Victory in Advocating for Adults and Children Who are Blind
Standing Up for Quality Client Services at BESB
P-3B Council Stewards Reviewed Results of Efforts by Worksite Leaders to Advocate for BESB's Clients at Our Union Hall
When the Governor directed all Executive Branch agencies to immediately begin cutting back on the use of state-owned vehicles, Council leadership requested special dispensation for Connecticut's Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB). Our leadership recognized that not all agencies are the same, and that BESB is unique because its professional staff serves individuals who are blind with extremely limited transportation options.
Put simply, BESB clients can't drive, which requires field staff to provide direct essential services in their respective communities.
P-3B Council leadership recognized we needed to ask, should this be an economical issue or an ethical issue? As a society, we need to ask ourselves, what if this were your mother or father that were blind? Would you want them to have access to the best possible quality services?
Union leadership recognized that the10% across the board mileage cuts could not only affect our mothers and our fathers, but it also could affect essential services to our children. Executive Director Robert Rinker addressed these concerns to the Governor, who as a result responded by documenting a clear departure from the previous policy. Specifically, the Governor's office advised that cost-saving recommendations are discretionary,and that essential client services should not be jeopardized.
This represents a victory for effectively addressing public service concerns. By encouraging active discussion among our members, we have defended Union rights, as well. Council members working at BESB are looking forward to focusing on these issues through the labor-management process, and working together to put the focus on the best quality services for the clients that we serve.
American Council of the Blind
Board of Education and Services for the Blind
