STATEMENT AGAINST HARASSMENT

 

NOTE: TO BE READ AND DISTRIBUTED AT ALL UNION FUNCTIONS.

 

 

16:01 Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

        Unwelcome remarks, jokes, innuendos or taunts about a person’s body, clothing, sex, sexuality, racial background, religion, language,       disability, and or age; insulting gestures and practical jokes ;

        for example, of a sexist, racist or homophobic nature; displaying of pornographic, racist pictures,

        graffiti or material; leering; refusing to talk to or work cooperatively with a person because of her

        or his sex, race, color, religion, language, sexuality, age; unnecessary physical contact such as

        patting, touching, pinching; sexual overtures; sexual assault; physical assault.

 

        CUPE Nova Scotia believes that union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are

        equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. That is why our union has an anti-harassment policy.

 

        CUPE Nova Scotia recognizes that harassment in any form prevents CUPE members from

        participating equally at CUPE sponsored events. In order to keep the session harassment-free, the

        policy calls on us to inform people at the beginning of every union function. The ultimate aim is to

        achieve an environment of mutual respect and solidarity.

 

        CUPE Nova Scotia declares all its events as a "ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HARASSMENT".

 

       

Equality Statement

 

October 16, 1999 12:00 AM

Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any behaviour that creates conflict prevents us from working together to strengthen our union.

As unionists, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Discriminatory speech or conduct which is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic hurts and thereby divides us. So too, does discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, religion and ethnic origin.

Sometimes discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue or humiliate. Harassment should not be treated as a joke. The uneasiness and resentment that it creates are not feelings that help us grow as a union.

Discrimination and harassment focus on characteristics that make us different; and they reduce our capacity to work together on shared concerns such as decent wages, safe working conditions, and justice in the workplace, society and in our union.

CUPE's policies and practices must reflect our commitment to equality. Members, staff and elected officers must be mindful that all sisters and brothers deserve dignity,equality and respect.

 

PAUL MOIST National President

CLAUDE GENEREUX National Secretary-Treasurer