A member with a complaint of harassment or discrimination as outlined in Appendix F.1(m) of the CUPE constitution has the choice of having their complaint resolved through either the trial procedure or the Harassment and Discrimination Response Procedure.
The Harassment and Discrimination Response Procedure provides members in good standing with an internal process to have complaints of harassment or discrimination against other members in their local, dealt with in a fair, multi-partial and trauma-informed manner. If necessary, complaints will be determined by an impartial adjudicator. This procedure can apply to any complaint alleging harassment and/or discrimination that would constitute a violation of Article F.1(m). It may also apply to other offences under the constitution, which are included in the complaint and relate to the same facts.
Harassment and Discrimination Response Procedure complaints can be submitted in writing to the Safer Union Spaces Office (SUSO) Director (or designate) via saferspaces@cupe.ca
A member can ask for support from the Safer Union Spaces Office before submitting a complaint or after a complaint has been filed. The SUSO staff may be available to provide guidance on the preparation of a complaint or response to a complaint. Members can reach out at saferspaces@cupe.ca.
The Safer Union Spaces Office casework response team can support members who have a harassment or discrimination complaint by:
- Offering trauma informed support and resources,
- Sharing information on their options in the trial procedure and other processes,
- Helping the complainant determine whether the alternate process or trial procedure are the right fit,
- Providing guidance on the preparation of a complaint or response to a complaint.
The casework specialists are available to meet with both complainants and respondents throughout the Trial Procedure or Harassment and Discrimination Response Procedure processes.
You can reach out to get more information by emailing saferspaces@cupe.ca