OPSEU has demanded that Canadore College stop stonewalling the release of an investigator's report into allegations of harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power.
See: Smokey's statements 'inflammatory' claims college spokesman
In a news release today, President Smokey Thomas says that from the outset of the investigation, "the Union requested and expected to receive a copy of the report, just as countless other employers have provided similar reports to unions in the past. It is standard practice to redact investigation reports, or to use labels such as “Witness A” and “Witness B” to ensure confidentiality."
Thomas says the vast majority of witnesses have already provided their statements to OPSEU, and they support requests for disclosure of the full investigation report.
"Given the College’s continued refusals, the Union is compiling those statements for release in future at an appropriate time," warned Thomas.
"It is disturbing that the College repeatedly asserts that no formal complaints were filed as if that were somehow proof that the allegations are unsubstantiated," continues Thomas."When the College launched its investigation about a year ago, it encouraged affected employees to participate in the investigation as a formal process to uncover and address the allegations. It seems the College now wants to punish those same employees for trusting the College’s chosen process. If the College is saying that it requires formal complaints in order to take action on long-standing allegations of harassment and discrimination, then we will call on affected employees to initiate formal grievances in accordance with the collective agreement."
Thomas accuses the College of attempting to cover up a year-long investigation with platitudes.
"For weeks now, the College has refused even to confirm the conclusions that were reached by the investigator, or how many recommendations she issued. This information cannot be considered confidential. At the same time, the College spokesperson indicated that they had shared the report with unnamed senior managers, a position they now deny."
BayToday reached out to Thomas for comment but received no reply.
Previously Thomas had called for the removal of Board Chair Bob Ni holls and two other principal characters.
"Now, in the wake of an attempted cover-up, OPSEU calls for President George Burton and Vice-President Shawn Chorney of Canadore College to be placed on administrative leave while the Ministries step in to ensure that the investigation report is disclosed to the appropriate parties, including the Union, and that the allegations of a poisoned work environment are fully addressed," said Thomas.
