The unions representing staff and faculty at the local English public school board have pledged to combat anti-Black racism.
In a letter signed by the presidents of the three unions representing staff at the Greater Essex County District School Board, the unions acknowledged what they called "recent media reports" concerning racism at the school board.
"Anti-Black racism is a reality for students and staff, and our education system plays a role in this reality," read the letter. "Recognition is not enough. Immediate action must be taken to identify and eliminate anti-Black racism within the GECDSB. As partners in education, we commit to working together to repair the harm that Black students and staff experience and to create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone at the GECDSB."
The letter did not provide specifics on any alleged incidents of racism at the board.
According to the GECDSB, the board already has proactive policies against anti-Black racism, begun in earnest after the George Floyd incident in May 2020, when a Black man was smothered to death by a White police officer in Minneapolis. The board acknowledges that having these conversations has been made challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During this pandemic, it is more difficult to create these spaces for our students to ask questions and have these conversations," read the statement posted on the board's official website. "Yet, collectively, we need to acknowledge what happened and stand together while recognizing we don’t have all the answers."
The three unions reinstated their commitment to work with the board on eliminating systemic racism and providing an educational environment free of harassment or bullying based on race or other characteristics.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) District 9, the Greater Essex Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), and CUPE 1348 are the three unions representing the GECDSB's teachers and support staff.