Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Cheers to BC Human Rights Committee member Rhonda Brain (UTE 20029) for forwarding us this four-page factsheet on mental disorders and addictions in the workpace (pdf). Included are some …

Ways Employers Can Help Reduce Workplace Stress:

• learn what causes workplace stress
• provide positive feedback and engage in twoway communication with employees
• offer flexible hours for juggling family responsibilities
• provide employee assistance programs to help people get counseling on personal, financial or other problems
• provide or help with cost of stress control programs
• offer on-site fitness facilities and access to nutritious food
• create an environment that offers fresh air, proper lighting, regular work breaks, and
• reduced noise
• permit someone recovering form a mental illness to work fewer hours rather than totally disconnecting them from the workplace

The full series of factsheets is available at heretohelp.bc.ca

“Transforming Our World: Moving Forward”

The 2007 PSAC National Access Conference will be held September 7 to 9, 2007 at the Westin Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa under the theme “Transforming Our World: Moving Forward”.

The objectives of the 2007 PSAC National Access Conference are:

• To defend quality public services for persons with disabilities
• To empower and engage persons with disabilities to take action and move the disability agenda forward
• To better connect and to include persons with disabilities in our communities, our workplaces and our union
• To lobby in order to transform and to advance the disability rights agenda
• To provide tools to advocate for disability rights in our communities, our workplaces and our union.

For more information and to apply online, visit the national website. Note that the registration deadline is May 10, 2007 and the resolutions submission deadline is May 24, 2007.

To: PSAC-BC self identified members with a disability,

Sent on behalf of Carol Pegura, B.C. Regional Council District Coordinator for Fraser Valley West and Floyd Knelsen, B.C. Regional Council Equity Coordinator for Members with Disabilities

On September 7, 2007 the 2007 PSAC National Access Conference will be held in Ottawa. Sister Carol Pegura has been fortunate to be chosen to sit on the steering committee for this important conference. The Access Conference provides an essential opportunity for members to meet, network and identify strategies and solutions for advancing human rights and equity issues. Clear conference objectives and a focused mandate are needed to insure this conference benefits participants and the Union as a whole. Workers with disabilities represent the best source of information on how to eradicate disabilities-based discrimination.

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forwarded by PSAC member, Anne-Marie Sleeman

VICTORIA - The Province is launching an enhanced WorkAble Solutions website that will directly connect British Columbians with disabilities who are looking for work to employers that have jobs available,Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond announced today.

“Many people with disabilities find it difficult to secure employment that matches their skills and abilities. At the same time the demand for skilled workers is great,” said Richmond. “This site provides an excellent meeting place to bring together qualified job seekers with disabilities with employers who have positions that need to be filled.”

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Happy Holidays from the Todd Harding & the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee …

‘Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still,
With most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.
The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds,
while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.

As the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor,
some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.
The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care,
in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.

On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay,
surveying the lawn at the end of this day.
Something was different, that little cat knew.
Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.

For that day as the workers had left to go home,
They’d wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam.
The dogs had noticed it to during this past week’s walks,
the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.

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Public services better at ensuring accessibility

The Harper government has been delivering on its philosophy of smaller government and dominance of the “free” market in the past year. The Conservatives have made deeper cuts to government services and reduced federal revenues by introducing more tax cuts. Their policies have fast-tracked the conditions for rampant privatization and further cuts to social services and programs which in turn, will further marginalize equity groups, including people with disabilities.

The Tories announced program cuts in September that will reduce or eliminate funding to programs that benefited equity groups. There have been severe cuts to Status of Women, the Court Challenges Program and social development programs under the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). These cuts will roll back the gains made by persons with disabilities and will further affect their accessibility and full participation to our society’s economic, political and social life.

The PSAC’s recently adopted “Defending Quality Public Services” policy will focus our union’s efforts to fight against privatization and globalization with a goal, not only to support a strong economy, but also to ensure fairness and equality.

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A long-time face of tax advice in the Okanagan retired last week.

Gail Riddall, probably best known in the valley for her television appearances as an income tax expert, worked as a client service agent for Canada Revenue Agency for 32 years.

During that time she was featured regularly on television and radio with hosts such as Jack Webster and Rafe Mair. When she moved from the Lower Mainland to Penticton 16 years ago, she made appearances on CHBC with hosts such as Chris Cleaver and Mike Roberts.

“The shows were literally about putting a face to Revenue Canada,” she said. “And that’s probably my favourite part of (my career).”

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Your are currently browsing the archives for items filed under the Human Rights category and it’s subsections - Racially Visible and Aboriginal issues, People With Disabilities, and Pride. You can find more information about the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee under the Get Involved! link on the main Human Rights Committee page. Older news and posts relating to Human Rights are archived in our old webspace.