When workers turn to us for help, they are often in a state of fear and trauma, so it’s important our union representatives understand what they’re going through to serve them with dignity and care. They may be in ‘fight, flight, freeze and fawn’ mode, and workers who are dealing with workplace racism, sexism and discrimination based on other social identities may further experience chronic or complex trauma.  

That’s why PSAC’s Anti-Racism Action Plan calls for PSAC stewards, local officers and union representatives from coast to coast to coast to be trained with the skills and competencies needed to represent, advocate for and recognize the intersecting realities of Indigenous, Black, Asian and racialized PSAC members.  Originally used in healthcare, trauma-informed engagement factors in the impact of historical injustices and colonization on Indigenous and other communities who have experienced oppression, trauma and genocide. 

“Training, discussions and more awareness about trauma-informed representation are helping us to better understand how engaging in adversarial processes can cause further trauma,” says Susan O'Reilly, PSAC’s Acting Director of Representation and Legal Services.  

“We're not social workers or psychologists, but we are learning more about how we can reduce harm to members who may have faced significant trauma in their lives while providing the most effective representation, administration and analysis possible.” 

 Representatives must recognize trauma responses in order to provide good guidance and support as well as cultivating patience, strong listening skills, and validating members’ experience  to build trust and ensure a 'do-no-further-harm' approach. Being patient and present and holding space can be monumental in the journey for justice in the workplace. 

At the same time, it’s important to recognize that we all carry some form of trauma, which can be retriggered. Maintaining healthy boundaries and learning how to self-regulate and building personal coping skills while doing this work is really important.   

A new course on ‘Representing and Advocating Against Workplace Racism’ will be rolled out to representatives in 2023. This fall, PSAC members also had the chance to learn more about trauma-informed representation in a workshop with Myrna McCallum, a Métis lawyer who delivers training workshops and hosts "The Trauma-Informed Lawyer" podcast from her lived experience as an Indigenous woman who attended residential school.  

Check out Myrna’s podcast to learn more about trauma, resilience, compassion, empathy, humility, boundaries, and many other skills that are needed while working with and advocating for members.