Disability rights in the workplace - Canadian Union of Public ...

Sisters and brothers,
Advances in human rights have given unions new tools
to fight for members. Employers, with the union
playing an active role, have an obligation to adapt
work and workplaces to ensure that persons with
disabilities have the right to employment without
discrimination. A landmark court ruling ensures
accommodation of disabled employees, unless it
would be impossible without imposing undue hardship.
This presents new opportunities for the union to
advocate on behalf of our members with disabilities.
There are also new opportunities for collective
bargaining to ensure that our collective agreements
integrate equality rights.
Education will be important so that members know
their rights and know the importance of our duty to
accommodate.
The area of human rights and discrimination on the
basis of disability will be a fast growing area of
arbitration. We can push for a creative expansion of
rights for our members and build more inclusive
workplaces.