The City of Montreal says it wants to apply the principle of zero tolerance in matters of racism and discrimination, but blue-collar workers from diverse backgrounds believe that on the ground, a lot of work remains to be done. About sixty of them demonstrated in front of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon to ask Mayor Valérie Plante for better collaboration with the union and the victims.
“To be able to work, we have to leave our dignity at home. We are tired. Now we want to work with dignity. We want to take our place. We are asking the mayor to include us in the equation, along with the union,” said Gino Clyford Lubérisse, an employee in Montreal-Nord for 20 years and union representative for blue-collar workers in his borough, to the gathered blue-collar workers.
His colleague Joseph Gothard had much the same message, an appeal to Mayor Plante for better dialogue. “It’s time to work with us, the racialized, with us, the discriminated, so that we can find a solution together. It’s time for it to stop. »
Last week, an investigation by the Duty recounted the testimonies of dozens of City employees, from nine boroughs, who claimed to have suffered racism and discrimination. Employees had complained to their employer, but claim not to have obtained justice.
Action week against racism
Blue-collar workers had gathered in front of City Hall late Tuesday afternoon because, inside, the mayor was taking part in a ceremony to launch the Week of Action Against Racism (SACR). March 21 is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In front of the guests gathered for the ceremony, the mayor began her speech by underlining the presence of the demonstrators outside the town hall. “I want to tell them that we hear them. There is some bread on a wooden board. There is a lot of will, both on the part of the political team and that of Mr. [Serge] Lamontagne, the director general, and the boroughs. The objective is clear: it is that of zero tolerance,” she said.
The mayor referred to the testimonies of employees reported by The duty last week. “I congratulate those who spoke. We have a duty to hear and take action, ”she said. “We are aware of the challenge. It is necessary to act at all levels to be able to accelerate the changes of culture within the organization. […] Any racist act, gesture or word, is a serious violation and we cannot let the City of Montreal do that. »
A necessary reform
The director general of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), Fo Niemi, came to greet the protesters on Tuesday. He believes that a reform of the complaints structure is necessary for the City of Montreal. “Currently, it’s like a kind of maze. People get lost in that,” he says.
According to him, it is not necessary to hold an independent investigation, as demanded by the opposition, but rather to create a working group made up of experts to put in place a structure “with real powers of intervention and protection and even sanctions,” he said.
We should also look at the role of the commissioner for the fight against racism and discrimination, a position created by the City in 2021 and occupied by Bochra Manaï, he believes. “Does she have enough powers and enough resources to do her job properly?” In fact, she seems to be an advisor rather than a commissioner. »
Finally, Mr. Niemi believes that the notions of accountability must be clarified. “Zero tolerance, what does that mean for managers? For example, if you allow racism to continue, does that mean you should be held accountable, suspended, or fired? he asks himself.