Volume 3, number 5, Winterr/Spring 2001
CUPW "signs" its collective agreement
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has taken a bold new step by releasing the first in a series of sign language videos of the collective agreement.
"This is a result of rank-and-file pressure to ensure that all have equal access to the collective agreement," said Denis Lemelin, vice-president of education for CUPW "As a result of this demand, we negotiated a clause in the contract that Canada Post must pay up to $60,000 of the cost."
"Solidarity" in sign language.
(With thanks to Geneviève Deguire
of the Canadian Hearing Society.)
An introductary video, and five three-hour videos, cover the 500-page collective agreement. A sign language specialist interprets the contract into American Sign Language (ASL) and the Langage des Signes Québécois (LSQ). There is also a guide that provides a glossary of terms.
"This as an issue of literacy "
Deaf members of CUP-W; who number almost 400 at Canada Post, will now have better access to a document that covers their working conditions.
Dave Bleakney, CUP-W; Ottawa
Learning Together is published three times a year with financial support from the National Literacy Secretariat. We welcome your articles, event notices and opinion pieces.
