News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 July 13, 2007Support for First Nations National Day of Action
Thousands of First Nations peoples and supporters demonstrated across the country as part of the First Nations National Day of Action on June 29, demanding an end to First Nations poverty and government inaction.
In Ottawa, the peaceful protest saw more than a thousand First Nations peoples, including families with children and elders and allies gather at Ottawa City Hall and march to Victoria Island, traditional un-relinquished Algonquin land. A number of CAW members came out in a show of solidarity, including CAW President Buzz Hargrove who marched alongside Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine.
Addressing the crowd after the march, Hargrove connected unresolved land claims with poor living conditions and economic hardship. "There is no greater crisis today in Canada that in anyway compares to the problems of First Nations," he said.
Hargrove demanded the government live up to the Kelowna Accord, which would provide funds for water treatment, education, improved housing, healthcare and other services enjoyed by Canadian citizens.
"We call on our government to recognize these challenges that First Nations people face and bring hope, justice and an end to poverty to these young people who are so entitled to it," said Hargrove.
Chief Fontaine's own message relayed the devastating effect poverty and social upheaval has had and continues to have on First Nations youth. He expressed the hope that First Nations people would be able to live independently and have access to the same opportunities as other citizens -nothing more.
"This is not about free, it's about access to education. It's not about partisan politics, it's about justice for our people. It's not about power, it's about giving our children hope and a reason to live," said Fontaine.
B.C. Container Truckers Rally in Vancouver
Container truck drivers from British Columbia's Lower Mainland participated in a major demonstration as a convoy of over 500 container trucks. The convoy passed through the Lower Mainland beginning in North Delta and ending at a rally in Vancouver on July 7.
CAW Local 2006 members who took part in the event are calling on the federal government to extend a 2005 agreement that aims to protect industry wages against unfair competition, capping the number of new container trucks in operation and better enforcement mechanisms for drivers who access Vancouver ports.
This demonstration comes two years after container truckers in Vancouver launched a six-week work stoppage protesting the deterioration of local industry wages and the lack of government regulation to stop competitors from undercutting pay rates.
In an effort to end the 2005 dispute, the Federal government established a memorandum of agreement - often referred to as the "Ready Report" after its author, mediator Vince Ready - that imposed common wage rates on all companies that hire truck drivers in order to prevent, what CAW Local 2006 President Paul Johal termed, a "race to the bottom." The 2005 agreement is set to expire on August 2.
"We do not want another port crisis," said Johal as reported in the Vancouver Sun. "But we will not go backwards. We believe the Ready Report that resulted from the 2005 dispute should be extended while we look for permanent solutions."
CAW Celebrates National Aboriginal Day in Vancouver
In keeping with the resolution passed at April's CAW Council that all members work to end First Nations poverty, on June 20 to 24, many CAW local union members in British Columbia joined with the Aboriginal Community in celebrating the culture and diversity of the Aboriginal peoples across Canada.
The CAW National union was a major sponsor for this five-day outdoor public festival, held on the grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery, where an estimated 100,000 people attended throughout the course of the event. CAW Local 2200 (Transit Maintenance) also made a significant contribution.
The celebration's main stage hosted more than 300 contemporary and traditional Aboriginal performers with 50 artists and vendors and children's activities, story-tellers and face painters. It was also a time to reflect on the challenges facing Aboriginal people following generations of systemic oppression, prejudice and racism.
The CAW's commitment and continuing support is aimed at helping to end the cycle of poverty in this community and especially in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside area. CAW speakers expressed solidarity, support and friendship for the Aboriginal peoples, in the fight for their constitutional right to self-government and a return of their ancestral lands.
'As President of CAW Local 2200, I am so proud of the commitment by the CAW National union and our Local union membership to pledge continuous support for initiatives to end the cycle of poverty in the Aboriginal community,' said Joe Elworthy. 'We intend to cement relationships with the organizations working in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside and make a long-term commitment to the First Nations People.'
"Computers for Kids" is a Hit in Windsor-Essex County
For the past three years, members of CAW Local 200 have been the driving force behind Computers for Kids, a community-based organization that provides refurbished computers to disadvantaged youth in Windsor & Essex County. Computers for Kids combines social justice goals with environmental sustainability by putting to good use computers that would have otherwise been headed to the landfill.
"We have grown exponentially over the years," said Computers for Kids founder John McCloskey. The group recently moved from a small, one-room office to a 35,000 square foot warehouse. The group has generated community support from various labour groups, community organizations and local businesses.
"Since January 2004, we have grown from the dream of one man (John McCloskey) to an organization that has provided computer access to over 1000 youth in Windsor & Essex County," said Computers for Kids Vice President Rob McLean.
Through Computers for Kids, various community groups have the opportunity to provide computer-based training programs to youth from low-income households, giving them a better chance at success in school.
Local businesses also now have an alternative to discarding unwanted electrical equipment into landfills and community volunteers have the chance to gain valuable technical skills by working with different computer models and operating systems.
"It's a win-win situation for the entire community," said McCloskey, who hopes to build a broader network of Computers for Kids organizations in communities across the country.
For more information, please visit: www.cfkrecycle.com/location.html
CAW Information Picket at Woodingford Lodge
CAW members at Woodingford Lodge held an information picket June 22 outside the long-term care facility in Woodstock, Ontario to highlight the devastating impact of cuts in the hours of service and care each week for residents.
CAW members, family and friends of residents were urged to support the campaign to ensure "Dignity is a Minimum Standard" for residents. The information picket was held the same day as an open house at Woodingford Lodge. The workers handed out more than 300 flyers and were able to talk to many of those in attendance about the issues the residents and workers are facing at the home.
Kelly-Anne Heslinga, CAW unit chairperson and RPN at Woodingford Lodge, said the workers are concerned about the loss of 900 hours of care and service each week. "It has impacted our residents as well as the workers with longer waiting times for our residents for every aspect of care and increased injuries for our workers," said Heslinga. Woodingford Lodge is a municipally-owned and operated facility.
"The result of the cuts in service for residents at the lodge is assembly-line care," Heslinga said. "We must demand that County Council restore funding and an approach that allows our members to continue providing care based on resident needs instead of care based on dollars and cents."
Support for the workers was unbelievable from the residents and families. "Now we need both levels of government, the County and the Province, to ensure quality care is a right for these residents," said Robert Buchannan, CAW national representative for this unit. "Enshrining a minimum staffing level in provincial legislation of three hours per resident per day would go a long way to providing this."
CAW Locals Recognized for Fire Safety
Six Chatham-Kent CAW local unions were recognized province-wide for their work in fire safety. CAW locals 35, 127, 351, 580, 1738 and 1941 received a Fire Safety Partner Award for their efforts towards fire protection and prevention at this year's Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council ceremony on June 28 in Toronto.
As part of a broader community effort to promote fire safety and injury prevention education in the Chatham-Kent region of Ontario, the local unions were commended for their $100,000 donation to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services room at the Chatham-Kent Children's Safety Village.
"The local CAW for Chatham-Kent has provided support to an initiative that will continue to have a long-lasting impact on fire safety for the young people in their community," said Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke, acknowledging the CAW's contribution to this effort. The CAW locals were nominated by the Chatham-Kent Fire Department for this award.
Homeless Hotel Sets Up In Moncton
Homelessness doesn't only refer to people who sleep on the street or without shelter. It also refers to those living in substandard housing or in high risk locations. The Homeless Hotel, set up for the second year in a row in Moncton, New Brunswick on June 1, aimed to raise awareness about homelessness, especially among youth.
Guests purchased a standard, suite or penthouse room and stayed for the night. Guests who attended the 12-hour event were able to see how street youth live as well as hear their stories first hand. In the park, certain areas such as the front desk, lobby, and lounge continued the hotel theme.
This year's Homeless Hotel was once again a huge success. Joining with community partners, the National union sponsored the event and CAW locals in the Moncton area raised funds with their hotdog and refreshment stand.
'A great time was had by all," said Local 4528 President Pam Ferguson. "The fact that our National union sponsors such an event is a statement of our union's commitment to local communities.'
Ron Babineau, Unit Chairperson, Local 4517, said, 'CAW locals raised $500.00 in addition to our National union's contribution of $750.00 and our CAW flags flew proudly throughout the evening.'
Green Jobs for a Brighter Future
New Challenges in Building Environmental Alternatives was the theme for the national environmental conference, held at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario, June 15-17. Eighty-five delegates from across the country attended the event which focused on jobs and the environment.
The conference featured two panel discussions. One panel addressed job growth potential related to the environment in mass transit, Great Lakes shipping and the food retail industry, while the other looked at jobs and the environment in both Toronto and Windsor.
Issues of energy and transportation were also presented, with the participation of organizations such as the Prevent Cancer Now Coalition, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, and the CAW Durham Regional Environmental Council.
During the weekend, delegates made connections between the urgent need to take action on the environment, ally with others in taking on the fight and the challenge of finding ways to link environmental initiatives to job creation.
Whistleblower Protection Doesn't Help Workers
Concerns are being raised that Canadian airline workers will only receive limited whistleblower protection under Ottawa's new airline safety bill, the Aeronautics Act, according to CAW Local 2002 President Leslie Dias.
Amendments made to the Act by the House of Commons transport committee establish a set of rules that prohibit airlines from taking punitive action against employees who report safety concerns, as long as it is first reported through an internal safety management system. According to Dias, these rules do not go far enough to ensure that workers jobs are protected should they choose to speak out.
"Theoretically, the government has created protection for whistleblowers," says Dias. "In reality, it really doesn't give anyone much confidence that their job will be protected."
This legislation comes one year after nearly 40 airline pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers and Transport Canada employees publicly expressed fears on speaking out over airline safety concerns.
Government Re-Announces Frigate Refit Plan
Standing aboard the flight deck of the HMCS Halifax, Prime Minister Stephen Harper re-announced the government's plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax class frigates at a news conference in Nova Scotia on July 5.
The seven-year, $3.1 billion project is an extension of a previous Federal government announcement to modernize the Canadian frigate fleet in June 2007.
Harper said that refit work on the 12 vessels would be divided between Canadian shipyards on both East and West coasts.
This is good news for workers, according to CAW Shipbuilding, Waterway & Marine Workers Council President Karl Risser, but is still a far cry from what is needed to help a struggling industry.
"We still need a serious commitment from our Federal government toward a national shipbuilding policy that goes beyond National Defence-related contracts," Risser said. "Canadian shipbuilders must be able to compete for commercial contracts, but we're just not there yet."
Refitting is only set to start in 2010 and likely wrap up in 2017.
The CAW plans to meet with representatives of the federal parliamentary shipbuilding caucus in the coming months to discuss the need for a national policy on Canada's shipbuilding industry.
Manufacturing Job Loss Casts Shadow over Summer
National employment statistics for June released by Statistics Canada present the most troubling picture yet for the Canadian manufacturing sector.
"Canada lost 31,000 good paying, stable manufacturing jobs in one month alone," said CAW President Buzz Hargrove. "This should be setting off alarm bells on Parliament Hill."
In the last 12 months, Canada has lost an estimated 103,000 manufacturing jobs. While employment in other areas may be on the rise, new jobs are primarily found in the retail and wholesale sectors beset with low-wages and few benefits.
According to Hargrove, this poses serious challenges for Canada's youth entering the labour force. "For young people finishing school, today's economy offers them little opportunity to work in dynamic industries which would secure them a decent future," said Hargrove.
In the last five years, young workers (defined as under 24 by Statistics Canada) have lost more manufacturing jobs than any other age group. Between 2002 and 2006, manufacturing jobs for youth have declined by 45,300, or by almost 20 per cent.
"It's time the federal government stops putting Canadians out of work and compromising the future of our youth with a high dollar and unbalanced trade," said Hargrove.
CAW Local 973 Ratifies New Deal with Coca Cola
CAW Local 973 members in Brampton, Ontario have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with Coca-Cola, with an approval rate of 100 per cent among skilled trades workers and 76 per cent for the general membership.
In this new agreement, the members will have wage parity in every job classification with Coca-Cola workers at the Thorncliffe and Weston, Ontario locations, along with gains in wages, pensions and benefits.
"With the strength and solidarity of our membership we were able to make significant gains in our second CAW collective agreement," said Plant Chairperson Ryan Parson. Local 973 members are the first in the history of Coca-Cola to obtain recognition for skilled trades workers.
"Finally, the skilled trades workers have priority rights to work, representation from the trades and recognition in the newly ratified agreement," said Parson.
The new agreement also includes improved route scheduling practices for drivers, improved in-house training for new technology and banked overtime for the second year of the agreement.
Local 973 is the first of three collective agreements with Coca-Cola to be negotiated this summer and represents 506 members.
Factories Making Olympic Goods Violate Workers' Rights
A report released by the PlayFair 2008 Campaign exposes gross violations of workers' rights by Chinese factories supplying goods under license for the Beijing Olympics.
The violations include employing children, paying adults half the legal wage and forcing employees to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Research also revealed factory owners falsifying employment records and forcing workers to lie about their wages and working conditions.
Since the Athens 2004 games, the PlayFair Campaign has been lobbying the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to require adherence to minimum labour standards to receive Olympic licensing contracts. The IOC has refused to do so.
"Licensing of the Olympics brand is a major source of income for the IOC and national Olympics committees," says Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, a PlayFair Campaign partner. "It brings shame on the whole Olympics movement that such severe violations of international labour standards are taking place in Olympics-licensed factories."
www.playfair2008.org/
With files from the Maquila Solidarity network.
CLC Seeks Network Technician
The Canadian Labour Congress is seeking a Network Technician to work out of its Ottawa office. The successful applicant will have experience with mixed-platform networks, installing new workstation hardware, giving technical training and advice and be able to administer and develop trouble-shooting techniques to be used across the country.
Applications will be accepted until July 25, 2007.
For more information, email: jobvacancies-administration@clc-ctc.ca
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