Passport service cuts target minorities and people with disabilities, union says

Public servants who ar from  various backgrounds, feature disabilities or ar mired in union activities are being disproportionately targeted by cuts to the passport service, according to the Union of National Employees (UNE).

The union filed two grievances challenging a process it considers to be discriminatory and in violation of the collective agreement and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

In May, 800 contract employees across the country — but concentrated in Quebec — were told they would no longer have their jobs in June. Of these, 350 felt aggrieved and are contesting their terminations through an action started by the UNE.

In August, more cuts targeted another 184 public servants. The union said 71 of those employees have also signed a group grievance.

Together, more than 42 per cent of those who were terminated believe they were discriminated against.

UNE national president Alisha Kang said a review of the names and profiles of terminated employees made it clear that certain groups were over-represented.

"These [diversity initiatives] are all things that Canada says it's onboard with, and when the rubber hits the road, they [diverse employees] are the first to be terminated."

"Whether ... they need the people or not, is not really in question. It's who they're choosing to terminate," she said.

Of particular significance, she said, is that many of the people who lost their jobs were in public-facing roles and were well-positioned to help guide diverse Canadians through the passport application process.

The union is asking the government to allow the terminated public servants to complete their employment contracts.

In a written statement, Employment and Social Development Canada said it prioritizes the retention of employees from "equity-seeking groups."

The department said cuts were based on workload projections for the passport teams, while ensuring "sound fiscal management."

"All workforce strategies are developed with particular attention to the impact they may have on equity-seeking groups," it said.

The government "continues to prioritize the retention of employees from equity-seeking groups, so that our workforce reflects the communities we serve," the statement read.

Nicholas Marcus Thompson, president and CEO of the Black Class Action Secretariat, called the situation "very serious."

He echoed Kang, saying the federal government has claimed to be applying an equity lens, but believes it did the opposite with employees who are part of the grievance.

"These employees were selected for layoffs based on race, disability, national origin or union activity. That is the very basis of systemic discrimination," he said, adding he believes people are likely to experience significant repercussions when waiting for their passports.

He called the government's claims that it had tried to protect marginalized workers "absolutely false."

"That is not what we have seen. What we've seen is that those who are on accommodation, those who the employer may have to spend some money to accommodate, those are the ones who have gone."

Another 250 passport employees were also sent notices, with the government saying a total of 134 were being laid off. The department called the decision necessary.

"We understand that this news is difficult and we are offering support to affected employees throughout this transition," it said in an email.

Reporter

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