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Equity

The labour movement has played a critical role in fighting injustice and inequity here in Ontario and around the world. We believe that work needs to continue to help foster an equitable, barrier-free society where ensure everyone can reach their fullest potential.


In the Workplace and Beyond

As a union, we believe in advancing fairness and equity for ourselves and for all workers.

At the bargaining table, through our dispute resolution process, and in our communities, we defend, negotiate, and advocate for:

  • strong employment standards,
  • pay equity,
  • workplace accommodation,
  • the elimination of harassment and grounds-based discrimination, and
  • more.

Find your collective agreement and fact sheets »

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Within our Union

AMAPCEO Equity Statement

Our Equity Statement includes a commitment to:

  • Eliminating discriminatory and exclusive behaviour, policies, or practices that prevent or undermine the full and equitable participation of all who wish to join and pursue the mission of the organization.
  • Taking the proactive steps to ensure that full and equitable participation is possible and will create an environment where union members are respected for their abilities and potential.
  • Building a culture in which equity, diversity, tolerance, and safety are fundamental.

Read the AMAPCEO Equity Statement, with its eight guiding principles »

Board Equity Committee

This volunteer body provides important analysis and advice on equity and diversity issues within the union.

Learn more about the Board Equity Committee »

Equity Caucuses & Circle

The equity caucus model is designed to create a space for demographically and culturally similar AMAPCEO members to build community, support other members, and provide alternative routes into activist roles for under-represented equity groups.

Learn more about our Equity Caucuses and Circle »

AMAPCEO Equity Lens: Moving from Commitment to Action

Adopted in 2020, the AMAPCEO Equity Lens is a practical tool to support our efforts to be consistent and deliberate in moving equity and inclusion forward in in our member engagement and services, through our volunteers and staff, to the benefit of our union and workplaces.

Learn more about the AMAPCEO Equity Lens »

Learning

Learn more about the principles of equity and how we apply them within our union through our online course Equity and Inclusion: Activate Your Power!

This online course is available for free to all signed AMAPCEO members and can be taken at any time.

Visit the AMAPCEO Education Portal (sign-in required) »


Equity and Social Justice Calendar

AMAPCEO recognizes a number of equity and social justice dates to bring awareness into the workplace.

Organizing and event or sharing information in your workplace are just a couple of the many ways that you can participate and turn our union's commitment to equity into action!


Equity Committee

The Equity Committee is an advisory body to the Board of Directors consisting of one representative from each of AMAPCEO's Equity Caucuses and Circle. The Board appoints up to two liaisons to the Committee, one of whom serving as Chair.

The Committee:

  • recommends actions to the Board on a variety of equity and diversity issues within the union,
  • provides advice to the Board on employer initiatives and policies related to equity,
  • brings together a broad group of grassroots members to increase the spaces available for equity-seeking groups’ participation in the union,
  • encourages networking and partnering with other equity-seeking groups,
  • encourages and supports safe spaces for all AMAPCEO members,

  • encourages and promotes the participation of members from equity-seeking groups within activist roles in AMAPCEO, and

  • provides a forum for AMAPCEO to seek input and reactions on equity and inclusion initiatives.

Terms of Reference (sign-in required) »

Equity Committee Meeting Minutes (sign-in required)


2022


2021


2020

Leadership

Committee Chair: Cynthia Watt (AMAPCEO Vice-President)
Board Liaison: Frank Tang (District Director, Jarvis/Yonge)
Chair, Asian, Arab and Latinx Caucus: Iain Shao
Chair, Black Caucus: Bonnie Wiltshire 
Chair, Disability Caucus: Elizabeth Janz 
Chair, Francophone Caucus: Vincent Lavigne 
Chair, Indigenous Circle: Waasmowin-Mnidoo
Chair, LGBTQ+ Caucus: Lina Cimarrusti
Chair, Women’s Caucus: Zahra Bolouk


Equity Caucuses & Circle

The equity caucus model is designed to create a space for demographically and culturally similar AMAPCEO members to build community, support other members, and provide alternative routes into activist roles for under-represented equity groups.

AMAPCEO's Board of Directors is committed to advancing equity and inclusive representation in our governance structures and throughout all aspects of our union. Equity caucuses are a way to cultivate recognition, support, and understanding for diverse constitutency groups—ultimately helping AMAPCEO become a more equitable organization.

Interested in joining one or more of the equity caucuses or circle? Fill out an application form below!

You must be a signed AMAPCEO member to join an equity caucus or circle. Not a signed member? Join today!

Want to start a new equity caucus? Please contact Labour Relations Specialist Timna Ben-Ari.

A group of AMAPCEO members at an event


Asian, Arab & Latinx Caucus

Mission

Promote equity and diversity in AMAPCEO through the celebration of Asian, Arab, and Latinx culture and heritage and engagement through representation in leadership positions.

Vision

AMAPCEO Caucus will have an equal and inclusive culture and members are represented in leadership positions. 

Leadership

Chair: Iain Shao
Co-Vice Chairs: Winnie Liem and Jamie Ngo

 


Black Caucus

Mission

The Black Caucus works toward the elimination of barriers, including racism, to Black members full participation and equitable representation in the union and workplace.

Vision

Enabling systemic change within AMAPCEO and our workplaces for the full inclusion and participation of Black members, allowing them to reach their full potential. 

Leadership

Chair: Bonnie Wiltshire 
Vice-Chair: Jerusha Richards


Disability Caucus

Mission

The Disability Caucus will advocate and champion for the rights, accommodations and full participation of members with disabilities.

Vision

Members with disabilities will receive fair and equitable treatment and will discover their power to make a difference. 

Leadership

Chair: Elizabeth Janz
Vice-Chair: Michelle Price 


Francophone Caucus

Mission

To help AMAPCEO meet the needs of Francophones today so they become more engaged in the Association tomorrow. 

Vision

AMAPCEO meets the needs of Francophones and they feel a strong sense of belonging to the Association.

Leadership

Chair: Vincent Lavigne
Vice-Chair: Mohamed Boudjenane 


Indigenous Circle

Mission

The Indigenous Circle seeks to facilitate positive transformation of the workplace and larger membership through creation of a network of Indigenous members for the purpose of support, information sharing and Indigenous representation.

Vision

An increased Indigenous membership and participation in AMAPCEO governance as well as an effective network for information sharing and provisions that supports Reconciliation as per the Truth and Reconciliation Commission call to action #571.

Leadership

Chair: Waasmowin-Mnidoo
Vice-Chair: Maggie Kavanaugh


LGBTQ+ Caucus

Mission

To advocate for LGBTQI2S AMAPCEO members by promoting activities and events that foster inclusion, understanding and respect. 

Vision

LGBTQI2S people in AMAPCEO and the workplace have enhanced and sustainable health and well-being.

Leadership

Chair: Lina Cimarrusti
Vice-Chair: Noémie Bergeron


Women's Caucus

Mission

The Women's Caucus values our diverse and multiple identities and experiences and supports engagement, education, advocacy, and collaboration on issues relevant to women in the union, the workplace, and the community.

Vision

Individual and systemic barriers to participation of women in the union, the workplace, and the community have been eliminated.

Leadership

Chair: Zahra Bolouk
Vice-Chair: Sancgeetha Kulaseharan


Other Caucuses

AMAPCEO also has caucuses designed to promote awareness, inclusion, and participation of retirees, and young workers within our union.

Interested in joining one or more of these caucuses? Fill out an application form below!

You must be a signed AMAPCEO member to join one of these caucuses. Not a signed member? Join today!

An AMAPCEO member at an event


Retirees' Caucus

Mission

  1. Protect and enhance the benefits, and promote the interests, of retired AMAPCEO members who are in receipt of pensions from the Ontario Pension Board or H.O.O.P.P.
  2. Advocate against proposals and policies that could be detrimental to retired AMAPCEO members’ interests.
  3. Provide information and assistance, as necessary, to retired AMAPCEO members.
  4. Engage with retired AMAPCEO members with a focus on encouraging participation in the Retirees Caucus.
  5. Liaise and cooperate with other senior and pensioners organizations on matters of mutual interest.

Membership

When you retire from your AMAPCEO-represented position, become a retired member to continue your involvement in the union, receive ServicePlus benefits, and participate in the Retirees Caucus.

There is a one-time fee of $25 to become a retired member.


Young Workers' Caucus

Purpose

The Young Workers Caucus will work to promote the inclusion and participation of young workers in AMAPCEO through advocacy, awareness raising and leadership development.

Terms of Reference (sign-in required) »

Membership

Open to any signed AMAPCEO member who is 35 or younger at the time they join the Caucus.

Leadership

Chair: Chris Cully
Vice-Chair: Devraj Ray

 


1 "Professional Development and Training for Public Servants

57) We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism."

From Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015