CBTU Statement on the Federal Public Service Workers’ Class Action Lawsuit against the Federal Government

 

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in Canada stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Black Class Action Secretariat and the more than 1,500 Black Federal public service employees who have joined the proposed class action lawsuit against the Federal government of Canada. The lawsuit spotlights the Canadian government's failure to hire and promote Black workers in the Federal public service and speaks to the discrimination and harassment of tens of thousands of Black workers over decades. 

“Part of our mission statement is to improve economic development and employment opportunities for workers of African-Descent,” said Yolanda McClean, President of The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in Canada. McClean further stated that “many of the Black workers are experienced and highly qualified. They report being expected to train newly hired workers and that they also occupy leadership roles on a temporary basis. If these Black qualified workers are experienced enough to train and lead other workers temporarily, why are they not good enough to be consistently promoted?”  

The data on promotion rates reveal that Black workers make up the largest racialized group with 3.8% of the approximately 300,000 Federal public service workers. The executive ranks of the Federal public service has approximately 8,000 employees. Black workers consist of approximately 1.9% of the 8000 employees at that level. 

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in Canada is adding its voice to the voices of those seeking legislative changes in Canada that ensure Black workers can participate to their full potential within the Federal public service. Changes that include but are not limited to a separate and distinct category for Black workers under the Employment Equity Act which would ensure that Black workers are not left behind in the hiring and promotion processes of the Federal public service.

CBTU further calls on Canada’s Federal government to sit down with public service workers and their representatives to end the ongoing discrimination of Black workers within the Federal public service.

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-Canada (CBTU) Executive Board

 

Latest posts

Let My People Vote

Throughout our history in Canada, African-Canadians have faced barriers to full
political participation at all levels of our electoral processes.

In this context, this “Let my people vote” workshop is being offered to identify and
break down barriers to political participation for the Black community. Collectively we will give voice to our ancestors on February 27th.

Our goal goes beyond representation to substantive policy change to support our
community.

Click here to register

CUPW Solidarity Letter

 

Below is the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-Canada's (CBTU) open letter of support for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in their current round of contract negations. CBTU is inviting all members and supporters to add their voices to the letter below by clicking the hyperlink in the first paragraph and following the instructions. Doing so will send your voices to Minister Mackinnon and the various senators representing your province. Thank you.

In solidarity

OPEN LETTER

The Honourable Steve Mackinnon

Minister of Labour

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

 

Dear Minister MacKinnon,

I am writing on behalf of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Canada (CBTU Canada) and in solidarity with our members who work for Canada Post as members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) demand justice, fairness, and respect for the rights of Canadian postal workers. The recent decision to force postal workers back to work through a back-to-work order, particularly during the busy holiday season, is profoundly troubling and requires immediate and urgent reconsideration.

Take action

Resources