Guides and Guilds in the Labyrinth: Perspectives of Labour Advocates on BC's Work Disability System

This thesis surveys the work of BC’s unions in representing members with disability and return to work concerns, document union perspectives on these issues and identify the key policy priorities they believe should be the focus of future disability research in the province. The Centre for Research on Disability Workplace Policy (CRWDP) is a partner and supporter of this research. The key questions asked by this study are: “From the perspective of people who work in organized labour to represent workers with disabilities... (1) what are the experiences of people who work in organized labour to represent workers with disabilities?” ...what is the state of BC’s work disability system?” (2) what are the gaps or failings of BC’s work disability system?” and (3) what are the priorities for change within BC’s work disability system?” The purpose of answering these questions is to better understand and, hopefully, improve the experiences of people with work-related disabilities. Improved coordination of the work disability system and a better understanding of what gaps exist may help accomplish this. Furthermore, opportunities to better coordinate the efforts of the labour community may arise out of gaining an understanding of what labour disability advocates in organized workplaces do across the province. Finally, this study informs decisions around needed changes in the system.