Keeyask workers file bullying, racism complaints, data show
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2018 (2289 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Employees at the Keeyask Generating Station worksite lodged almost 200 complaints, including bullying, racism, physical violence and sexual misconduct, over a two-year period.
About half of the complaints investigated had merit, according to data obtained by the Free Press through a freedom of information request sent to Manitoba Hydro.
Sudhir Sandhu, chief executive officer of the Allied Hydro Council, which covers labour relations at Keeyask, said the number of internal issues is undoubtedly higher, but not everyone reports every incident.
The number of complaints — 196 from Sept. 1, 2016 to Aug. 28, 2018 — may seem small compared to the size of the workforce, which had 3,771 active hires as of September 2018. Still, Sandhu said: "Every single complaint is one too many."
Sandhu said Indigenous people generally experience more issues than non-racialized groups.
"Cultural issues, historical issues, intergenerational impacts are still being experienced by our Indigenous members, so that tends to be much more of a sensitive issue," he said Friday.
Mandatory Indigenous cultural awareness training for all Keeyask workers has helped, he added.
“Unfortunately, we cannot modify every single individual’s behaviour, so we still continue to have issues. But absolutely those (training courses) have had positive impacts."
Minister meets with First Nations
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations Eileen Clarke
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations Eileen Clarke has met with the chief and council of Fox Lake Cree Nation in the wake of a Clean Environment Commission report that triggered many emotions for the community.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations Eileen Clarke has met with the chief and council of Fox Lake Cree Nation in the wake of a Clean Environment Commission report that triggered many emotions for the community.
She also plans to meet with at least three other First Nations affected by Hydro development: York Factory First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation.
During hearings used to gather information for the report, Fox Lake members detailed historical allegations of abuse suffered at the hands of Manitoba Hydro workers and RCMP. Hydro development began in their traditional territory on the lower Nelson River in the 1960s. Fox Lake is also a partner in the Keeyask Generating Station, which is under construction.
York Factory and War Lake leaders have spoken out about racism and drug abuse among the workforce at Keeyask.
Clarke’s office confirmed that a meeting with Fox Lake officials took place and conversations with the three other communities continue.
“We encourage the communities to work with the Independent Investigation Unit and the Ontario Provincial Police on their ongoing investigations,” the spokesperson wrote in an email, referring to investigations launched after the report was released.
“Multiple departments have been involved in discussions (with the communities), including Justice and Crowns, but Indigenous and Northern Relations remains the lead department as we work to build better relationships with northern First Nations.”
The Allied Hydro Council warned Hydro about the need to foster a safe workplace culture before construction on Keeyask began.
"We’ve got a very, very diverse workforce and to try and infuse a culture after all the people come together and expect everything will just organically somehow fall into place, I think it’s a classic mistake that project environments make in every single instance," Sandhu said. "And once things start to go wrong, it literally is akin to trying to rein in the horses when they’ve bolted through the open doors."
Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen said the Crown corporation took steps to ensure a safe and respectful workplace from the planning stages of Keeyask, but did expect there would be complaints.
"Yes, Keeyask recruits workers from all across Canada to create a highly diverse and complex work environment. To be clear, even one instance of discrimination, harassment or abuse is too many," Owen wrote in an email.
The work environment includes 1,787 non-Manitobans (48 per cent of the workforce) and 1,019 workers who self-identify as Indigenous (28 per cent). The number of Indigenous hires increased over the past six months to 1,019 from 978, Hydro said.
Owen said most complaints are resolved through a formal investigation and there have been times when individuals had their Hydro site access immediately suspended pending an investigation. He wouldn’t describe what types of complaints were grounds for immediate suspension "as it may identify individuals."
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Under Hydro’s categorization of the Keeyask workplace complaints, 119 of the 196 reports were founded and 34 of the incidents were resolved informally.
Reports of bullying, intimidation, inappropriate language and abuse of power were among the most common concerns, with 51 incidents.
Other problems ran the gamut from reports of sexual comments or contact being made (22 incidents); to physical contact, violence or threats of violence (41); and allegations of racism (18).
There were 64 "unidentified" complaints, which could relate to camp cleanliness, flight schedules or collective bargaining issues, among other issues, Owen said.
The Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership, which oversees the project, has four First Nations partners: Fox Lake Cree Nation, York Factory First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation. Many of their members work at Keeyask.
Leaders of the four First Nations didn’t return calls Friday.
Hydro said it continues to work with its partners and contractors "to promote a positive and respectful work environment at Keeyask."
The 695-megawatt generating station is 725 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the Nelson River, near Gillam. The project is expected to cost $8.7 billion and start partial service in October 2020.
jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @_jessbu
