Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Racism is an issue in the Ontario Public Service (OPS), and unions need to be part of the solution, AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer told Secretary of Cabinet Steven Davidson in a meeting last week.
The virtual meeting included representatives from AMAPCEO, OPSEU, ALOC, OCAA, PEGO, and OPPA, all of whom represent members in the OPS. Davidson is the head of the OPS.
Bulmer encouraged Davidson to consider each union an active partner in making the OPS a more equitable workplace.
“All six unions share equity, diversity, inclusion, and active anti-racism as common values,” Bulmer said. “We want to achieve positive improvements for our members and for all working people in this province. Let’s work together to drive that change.”
On those changes, Bulmer expressed that while he appreciates the OPS Employer’s work to date, many issues are deeply systemic and will require concerted, sustained effort to address.
“The data makes it clear—racism remains a significant issue in the OPS,” he said. “Too many Black, Indigenous, and racialized employees are passed over for career progression, unconsidered in policy decisions, or outright discriminated against on the job.”
The union has been active in the OPS Employer’s review of its Inclusive Workplace Policy and Program since it was launched. AMAPCEO successfully made a number of recommendations for improvement.
“Time and time again, we’ve proven that when we work together, we can generate better outcomes for everyone,” Bulmer said after the meeting. “And on this file, there’s a lot of work to be done.”
The meeting also came as AMAPCEO launched an advocacy campaign to review and work to improve each ministry’s anti-racism action plan. These plans are the next step in the OPS Employer’s Roadmap to Racial Equity in the OPS.
“While we’ve garnered attention and inspired progress,” Bulmer said, “we must maintain the momentum and hold the Employer to making real change.”
At the meeting, Bulmer also took a moment to congratulate Secretary Davidson on his upcoming retirement, thanking him for his service on behalf of all OPS employees.
