News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 April 27, 2007CAW Takes Earth Day Message to Schools from Coast to Coast
CAW union environmental activists talked to elementary and secondary school students from coast to coast about the causes, effects and solutions to climate change as part of its annual Earth Day program.
Throughout a five-week period centred around Earth Day on April 22, CAW representatives will visit thousands of students and their teachers to help identify the steps students can take to build healthy communities for themselves and future generations.
In Ontario, the CAW sponsors the program in partnership with the Workers' Health & Safety Centre. This is the eighth year the CAW has offered the program to students across Canada. Last year the program reached more than 82,000 students from coast to coast in 730 schools.
CAW Locals 111 and 2200 Ratify New Collective Agreement
CAW Local 111 members who work for Coast Mountain Bus Company as transit operators and CAW Local 2200 skilled trades members recently ratified a four-year collective agreement.
'The committees worked very hard to bargain improvements to working conditions, benefits and wages in this agreement,' said Joe Elworthy, President of CAW Local 2200.
The four year agreement was negotiated after concerns were raised about the financial drain of the Olympics adversely impacting workers. 'We wanted our membership to have the security of the wage increase in the fourth year to allow the government to find financial stability,' said Steve Sutherland, president of CAW Local 111.
The collective agreement contains a 3 per cent wage increase for operators and 3.5 per cent for skilled trades in each of the four years.
FPI Workers Extend Strike Deadline
Fish, Food and Allied Workers (CAW/FFAW) has extended its strike notice at Fishery Products International (FPI) plants throughout Newfoundland by one week in light of a tentative agreement reached with the company.
The union set a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 23. This deadline was extended until 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 30.
CAW/FFAW President Earle McCurdy said "The latest proposal involves significant improvements on a number of issues from the company offer that were rejected by the FPI bargaining unit less than two weeks ago."
FPI employs about 1,700 workers at facilities located in Marystown, Burin, Bonavista, Port Union, Dildo, Triton and Port au Choix.
CAW Members at Beach Grove Ratify New Collective Agreement
The CAW Local 240 bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with Beach Grove Golf and Country Club in Windsor, Ontario on April 25. Members voted 91 per cent in favour of a three-year contract, ending a three-and-a-half week lock out.
The agreement includes a one per cent wage increase in the second and third year of the contract. Wages that were clawed back will be partially restored to 80 per cent. Also, there will be a $20,000 lump sum retroactive payment that will be divided between the workers.
"The 91 per cent ratification clearly shows this wasn't just about monetary gains, said Theresa DaSilva, President of CAW Local 240. "This was about the members getting the representation they wanted."
Other gains include job security, paid education leave, recall rights, health and safety and protection from violence and harassment in the workplace.
Workers Around the World Under Strain of Global Economy
Manufacturing workers around the world are feeling the squeeze of corporate spending cuts, falling workplace conditions and job stability.
Recently, Russian Coca-Cola manufacturing workers at the company's St. Petersburg operation walked out and set up a picket protesting management's continuous pressure on union members, outsourcing and poor wages. Workers also demanded the reinstatement of a union leader whose contract was not renewed after the company learned of his union activity.
Back in February, Coca-Cola Enterprises announced it would be eliminating 3,500 jobs in North America and Europe. Unions were not consulted or given prior notice.
In response, Coke workers around the globe participated in a Transatlantic Day of Action on April 2. In Canada, the CAW distributed stickers and the action literature at all their Coca-Cola facilities. The stickers read: Tell Coke Every Worker Counts.
Support Comes for Occupational Disease Victims
A support group for victims of occupational disease will be launched in Peterborough by CAW Local 1987 and the Peterborough Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition. The group will provide political and moral support to victims.
At the coalition workshop held last week, the 65 participants drafted a document calling on the Peterborough City/County Health Unit to include community members in the creation of a plan to address health issues such as the growing number of people developing cancer as a result of toxic exposures at work.
The Peterborough Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition was formed in response to the hundreds of claims filed during CAW occupational health intake clinics for workers from Local 524 at General Electrics and Local 1987 at Ventra Plastics in 2004. Many of these workers suffer from occupational diseases ranging from lung and stomach cancers to asbestosis and severe asthma.
CLC Seeks H,S&E Director
The CLC is seeking a Health, Safety & Environment director. The successful candidate will work at the Ottawa national office and have sound knowledge of the labour movement, the CLC structure, experience in developing and managing campaigns and the ability to conduct research and prepare educational materials.
The CLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications due by May 9, 2007
For more information, email: jobvacancies-administration@clc-ctc.ca or call 613-521-3400 ext. 419
Staff Appointments
Buzz Hargrove has appointed DANIEL ST. LOUIS, President, CAW Local 698 in Montreal, as national service representative, on a temporary basis, effective Sunday, April 22, 2007.
Did You Know?
| DID YOU KNOW the Manufacturing Matters community forums start on May 11th?.
For weekly updates and how to get involved in your community, see: www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/index.asp
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