74th BC/Yukon-RC - Human Rights and Diversity Committee

Mandate

The Committee on Human Rights in the Workplace shall advise and make recommendations to the Board on how to address concerns or issues identified in the Workplace which contravene relating to the human rights of members. To achieve its mandate, it will:

a) monitor issues in the field of human rights, including employment equity and the contribution of members and the Institute to this field;

b) coordinate and distribute information on human rights, and

c) provide an ongoing forum where human rights issues can be discussed and studied.

Committee Members:

• Mario Guertin – Chair

• Tracy Thornton – Member from British Columbia / Yukon

• Samah Henein – Member from Prairie / NWT

• Imam (Din) Kamaldin – Member from Ontario

• Charlotte Young – Member from NCR

• Patrick Sioui – Member from Quebec

• Muhammed Z. Abudulai – Member from Atlantic

• Sherry Oake – Friend of Committee

• Zhanling (James) Kuan g – Friend of Committee

The 2018 Human Rights and Diversity Committee of the Board held its first meeting on Friday March 9, 2018 at the PIPSC National Office in Ottawa. The Committee is planning to have at least 3 more meetings this year.

At our first meeting, Zhanling (James) Kuan, gave a report on the Joint Management/Union Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to the Committee. The focus of this task force is Diversity & Inclusion and hopes to provide rationale and recommendations that are practical and visible.  The task force is developing government wide policies and procedures with a view to ensure the following areas are considered: Leadership & Accountability, People Management, Awareness & Education, and Diversity & Inclusion Lens.

The Committee reviewed the previous HRDC Work Plan and identified the issues and projects that the HRDC Committee will be focusing on in the next year which include:

1.     Three-Year Mandate - To extend the term of HRDC members and Chair to a three (3) year term to coincide with PIPSC’s election, align with CLC committees and allow members to see initiatives through.

2.     PIPSC Events and Duty to Accommodate – Review of AGM & other events planning to ensure all mobility, visibility, hearing impairment, dietary restrictions/allergies, scent sensitivities, childcare needs, family and work-life balance and prayer/silent room concerns be addressed prior to events. Development of registration forms with accommodation requirements. Review PIPSC’s own Duty to Accommodate policies.

3.     Highlight Important Human Rights and Diversity Days – Arrange to have these important recognized on the PIPSC news feed

4.     PIPSC Website - Human Rights and Diversity Page – Provide information and links on the page to allow easy access to Human Rights and Diversity information and highlight current initiatives

5.     HRDC Committee & Training & Education Collaboration – Training events should promote Employment Equity issues. Training should be provided to Stewards and Executive on Human Rights, Harassment and Bullying

6.     CLC Working Groups – Determine which working groups PIPSC members are sitting on, determine feasibility of representation from PIPSC for each of the Human Rights & Diversity groups

This report is respectfully submitted on behalf of the 2018 Human Rights and Diversity Committee.

In Solidarity,

Tracy Thornton

Member from British Columbia / Yukon