um but yeah, yeah, no, I think that's great. And uh, you know, I it's good definitely just listening to both of you, Dexter and and Maddie. It's not easy um you know, for like not easy to become an activist or to get involved in the union anyway. And it I think it's you know it can be even more challenging if it's if it's not um an overtly welcoming environment, maybe. And so um this might seem like a weird question because I'm always trying to get people involved in the union, but like why? Why even bother? Like, why do you even bother trying to be uh an activist and move up in the union? Like it's it's a lot of work, it's hard, it's not uh you know, not easy at all. So like why? What like what do you get out of it or what what do you think the the value of being active in the union is?
SPEAKER_01I'll jump in. Um because that's okay, that's been something that um You can think about it for a minute, Dexter.
SPEAKER_00Sorry to sorry to spring these like big heavy questions on you anyway.
SPEAKER_02So the I mean I I originally got into it uh in the same way that I've jumped into a lot of my time-consuming activities, and it was by accident. But um I think that I I continued with it because it is really rewarding. Um not just I I mean, uh working in healthcare, I already kind of thrive on that satisfaction of knowing that you are helping somebody. Um, but in healthcare, a lot of that is overshadowed by the frustrations of working within this system. And getting to be a union activist, the more that you get involved, it's like the more this perfect balance uh becomes of getting to see that immediate positive impact when you're able to make that connection with a single member. Um, but then you also get to see, you know, the more that you find your place, the more that you find your voice, you get to build this really phenomenal strong community of people. And then before you know it, you've started making some real systemic and impactful change for more than just that one person. And that really is the reason that I've stuck with it for so long. And and it's easier when you've seen some of those successes to continue to stay involved and kind of take on some of that responsibility and push forward because you just you know what you're looking for then.
SPEAKER_00Dexter, you had time to wrap your head around that one.
SPEAKER_03Well, I'm the same, like I got involved. Uh I did speak to my ex about how I wanted to get more involved in the union. I did wasn't sure how. And the union president at the time just asked me if I wanted if I was interested in being a financial secretary. Had no idea what that involved or what I was gonna be doing, but it came at a time that I was questioning how and what I was gonna do. And then when he presented it, I jumped on board and then started joining committees and also got appointed to the uh national steel steel working pride group, and it helped me find a community, like you were saying, people that feel the same way, people that want to make changes and positive changes. Um, also just gives it give you a voice to make those changes. And I really enjoyed it. I've been enjoying it since I started. But the challenges, I think, for me are. Or just the time and the time away from your family and friends. Like that's it's really time consuming. It's rewarding, but during it, it is challenging for sure. Um, but I mean go traveling to conferences and meeting other people that are the like same mindset as you, it's it's great.
SPEAKER_00That's awesome. Yeah, no, that's good. Yeah, for I'm like I'm super excited about both of those answers because you know I I often say to folks that you know like like I try to encourage people to like use the un like the union can be a vehicle to do a lot of different things and uh for and really can be a vehicle for anybody to do almost anything as long as it's like somewhat consistent with our with our values and uh and the things that we want to achieve. And just it's great to hear people like that are you know younger than me, certainly, and yeah, I don't want to just call you young, but you're yeah, I think you're young. And uh also newer into the union that are that are doing that, that are grabbing the union and and taking you know taking the opportunity and the space to to to move forward on things that you think are important uh for us to to move forward on. So I just really thank you to both of you for doing that. But it's also kind of like gives me some, you know, I don't know, like air and wind in my sails. Like I don't know if that's the right word, but like you know, to hear that. That's a good uh a great thing. Um hey, I I just I think you know, both uh both of you might have uh some like words of wisdom uh or what you know some advice for others, steelworkers, any steelworkers, but I think specifically as you as you've mentioned, folks in the in the in the uh 2 S LGBTQ community or young workers or women or indigenous uh members who are you know in in maybe feeling in a position where they're they're they don't have the space that they uh deserve or the voice that they deserve in the union. Like, do you have any words of wisdom for folks about getting involved, about sort of, you know, moving moving their issues and getting their voice heard in their local or in the broader union or even in the workplace?
SPEAKER_02I think for a lot of us in in all minority communities, it can really feel like the weight of the world is the responsibility that we carry on our shoulders, uh, especially when a lot of us end up sharing lunchrooms with people who don't agree with just our simple existence. And it makes it really challenging to get involved. Um as overwhelming and defeating as that can sometimes feel, though. I really just want to assure people that the weight is not just for you to carry. Um I really would encourage you to find something that you're passionate about and just start working on it, even if it's just on your own time. Um and it'll start like you're feeling like you're entirely alone. Uh but our union siblings, in my experience, will cross oceans to give you the tools that you need to succeed. And a lot of the time, all you need to do is raise your hand so we know where to look. Um and to start looking for some of those microinclusions. They're easy to miss uh and they're easy to overlook. But if you're mindful of those, you will very quickly find your community and it might be where you least expect it. Sometimes our greatest weaknesses can be our biggest strengths when we have other people to lean on.
SPEAKER_00That's great. That's awesome. Thanks, Maddie. Dexter, what do you think? Words of wisdom for folks?
SPEAKER_03Well, I when I first started, uh like getting involved in the committees or even learning about them was through the staff rep asking questions. Um I was at a uh meeting, and after the meeting, I was approached and was asked, like, have you heard about these committees? Like, I think you'd be great. We need someone to join them. And I did just fall into them, but I really was thankful because I did find I do have a voice, I do have um people that are willing to help whenever I need it. Um also going to your local meetings, asking your executive on places where there needs to be spaces filled, um, or if there is a community that, like the next gen, if there's communities like that that need to be created within your local, um, it's a great place to even start to see where you can get more involved. Uh even schools, joining uh being a shop steward, things like that will help you.
SPEAKER_00For sure. Yeah, no, no, that's great. Um how do you so you you both seem fairly optimistic about things like I I know like right now there's you know lots of uncertainty in the world and there's lots of terrible things happening all around the world, but like, you know, um like I get the sense that I don't want to put words in your mouth that you you feel like we're making a difference in in the in the union, in the in your locals. Is that a fair comment? Like, do you feel optimistic? Do you feel like we're making progress and and that uh folks should feel good about uh jumping on board and and and helping row towards that progress? Or do you think uh you know we're it's not so good? Another weird question, but I just you know I'm an optimist. I like to be optimistic, and I feel like you're gonna encourage me to be optimistic. But anyway, maybe Dexter, you can start.
SPEAKER_03Uh I believe we are. Like from where I started, um like I got involved about four years ago. And even being part of the pride working group, seeing the like experiences that other districts have had and meeting with those members and learning about their challenges and how we're able to help as a union, as a USW, uh, for them to create uh languages in their contracts that are supporting the Twest LGBTQI community. Uh, those are great stepping stones for us as well. So I think it's going, it might be slow for a lot of people, but I think we are progressing and doing really well. Even in the leadership program I took, right? Like learning about the US and the struggles that they're going through and some of the progress that we're trying to make even down there.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, yeah. And what's your you know, I I I really was glad when you came back from Leadership, Dexter, that you you were so excited about doing your project. And I I think um do you do want why don't you tell everybody what you're what you're hoping to do?
SPEAKER_03Uh well for my community project, what I'm gonna be doing is a 50-50 raffle, two of them actually. Uh one is at our local golf tournament, and another one's gonna be just for the the plant itself. And so the proceeds are gonna be going to the veterans food bank. Which I really down in the States, the one thing that I notice a lot when we were when I was traveling is that they do respect their veterans down there quite a bit. Even in our meetings, uh, anytime we go to a restaurant, that's the first thing they ask is if you're a veteran. They're there's just a lot of support. And coming back to Canada, I just wanted to bring that with me. And I think it's a great cause. Uh, it can be overlooked a lot. And so I I just, yeah, I'm just excited to get involved with that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, I think that's great. I I am I and I think you know, one this is totally an aside, but like one of the things that's like the most I I find the most frustrating about the world is like the level of like um of food insecurity, of the the like the rising use of food banks, the fact, you know, and it's you know, people talk about grocery affordability and stuff like that, and a lot of that conversation is around people who can still afford groceries, talking about how expensive they are. But the truth is there's so many working folks and like folks uh all all around that are you know in in a situation where like food is precarious and they're making decisions about food. And so anyway, I just it's nothing to do with what we're s talking about in this podcast. But I'm a I like I have another hat that I wear called the Union Protein Project, and we we do work uh about advocacy around food security and and uh you know ultimately we sh we uh food banks were supposed to be a temporary thing back in the in the day when they were created, and we have persistent food insecurity in our communities, and it's something that if we can get more labor folks involved in community activism around food security, that's um a a great thing. Anyway, sorry, Dexter, go ahead.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, so I was gonna say I did used to volunteer at our local food bank here. And this was five years ago, and I think at that time the numbers had doubled. So I don't even I can't imagine what it is now. And so this focusing on the Veterans Food Bank, it's they definitely need the support as well. Even when I was volunteering for the food bank, that was a big concern for theirs. So I'm just happy to get involved and help out a little bit.
SPEAKER_00That's great. Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Maddie. I can't I can't even remember what the question was. I went off on a on a food security rant there. Yeah, hopefully you remember what the politically I do. It's not usually the case. Okay.
SPEAKER_02Um yeah, the question was about just whether or not there's a space for for optimism. And and I I actually I really think that there is. Um, I mean, if we look at history in general, a lot of unions are at the forefront of advocacy for minority groups. And unfortunately, when we look really closely, uh, the unions that we tend to miss in that history are uh industry-focused unions like ours. But that doesn't mean that there isn't space for growth. And I think that that's one thing that our union really has done very well is recognized where those gaps are and worked to fill them in with those really important voices. And it means that we've done a really good job at creating that sense of community and will continue to. Uh, and with community comes progression and growth and improvement because we're all fighting together in solidarity.
SPEAKER_00Solidarity. That's that's a good place to end. But before we end, I'm gonna I'm just gonna offer if there's anything else either of you want to uh want to um get off your uh chest or do you that you got in your head you want to get out.
SPEAKER_03Uh any last final words about anything I think the biggest one for me, like I was saying about the online comments and stuff, like just be mindful of like everyone that is a part of this union is a paying member, and we all deserve the same respect and to feel included and safe. And we're all just trying to go to work and come home the same way we left. And I think that's just a small ask. And regardless of your personal feelings, like we are still a union, we're all still working towards a main goal, and fighting within our local or or even our union, it's not helping.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, for sure. Yeah, we used to have a slogan in the the Steelworkers in Canada. We used to say, well, I think we did just a few years ago, the international, everybody's union, right? And you know, like like I think we mean everybody when we say everybody. And so the I know the folks that will comment on on our page, Brett, right? That will they probably don't get this far into listening to the podcast. They probably just see the first uh the first line, and then they might not even listen to any of it before they make their uh disrespectful comments. But you know, if they get to this point, they should uh just think about that. Like it means everybody, like everybody means everybody, and uh it shouldn't shouldn't bother people so much that uh everybody gets space and everybody has uh a place and everybody has a voice and everybody uh has uh is respected um and given opportunities in in in our union. That's what the union's all about, anyway. So that's uh good good final words, thank you. Uh Dexter Maddie, you got any last closing words before we uh end the end the podcast?
SPEAKER_02You guys are hard to follow. Um yeah, I mean I think Scott, to your point, it it's it is everybody's union. And it is sometimes really easy to forget that, both as maybe one of those people that are feeling like, you know, this topic of conversation disadvantages them in some way, but also for activists. I mean, I think that everybody can relate to that feeling of like you're going to lose something. And uh it's important to remember that that's usually not the case. Uh, and as an activist, it's important to remember that we're also leaders and you can have a vision and a goal, but if you can't bring people with you, then it kind of defeats the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish. And um a lot of the time activists, I think, forget. Uh, I know I do, they forget to slow down and just make sure that everybody is kind of included in their fight. Um, and make sure that we're spending that time to build relationships with our members so that we can get past the little things that we might disagree on and just end up with the same goal together, which uh is ultimately finding that community and standing together in solidarity. Gotta use it twice.
SPEAKER_00Definitely. That's good. That's good. Yeah, I know. We always uh again, we always have to remember that uh it is uh an age-old tactic of the of them, the the them that are not us to divide folks around whatever way they can. And uh and uh you know we can we can disagree and we can be different, but we gotta remember that we gotta stick together if we're gonna have any any uh any um success at uh making the world a better place, which is what we want to do. So uh I just want to uh thank you both for joining us on the on the podcast. Uh I really appreciate it. Um I really enjoyed uh the conversation. Uh it was very uplifting, made me happy to to hear from both of you. I know there's lots of challenges and there's lots of struggle and there's lots of work that goes into uh to being a union activist, to being a union leader. And uh I really have uh appreciate uh both of you, Maddie and and uh Dexter, uh, over the last few years, the the work that you've put in and the progress that you've made. And uh I'm really glad that we have you as uh activists and leaders in in uh in the Steel Workers Union. So uh with that, thank you for being here one more time and uh we're gonna close it out. So I I look over here for the YouTubers. Um so uh with it we'll uh thank you everyone for listening or watching uh the strongest steel uh podcast, episode 31. Um if you want to contact us, you can at d3coms at usw.ca. Uh you can follow us on social media at USW District 3, and you can check out uh uh the district on uh on our website usw.ca slash D3. Um and so that's a wrap for the strongest steel podcast, uh the most listened to and watched steel worker podcast in Western Canada, I think. Anyway, I'm told maybe that's I think that's true. Anyway, I appreciate everybody listening and watching, and thanks once again to uh Maddie and Dexter, and uh we'll talk to you next time.