Human Rights

The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) is obligated by law to adhere to the Canadian Human Rights Act which promotes Human Rights and Employment Equity (HR/EE) for all members regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex*, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics**, disability and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.

*Where the ground of discrimination is pregnancy or child-birth, the discrimination shall be deemed to be on the ground of sex.

**Where the ground of discrimination is refusal of a request to undergo a genetic test or to disclose, or authorize the disclosure of, the results of a genetic test, the discrimination shall be deemed to be on the ground of genetic characteristics.

The UNDE Human Rights program will focus on the rights of all UNDE members with a particular attention to those members who self-identify as a member of one of the five designated equity seeking groups as defined by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) whose constitution we are obliged to follow.

These five designated groups are members who self-identify as:  A Woman, a member who is Racially Visible, An Aboriginal, A member with a disability or as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered (LGBT).

The UNDE shall have a standing Human Rights Committee to be known as the Human Rights Committee of the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDEHRC) and is made up of the following:

• An elected Human Rights Advisor to the UNDE National Executive; and
• A Human Rights Coordinator from each region.

The aims and objectives of the UNDEHRC are, as follows:

1. Provide support/guidance/advice in identifying and removing barriers by promoting a greater understanding of the Employment Equity Act and Human Rights issues that affect all UNDE members;
2. Assist locals, the UNDE National Executive and the PSAC in their efforts to achieve and promote equity for all members; and
3. To promote a greater understanding of issues related to Human Rights and Employment Equity as they continue to emerge.
4. Attend relevant workshops, seminars & conferences to keep current on issues and provide a report to the National Human Rights Advisor and respective Vice Presidents after attending such event;
5. Take a proactive role in promoting HR/EE commemorative events in their region.

If you have further questions, please contact a member of the UNDEHRC.  Also, please refer to the Documents and Links section below under “Terms of Reference” where the UNDE National Human Rights Policy may be found.

Documents & Links

The Human Rights Committee of the Union of National Defence Employees, 2017-2020

The Regional Human Rights Coordinators are the initial point of contact for Local representatives seeking advice and guidance on Human Rights and Employment Equity issues. They are responsible to:

a) Self-identify with the UNDE and the PSAC and encourage members of the identified 5 designated groups to do so as well;

b) Establish a network whereby each local has, as part of their team, a Human Rights/Employment Equity representative. The Coordinator will work with these representatives to:

• Promote a greater understanding HR/EE issues;
• Act as a resource person for union representation on HR/EE issues;
• Disseminate information about HR/EE issues that are current and emerging;
• Provide information to Locals to assist in coordinating and organizing HR/EE related events;
• Encourage maximum UNDE representation at PSAC Equity Conferences as delegates;
• Encourage the participation of Local membership in regional Human Rights.

UNDE Human Rights Advisor, Paul Jones (middle), displays UNDE’s new pride flag with National President, June Winger and Executive Vice-President, Philippe Turcq.