On Monday, October 28th a historic certification hearing began at the Federal Court to determine whether the Black Class Action lawsuit meets the legal criteria to represent a group of people collectively. Led by the Black Class Action Secretariat, the lawsuit seeks justice for Black workers who have faced discriminatory hiring and promotion practices in federal government roles since 1970.
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate achievements, and recommit to building a future rooted in justice and equity. Black history is Canadian history. It is woven into the very fabric of Canada’s identity and progress.
In recognition of Black History Month, we’re sharing PSAC’s message honouring the leadership, resilience, and organizing power of Black workers who continue to shape Canada’s labour movement.
We invite you to take a moment to read PSAC’s full statement and reflect on how equity, inclusion, and the fight against anti-Black racism connect to our own workplaces and union spaces.
In June, the federal government passed new legislation making September 30 a national statutory holiday commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Indigenous History Month has been marked by multiple deaths for the very people it was designed to celebrate and honour.
On June 2, Everett Patrick, died in police custody after being bitten by police dogs in Prince George, BC. Two days later, 26-year old Chantel Moore was killed by police during a wellness check in Edmunston, New Brunswick. And on June 12, Rodney Levi died after being shot by RCMP near the Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation.
On December 10, 2020, a day recognized by the United Nations as Human Rights Day, the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) joined with the bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), in support of the legal action taken on behalf of nearly 30,000 past and present federal public service workers who identify as Black, Caribbean or of African descent.
On this day, December 10, 2020, a day recognized by the United Nations as Human Rights Day, the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) joins with the bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), in support of the legal action taken on behalf of nearly 30,000 past and present federal public service workers who identify as Black, Caribbean or of African descent.
PSAC is celebrating an important milestone in our human rights complaints on behalf of Black federal public service workers. The Canada Human Rights Commission (CHRC) has referred PSAC’s complaints on systemic anti-Black racism in the federal public service to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for a full inquiry.
