Canadian Hearing Society Workers On Strike

Services for Deaf Ontarians limited as Canadian Hearing Society begins strike today.

TORONTO, Ontario -- Canadian Hearing Society employees, including those in Windsor, walked off the job Sunday night as efforts to arrange their first collective agreement in four years broke down.

Employees at 21 locations across Ontario are bargaining for better wages and to stop proposed changes to their sick leave, according to CUPE national spokesperson Barbara Wilker-Frey.

The offices in Windsor and London remain open, but are being run by management staff. Limited services are available on site.

The union represents 227 frontline workers who serve about 36,000 people every year. Wilker-Frey said many employees know firsthand how tough a strike will be on those who rely on the society for its various services.

"It was a really difficult decision for the local to decide to go out on strike because many of our members are part of that very same community and use the very same services that they offer to the wider community," she explained.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the CHS said the people the organization serves are "at the heart" of every decision they make.

"We are disappointed that the union has chosen to strike and we will continue to work to get them back to the bargaining table," said CHS vice-president Gary Malkowski. "In light of CUPE's decision to strike, our focus right now is to provide our clients with the best possible care and service under these disappointing circumstances."

The Canadian Hearing Society offers emergency translation for legal matters and healthcare, but those services will be severely cut back while the strike is ongoing.

Wilker-Frey said the union has not heard from the society since the strike began, but added CUPE is ready to get back to bargaining as soon as possible.

SOURCE - CBC News

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Deaf Reacts To CHS' Announcement On New CEO

Deaf Canadians reaction to the Canadian Hearing Society's announcement on Julia Dumanian as new president and CEO.

TORONTO -- The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Julia Dumanian has been appointed President and CEO, effective July 6, 2015.

"We are very excited about having Julia join us. She is a visionary leader with a track record of success in change management and innovation. We had a very complex and thorough search. She was clearly the right choice for CHS as we celebrate our 75th anniversary," says CHS Board Chair Timothy Andradé.

For more than 20 years, Ms. Dumanian has been a leader and accomplished executive in the field of healthcare. Serving in the public, non-profit and private sectors, she has held CEO and senior executive roles in many Canadian organizations, most recently as President of Canadian Lab Solutions, President/CEO of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, and Provincial Supervisor and CEO of CCACs in Hamilton and Niagara. Ms. Dumanian has also been a United Way CEO... Read More.

OAD's take on CHS' Announcement on new CEO - The Ontario Association of the Deaf was founded in 1886 by Samuel Thomas Greene and William Nurse, both teachers at the school. Members have since worked to improve the lives of Deaf Canadians and that's still needed.

Prof. Donald Bisson - See the "alleged fraud" with this CEO's past: http://m.therecord.com/news-story/expenses-of-cambridge-memorial-s-former-president-revealed

Speaks Up, Speaks Out! Canadian Hearing Society Needs Change Now!

Read more: An Open Letter For Canadian Hearing Society

About the Canadian Hearing Society - The Canadian Hearing Society has proudly served Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities for 75 years. CHS was incorporated in 1940 and in 2015 is celebrating 75 years of providing services, products and information to people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing and educating the hearing public.

CHS is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing. CHS is a charitable organization funded by government, grants, membership and generous donors. For more information or to find your regional office, visit www.chs.ca

Related: Canadian 'Deaf Superintendent Now' Petition

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada In ASL

Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada in American Sign Language. New program helps Deaf newcomers to Canada.

LONDON, Ontario -- Many newcomers to Canada and to London have challenges communicating in our city. But imagine the the challenge for those who don't understand English and who are also Deaf.

It's a huge barrier, that was closed with a celebration on Wednesday. The first participants in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program were on hand for the official launch of the program supporting them.

To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.

The Canadian Hearing Society launched new LINC program in London, Ontario to assist newcomers who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. As part of the program launch and in celebration of International Week of the Deaf, students in the inaugural LINC program signed "O Canada" in American Sign Language (ASL).

Operated by the Canadian Hearing Society, with the support of government agencies and a local church, it was created due to a growing need in London.

While the number of Deaf and sign language-challenged immigrants in our city remains small - those here - often feel greatly isolated.

One participant in the new program spoke to us through an interpreters about his intial experience in the Forest City. Unable to speak English or French, or understand North American Sign Language, he admits it was frightening...

Read The Full Story.