Three local NDP constituency workers — including the chair of the public school board — have filed human rights complaints against their respective MPPs alleging workplace bullying and discrimination.

The complaints emerged just weeks before the provincial election campaign — and now add to the growing list of sexual harassment and bullying allegations made by political staffers of all party stripes.

Sandra Troulinos and Alissa Watt filed related complaints in March with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor and the NDP caucus.

Both complaints allege the MPP pressured one worker to make a false sexual harassment claim against the other.

A statement from Taylor said the NDP has offered an independent probe into the concerns.

The latest complaint was filed against the NDP and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller by constituency worker Todd White, who also chairs the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.

Miller said briefly by phone the complaint is already being dealt with via confidential arbitration, but added the public allegations "come just before an election, so go figure."

None of the allegations have been tested by the tribunal and all three human rights complaints are expected to be put on hold because the workers are pursuing grievances via their union.

White said this week he struggled over whether to file a separate human rights complaint in addition to several pre-existing grievances, but added his decision was not related to the impending election.

"For me it's not political whatsoever; my support (for the party) is exactly where it's always been," said White, who previously chaired two re-election campaigns for Miller after running against him for the NDP nomination in 2007.

"It's not political, but as an employee, there's a certain point where you have to stand up for your rights."

White's complaint alleges discrimination based on family status, claiming the MPP started doling out wrongful suspensions after White — a new father — decided to take parental leave, as well as decline overtime and extra "partisan activities."

"I have been threatened with termination and bullied to quit," reads the application, which goes on to list examples — including a transcribed conversation of a recording that allegedly includes Miller declaring he is "done" with White and that he wants him to quit.

An emailed statement from Miller's office did not address specific allegations.

"As a lifelong New Democrat and labour activist, I fundamentally believe in the importance of fostering a safe and supportive workplace for my employees," he wrote.

"As this is a personnel matter, it would be inappropriate to comment on any specifics, but I can say that I look forward to resolving this matter through due process."

Both complainants against Taylor indicated through their lawyer, Wade Poziomka, that they would limit their public comments to the contents of the filed applications to the quasi-judicial tribunal.

Troulinos — who describes herself as a close friend of the MPP for 34 years — filed her complaint in March alleging discrimination based on gender, harassment and a "poisoned work environment."

In particular, she alleged Taylor pressured her to accuse a co-worker of sexual harassment because she gave hugs.

The co-worker referenced by Troulinos was Alissa Watt, who has since filed her own human rights complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of gender, disability and family status.

The complaint said Taylor was often "hostile and demeaning" toward her even before the alleged false sexual harassment claim.

Watt said she felt "targeted" because she took time off work and was sometimes unavailable for events because of a need to care for her ill father.

A statement from Taylor says the party has offered an independent probe of Troulinos' concerns. "To date, neither the employee nor her union have agreed to participate. I look forward to the outcome of any investigation."

Poziomka called Taylor's statement "misleading" because both of the Mountain MPP's workers understood the referenced offer of an investigation to mean a probe of the alleged false harassment accusation against Watt.

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"Only recently have my clients become aware of a new offer to have their concerns with Ms. Taylor investigated and they have not discounted the possibility of a fair, neutral and impartial investigation of the concerns they have raised," he said via email.

All three human rights complainants are asking for financial compensation, a written apology and workplace human rights training for the MPPs.

Taylor has also been asked to retract the alleged false harassment allegation against Watt.

Anonymous complaints about the treatment of NDP staffers were first reported by The Bay Observer in a March story that pointedly noted the NDP has positioned itself as a champion of worker rights.

Miller said at the time the NDP deserves props for being the only major political party with unionized constituency staff.

The NDP is also not alone in struggling with allegations of MPP misconduct from political staffers.

The best-known example is likely former Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown's abrupt resignation in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied.

But former Liberal Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor was also asked to resign several years ago over a staffer's allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, which he also denied.

Ex-employees also recently accused federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May of workplace bullying. May denied the allegations, but asked for an independent probe.

A Canadian Press survey of political staffers on Parliament Hill earlier this year reported 16 anonymous responses that highlighted non-sexual harassment like workplace bullying or abuse of power.

mvandongen@thespec.com

905-526-3241 | @Mattatthespec

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