Forty blue-collar workers from visible minorities deplore the inaction of the leaders of the Montréal-Nord borough and the city in the face of the racism unveiled last summer in two reports. They are undertaking legal proceedings to assert their rights and obtain redress, they announced in a press briefing on Sunday morning.
Two reports published last May exposed cases of discrimination against blue-collar workers from visible minorities in the Montreal-North borough. It mentioned favoritism towards white candidates, pressure on foremen to form racially homogeneous teams, a “toxic climate” and repercussions among certain blue-collar workers who dared to denounce the situation.
A discussion between the employer and union parties on the settlement of all the grievances in the borough began “without taking into account the situation of the victims of racism and the prejudices suffered”, deplores Jean-Newton Jeantine, who works on the roads. of Montreal-North.
They criticize the union for not having held an information and consultation session to keep them informed of the status of implementation of the report’s recommendations. The union itself commissioned the report, recalls Patrick Roy, union representative.
Reparation for the damage suffered has not yet been dealt with by the employer or the union, they believe.
The Syndicat des Cols Bleues regroupés de Montréal and the Borough of Montreal-Nord did not immediately respond to interview requests. Press Sunday morning.