Our values, as approved by the general membership, serves as a map to guide our work as a union. Our values help keep us accountable to ourselves and the community, and establish a basis of unity. They remind us of who and what we are working for, and why. 

ACWU Values: 

1. We recognize that we work on land stolen from Indigenous peoples through ongoing and historic colonization. We support Indigenous sovereignty and decolonization. Our office is situated in Vancouver’s Chinatown, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. 

   
   
2. We are committed to building a member-driven union dedicated to principles of democracy, consensus-building, collective action, and mutual aid. In our work we will follow the leadership of members directly affected by an issue, and we value the knowledge that arises from lived experience. We will seek to amplify and create space for marginalized voices. 

   
   
3. We oppose all forms of oppression, including colonialism, imperialism, white supremacy, racism, sexism, gender discrimination, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ageism, Islamophobia, and anti-semitism. We oppose discrimination based on religion or migration status, and discrimination against sex workers and drug users. We recognize that precarious work, poverty, and job exploitation intersects with and is compounded by other societal barriers and other forms of systemic violence. This list is not exhaustive and may be updated with inclusive language to uphold equity and autonomy to all marginalized populations. 

   
   
4. We are in solidarity with the broader labour movement in Canada and around the world. We know that to achieve gains for our own members, we must also support the labour struggles of workers everywhere. 

   
   
5. We are in solidarity with grassroots social movements that seek social, economic, and environmental justice. We will seek to support these movements where possible. We recognize the ways in which workplace justice connects to social justice in our communities. 

   
   
6. We value creativity and will seek to be creative and resourceful in our organizing approaches, strategies for change, and approaches to dispute resolution. We seek to treat each other with generosity and kindness, and create a protective space for members.