The UTE supports equal opportunity for all its members, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious or political belief, family or marital status, or conviction for which a pardon has been granted.
These principles led the UTE to establish an Equal Opportunities Committee. The committee consists of two National Officers, one Labour Relations Officer, one member elected by Local Presidents and representatives from the following equity seeking groups: Persons of colour, people with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples, lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.
The EO Committee has a wide mandate;
- To provide support and guidance to members regarding equal opportunities issues;
- to provide input towards the development of UTE Regional and National Equal Opportunities conferences;
- to promote a greater understanding of equity issues;
- to consult and collaborate with the employer on all aspects Employment Equity and diversity to insure abidance of the legislation;
- to monitor the application of the Agency National Employment Equity Action Plan;
- to develop awareness of equity/diversity issues and to develop support for these issues among union members and the public;
- to identify emerging equity/diversity issues of concern to union members and to recommend action as necessary; and
- to participate in and promote Union campaigns involving EO issues.
The Employment Equity Act specifies that employers must consult and collaborate with Unions in employment equity policies, procedures, and the implementation of programs and action plans. The UTE strongly believes that collaboration and co-operation is to take place at all levels. The UTE has available Terms of Reference for Local Joint Employment Equity / Diversity Committees.
Communication and working jointly with elected members of our Union is also a priority. It ensures that all partners play an active role in the implementation of employment equity.
Over the years, the committee has been very influential in having the UTE adopt resolutions to make our union more inclusive by accommodating people with disabilities and by encouraging members of all equity groups to participate in our union.
Some of these achievements include:
- The organization of regional and national UTE Equal Opportunities conferences.
- For educational purposes, the UTE provides financial support to their members who wish to attend non-UTE conferences organized for equity groups.
- The holding of UTE-sponsored events in facilities accessible to people with a disability.
- Provision of technical aids needed to fully participate at union meetings.
- Material in alternate format - such as large print and Braille - to members who have self identified.
- Creation of a $5,000 fund to assist Locals in providing adequate communication and access for physically-challenged members, or those with a disability.
- A comprehensive regulation governing family-care expenses for members attending UTE organized events.
Union-management consultation on equity issues is also a priority. Ongoing meetings are held with management’s National Employment Equity Co-ordinator and the Assistant Commissioner of Human Resources to discuss issues such as Employment Equity Action Plans, awareness training on equity issues, special programs for the hiring of members from designated groups, participation of union members on Advisory Committees and any issues that are barriers to the promotion of equal opportunities.