Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense

“Your” Movement Update

 

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Local 1996-O held a special membership meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to discuss the ‘Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense’ campaign.

At the meeting, Local Presidents from the other Bell and BTS locals in the GTA spoke in favour of the campaign.

In the end, over 90% of the 500 members present voted in favour of a motion which authorized the Local executive to build more alliances with other Bell and BTS locals and to continue the fight for equality.

Since that historic meeting, the Local executive has worked non-stop to build momentum for the campaign.

Here are some of the highlights:

Members from Bell and BTS locals across Ontario – from London, Kitchener, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor, and Peterborough have requested information about building the campaign in their locals.

The largest BTS Local in Quebec has contacted the executive on how to launch the campaign in their region.

The Bell and BTS members from Local 52 in Newmarket voted over 80% in support of the campaign.

The Bell members of Local 27C in Toronto will vote on a motion of support at their next Local meeting in April.

On March 2, Local 1996-O President Sam Snyders got a great reception when he spoke about the campaign to dozens of other Local officers and National Representatives at the Local Union Task Force meeting.

As President Snyders stated at the meeting “Local 1996-O is fighting for equality for BTS workers. We know that it is achievable. It’s common sense”.

Local Union Task Force Attendees.

Elections 2016

 

Candidacy update:

Sister Janet Quigley has withdrawn her candidacy for the position of Local 1996-O Treasurer.

We all need food to live. Unfortunately, with the cost of food increasing it is getting hard for many to buy all that they need.

Our trip to St. Francis Table serving meals last month was as rewarding as it is every year. It would be nice to be able to volunteer more often. It would also be nice drop off at the nearby food bank.

(http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/literally-psyched/the-psychology-behind-gift-giving-and-generosity/). Unfortunately, our realities don’t make it possible for each of us as individuals enjoy the benefits of giving.

The good news is that being a member of this Union does.

Local 1996-O has donated food and $5,000 to the Daily Bread Food Bank. We also enjoyed the privilege of bringing a $3,000 cheque to FoodShare on your behalf. It will go to programs that feed belly’s and minds of children in schools across the GTA.

Sam dropping off food and a cheque at the Daily Bread Food Bank

 

This money comes from Unifor’s Social Justice Fund. Unifor National is donating $135,000 to 46 different food banks across Canada.

“Cash donations help food banks fill in the blanks to their all important food donations, to make sure the families using the food banks can have a balanced diet.” Mohamad Alsadi, Director of Unifor Nationals Human Rights and International Department.

There are many reasons people need the support of FoodBanks. The cost of living is a big one. With the Loonie at a thirteen year low, food prices are only going to continue to climb over the next year.

Together we can make a real difference in the lives of people in need. And together we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow workers.

When it comes right down to it, there’s not a lot we can’t do when we work as a team.

 

Agenda 2015-11-24

 

On Thursday, September 10^th I volunteered to attend an event Recognizing Professional Excellence in the Re/integration of Persons with Disabilities. There were many inspiring keynote speakers and activists dedicated to fighting for the rights of workers with disabilities.

It is important that we take action for workers like Wolfgang Zimmermann, someone who at only 20 years old was instructed to cut down trees using a chainsaw on his first day on the job with absolutely no training. A tree fell on him and broke his back, leaving him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Unfortunately he was not offered accommodation or retraining for a different position. Instead he was left fighting a system that provided no support for workers with disabilities. Wolfgang is one of the founders of Pacific Coast University, and his passion for increasing awareness about the return to work and disability management programs offered at this institute is truly awe-inspiring.

The evening promoted return to work efforts for individuals who have acquired a disabling impairment, promoted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and recognized individuals who have achieved an internationally recognized professional competency standard in Return to Work and Disability Management.

Of specific interest was Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Science and the specialized training programs they offer for Return to Work and Disability Management. As a partner with the United Nations accredited International Social Security Association (ISSA), Pacific Coast offers a superior educational experience and innovative curriculum designed with guidance from the internationally renowned National Institute for Disability Management and Research.

Research shows the most successful return to work programs employ practitioners with specialized education. With increasing economic and social realities facing employers and workers continuing to “shine the light” on workplace health issues, the global demand by organizations for professional support is growing. I believe that Unifor and our current campaign (Shine the Light- See the ability not the disABILITY) can have a significantly positive impact on promoting such education and training through numerous potential avenues.

Having return to work specialists available to properly reintegrate technicians that have been affected by an illness, injury or other disability is critical. 1 in 3 people will suffer some degree of a disability over the span of their working lives. Having a professional looking out for their rights and fighting for fair accommodation with adequate training will ensure that the BTS workforce is productive and all individuals are contributing to the everyday successes of the business. I plan to approach BTS to discuss the possibility of their participation in training or hiring a trained professional to implement return to work programs and adequate disability management.

Sam Snyders
President, Local 1996-O
416 Health and Safety Co-Chair
Unifor Chairperson Workers with Disabilities
LRC Committee and JSDC Committee
Ont. Bargaining Rep
Telecommunications Industry Council Representative

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