Toulouse: the Institute for young blind people in crisis and on strike
The election of a new board of directors last September sparked a conflict with the employees which culminated in the dismissal of the director. The institution is on an indefinite strike.
Since Monday morning, the management team of the Institute for the Young Blind in Toulouse has gone on indefinite strike in a context of serious institutional crisis which was reduced on the dismissal of the director. The conflict had been brewing since the installation of an new board of directors, in September 2022. “His methods and postures for directing and controlling the IJA are fundamentally authoritarian and arbitrary, without taking into account the realities of the medico-social sector, the needs of families, the efforts of all employees and the historically acquired but fragile relevance of our institution”, explain the employees. By denouncing practices that result in “an operation of suspicion, mistrust and questioning of professionals, their integrity and their commitment, going as far as the arbitrary withdrawal of the director”.
“Director Reinstatement and Board Broadcast”
The strikers’ demands are clear. They ask thea reinstatement of the director, “the preservation of the IJA as a living, dynamic, innovative and benevolent institution towards individuals, families and all professionals” and demanding the resignation of the board of directors and the reorganization association governance. “We are aware that itThis strike will have inevitable consequences on the reception of children and adults, assures the protesters. Corn This movement is already followed and supported by employees, partners, families”.
Values of humanism to defend
The Institute for Young Blind People is a recognized public utility foundation created in 1866 which welcomes and supports visually impaired children and adults, with or without associated disabilities, including the most complex situations. It carries strong values of humanism, tolerance, solidarity and recognition of others in a commitment to unconditional acceptance and a graduated response adapted to each person’s situation. Today, it serves more than 500 people a year and it is identified and recognized in the region as an essential resource that demonstrates dynamism and permanent innovation.