Photo: flickr/dominique cappronnier

In a letter dated April 30, Canadian Labour Congress incumbent Ken Georgetti responded to allegations from Marie Clarke Walker, who is running for the position of national Executive Vice-President. In a letter to Walker, cc-ed to Members of the Canadian Council, Georgetti replied to allegations of abuse and sexism. The letter is printed below.

 

Dear Sister:

It has come to my attention that you are repeating to the media and others your serious allegations against me. As you know, you have never made a formal complaint against me at any time during our 12 years together at the CLC, nor have you responded to my letter to you dated April 25, 2014. Instead, you have chosen to repeat your claims publicly and also impugn others on the CLC Executive Committee and Canadian Council.

I am deeply troubled by your refusal to engage the policies established by the CLC to address concerns about inappropriate behaviour or harassment. Fairness is a defining value for me, and that is why I have always supported the CLC’s independent and impartial process for dealing with complaints. Under the circumstances, an independent investigator will be retained to inquire into your claims pursuant to the CLC’s Anti-Harassment Policy.

Sister, I need to be clear. I do not agree with your allegations and believe I have always worked with you in a professional, respectful and productive fashion. While that issue will be determined in an impartial process, I am concerned about the timing and public manner in which you have attacked me as well as others on the Canadian Council. Making public attacks while refusing to engage the appropriate process is not respectful or fair to me, our Canadian Council, or the labour movement.

In solidarity,

Ken Georgetti

President

 

Photo: flickr/dominique cappronnier