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Residential and life skills support program counsellors for deaf, developmentally challenged individuals, have voted to ratify a first contract with their employer-the Bob Rumball Association for the Deaf (BRAD).
BRAD workers unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
late in 2005. The new contract, focused on achieving better workplace rights
and equity, comes after a difficult negotiations process with a difficult
employer.
"This is a real victory for the BRAD workers who believe that advocating
for the deaf also includes advancing the rights of deaf workers in the
workplace. Certainly workplace equity was the motivation for these dedicated
workers, who were determined to emphasize ability over disability," says CUPE
National representative Daniela Scarpelli.
The new collective agreement provides for many improvements in the
conditions of work for CUPE 4763 members including:
- A grievance process that allows workers to challenge employer decisions
that don't follow the collective agreement;
- A wage increase;
- A good anti-harassment in the workplace provision that includes
harassment by the employer;
- Benefit and vacation improvements for part-time CUPE 4763 members.
CUPE 4763 president Tom Wall says the new contract is a good foundation
for the front line staff at BRAD to build on and a validation that the fight
of the 90 CUPE 4763 members, for fair wages and respect, is a win for all deaf
workers. The new contract secures the first wage increase in nearly 10 years
for some BRAD workers, and begins to level the playing field between BRAD
workers and management.
Throughout the negotiation process, CUPE 4763 members received incredible
support from many CUPE members and the broader deaf community.
"The outpouring of support and solidarity helped the CUPE 4763 membership
to stay strong, make gains, and advance equality for the deaf," says Wall.
Residential and life skills support program counsellors for deaf, developmentally challenged individuals, have voted to ratify a first contract with their employer-the Bob Rumball Association for the Deaf (BRAD).
BRAD workers unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
late in 2005. The new contract, focused on achieving better workplace rights
and equity, comes after a difficult negotiations process with a difficult
employer.
"This is a real victory for the BRAD workers who believe that advocating
for the deaf also includes advancing the rights of deaf workers in the
workplace. Certainly workplace equity was the motivation for these dedicated
workers, who were determined to emphasize ability over disability," says CUPE
National representative Daniela Scarpelli.
The new collective agreement provides for many improvements in the
conditions of work for CUPE 4763 members including:
- A grievance process that allows workers to challenge employer decisions
that don't follow the collective agreement;
- A wage increase;
- A good anti-harassment in the workplace provision that includes
harassment by the employer;
- Benefit and vacation improvements for part-time CUPE 4763 members.
CUPE 4763 president Tom Wall says the new contract is a good foundation
for the front line staff at BRAD to build on and a validation that the fight
of the 90 CUPE 4763 members, for fair wages and respect, is a win for all deaf
workers. The new contract secures the first wage increase in nearly 10 years
for some BRAD workers, and begins to level the playing field between BRAD
workers and management.
Throughout the negotiation process, CUPE 4763 members received incredible
support from many CUPE members and the broader deaf community.
"The outpouring of support and solidarity helped the CUPE 4763 membership
to stay strong, make gains, and advance equality for the deaf," says Wall.