January 23, 2000
Volume 30, No. 4
Doer Fighting For Versatile's Survival
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer is supporting the fight to save the Versatile farm equipment plant in Winnipeg. The NDP premier got a standing ovation from hundreds of Versatile workers, members of CAW Local 2224, who attended a January 22 rally in Winnipeg in support of their plant. "It's important that the last farm assembly plant in Canada be saved," Doer was quoted in the Winnipeg Free Press. U.S. regulators approved a merger of Versatile's parent corporation New Holland NV with Case Corp. last year. But they also said the merged company had to divest itself of key product lines at the Winnipeg plant, placing the facility's future in jeopardy. Versatile Farm Equipment has operated in Winnipeg since 1951 and is the last remaining farm tractor assembly plant in Canada. It employs more than 800 people (although 585 are currently on layoff) and provides thousands of spinoff jobs in the community. "We have a great product and a great plant," said Len Rausch, president of CAW Local 2224. "It's long past time that Versatile took concrete steps to showcase this plant to perspective buyers." Dale Paterson, CAW area director, said Versatile is an important plant for the Manitoba economy creating a range of spin off work for architects, engineers, food services and other businesses. Paterson stressed that the Winnipeg plant's location, the quality of work, the lower Canadian dollar and lower health care costs for its workers in comparison to the United States make it a more desirable location. Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray told the rally that urban and rural economies are both changing rapidly creating crises on both family farms and the inner city. "I see Versatile as an area for growth, not reduction, in our city," Murray was quoted. He also committed full support to the campaign along with NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre) and MP Reg Alcock (Winnipeg South). Bob Chernecki, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove, stressed the importance of the plant and the national union's support of the campaign to save it.
CAW Local 200 Joint Committees Win Environmental Achievement Award
The Essex Region Conservation Authority has recognized the Windsor site CAW/Ford joint in-plant environment committees for their contribution to the community environment. When receiving the award for the CAW, Alex Keeney, CAW Local 200 president, lauded the dedication of environmental activists and commended community youth for understanding the importance of becoming involved in environmental action. Keeney said he is proud of the committees' accomplishments, which are the result of a union demand during '96 negotiations with Ford. The committees are intended to address the environmental concerns of CAW members at work and outside the plant gates.
Staff Appointments
CAW president Buzz Hargrove recently made a number of staff appointments. Staff representative Bert Rovers has been assigned the responsibility of Toronto Area Director, working with and co-ordinating activities of the servicing staff in the Toronto office. Staff representative Lynn Brophy has been appointed to the communications department. Brophy is a longtime activist, who previously did communications work for CAW Local 2213. She also has a degree in adult education and has been working in the CAW education department on curriculum development. Rick Rose, president and chair of CAW Local 1530 has been appointed a national representative working out of the education department, effective March 5, 2000. Rose is a former national executive board member and CAW Council delegate, he is also active in his labour council and the United Way. Stu Shields, president of CAW Local 333 has been appointed a national service representative working out of the CAW's New Westminster B.C. office, effective February 2000. Shields has a long history of trade union activism. Prior to joining the CAW he was the provincial executive board member of BCGEU. He was president of ICTU Local 3 and was instrumental in bringing ICTU Local 3 into the CAW. As well, he has held several elected local union positions and is vice-president of the Victoria and District Labour Council and a CAW Council delegate.
Bulletin: CAW Unemployment Insurance Conference
The CAW's Year 2000 Unemployment Insurance Conference runs April 14 through April 16 at the CAW's Port Elgin Family Education Centre. The conference will feature guest speakers and workshops. Preference will be given to those registering by March 24. For more information contact CAW national representative Laurell Ritchie at (416) 497-4110 ext. 443.
Bulletin: Ken Lewenza Featured Guest at Roast
CAW Local 444 president Ken Lewenza will be the guest of honour at a celebrity roast in Windsor on Friday, February 18. The celebrity panel for the roast includes CAW president Buzz Hargrove, CAW Local 444 financial secretary Gary Parent, Windsor Mayor Michael Hurst, DaimlerChrysler Canada vice-president Ken McCarter and others. The roast will be held at the Giovanni Caboto Club in Windsor. For tickets call (519) 253-8065.
Bulletin: CAW 2000 Education Conference
The CAW Education Conference will be held at the CAW Family Education Centre from March 31 to April 2. A number of workshops and guest speakers will be featured. The registration deadline is March 10, 2000. For further information call (416) 718-8484 or 1-800-268-5763 ext. 484.
Government Benefits 2000
as of January 1, 2000
| Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan |
CPP |
QPP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.9% |
3.9%
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Old Age Security (effective Jan. 1, 2000 - adjusted quarterly) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
- single - couple |
419.92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unemployment Insurance (E.I.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
39,000
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *supplement available for claimants with children and family net income under $25,921 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer Price Index | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Publication dates for the CPI during the calendar year 2000 as it relates to your cost-of-living formulas under you collective agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Workers Compensation |
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N.B. Information on Workers Compensation earnings will be included in a later edition of CONTACT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WEB PREVIEW: CAW Web Page
Here's a brief look at just some of the information available on the CAW home page. The Canadian Auto Workers -
The Birth and Transformation of a Union
by Sam Gindin This illustrated history of the Canadian Auto Workers provides a profile of the CAW as well as the labour and social movements it helped shape. Part of the U.S. based United Auto Workers for fifty years, the CAW split from the UAW in 1985 to become the diverse and powerful union it is today. For the full text, go to the CAW web site, www.caw.ca, under What's News CAW history Online Book or New This Week.
