News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 January 12, 2007CN Negotiations: Update
CAW National Council 4000 and CAW Local 100 members at CN Rail have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action if necessary with a deadline of midnight January 17.
Shopcraft members voted 91 per cent in favour. The result for the clerical and supplemental groups was 77 per cent, while Owner Operators (truckers) voted 86 per cent.
The CN Rail master bargaining committees at Local 100 and National Council 4000 are negotiating with the company in Toronto. CAW President Buzz Hargrove and CAW Secretary-Treasurer Jim O'Neil joined bargaining January 8 to assist negotiations.
"There is an enormous amount of work to do especially given the significant concessions that CN has on the bargaining table," states a CAW Railfax update.
The CAW represents more than 4000 members at CN Rail.
Hargrove Calls on PM to Establish Automotive Policy
The CAW, following a number of meetings with Ford Motor Company, negotiated an agreement that enhances the current restructuring benefits available to CAW members at some Ford locations in Canada.
"The unprecedented restructuring by Ford Motor Company is a direct result of the increasing levels of imports from Japan and South Korea," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove.
"The CAW has consistently called on the Stephen Harper government to establish a national automotive policy to deal with the import problem," Hargrove said. "This government has ignored the CAW's request to date. In light of the lack of a national automotive strategy to deal with the import problem the CAW has bargained with Ford an enhanced retirement and voluntary termination plan in an effort to avoid as many forced layoffs as possible," said Hargrove.
"Although this program is important to our members we will continue to make the arguments with Ford that our Canadian facilities deserve new investment and new product. Independent studies have shown that Ford's Canadian facilities are world leaders in productivity, quality and cost," he said.
The enhanced incentives will be available to CAW members and are designed to deal with the significant impact of layoffs announced by Ford in their 'Way Forward' restructuring program.
"The enhanced program outlined in this agreement is critical to our members and their families as we go through the challenging times at Ford,' said Whitey MacDonald, CAW Chairperson for the St. Thomas Assembly Plant, and CAW/Ford Master Bargaining Committee Chairperson.
"This program is designed to provide our retirement eligible members with enhanced packages as they move into retirement and to protect junior members from layoffs," MacDonald said.
Taxes Are Good For a Nation's Health
Canada is falling behind a number of OECD nations in a wide range of social and economic areas, and a study released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives points to tax cuts as the culprit.
The study, by Neil Brooks and Thaddeus Hwong, compares high-tax Nordic countries and low-tax Anglo-American countries on 50 social and economic measures and finds the high-tax Nordic countries score better in 42 categories.
According to the study, tax cuts are disastrous for the well-being of a nation's citizens. For example, the high-tax Nordic countries have:
. lower rates of poverty, more equal income distribution, and more economic security for workers;
. a higher GDP per capita;
. higher rates of household savings and net national savings;
. higher rates of secondary school and university completion.
"By cutting taxes the Conservative government is taking Canada in the wrong direction," says Brooks. "It wants to make Canada more like the United States, yet our findings show that Americans bear severe social costs for living in one of the lowest taxed countries in the world."
The U.S. falls near the bottom of the 21 industrialized countries in a strikingly large number of social indicators.
CAW's Family Education Program
Have you ever thought of taking a family holiday with your union?
Do you want a summer vacation where your accommodation, travel costs, and meals are paid for? Would you like two weeks in an environment as comfortable as your own home and where qualified childcare staff care for and entertain your children?
Would you like to meet people from all across Canada, expand your mind and at the end of the day, enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world?
If the answer is "yes" then consider the CAW Family Education Program, which is held at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario - on the shores of Lake Huron, during the months of July and August.
To find out more about the program go to the CAW's Education Department web page at www.caw.ca/education. To obtain an application form, contact a member of your Local Union Executive Board.
CAW Bursaries: Deadline April 30
The CAW national union and CAW Council annually offer 25 bursaries to the sons or daughters of CAW members who are entering their first year of post secondary education at a Canadian institution.
There is also a bursary available for CAW members with at least one year seniority attending their first year of post secondary education.
The bursaries are for $2,000 each. Submissions should include:
- an official application form, which is signed by a local union officer;
- a letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or community activist;
- a transcript or record of marks.
Submit a completed application to: CAW Canada, Education Department, 205 Placer Court, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3H9.
Applications must be received no later than April 30, 2007.
Application forms can also be found on the CAW website at www.caw.ca/education. Click on 'CAW Bursaries' to find the application form.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Work: Thanks
The following is a note from CAW Local 1285 skilled trades member Michael Salic who took part in Hurricane Katrina relief work in New Orleans. The note was sent to the group of CAW skilled trades members who completely rebuilt two family homes in New Orleans' hurricane ravaged Ninth Ward.
"I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for making this the most memorable and honourable experience that one can have in their career. It challenged us to think, resolve, endure and persevere.
It placed us on uncommon ground and took us out of our shells. It also gave us a common goal.
As I reflect back on my two weeks - it was exciting at times and frustrating at others. But in consideration of the smiling hearts we left behind and the full tummies we took with us (the food was great wasn't it?) the opportunity to work with you in a unique circumstance still moves me today as it did when I left each time.
We are not perfect individuals. But together we pooled the best in us to make a difference.
Thank you so very much."
Government Benefits 2007
as of January 1, 2007
| Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan | CPP | QPP |
| 1. Contribution Rate | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| 2. Year's maximum pensionable earnings | $43,700 | $43,700 |
| 3. Basic exemption | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| 4. Maximum premiums for employees Maximum premiums for self-employed |
$1,989.90 $3,979.80 |
$1,989.90 $3,979.80 |
| 5. Benefits (maximum for new recipient) | $863.75 | $863.75 |
| 6. Lump Sum Death Benefit (max.) | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| 7. Disability (max.) | $1,053.77 | $1,053.77 |
| 8. Dependent children's benefit | $204.68 | $64.99 |
| 9. Surviving spouse 65 and over (max.) | $518.25 | $518.25 |
| 10. Surviving spouse under 55 (max.) Surviving spouse 55-64 (max.) Surviving spouse under 55 (max.) |
$482.30 - - |
- $729.84 $729.84 |
| Old Age Security (effective Jan. 1, 2007 - adjusted quarterly) | ||
| 1. Old Age Security | - | $491.93 |
| 2. Guaranteed income supplement (max.) | single couple |
$620.91 $410.04 |
| 3. Maximum spouse's allowance (Age 60-64) | - | $901.97 |
| 4. Maximum widowed spouse's allowance (Age 60-64) | - | $999.81 |
| Unemployment Insurance (E.I.) | Canada (Excl. Quebec | Quebec |
| 1. Annual insurable earnings (maximum) | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| 2. Premiums - annual maximum (employee) Premiums - annual maximum (employer) |
$720.00 $1,008.00 |
$584.00 $834.60 |
| 3. Benefits - weekly maximum (55% of insurable earnings) | $423.00* | $423.00* |
| Month | Publication Date |
| December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 |
January 23, 2007 February 20, 2007 March 20, 2007 April 19, 2007 May 17, 2007 June 19, 2007 July 18, 2007 August 22, 2007 September 19, 2007 October 19, 2007 November 20, 2007 December 18, 2007 |
Workers Compensation
| Province | Percentage of Earnings | 2007 Maximum Insurable Earnings/Maximum Compensation Rate |
| Alberta | 90% (net) | $64,600 |
| British Columbia | 90% (net) | $64,400 |
| Manitoba | 90% (net) | No Maximum |
| New Brunswick | 85% (net) | $53,200 |
| Newfoundland/Labrador | 80% (net) | $48,425 |
| NWT/Nunavut | 90% (net) | $69,200 |
| Nova Scotia | 75% (net) 1st 26 weeks then 85% (net) | $46,700 |
| Ontario | 85% (net) | $71,800 |
| Prince Edward Island | 80% (net) 1st 38 weeks then 85% (net) | $44,700 |
| Quebec | 90% (net) | $59,000 |
| Saskatchewan | 90% (net) | $55,000 |
| Yukon | 75% (gross) | $69,500 |
