[nfbwatlk] FW: Goodwill in Canada has no Subminimum Wages for Workers with Disabilities.

[Frederick Driver]

Well at least we got something right!

In 99 percent of other aspects, the situation of blind citizens in the
U.S. is far better than it is in Canada, in terms of access to training,
rehabilitation, employment opportunities, etc.

I think they used to pay less than minimum wage here too.  I seem to
recall there being one here in Victoria, that got shut down because of
that.  But that was a long time ago, and I can't be sure of my
recollection.

Rick


On Wed, 15 Aug 2012, Mike Freeman wrote:

>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbaffiliatepresidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nfbaffiliatepresidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lewis, Anil
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 1:01 PM
> To: Affiliate Presidents (nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org); NFB Chapter
> Presidents discussion list (chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org)
> Subject: [NFBAffiliatePresidents] Goodwill in Canada has no Subminimum Wages
> for Workers with Disabilities.
>
> In stark contrast to Goodwill's practice of paying subminimum wages to
> workers with disabilities in America, Goodwill in Canada pays their workers
> with disabilities the same minimum wage guaranteed nondisabled workers.
> Thanks to our friends for forwarding us a copy of the letter.  Read the
> attached letter which is also pasted below.
>
> [Title: Goodwill Logo - Description: Goodwill Logo] Goodwill
> 350 Progress Avenue, Scarborough, M1P 2Z4
>
> August 13th, 2012
>
> Goodwill Wages for People with Disabilities
>
> Goodwill consists of a network of 165 local, autonomous, community-based
> organizations in the United States and Canada employing a total of 105,000
> team members, 30,000 of whom have a disability. In Canada, Goodwill employs
> over 1650 individuals.
>
> In some jurisdictions in the United States, a percentage of employees' work
> under the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, allowing local Goodwills to pay
> employees with a disability less than the minimum wage.
>
> No such program or provisions exist in Canada. No staff at Goodwill Toronto,
> Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario earn less than the minimum wage, with
> or without a disability. In fact many employees earn more; employees also
> receive health benefits and +have access to a pension plan. Goodwill is
> committed to creating meaningful work opportunities and providing a living
> wage for those facing barriers to employment.
>
> Goodwill Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario succeeds when our
> staff succeeds. The contributions made by all members of our team are
> essential to our ongoing success. We see no distinction in the contributions
> made to Goodwill by employees with or without a disability and remain proud
> of the work our staff perform every day to create jobs and green our
> communities.
>
> Regards,
>
> [Title: Signature - Description: Signature] Keiko Nakamura Chief Executive
> Officer
>
> Goodwill Industries Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario
>
> For Further information please contact:
> Brian Kellow
> Manager Marketing and Public Relations
> Goodwill
> Greater Toronto, Eastern , Central and Northern Ontario
> 350 Progress Ave.
> Scarborough, ON M1P 2Z4
> 416-815 4785
>
>
> Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.
> Director of Strategic Communications
>
> "Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities"
> http://www.nfb.org/fairwages
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, Maryland   21230
>
> (410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)
> (410) 685-5653 (FAX)
> Email: alewis at nfb.org<mailto:alewis at nfb.org>
> Web: www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>
>