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Every year, in honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) recognizes a union member for their disability rights activism. The 2020 recipient is BCGEU/NUPGE member Darryl Flasch.
Ottawa (3 May 2020) - The 2020 winner of the Canadian Labour Congress' Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award is Darryl Flasch, trade union and disability rights activist from the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
In their letter to Darryl, CLC President Hassan Yussuff and Vice-President Larry Rousseau wrote that his "work as a trade unionist and as disability rights activist has made an enormous difference."
They mention that in his work at the BCGEU/NUPGE he "worked hard every day to educate those around you about disability rights, and ensured the rights of workers with disabilities were respected in your workplace and in your union. Your tireless efforts and your commitment to ensuring the most marginalized in our community have a voice and are included is a real inspiration."
High praise in his nomination
In her nomination for the award BCGEU President Stephanie Smith said that she has "no doubt in my mind that Darryl is a worthy candidate of the Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award.”
Smith points to his work as a highly valued member of the BCGEU’s provincial equity committee that helped plan the union’s first-ever provincial roundtable for persons with disabilities.
The CLC notes that in her nomination Smith highlighted his "tireless advocacy work to improve accessibility and inclusion at all provincial and national union events and meetings. Finally, and in the midst of a global health crisis no less, your ongoing commitments to anti-hate activities, Pride events and other initiatives that support the most marginalized people in your community make you an outstanding trade unionists and community activist."
Carol MacGregor CLC Disability Rights Award
The Carol MacGregor CLC Disability Rights Award is given annually and announced on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Carol McGregor was a long time disability rights activist and the National Union of Public and General Employees’ (NUPGE) representative on the Canadian Labour Congress Disability Rights Working Group.
She and her exuberant guide dog, Xayla, were a fixture at CLC conventions and Disability Rights conferences. Known as a strong advocate for injured workers, she was also featured on the poster that anchored a 2003 campaign to raise awareness and promote inclusion of workers with disabilities within unions.