The incorporation of the impact on workers with disabilities of privatization into the work of the national anti-privatization coordinator;
Global problems demand global solutions and it is working women and men who can make the difference. Building a strong public sector is part of that solution and CUPE’s leadership is essential. We will continue to speak out against the abuse of trade union and human rights and will redouble our efforts to educate CUPE members and the public. The movement for global justice and solidarity is a central part of our day to day union work.
The group’s successful work with the Communications Branch to provide disability rights awareness material for convention, and to have the disability rights banner provided to all regions; The opportunity for the group to liaise with the National Health and Safety Branch to explore areas of shared concern.
REPORT OF THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES NATIONAL WORKING GROUP The members of the working group are: Raymond Smith, co-chair, Ontario; Vicki Poburn, co-chair, British Columbia; Sherry Collett, Newfoundland and Labrador; Michael Graham White, Nova Scotia; Elaine Fagan, Prince Edward Island; Kathy Wilson, New Brunswick; Teresa Colangelo, Ontario; Carl Kernested, Manitoba; Walley Wild, Saskatchewan; Carrie-Jean Bishop and Natalie Lisik, British Columbia; Candace Rennick, NEB Liaison; and Conni Kilfoil, staff advisor.
Excited by
The inclusion of the group members in the National Bargaining Women’s Equality Conference; The second award of the National Disability Rights Activism Award at the 2009 national convention; The accessibility legislation introduced in Ontario and its implementation.
“video presentation” Grateful
Disappointed by
That CUPE national arranged for two of its members to audit the site of the 2009 national convention, in order to anticipate and prevent accessibility problems;
The cancellation of the CLC National Disability Rights Conference. Challenged by
That CUPE national has formally adopted a policy to pay for accommodations needed by its members with disabilities to participate fully in convention and other national events;
The group’s desire to have more information about persons with disabilities on the national website; Determining which of three alternative awarenessraising initiatives (revised electronic Wheel of Chance, physical Wheel of Chance, or Virtual Disability display) would have the most educational impact;
That CUPE national has requested the Prime Minister to sign the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; To have benefited from speakers such as Eileen McKee from the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation and Ray Cohen from the Canadian Abilities Foundation.
The relative absence of persons with visible disabilities on staff; The need to bring duty to accommodate courses to all members across Canada.
Encouraged by
The incorporation of disability “mainstream” work of the union;
rights
into
With thanks to Conni Kilfoil, our staff advisor; Maureen Morrison, Equality Branch acting director; and our supportive national officers, Paul Moist and Claude Généreux.
the
The group’s successful work with the Union Development Department to develop the “Inclusive Learning Environment” documents;
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CHILD CARE WORKING GROUP
The group’s successful work with the Union Development Department to develop a nation-wide duty to accommodate course, incorporating a disability sensitivity module;
The members of the working group are: Jamie Kass, cochair, Ontario; Gail Brinston and Mary Linehan, Newfoundland and Labrador; Karen Wright, Nova Scotia;
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