News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 November 30, 2007CAW Teams Up To Build Habitat for Humanity Home
| CAW volunteers help build affordable home at Grey Cup |
In the three days prior to the 95th Grey Cup in Toronto, the CAW, Habitat for Humanity and the Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation teamed together to build a new home for an Oshawa family.
The house was completed by CAW skilled trades volunteers, scores of other volunteers, and CFL players over 72 hours on Bremner Street in the midst of the Grey Cup festival. It raised awareness for tens of thousands of passers-by about the need for more affordable housing right across Canada.
Hemi Mitic, assistant to the CAW President, and Toronto Argonaut Head Coach Michael Clemons presented keys to the family on Grey Cup Sunday. The new home will be relocated to Oshawa, Ontario on a lot donated by the municipality.
"Thanks to all those who braved the cold weather to help not only with the house build, but who also raised awareness about the growing need for affordable housing right across this country," said Mitic. "This is part of the CAW's commitment to social housing. Our union has also teamed up with the Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation to help those less fortunate through the Ambassadors to Youth Program and the Stop the Violence program."
Mitic also encouraged other groups across the country to follow the example established by these programs and set up similar projects in their own communities.
Colin Heslop, CAW skilled trades national director, said the union is committed to social unionism.
"We feel great about the commitment of CAW skilled trades members to social issues and this follows right along with projects like Hurricane Katrina Relief and Assembly of First Nations projects we are involved with in Canada. This CAW/Pinball Clemons Foundation and Habitat house build at Grey Cup was very rewarding for all CAW volunteers," Heslop said.<
Toronto Latest to Endorse CAW Manufacturing Campaign
The City of Toronto has unanimously endorsed the CAW's Municipal Council resolution calling on the federal government to take action in addressing the growing crisis in Canadian manufacturing.
Councillor Maria Augimeri (York Centre - Ward 9) submitted the resolution to the City's Economic Development Committee where it was fully endorsed following some minor amendments. City Council approved the resolution shortly thereafter, and resolved to distribute it to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as well as all MPs and MPPs in the Toronto area.
The resolution calls on the federal government to establish a framework for fair trade, undertake a comprehensive review of the causes and consequences of manufacturing job loss and create a sectoral taskforce to examine ways Canada's manufacturing sector can be strengthened, among other policy items.
Toronto joins a chorus of other Southern Ontario municipalities that have thrown their support behind this campaign, including Woodstock, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold and Kitchener.
In the last five years 100,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in the Greater Toronto Area, more than any other region in Canada.
A copy of the municipal resolution can be found on the CAW national website: www.caw.ca
Big 3 COLA; On or After December 1, 2007
The COLA adjustment at GM, Ford and Chrysler Canada Inc., effective for the first pay period on or after December 1, 2007, will be minus 7¢. After adjustment for the previous float of $1.37, the amount will now total $1.30. This change is as a result of a decline in the most recent three month average of the Consumer Price Index.
Total straight time earnings for an assembler at GM, Ford and Chrysler will be as follows:
| GM Assembler | GM Prod.Tech. | Ford | Chrysler | |
| Base Rate | $32.55 | $32.84 | $32.54 | $32.54 |
| COLA Float | $1.30 | $1.30 | $1.30 | $1.30 |
| Total Straight Time Earnings (on or after Dec. 1, 2007) | $33.85 | $34.14 | $33.84 | $33.84 |
| GM | Ford | Chrysler | |
| Base Rate | $38.94 | $38.94 | $38.94 |
| COLA Float | $1.30 | $1.30 | $1.30 |
| Total Straight Time Earnings (on or after Dec. 1, 2007 | $40.24 | $40.24 | $40.24 |
The ITF and CAW are 'gravely concerned' that after Canada implemented its Marine Transport Security Act in 2004, some Atlantic port facilities have used the regulations to inappropriately and unacceptably shut out labour inspectors representing foreign seafarers.
Shipping has long been known for exploitation of its workers, the ITF and CAW state in a November 27 joint news release. The ITF and its affiliated unions defend seafarers' interests around the world and for more than 20 years the CAW has supported that effort by supplying the ITF's inspector for Atlantic Canada.
With CAW/ITF inspector Gerard Bradbury being denied access to the crew members he represents, the two organizations state that "local shipping agents, in league with foreign ship owners and local marine facilities are responsible for this outrage. They have joined together to allow shipping agents to assume the role of federal security officers - letting them decide who can have access to vessels in Canadian ports and who cannot."
"This is a gross misuse of regulations intended to protect Canada from terrorism," he said. "The regulations are not there to protect shipping from those who would shine a light on abusive employment practices."
Ottawa Office Opening
| The CAW's new Ottawa area office officially opened November 21 at 5 Gurdwara Drive in the Hunt Club area of the city. |
The ruling is the result of an appeal to the original certification order at Great Blue Heron Casino nearly four years ago. 'It lifts a cloud of uncertainty for our members', said Hemi Mitic, Assistant to the President.
The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled 3-0 November 27 that the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation doesn't have the right to establish its own labour code.
As a result, the Canadian Auto Workers' union collective agreement on reserve land at the Great Blue Heron Casino near Port Perry, Ontario remains intact.
CAW Local 1090 represents 825 workers at the casino including dealers, slot attendants, food and beverage workers and maintenance workers.
