Bulletin
Our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity & inclusion
May 2, 2022
To: All MoveUP Members
In 2019, our executive board committed to reviewing our union’s structure and governance to determine if, and what, barriers existed for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in our leadership roles. To achieve our objective, we decided to engage a consulting organization to review our structures.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to delay the start of this review. However, it did not waiver our commitment to the cause and our recognition of the importance of doing this work.
In early 2021, we were ready to get back on track and we engaged Bakau Consulting to conduct this review. In addition to doing a complete audit of our structure and governance (including MoveUP policies, constitution and bylaws, and many other documents), in the fall of 2021, Bakau also conducted a survey of our job stewards, executive councillors and executive board members to determine what issues existed and what changes needed to be made to our current structure.
Job stewards, executive councillors and executive board members were provided with an opportunity to educate themselves through various EDI workshops. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, these workshops were not well attended.
Earlier this year, Bakau presented their audit report to our table officers, and then to our executive board and council along with an implementation plan. Our council and board subsequently endorsed a budget of up to $30,000 for EDI work. Based on the implementation plan, MoveUP has engaged Bakau Consulting to continue to assist us as we navigate through the recommendations outlined in the audit report and to provide education to our staff and membership. It is our intention to offer educational workshop opportunities in the coming months.
Our work in this regard is ongoing. We will continue to update all our members on a regular basis as we move forward. We encourage you to watch for upcoming EDI educational opportunities going forward as we all work together towards progressing as an inclusive union.
In Solidarity,
David Black
President
