CUPE LOCAL 4698 EQUITY STATEMENT
CUPE Local 4698 acknowledges that we work and live in the historical and present
territories that were stolen from the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples. This is with the
recognition of this country’s colonial history, and the ongoing trauma and erasure of
Indigenous peoples. We recognize and uphold the inherent rights and titles of Indigenous
peoples and support the actions set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94
Calls to Action.
As members of this union, our goals are to work towards anti-oppression, create an
equitable environment, and eliminate discriminatory behaviour and policies. It is our
responsibility to actively speak out against oppressive or hostile environments that
prevent members from achieving these goals. We recognize that any behaviour that
causes harm prevents us from working together to strengthen our union.
Practices that are harmful include speech or conduct which is colonialist, racist, sexist,
transphobic or homophobic, or discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, gender
identity or expression, religion, language, national and ethnic origin. This is with the
recognition that intersectionality is at the core of understanding the effects of
discrimination.
Discrimination can be overt or covert, and also can take the form of harassment.
Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue, dehumanize or
humiliate. The impacts of harassment are pervasive not only within the workplace but to
the individual well-being and these actions will be followed through appropriately. It is our
responsibility to recognize discrimination in its many forms in order to actively work
towards our goals of equity and growing as a union.
Discrimination and harassment create an oppressive environment and reduce our
capacity to work together on shared concerns such as decent wages, safe working
conditions, and justice in the workplace, society and in our union.
We commit to building an inclusive culture where practices are rooted in anti-racism with
an equity-centered lens. Members, staff and elected officers acknowledge that all persons
deserve dignity, equitable treatment and respect and we must use this to guide our
practices and policies.