Food for Thought: February
The Food for Thought event brought us some valuable insight into the minds of Edward Haughton (YEP Senior Business Expertise Manager) and Arsha Roy (Acting Service Manager for TFW). One thing that stood out to me is that some of our management started out as clerks just like some of us. This session taught us that changes can be a good thing. Changes in the Public Service can turn into unexpected opportunities, and opportunities can come when you least expect it. What was also key about this Food for Thought was the statement that you should be open to opportunities that you might not want at first glance as you never know where that opportunity may take you. Changes often lead to movement, and sometimes the easiest way to get the job you want is to be at level.
It was made clear to us though that there are no handouts. Be vocal about where you want to go, but sometimes getting into a pool does not always lead to a job and you can wait forever. Sometimes the work may seem thankless and you won’t always be rewarded just because you do your job. The advice given to our in-person and virtual members was to become an expert in your role. If you care about the work you do, it will show. Lastly, that everything you are interested in or open to should be in your PA.
We welcome the different perspectives from our Food for Thought speakers and continue to be open to feedback from our members. Not everything the speakers say may resonate with every member, and you can even disagree in some instances. We would love to see our audience question and maybe even challenge our speakers, as we want it to be as valuable as possible for our speakers and our participants. Please also keep in mind that some of our speakers may have been promoted by methods, processes or ways that no longer exist in this climate. That does not mean their insight is not valuable. This Food for Thought, we were able to make a connection and we love that for us and for the members! What really stood out as well is that members were able to ask about career paths that were not directly connected to Gs and Cs, and the speakers were insightful and super helpful. We encourage and hope our participants, in-person or virtual, will continue to ask questions as the Q&A portion of this Food for Thought really let our speakers shine.
Black History Month Event
We thank the BHM Committee this year for their events and contributions to Black History Month. Local 541 worked in collaboration with the BHM Committee for their close-out event, and provided the food from Scotty Bons for all of our members who were in office that day. Thanks to our Equity Representative and President, we were also able to welcome in a speaker who brought some very impactful words and poems for the audience – Randell Adjei. He even gifted an audience member his book “I Am Not My Struggles” as a gift! He taught us the power behind the words “I am” and left me in tears with his poem about lost loved ones and appreciating our loved ones while they’re still here (“Flowers”). I was given the honour of introducing him, which outlined how impactful he has been throughout the community, and it showed by how much love and support he received from the audience and those who knew him and have watched him grow to become Ontario’s Poet Laureate.
We look forward to future collaborations with the building committees at 5 Via Renzo, and thank everyone who was involved who helped make BHM and our last Food for Thought successful!
Black Class Action: Update
However, it is with deep sadness that we update our members on the result of the Black Class Action hearing. After 13 days, Justice Gagné ruled with the defense that the certification of the class action lawsuit would not go forward.
It was made clear that this ruling does not mean that systemic racism and discrimination in the Federal Public Service does not exist, but that the procedures must be followed and that the plaintiffs should have followed the grievance procedures and filed complaints with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act. While the plaintiffs stated that some of these very systems were what was causing harm to Black public servants, and that some individuals did not receive justice when they did use these processes. Many believed that this class action was a long shot, and although the decision was not in favour of the plaintiffs, this case has brought attention to the fact that many Black public servants remain unseen, unheard, undervalued and unappreciated in the office.
As the case has come to a close, and the Black Class Action Secretariat revisits next steps, I encourage all Black Public Servants to look into the recent calls to action in regards to supporting Black workers. There is an opportunity here that although the courts did not certify a lawsuit, the Government has committed to an Action Plan for Black Public Servants which will hopefully lead to increased morale, better networking and mentoring opportunities and increased skill building for our Black workers. This includes leadership programs, coaching, mental health initiatives, language training and more. I look forward to seeing our Black workers make use of these programs and initiatives so that they can help to build and grow our value within the Public Service.