Hi
In the recent incidents regarding abuse in - St-Charles-Borromée, a long tem care facilities in Montreal, trade unions are being singled out as foes of the "clients" to the point where they supposedly disguised the abuse under some workers rights.
To date 7 clients came forward to bring a class action complaints against the long term care facility, as well other clients from other such places are also coming forward with similar stories of abuses.
I grew up in the 70's in Montreal Canada, when trade unions big or small were allies of disabled people. In fact in this same hospital when "clients complained unions provided help and way to expose the abuse. At one point there was a big demonstration on Montreal's biggest street, there the head of the union walked beside the leader of patients committee, a man who was then in a stretcher, union workers were there in solidarity, with "patients". This was a great alliance, when workers went on strike, patients committee helped.
As a former social worker student I know the world, it changed in the 1980's and 1990, with regard to allegiance.
Has there ever been anywhere a long lasting workable relationship between the union and disabled persons, with regard to workers /clients rights? This whole thing is disgusting to me, our newly elected government that is to its roots conservative, camouflaging as liberal seemingly friendly to clients and the trade union who was the best in this country seems to play enemy? What happened?
Any ideas from anyone would be appreciated. I was told by some people in Ottawa, that when Oliver, Mike, was there in the 1980's he addressed the issue, does anyone have his speech?
Maria
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