Original Letter From Safe Union Spaces Working Group
Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,
Over the past months, CUPE’s Safe Union Spaces Working Group has worked with external consultants to examine gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination and harassment in our union. We have completed a policy review, a survey, and a series of focus and listening groups as part of this work.
The Working Group met to review the internal and external recommendations that emerged from our research. Our report on the findings was presented at the National Executive Board and is available here.
The report contains a series of recommendations. These involve how to respond better when gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment complaints are raised and how to change our organizational culture to prevent incidents from happening.
The Safe Union Spaces Working Group is now strategizing how to implement these important recommendations, with appropriate support from staff. We will continue to report back to members as our work progresses.
In solidarity,
Candace Rennick, National Secretary-Treasurer (Co-Chair)
Debra Merrier, Diversity Vice-President, Indigenous Workers (Co-Chair)
Judy Henley, General Vice-President (MB, SK) (Co-Chair)
Sherry Hillier, General Vice-President (NS, NL, NB, PEI)
Lee-Ann Kalen, General Vice-President (BC, AB, Territories)
Nan McFadgen, Regional Vice-President (NS)
Yolanda McClean, Regional Vice-President (ON)
Gina McKay, Regional Vice-President (MB)
Karen Ranalletta, Regional Vice-President (BC and Yukon)
Barb Nederpel, Regional Vice-President (BC and Yukon)