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Trade Unions Trade Unions, Decent Work and People with Disabilities Emanuela Pozzan ILO Sub-regional Coordinator – Disability The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, World Conference, Durban South Africa, 2000 Trade unions have a dual responsibility towards disabled workers. 1st : recruit, organize and integrate them into the movement , making it clear that each individual disabled person is as important as any other member , with as much right to have his or her voice heard. 2nd : campaign and negotiate on behalf of persons with disabilities, to ensure that employers not only comply with legislation but also take positive steps to offer equal opportunities and full job satisfaction for disabled staff. Topics 1. Why the trade unions? 2. What can trade unions do? 3. What are trade unions doing worldwide? • What are trade unions doing in Thailand? 1) Why should trade unions get involved with workers with disabilities? Because… Mission/philosophy Social justice for all Belief in rights and equity Solidarity---represent all workers Protect members/history Workers’ Compensation Social Protection Community linkages and capacity 2) What can trade unions do? Information, Awareness, Participation and training of union personnel Providing Information: The Trade Union Congress Disability Providing Information Disability and Work: A trade union guide to the law and practice is one of many guides available on the TUC web site Raising awareness: Union and Employers The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and IBEC, the employers confederation joint program, Workway • Produced “Working with a Disability---Trade Union Resource Pack covering topics like how to facilitate disabled worker participation in trade unions, represent disabled workers and prepare equal opportunity agreements • Developed “Disability and Employment Guidelines” for employers to prepare employers with the practicalities of hiring disabled workers Promoting participation Example: UNISON, the public service union in the UK • Has 13 regional disabled member groups for information dissemination, policy-making, training and social events • Newsletter Rights at Work---Access all Areas • Annual disabled member conference • Disabled parent’s network • Rulebooks in accessible formats • Information about disability laws and rights Training Union Representatives Training for all TUC trade unionists in: • The Disability Discrimination Act • Case Law • Social Model of Disability • Interviewing members • Reasonable Adjustments (Accommodations) • Negotiating Adjustments • Problem solving • Conducting disability audits • Improvement plans Promoting Rights, Collective bargaining, Reasonable accommodations Promoting rights and policies Example: The Irish Congress of Trade Unions Published and disseminated the Charter of Rights of People with Disabilities Lists 18 fundamental rights to full equality of people with disabilities in the workplace Contributing to national policy Example: The German Confederation of Trade Unions, other unions and the “Jobs Without Barriers” Initiative, 2005 • Promote training of severely disabled young people • Improve employment chances • Further workplace disability prevention Promoting Non-Discrimination Example: Screen Actors Guild; International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Workers of America; United Steel Workers of America • Many trade unions prohibit discrimination based on disability as part of collective bargaining agreements. • Many trade unions in the US promoted the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits disability based on discrimination • Screen Actors Guild sponsored research on performers with disabilities Promoting Reasonable accommodations through collective bargaining American Postal Workers Union Deaf and Hard of Hearing Task Force • Established by an amendment to APWU National Constitution • Goals include better communication and representation for Deaf members • The collective bargaining agreement between the US Postal Service and the APWU includes management’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodation Modifying Jobs Example: IAM Boeing Joint Programs-Vocational Solutions Job Site Modification Provides adjustment or alternation of injured employee’s work area to accommodate restrictions Modification may be simple---a computer mouse or tape gun or sophisticated---like Lloyd West’s scooter (above) Providing services, Promoting a healthy workplace for all, Return to work services Including disabled persons in existing union training programmes Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour • Operates 41 training centers and tries to include disabled trainees in all • Assists in placing them in jobs • Organizes work at VGCL-workshops Providing Services The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Guide Dogs of America • Special program of IAM since 1948 • Trains guide dogs for blind • No charge to blind persons • Solicit private donations Operating vocational rehabilitation services Example: Kanagawa Regional Council of the Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Union • Operates 3 employment support for people with disabilities • Services include: assessment, counseling and guidance,work, vocational training, supported employment, sheltered employment and job placement • Former union members as job coaches Advocating at the community level Assembly of Trade Unions, Japan • 1970s request from a member with a disabled child • Established a foundation supported by sale of matches, later tissues • Started a counseling service/telephone hotline for parents • Organized parents and lobbied for railway accessibility • Established a vocational experience program for youth with disabilities Promoting healthy workplaces Finnish Employees’ Confederation Cooperates with employers to prevent industrial accidents through prevention schemes, training, ergonomic adaptation and others Operates training programs and reintegration schemes for injured workers Provides accommodations Benefits if the person cannot work Complies with law and Tripartite Committee oversight Promoting return to work and disability management programs IAM Boeing Joint Programs---Vocational Solutions Return to Work Program A labour-management initiative of the IAM/Boeing Health and Safety Institute Provides return to work services that include early intervention, quick responses, professional case management, job accommodations, etc. Under a collective bargaining agreement, the union’s vocational counselors provide return-to-work services for Boeing employees injured on the job Organizing and Unionizing Workers Developing a union policy Organizing Workers: Liquor, Hospitality and Misc. Union Australia • Only union which covers workers in supported (sheltered employment) • Campaign for fair wages • Workers have seen wages increases of on average, 50% in one year • Delegates meeting monthly • Equal opportunity policy of having disabled workers on Branch Council • Unions developing a Disability Action Plan • Inclusive policies/procedures removing barriers to access, participation and involvement Statements, Declarations, Policy 1. Australian council of trade unions - A Union Charter http://www.actu.asn.au/public/community/disabilityoutcomes.html 2. Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Code of Practice for Trade Unions on People with Disabilities http://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/code_of_practice_on_disabilities.p df 3. Trade Union Disability Alliance - Trade Union Charter for Disabiliy Equality http://www.tuda.org.uk/charter.htm 4. United Steelworkers Canada - Steelworkers' Policy on Disability Rights http://www.usw.ca/program/content/4704.php Statements, Declarations, Policy Make your intentions known Examples: Australian Council of Trade Unions: Australias Marginalized from Decent Work-Workers with a Disability Policy European Trade Union Confederation Joint Declaration with European Disability Forum General Summary: What can Trade Unions do? - Information - Promoting -Providing - Organizing and distribution, Rights services Unionizing - Awareness - Promoting a Workers raising, - Collective bargaining healthy workplace - Developing a - Participation for all union policy and training of - Reasonable union personnel - Return to work accommodations services Ex. PEA Ex. Ex. TTUC PATWU PEA : Promoting rights, collective bargaining, and providing reasonable accommodation Case Example 1 workers with disabilities: 1. negotiated for the equal rights and equal opportunities for workers with disabilities. 2. Ensured work retention for workers suffered from accidents at work and become disabled as a result 3. Provided information and taking action to represent workers with disabilities suffered from accidents at work. PATWU : Promoting equal rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities and bargaining for compensation Case Example 2 workers with disabilities : Trade Union negotiated for increased compensation and job retention from Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) Contributed to the advancement of TU’s roles in negotiations for a decent work for people with disabilities TTUC : Providing information services Case Example 3 : Thai Nylon Co. and accessibility audit starting point for the cooperation between workers representative and employer to promote employability and employment of disabled person Accessibility audit – a tool used to identify disabling environments and possible new and creative jobs for workers with disabilities See what is being done.
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