Thompson Rivers University support staff union calls for safe, comprehensive investigation into campus harassment

The union representing support staff at the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, B.C., wants to ensure all university staff can safely and confidentially report instances of workplace harassment and discrimination. CUPE 4879, representing around 700 TRU support staff, is calling on the University to commit to a complete and comprehensive investigation into alleged misconduct by senior administrators, and that the staff members in question be put on leave until the investigation is completed.

“All TRU staff have a right to a workplace free of harassment and discrimination of any kind. They need to feel confident they can safely report their experiences to investigators,” says Lois Rugg, president of CUPE 4879. “The University’s investigation must be comprehensive and ensure anyone on campus experiencing harassment or discrimination is able to come forward.”

The union is also calling for the senior TRU administrators currently being investigated be put on leave until the investigation is complete, as they work closely day-to-day with CUPE 4879 members.

“The rights of all involved in this investigation must be respected, as does the safety of CUPE 4879 members,” says Rugg. “The union believes it is a reasonable precaution to have these senior administrators out of the workplace until the investigation is complete.”