Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

BEAUFORT DELTA
A group of employees at the Gwich'in Tribal Council are concerned their allegations of workplace bullying have not been addressed fairly by the council's Human Resources Committee.

The employees' concerns prompted an independent review of the working conditions within the council. However, GTC employees are questioning whether Glenn Tait, the lawyer undertaking the review, is independent enough to be right for the job.

"We believe that Tait and/or McLennan Ross was former legal counsel for the GTC and as such, this appointment is a real or perceived conflict of interest and/or bias," Lawrence Norbert, the spokesperson for the concerned employees, states in a letter to the GTC Human Resources Committee.

"We would especially be concerned if a final review report would be in favour of the GTC, given the close and friendly relationship between Mr. Tait and president (Richard) Nerysoo, vice-president (Mary Ann) Ross and chief operating officer (Wanda) McDonald."

The letter asks for an explanation as to why Tait was chosen to undertake the investigation and suggests the group be permitted to choose an observer of their own.

The bullying allegations have centred around McDonald, and accuse Nerysoo and Ross of condoning instances of bullying.

Colleen Verville, McDonald's lawyer, said there is no truth to the bullying allegations and that McDonald is taking action to clear her name.

"It's our position that what is set out in that letter is blatantly untrue and is defamation," said Verville. "We have sent them letters to that effect and we've asked them to recant their statements or we will be taking the appropriate legal action available to Wanda."

Representatives from the Gwich'in Tribal Council could not be reached for comment on the investigation by press deadline. Tait also did not return calls before deadline.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.