2. Trade Union Role in Improving Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Debra A. Perry Senior Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation East Asia Multidisciplinary Advisory Team TU-1

3. Why Trade Unions? History and Experience Workers’ Compensation Social Protection Related Issues Philosophy Equity Solidarity Community Linkages TU-2

4. LINKAGES TU-3 Workers organisaitons Workers injured on the job Disabled Peoples‘ Organi- sations The School- System Vocational Counselling and Guidance Placement Services Ministry of Labour and/or Employment Employers’ Organisa- tions Vocational Rehabilitation Centres Job Seekers with Disabilities Vocational Training Centres Co- Workers The Media

5. Convention 159 (1983)  Develop a national policy on vocational rehabilitation  Consult with employers and workers  Promote cooperation and coordination TU-4

6. Recommendation 168 Specific Guidance for Employers & Workers  Adopt an internal policy  Contribute to national or local policy on VR  Participate on boards of NGOs  Cooperate with specialists to reintegrate disabled workers  Facilitate employment of other disabled persons  Maintain VR services whenever possible TU-5

7. Recommendation 168 Specific Guidance for Workers’ Organizations Promote participation of disabled workers on shop floor Propose guidelines for VR and protection of disabled workers in collective agreements, regulations, arbitration awards, etc. Offer advice on the shop floor with regard to disabled workers’ issues Raise issues at trade union meetings Inform members through publications, seminars etc. TU-6

8. Methods of Influence 1.Organize and advocate to affect policy 2.Use collective bargaining, regulations, agreements, etc. 3. Educate and inform 4. Collaborate and form partnerships 5. Provide services and representation to disabled worker TU-7

9. A Summary: What You Can Do  Nation: - Advocate for legislation and policy.  Community:- Collaborate with social partners/others. - Promote awareness.  Union:- Develop internal policies and codes of practice. - Inform and educate members. - Provide assistance to disabled workers/ their families. - Protect workers rights related to disability issues.  Enterprise:- Collaborate with management. - Represent worker interests on shop floor. - Assist disabled workers. TU-8

10. Key Issues and Examples 1.Community Integration 2. Access to Training and Skill Development 3. Recruitment, Hiring, and Employment Practices 4. Special Positive Measures 5. The Rights and Integration of Injured and/or Disabled Workers 6. The Union as a Model of Inclusion TU-9

11. Community Integration Example: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)  Established the International Guiding Eyes  Provides guide dogs and training in how to use them for blind and visually impaired persons TU-10

12. Community Integration Example: 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 Parents lobbied for railway accessibility Established a vocational experience program for youth with disabilities TU-11

13. Training and Skill Development Example: Federation of German Trade Unions  Position paper stating policy for integrated employment  Supports access to apprenticeships for disabled persons, especially for women with disabilities who face double discrimination  Advocates for union activities that promote overall social integration, including accessible transportation TU-12

14. Training and Skill Development Example: Kanagawa Regional Council of the Japanese Electrical, Electronic and Information Union  Working with the city to develop an Employment Support Center to train and place mentally impaired individuals  Plans to establish a training center to teach disability awareness and sign language to union members TU-13

15. Training and Skill Development Example: Trade Union Federation, DIGNITE, Cote d’Ivoire Created a fellowship program so students with a disabilities can attend school Organize and facilitate vocational training and apprenticeships for school leavers with disabilities TU-14

16. Recruitment, Hiring, and Employment Practices Example: Trade Union Federation in Cote d’Ivoire  Created an internal unit for people with disabilities  Are lobbying for national employment legislation for disabled persons to include a quota, special fund, and support for microenterprise and cooperative development TU-15

17. Recruitment, Hiring, and Employment Practices Example: Screen Actors Guide (US-500 disabled members) and International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Include statements on non-discrimination in collective bargaining agreements TU-16

18. Recruitment, Hiring, and Employment Practices 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 TU-17

19. Special Positive Measures Example: IAM (Canada and US) and Japanese Trade Unions  IAM uses union members as “buddies” to assist newly hired disabled workers  Japanese labour unions use on-the-job volunteers to support disabled youth in work experience programs TU-18

20. Special Positive Measures Example: IAM and AFL-CIO, United States  Work in partnership with federal government to develop training and placement programs for workers with disabilities  Services include use of job coaches, providing advice on making job accommodations, and use of support services TU-19

21. The Rights and Reintegration of Injured/Disabled Workers Example: IAM Boeing Health and Safety Institute for Returning Injured Workers to the Job  A labour-management program  Provides return to work services that include early intervention, quick responses, professional case management, job accommodations etc.  The union’s IAM CARES program provides services, which are paid by the employer according to a collective bargaining agreement TU-20

22. The Rights and Reintegration of Injured/Disabled Workers Example: Finnish Employees’ Confederation  Cooperates with employers to prevent industrial accidents through on-the-job measures, training, ergonomic adaptation etc.  Operates training programs and reintegration schemes for injured workers TU-21

23. A Model of Inclusion Example: Unison, British trade union representing public workers  Organizes union and vocational training programs for members with a disabilities  Uses ergonomic measures to facilitate workplace integration  Promotes awareness raising campaigns  Uses member subscription and private funds TU-22

24. Serve as a Model of Inclusion Example: American Postal Workers Union  Set-up a special task force for deaf workers  Holds several seminars for hearing impaired workers  Members serve on committees to resolve disability issues  Convinced the postal service to issue the special “I love you” sign language stamp TU-23

25. How to Begin Get to know disabled people, especially your disabled members Learn about legislation and policy related to disability Talk to other social partners Reach out to organizations of and for disabled persons Find out about what other unions have done Determine what the needs are in your country Find support within your union and form a committee to study the issue Develop a plan of action TU-24