Union slams NDP for ‘appalling’ treatment of human rights complainants

Three NDP constituency workers have grievances on file against Hamilton MPPs Paul Miller and Monique Taylor

THE NDP

UNION FOR constituency workers has slammed the party for an “appalling” decision to fire or stop pay for members who went public with human rights complaints against two Hamilton MPPs ahead of the provincial election.

Todd White, who also chairs Hamilton’s public school board, alleged discrimination and sexist, racist and homophobic comments by Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller, who has denied wrongdoing. Alissa Watt and Sandra Troulinos filed complaints against Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor, alleging the politician pressured one worker to make a false sexual harassment claim against the other. Taylor previously said she looks forward to the outcome of any investigation into the complaints.

All three constituency workers have outstanding grievances awaiting arbitration and are represented

“We don’t usually do labour relations in the press, but when you disregard basic workers’ rights with such impunity, it doesn’t give us much choice.”

PATTY CLANCY Ontario director, COPE

by the Canadian Office and Professional Employees (COPE) Union Local 343. The union, previously silent on the internal NDP feud, went public this week to criticize the party for “secretly ... attacking” its own workers even as it advocates for strengthening worker rights.

COPE said the party fired White, who was on parental leave, and stopped pay to the other complainants even before an arbitrator has a chance to rule on their grievances.

“We don’t usually do labour relations in the press, but when you disregard basic workers’ rights with such impunity, it doesn’t give us much choice,” said union Ontario director Patty Clancy, who called the move particularly “appalling” for the historic party of labour.

The NDP caucus responded through its lawyer, Meg Atkinson, on Wednesday, calling the union statement “factually incorrect and intentionally misleading.” Atkinson goes on to say the union tried to use the threat of a public statement to force reinstatement of pay for two of the complainants. “The NDP Caucus does not believe that threatening to make false claims in the media is an acceptable way for anyone to attempt to access additional benefits or payments outside the usual procedures,” she said. “The NDP Caucus does not believe that COPE’s actions are conducive to productive labour relations, particularly when arbitrations are scheduled in the near future.”

White briefly confirmed his firing to The Spectator and referred questions to his lawyer, Wade Poziomka. In an emailed statement, Poziomka said his client received a termination letter accusing him of “orchestrating a public media campaign” against Miller. Poziomka noted workers in Ontario have the right to pursue human rights allegations “in good faith, without reprisal.” He added White expects to file another tribunal application in the near future.

The Spectator has yet to reach Watt or Troulinos. But Poziomka, who is representing the pair for their human rights complaints, said the pay stoppage has had a “considerable impact” on Troulinos, who is a single mother of four.

“Sandra expected more from the ONDP and worries that this conduct will discourage others, who have similar concerns in the future, from coming forward to assert their human rights,” he said.

Clancy also accused the NDP of only agreeing to planned fall arbitration dates to keep the embarrassing matter out of the news before the recent provincial election. Both Miller and Taylor were re-elected in June..

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has said she found the complaints concerning, but wanted to see the arbitration process play out.

The firing of White and the public union criticism is just the latest chapter in an increasingly public feud between the veteran east-end MPP and his former office assistant and campaign organizer.

It follows a decision by the MPP’s wife, retired teacher Carole Paikin Miller, to run against White for school board trustee in Ward 5 in the upcoming municipal election.