Ray Smith, CUPE 1750, is the new Canadian Labour Congress Vice-President for workers with disabilities. He was elected by acclamation this week at the 2011 CLC convention in Vancouver B.C.
“My work life is dedicated to helping injured and disabled workers,” says Ray. “My mission is to bring justice to workers with disabilities through my local, provincial and national union activities.”
Ray is a community outreach specialist with the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and has served as a steward for six years. He specializes in identifying barriers for persons with disabilities, and the promotion of awareness on accessibility and duty to accommodate issues in the workplace.
A long time activist for the rights of persons with disabilities, he is a member of CUPE Ontario’s Workers with Disabilities Committee and chair of CUPE’s Persons with Disabilities National Working Group.
Ray will be joining CUPE’s Marie Clarke Walker, who was re-elected by acclamation to another term as CLC Executive Vice-president, and CUPE National President Paul Moist on the CLC executive.
CLC President Ken Georgetti, Executive Vice-Presidents Barbara Byers, Secretary-Treasurer Hassan Yussuff were all acclaimed in their positions as well.