May 15, 2023 – OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) met with Treasury Board leadership to discuss interpreters’ health and safety, and racism against Black federal employees – and the ongoing push for permanent solutions.
With CAPE finalizing the collective bargaining agreement for the Economic and Social Services (EC) group, and in the midst of negotiations for the Translation (TR) group, CAPE President Camille Awada stressed the need to improve interpreters’ working conditions, whose health has rapidly deteriorated with the rise of remote and hybrid work. A dramatic rise in workplace injuries has forced many interpreters to go on leave – or quit altogether – while others have sustained permanent partial hearing loss. CAPE is strongly advocating for the policies that are currently in place to protect interpreters to be respected and enforced.
During the discussion with Minister Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, CAPE also emphasized the need to settle the class action lawsuit filed by current and former Black federal employees in December 2020.
The federal government has attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing the complainants should pursue other avenues. Recently, however, the Treasury Board Secretariat – in response to a policy grievance filed by CAPE – found that there was systemic racism and discrimination at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. This ruling has renewed calls from public sector unions for the government to settle the lawsuit.
Minister Fortier brought attention to the work the government is doing to support Black employees, including the establishment of the Mental Health Fund for Black public sector employees, and new dedicated career development programs to prepare Black public sector leaders for executive positions.
Both parties committed to building a good working relationship that prioritized the wellbeing of CAPE members and all other federal sector employees.
CAPE has and will continue to be a relentless advocate for its members. Since 2020, CAPE has strongly pressed the government for solutions to improve interpreters’ health and safety, as the rise of remote and hybrid meetings resulted in a significant spike in injuries. CAPE has – and will continue to – unequivocally and vocally support Black public sector employees in their fight for long-term permanent solutions to address systemic racism and discrimination across the federal public service.
Meeting attendees:
The Hon. Mona Fortier President of the Treasury Board
Camille Awada President, CAPE
Elisabeth Woods Senior Advisor to the President, CAPE
