News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 October 26, 2007Canada-Korea FTA Would Destroy Jobs In All Provinces
| St. Catharines, Ontario Mayor Brian McMullan said unfair trade is one of the top concerns for the Niagara region. |
If the Canadian federal government proceeds with a free trade agreement with Korea as promised, the impact on Canadian communities would be disastrous, according to a new study released by the CAW on October 23.
The study was unveiled at a press conference in coordination with an all-party lobby effort, as CAW leaders, including CAW President Buzz Hargrove, met with Members of Parliament from across the country, demanding that they recognize the economic damage a Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement could cause and bring an end to Canada-Korea FTA talks.
The study, "Provincial Employment Effects of Canada-Korea Free Trade," finds the job loss would be most acute in Ontario and Quebec, with an expected loss of approximately 17,400 jobs and 8,300 jobs respectively. Even resource-rich provinces like Alberta and British Columbia could lose thousands of jobs.
Hargrove was joined by Quebec Director Luc Desnoyers, CAW Economist Jim Stanford and concerned elected officials Michael Harding, Mayor of the City of Woodstock and Co-chair of the Ontario Mayors for Automotive Investment, Brian McMullan, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines as well as Windsor City Councillor Ken Lewenza Jr.
To read the complete study, visit:
http://www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/ongoingcampaigns/ korea/pdfs/KoreaFTAProvincialEFfects.pdf
New Agreement at University Of Manitoba, Strike Over
| Student representatives, CAW Local 3007 and national union representatives celebrate a bargaining victory at the University of Manitoba. |
CAW Local 3007 members at the University of Manitoba have ratified a new three-year tentative agreement with the university, ending a 10 day strike.
The agreement was reached October 19. Members voted on the new agreement with an 86 per cent approval rating for the skilled trades and 93 per cent for the others.
Wage improvements are 2.5 per cent in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second and 2.9 per cent in the third year for caretakers, food service and grounds workers. Skilled trades wage rates went up 9 per cent to 21.5 per cent over the three years.
Other gains include improved sick leave language as well as three new paid family care days, said Frank Wright, Local 3007 Unit Chair. Wright said the unit has emerged stronger than ever from the dispute.
"During the strike our local came together in ways that we've not seen before and the support from University of Manitoba students was overwhelming," Wright said.
The 480 members of Local 3007 work in the areas of food services, maintenance, caretaking, general services, skilled trades and power engineers at the university.
The University of Manitoba Student Union passed a motion in support of the striking workers and organized a rally on October 17.
CAW Urges Pension Overhaul
The CAW is urging Ontario's Expert Commission on Pensions to take a much broader perspective on the pension system and recognize the important contributions which public pension plans can make toward resolving many of our current pension problems.
The CAW is calling on the commission to recommend that the Ontario government actively pursue talks with the federal government and other provincial governments to seek expansion and improvements in current public plans, such as the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans.
In an October 17 brief to the Ontario government commission, the CAW stressed that a series of improvements are needed to ensure workers have adequate and secure income in retirement.
The written brief highlights the steep decline in private pension coverage in Canada to 25.9 per cent of workers in 2005, down from 34 per cent in 1991. A multi-faceted solution is needed that builds both public and private pensions.
When workplaces close their doors workers bear the immediate burden of economic insecurity, the brief notes. They should not be subject to further loss in the form of cutbacks to their pension benefits.
When a company becomes insolvent the consequence for workers is frequently devastating; not only are workers faced with the hardship of unemployment and immediate loss of income, they may also suffer future losses as a result of unfunded pension liabilities and the inability of the pension regulator to make a claim as a secured creditor.
"The primary way to safeguard vulnerable workers in the event of bankruptcy is by ranking under-funded pension funds higher on the list of priorities in bankruptcy situations and positioning them in the secured claims category," the brief states.
It's also critical that steps are taken to improve protection of retirement income including long overdue upgrades to Ontario's Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund, which partially protects pensions when a company goes bankrupt. The $1000 limit on coverage hasn't changed in over 27 years and the financing provisions remain insufficient.
To read the complete CAW brief to the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions go to:
www.caw.ca/visual&printlibrary/speeches&briefs/ briefs/PensionSubmission.pdf
Support for the United Way
CAW members are being urged to wholeheartedly support their local United Way campaign as communities across Canada struggle to cope with the growing need for the services provided by United Way agencies.
"We know all too well, the negative impact the ongoing erosion of the manufacturing base is going to have on all our communities," said CAW President Buzz Hargrove.
"Increasing poverty, particularly among the youngest and oldest in society, is but one manifestation of this need. The lack of affordable housing and the ensuing crisis of homelessness is another. What are not so obvious perhaps are the other symptoms: violence, alienation, substance abuse, neglect, etc.," Hargrove states in a letter to CAW local union presidents that urges widespread support for annual United Way campaigns which are now underway.
CAW members are being asked to volunteer where possible and to give generously to ensure United Way supported community agencies get the backing they need to remain viable.
CLC Human Resources Manager
The Canadian Labour Congress is seeking a Human Resources Manager at its Ottawa national headquarters.
The Human Resources Manager has responsibilities in the areas of recruitment and selection, labour relations, occupational health and safety, pensions and benefits, and administrative policies and procedures.
Applications will be accepted until October 30. Refer to Bulletin Number 2007-OS-01. Send applications to CLC Secretary-Treasurer Hassan Yussuff by email at jobvacancies-administration@clc-ctc.ca
