EQUALITY STATEMENT

The Ontario Federation of Labour wants to provide a harassment free environment at all Federation activities.

Mutual respect must be the basis of interaction among trade unionists in addition to cooperation and understanding.  The OFL will neither tolerate nor condone behaviour that is likely to undermine the dignity or self-esteem of an individual, or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Harassment is not a joke.  It creates feelings of uneasiness, humiliation and discomfort.

It is an expression of perceived power and superiority by the harasser(s) over another person, usually for reasons over which the victim has little or no control: sex, race, age, creed, colour, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political or religious affiliation, or place of national origin.

Harassment can be defined as any unwelcome action by any person, whether verbal or physical, on a single or repeated basis, which humiliates, insults or degrades.

“Unwelcome” or “unwanted” in this context means any action which the harasser knows or ought reasonably to know is not desired by the victim of the harassment. 

Prohibited grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code include: race, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and disability.

For the purpose of this policy, racial and sexual harassment is defined as follows:

1. Racial Harassment
Unwanted comments, racist statements, slurs, jokes, racist graffiti and literature including articles, pictures and posters.

2. Sexual Harassment
Any unwanted attention of a sexual nature such as remarks about appearance or personal life, offensive written or visual actions like graffiti or degrading pictures, physical contact of any kind, or sexual demands.

There are two principles which are fundamental to the trade union movement: human rights and solidarity.  Harassment strikes at the heart of both.  As trade unionists we must work to protect rights, not take them away.

Trade union principles prohibit us from infringing on the human rights of others, and oblige us to stand with them to protect rights when others attack them.

The Federation considers harassment of any kind a serious offence.  Complaints of harassment at activities of the Federation will be investigated.  A substantiated complaint could result in the removal of the harasser from the event.  A letter outlining the reasons for the removal will also be sent to the appropriate affiliate.

RESOLUTION AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

A person who believes that he or she is a victim of harassment on any grounds prohibited under the Human Rights Code should take immediate remedial action.

Make it clear that you do not welcome the attention or offensive behaviour, either on your own (verbally or in writing) or via a third party.  Warn him or her that if the behaviour continues, you will pursue the matter.  (It may be that the individual is unaware that the behaviour is offensive.)

If the inappropriate behaviour persists, approach one of the designated representatives and ask him or her to act on your behalf.

The designated representative (with or without the complainant present) will advise the OFL Staff in charge of the problem.

The OFL Staff (or his/her designate) will separately interview the complainant and the alleged harasser (and witnesses if there are any).  If the problem cannot be resolved informally, the complainant will be asked to put the complaint in writing.

The written complaint will then be submitted to a meeting of the OFL Staff and the OFL Officer in charge.  The complaint will be evaluated and investigated.  If it is determined that the respondent’s conduct has fallen within the definition of harassment under the Human Rights Code, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken which includes, but is not limited to, an apology, reprimand and expulsion.  The principal officers of affiliated unions to which the parties are members shall be advised of all particulars.

Allergy Alert

Increasingly, workers are becoming sensitized to chemicals in the environment.

For many workers, attending conferences and being exposed to perfumes and other strong scents can pose a serious health risk.

In the interest of the health and safety of the sisters and brothers whose health may suffer from these exposures, we ask that conference participants refrain from the use of scented products such as perfume and aftershave while in attendance at the conference.