January 9, 2000
Volume 30, No. 2
Fighting For Versatile's Future 
City of Winnipeg councillors are calling on all levels of government to work together to secure the future of the Versatile farm tractor assembly plant. Winnipeg City Council approved a motion recently urging all levels of government to support Versatile workers and their families. Workers at the plant are members of CAW Local 2224. Last year, U.S. regulators approved a merger of Versatile's parent corporation New Holland NV with Case Corp., but at the same time said the merged company had to divest itself of key product lines in the Winnipeg plant. The decision has placed the future of the plant in jeopardy. Versatile Farm Equipment has been operating in Winnipeg since 1951 and is the last remaining farm tractor assembly plant in Canada. It employs more than 800 people in Winnipeg and provides an extra 2,000 spinoff jobs in the community. The CAW launched a campaign last year to raise awareness about the problems at Versatile. Manitoba Premier Gary Doer is slated to attend a rally to save the plant on January 22 at the International Inn in Winnipeg.
Hunger Strike Ends For CAW/ UFAWU Member
After meeting with Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, fisherman and CAW/UFAWU member Dan Edwards ended his hunger strike on December 22. Edwards, executive director of the West Coast Sustainability Association, started the hunger strike October 26 to bring attention to, and develop an action plan to deal with the 1999 failure of the Fraser River sockeye fishery. Edwards, in a press release announcing the end of his hunger strike, said he's satisfied that Dhaliwal understands and is attempting to deal with the problems of the sockeye fishery, and individuals, communities and First Nations affected by it.
Canadian Federation Of Students Access 200 Campaign
Federal government education cuts, massive tuition fee increases and growing student debt have combined to create a funding crisis in post-secondary education in Canada. Recognizing the impact of the cuts and increases in tuition fees, the CAW negotiated in the 1999 round of Big Three bargaining an $800 a year tuition refund program for the dependent children of its members at GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler. But with many other Canadian students not covered by similar programs the need for action at the political level is critical to making widespread change. The Canadian Federation of Students has launched its Access 2000 campaign for higher education. The campaign includes a cross-Canada student strike starting February 2, 2000, to demand the restoration of social program spending, a tuition freeze in every province and the implementation of a national system of student grants. For more information, call CFS at (613) 232-7394 or visit the CFS website at www.cfs-fcee.ca
Facts About Post-Secondary Education In Canada
- the federal government has cut more than $7 billion from post-secondary education and training in the last five years; - since 1990, tuition fees have increased by more than 125 per cent; - average student debt levels now exceed $25,000 in Canada, up from $8,000 in 1990. (Source: Canadian Federation of Students)
Retired CAW Staff Representative Receives Order of Canada
Edith Johnston, a retired CAW staff representative, has received the Order of Canada for her outstanding volunteer contributions to the community. Johnston has been a strong champion for the rights of women and for seniors and is among 81 people to receive Canada's highest honour this year. Over the years Johnston has fought for the rights of seniors as well as the full participation of women and retirees in local unions. She is the president of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, director of the United Senior Citizens of Ontario and executive secretary of the National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Foundation.
CAW Endorses Ujjal Dosanjh In NDP Leadership Campaign
The CAW Canada in British Columbia is supporting Ujjal Dosanjh's bid for the leadership of the B.C. NDP. Four NDP candidates including Dosanjh, Corky Evans, Len Werden and Gordon Wilson participated in a spirited debate January 14 before 150 CAW activists at the CAW union hall in New Westminster. Candidates fielded tough questions ranging from labour issues to bulk water exports, public sector wage guidelines, environmental issues and more. Len Ruel, CAW Canada area director for B.C./Alberta, said that after the candidates' debate the CAW activists conducted an in camera discussion on where the CAW's support should go. The caucus voted to support Dosanjh for NDP leader. "In our view Ujjal is a man of exemplary integrity with the commitment and party roots to lead our party and our province into the future," Ruel said. CAW delegates at the NDP leadership convention February 18 to 20, 2000 will be campaigning to encourage other delegates to support Dosanjh for Premier.
Bulletin: Year 2000 Family Education Program
Applications for the Family Education Program at the CAW's Port Elgin, Ontario centre must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 24, 2000. The program is open to all CAW members and their immediate family although families who have never had the chance to attend are first considered. - Session 1, Sun., July 2 to Fri., July 14; - Session 2, Sun., July 23 to Fri., August 4; - Session 3, Sun., August 6 to Fri., August 18. For more information, contact the Education and Women's Department, CAW-Canada, 205 Placer Court, Toronto, ON, M2H 3H9 or call 1-800-268-5763 extension 484.
Bulletin: CAW Health, Safety & Environment Newsletter
If you know of a health, safety, environment or workers' compensation activist who would like to get on the mailing list of the bi-monthly CAW Health, Safety and Environment Newsletter, please let the Health & Safety Department know. They can be reached by telephone (1-800-268-5763, ext. 558), fax (416) 495-3785 or e-mail, cawhse@caw.ca. Please give them the person's name, address, postal code, local union number, workplace and as well, if known, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address.
