3. Health

“Alana Joram, from Toronto University, informed participants of a questionnaire that has been distributed to their staff association members by a Committee for Technological Change in the Work Place. The questionnaire deals with such topics as VDTs and health hazards. Results will be compiled shortly, and could be of help to other women who share these concerns.

Lobbying techniques were discussed, and it was suggested that we resort to such tactics as letter-writing to ministers.

We encourage all participants in this conference to get involved in health and safety committees at all levels, especially; where they can influence legislation. In Regina, one participant is involved in the first steps towards a baseline study, and it is her intention to give particular attention to the health hazards related to low-level radiation. The Canadian Labour Congress has already done such a study, and the federal Health and Welfare department is producing one in the upcoming months. We should make an effort to read these documents and promote their recommendations.

Some Canadian unions have developed model clauses that, should be circulated amongst other unions for future negotiations. CUPE, the Communications Workers of Canada, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the Public Service Alliance of Canada have all set precedents with health-related clauses. All unions should be made to adopt such clauses.

Since NAC intends to submit a brief to the Labour Canada Task Force on Microelectronics and Employment, we ask that special consideration be given to concerns about the health hazards. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has produced a major study. We encourage participants to study and promote its recommendations.

We invite organizations, such as the Business and Executive Women Network, the Business and Professional Women Clubs, and the National Association of Women and the Law, to collect information on the introduction of technology in the workplace and to organize boycotts of offending employers.

Each of us must join women's groups and/or a union to promote her views. Individual action is simply not sufficient. We Support the recommendation that will be put forth by the "Changing Employment Patterns" workshop, to the effect that NAC should lobby to obtain the creation of a Worker's Research Institute.

We were informed that the Carleton University Department of Engineering has created a Chair of Office Automation. One of our discussion members, who is a member of CUPE, will ask her union to approach the university for research, on such subjects as low-level radiation.