News

CAPE sat down with member Jean-Sibert Lapolice, who is also the strategic engagement and partnership lead at the Federal Black Employees Caucus (FBEC), in honour of Black History Month and the work FBEC is doing.

CAPE filed a policy grievance earlier today challenging the automated weighting system (AWS) currently used by the Translation Bureau.

CAPE, along with other Public Service Unions, has shared its concerns with the Employer regarding the impact that some of our members are experiencing from the ongoing demonstrations being held in the National Capital Region and elsewhere in the country. As a result of this advocacy, the Employer has agreed to consider the use of Code 699 leave in the event members are unable to work due to these disturbances. Requests for this leave can also be made retroactively for those who already used other forms of leaves.

CAPE issued a complaint against the Translation Bureau to the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada on the grounds that it had failed to provide CAPE members with a safe work environment.

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize all the contributions the Black community has made to Canada's history. It is also a time to reflect on all the progress we have made in the fight against racism and how far we still must go to achieve an inclusive society for all.

Earlier this year, we were informed by OCHRO that they would not be renewing the moratorium on the automatic cash-out of excess vacation and compensatory leave beyond 2021. We were informed that the automatic cash-out of excess leave would be back in effect on March 31, 2022.

The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) has recently established a collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). CAPE is taking another step towards improving its performance in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at the operational level and across member services.

On December 17, 2021, CAPE joined 12 other unions as a signatory on a letter to the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, asking for “strong leadership and consistent, centralized guidance to government departments and deputy heads around the following: telework and essential and critical employees without access to a third booster shot.”

Despite an enduring global pandemic with restrictions and lockdown measures in place since March 2020, our member community is still going strong. A total of 29 local AGMs were held this year.

Yesterday’s public apology to military sexual misconduct victims by the Government of Canada was a step in the right direction to correct the wrongs in the Canadian military which a government report found was “hostile to women and LGBTQ members and conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment”.