A teachers’ union in southern Ontario has implemented a new system where minority board members will have their votes weighted if not enough minority members are present..The system aims to increase the representation of racialized teachers who belong to minority groups in the decision-making process. The new approach will see that minority groups will always have 50% of the vote regardless how many are voting from the group..The weighting process would ensure in situations where there are, for example, only five who have identified as racialized are involved in a vote with a total of 15 people, each group will be weighted to represent 50% of the total vote..The weighted voting system was introduced in one of the Ontario Secondary Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) bargaining units located in the Halton region which consists of roughly 1,400 teachers and staff, according to the website..The system was proposed at the union’s annual general meeting in June and was voted in with the support of 68% of members..Daryl LeBlanc, a teacher and branch president with the union, said the new approach to voting will only apply to decisions made by the board of local presidents who represent teachers when decisions are being made..“I do believe it’s a very positive step for equity,” LeBlanc, told the National Post, adding he voted in favour of the weighted system..Union President Cindy Gage released a statement to the media on Monday that said: “Bylaws, policies, and procedures, including voting, may evolve based on the goals and priorities of the OSSTF/FEESO membership.”.“The Teachers’ Bargaining Unit acknowledges changes to local policies, procedures and bylaws may create tension within the membership, but such tension will not deter efforts to eliminate barriers for members.”.Gage said union members were e-mailed a deck of slides explaining the system in which quorum will always be reached with 50/50 representation for minority groups who identify as racialized..“We have heard from members at both the local and provincial level within our union that Black, racialized and indigenous members do not feel safe or welcome at union activities,” members were told in the e-mail..A video included in the slideshow says the concept of one person/one vote may seem even-handed, “fair doesn’t necessarily mean equitable,” and goes on to explain the process aims to help achieve equal opportunity and thus do not violate Ontario’s human rights code..Although the new policy was implemented in Halton at the start of the 2021 school year, it has created a divisive nature among union members — some citing discrimination while others feeling it will help represent disadvantaged groups..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
