Commentary
More Concerns
Addressing Concerns Raised
in Last Month’s Article
by David Hancox
I was pleased to see the reprint
of the letter from NCIL (National Council for Independent Living)
Executive Director John Lan-caster and Board Chair Kelly Buckland
in your September edition of Access Press. What your readers may
not know is that this correspondence was sent to numerous Centers
for Independent Living in response to concerns expressed by myself and other
directors with regard to the recent collaboration between NCIL and SEIU (Service
Employees International Union).
I think it is important to be clear about the concerns expressed by
myself and other CIL directors. I am fully supportive of improving
wages, benefits and working conditions for PCAs. Over the past several
years, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) has put new
practices into place that have allowed us to improve wages and working
conditions for PCAs. I believe MCIL ranks among the top agencies in
terms of hourly wage. However, I am not in favor of taking dues from
hourly wage employees simply in exchange for good intentions. That
is my first concern.
When the independent
living movement first began in the early 1970s, Ed Roberts and
his colleagues had a very simple philosophy (one that I heard him
express on several occasions), “Don’t make
people with disabilities dependent on you.” MCIL has always
been dedicated to providing a PAS program that is consumer directed,
with consumers directing their cares on a day-to-day basis. MCIL
provides administrative support and payroll services, and strives
to support the relationship between the individual with the disability
and his/her PCA. I am fearful that unionization of PCAs completely
disrupts and redirects this very important and intimate relationship
between the individual and the PCA. That is my second concern.
Again, thanks to Access
Press for making the larger community aware of this issue. We will
be watching closely to see how this situation evolves. ![]()
David Hancox is executive
director of the St. Paul-based Metropolitan Center for Independent
Living.
