Good afternoon everyone,
The Employment Equity Committee (EEC) was formed as a result of an agreement reached between CUPE 441 and the Saanich School District in the last round of bargaining. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, it was the intention of the parties to collaboratively address the under-representation of CUPE 441support staff members with Indigenous Ancestry throughout the District. The committee included members of CUPE local 441, leaders of the District, and members of the Indigenous Education support staff team. We met numerous times over the course of last year to discuss the ways we could increase equity of opportunity for Indigenous staff. This agreement is in alignment with a similar agreement that the District signed with the STA during the last round of bargaining.
CUPE 441 and the Saanich School District first sought approval of a Special Program designation through the Human Rights Tribunal and in response, the Tribunal affirmed that “Indigenous peoples face historical and ongoing marginalization in Canada and continue to have lower education outcomes than the general population. Indigenous students need, and benefit from, role models of Indigenous ancestry who can facilitate learning that is consistent with Indigenous knowledge, culture, and traditions”.
We are now pleased to share that an agreement has been reached to proactively address employment barriers that have limited equity of opportunity. This commitment includes the preferential hiring of qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry to support staff vacancies.
With respect,
DAVE EBERWEIN (he/him)
Superintendent & CEO, Saanich Schools