White-collar union files respectful-workplace grievance over call to 'punish' Sterling Lyon Parkway planner

The union representing white-collar City of Winnipeg workers has filed a respectful workplace complaint against the city over a call to punisha transportation planner and other comments made at a public meeting.

On Oct. 31, public works committee chair Marty Morantz(Charleswood-Tuxedo-WhyteRidge)lambasted Winnipeg's public works department for its decision to support a road-extension route that calls for the expropriation of all or part of 48 farms and residential properties in the South Wilkes neighbourhood.

"This inmy view was a ridiculous attempt to extend Sterling Lyon Parkway through aresidential area. It never should have happened," Morantzsaid, beforecallingon the city to remove transportation planner ScottSudermanfrom the project.

At the same meeting, Winnipeg chief administrative officer Doug McNeil said the city never should have endorsed the route in question, which was forwarded to the province for environmental approval before residents were aware of where it would go.

Three days later, Sudermaninformed the city his intention to resign at the end of November.

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On Thursday, the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers which represents 739city professionals such as planners, lawyers, engineers and middle managers filed a labour grievance over what the union describes as disrespect of an employee.

WAPSOwants anapology from both the public service and council and is also demanding the city uphold its own respectful workplace policy, executive director Dee Gilliessaid.

"To call out a civic servant publicly like that,without that person being able to defend themselves, was offensive," Gillies said Thursday in an interview.

"Worse than that, our feeling is the administration is supposed to be the bufferbetween the employees and the councillors and there was no robust defence of that employeeor that member at that time

"There's no justice allowed in that. We have somebody literally calling publicly to punish somebody without even finding out the facts."

Gilliessaid while she has not spoken to Suderman about his decision to resign,she is certain the comments made at the Oct. 31 meeting contributed to his decision to leave the city.

She said numerous city employees called to complain about his treatment and said the disrespect of public servants has become"a systemic issue" at city hall, for members of all unions.

City, councillors declineto addressallegation

"We have been made aware of the grievance filed byWAPSOand will be following the grievance process outlined in the collective agreement." Winnipeg communications director Felicia Wiltshire said via email in a statement.

Morantzissued a near-identical statement.

OldKildonanCoun. Devi Sharma, who told Morantz his comments were inappropriate during the Oct. 31 meeting, declined to comment. NorthKildonanCoun. JeffBrowaty, who also sat as a memberof public works committee during that meeting, also declined to comment.

Fellow committee member MattAllard(St. Boniface) was not availableto comment.

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The day after the meeting, CBC News asked Mayor Brian Bowman whether he believedthe CAO is doing a sufficient job protecting the integrity of the public service from the whims of elected officials.

"Members of council representingthe citizens of this great city have a job to do to try to deliver the best results for Winnipeggers. There'sgoing to be times where they're going to voice their concerns in a public way, as you saw yesterday," the mayor said.

Bowman calledMorantz"a strong voice for thecitizensof his ward" who is going to stand up for thosecitizens.

"[Councillors] have the right to stand up for their constituents," Gilliessaid."I have no problem with that. But nobody has the right to be so disrespectful."

Gilliessaid Winnipeg's labour-relations staff have 15 days to respond to the grievance.