April 20, 2000
Volume 30, No. 15
Thousands Of SEIU Members Vote To Join CAW
Thousands of Service Employee International Union members in Ontario have made a democratic decision about their future by voting overwhelmingly in favour of joining the Canadian Auto Workers union. The Ontario Labour Relations Board finished counting on April 18, 28 separate bargaining unit votes where workers want to leave SEIU and join CAW. The CAW overwhelmingly won the votes at the 28 bargaining units counted by the OLRB last week, with approximately 50 more bargaining unit votes to be counted at the time CONTACT went to press. A total of 1,075 ballots had been cast in favour of the CAW and 25 cast for SEIU, which is 97.7% in favour of CAW. The SEIU members whose ballots were counted primarily work in hospitals, nursing and retirement homes. They are workers whose collective agreements are about to expire or have expired and under an open period, have voted to change unions. "These vote results clearly show that the members in these workplaces want a change and have democratically expressed their choice," said Bob Chernecki, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "The main issue in this struggle is about the right of workers to have a democratic say about their future. It's not just about whether they want to join the CAW," Chernecki said. In February of this year, more than 800 elected local union leadership voted unanimously to support a recommendation by the executive of eight Ontario SEIU locals covering 30,000 members to leave the U.S.-based SEIU. The SEIU responded by placing the locals under trusteeship and removing hundreds of officers, workplace representatives and staff from their positions. The SEIU also obtained a court order to halt a vote by the membership to democratically decide their future. Stopped by the court from voting on disaffiliation from SEIU, on March 2 more than 10,000 members from the eight locals endorsed by 98.75 per cent the direction taken by their former elected leadership to leave the SEIU and join the CAW. "These results raise the question of why SEIU continues to spend tremendous resources and money on a fight against their own members," said Ken Brown, former elected president of Local 210 in Windsor.
CAW At Washington Protests Against IMF and World Bank
Over 30,000 mostly student demonstrators in Washington recently protested against the unjust lending policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and its impoverishment of developing countries. "It was inspirational to see how these young people organized themselves in peaceful protest" said Rick Kitchen, veteran organizer from CAW Local 127. "We observed their training sessions on passive resistance, political puppet making and emergency first aid" added Peter Pellerito, long time political activist from CAW Local 444. "These students knew the issues and were prepared to put themselves on the firing line to fight for justice. How unfair that the media focused on a few troublemakers!" he added. Kitchen and Pellerito were in Washington to witness the events and as part of a Canadian Labour Congress work group preparing for the upcoming protests against the Organization of American States which meets in Windsor this June. "We learned a lot from these gutsy youth" said Kitchen "and we hope to work here in Canada with the Students Federation and make sure our Windsor event is a clear message to the OAS countries that we want justice for all workers and their families."
Guess Who's Coming To Windsor?
A call letter and registration form is out for CAW participation in the Teach In and Rally on the Organization of American States (OAS) meeting being held June 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Windsor. If you're a political activist who missed Vancouver anti-APEC events, Seattle protests against the MAI, Washington demonstrations for fairer policies for the developing world then you'll want to make sure you're in Windsor to speak out for worker justice in the America's! For more information, call CAW event organizer Rick Kitchen at (519) 256-5967 or (519) 256-9175.
Expansions At Windsor Engine And Essex Engine Plants
Ford of Canada plans to expand its Windsor Engine Plant Annex and Essex Engine plants creating an additional 350 to 450 jobs over two years. The plants are earmarked for increased component production for the Ford Triton modular engines. CAW Local 200 president Alex Keeney said the announcement is excellent news for all Local 200 members. "This adds to the security of the workforce and at the same time provides 350 to 450 new jobs for our community, as well as important spin off jobs for Windsor and the surrounding area," Keeney said. Ford also announced a joint venture of two aluminum casting plants in Windsor with a Mexican company called ALFA/Nemak. Keeney stressed that Ford CAW members in Windsor remain employees of Ford under the venture, because of language bargained by the union in the 1999 round of negotiations.
Workplace Fatality Results in $75,000 Fine
In what is one of the largest fines ever levied in Nova Scotia history for an occupational health and safety offence, a judge has imposed a $75,000 fine on Crossley Carpets in Truro. The fine was for the failure of the company to provide safeguarding that would have prevented an industrial accident a year ago that resulted in the death of CAW Local 4612 member Sheila Gamble. The 38-year-old Gamble's death was one of the tragedies that led to the CAW Machine Guarding/Lockout campaign that began at CAW Council in December 1999.
Labour Rally For Locked-Out BDL Workers
Several hundred members of Alberta unions recently rallied in support of CAW members locked out by Brewers Distribution Ltd., which is jointly owned by Labatt and Molson's. The 104 members of CAW Local 285 in Edmonton, who are beer warehouse workers and drivers, were locked out April 4 after refusing to accept a 30 per cent cut in pay and benefits. The Alberta Federation of Labour has launched a boycott of Molson and Labatt products in Northern Alberta. Earlier this month the membership unanimously endorsed the bargaining committee's opposition to the company's demands for cutbacks. "Our membership is prepared for a very long struggle to fight company plans to rollback wages and benefits," said Wayne Robinson, Local 285 bargaining committee member. "They are also determined to bargain a fair and equitable agreement for themselves and their families."
Working With Pride Conference
The CAW Human Rights Department held its first "Working with Pride" conference on April 14th - 16th, 2000 at Port Elgin. There was overwhelming response and enthusiastic participation from over ninety participants: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered CAW members and their allies. Local unions from coast to coast, and from all sectors of our union, sent delegates to the conference. CAW Secretary-Treasurer, Jim O'Neil, opened the conference by welcoming delegates. The conference highlighted recent legal decisions; workplace and benefit issues; and harassment of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender CAW members. Conference participants drew up Action Plans calling for visibility campaigns, increased education for local union representatives and shop floor activists, and greater participation by union members and leaders in community activities, including Pride parades. Stephanie Johnstone of CAW Local 636, presented O'Neil with a framed copy of the new CAW Pride poster, to hang on the walls at Port Elgin. Copies of the new Pride poster are being sent out to all local unions. The posters are to be displayed in workplaces. For copies, contact the CAW National office, attention Anne Marie Vincent in the Workroom at (416) 497-4110 ext. 217. For more information about the conference, contact Raj Dhaliwal, CAW Human Rights Director (1-800-268-5763), or contact your local area CAW gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender caucus.
New Members Join The CAW
New members continue to join the CAW. Here are some of them: - in Ottawa, 28 workers at Leroux Steel Inc. become part of CAW Local 4270. Leroux Steel handles custom steel order and delivery; - also in Ottawa at Cyrville Chrysler, 30 workers in sales, service and the body shop join the CAW. They are part of CAW Local 4270. At Belisle Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Cadillac in Ottawa, 50 sales and service workers have joined the CAW; - in Brampton, ON, at Terex Bartell Ltd. 57 workers have joined the CAW. The company is a tool, die and machinery shop; - at the Oxford Regional Nursing Home in Ingersoll, ON, 23 nursing home workers have joined the CAW; - in Woodstock, ON, at the Caressant Care Nursing Home, 115 workers are now part of the CAW.
Bulletins
CLC Literacy Representative The Canadian Labour Congress Literacy Project is an initiative with federal government financial support designed to encourage union involvement in literacy and promote the use of plain language. The CLC is seeking a national representative - literacy to be contracted for a period up to May 15, 2001. Applications for the position will be accepted until May 3, 2000. Please provide references on your application, refer to Bulletin 2000-06 and address the application to Nancy Riche, CLC Secretary-Treasurer, 2841 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 8X7. The fax is (613) 521-4655. Organ Donor Awareness CAW Local 1285 member Steve Moore wants to remind CAW members and their families that April 23 through April 30 is National Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness Week. Moore, who is also first vice-president of Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) Ontario Division, urged members to find out about events planned for their communities. For more information in Ontario, call Organ Donation Ontario at (416) 351-7328 or 1-800-263-2833. The CAW is providing financial support for CTA to host its first National Transplant Games in Sherbrooke, PQ in August.
LUMA 1999 Award Winners
The CAW Local Union Media Association (LUMA) award winners were announced recently at the bi-annual LUMA Conference. Here is a list of 1999 LUMA Award winners presented at the conference: WRITING CATEGORIES Division 1 CATEGORY - LOCAL - PUBLICATION General Excellence - Local 4451 - The Rubber Report Best News Story - Local 4451 - The Rubber Report Best Feature - Local 1325 - The Needle Best Editorial - Local 4451 - The Rubber Report Best New Publication - Local 1941 - Now Division 2 General Excellence - Local 1524 - Amalgamated Best News Story - Local 1524 - Amalgamated Best Feature - Local 88 - Off The Line Best Editorial - Local 1451 - Update Best New Publication - Local 222 - Toolbox Division 3 General Excellence - Local 1285 - Local 1285 News Best News Story - UFAWU - The Fisherman Best Feature - Local 1285 - Local 1285 News Best Editorial - Local 1285 - Local 1285 News Best New Publication - no award CARTOON/PHOTO CATEGORIES Division 1 Best Orig. Cartoon - Local 4451 - The Rubber Report Best Orig. Photo/Collage - Local 4451 - The Rubber Report Division 2 Best Orig. Cartoon - Local 1451 - Update Runner up - Local 1520 - News Headline Best Orig. Photo/Collage - Local 1451 - Update Runner up - Local 1524 - Amalgamated Division 3 Best Orig. Cartoon - Local 1285 - Local 1285 News Runner up - UFAWU - The Fisherman Best Orig. Photo/Collage (Two winners)- Local 1285 - Local 1285 News and UFAWU - The Fisherman LAYOUT & DESIGN Division 1 Best layout & design - Local 1325 - The Needle Division 2 Best layout & design - Local 1524 - Amalgamated Division 3 no award WEB PAGE Best web site overall - Local 4234 Runner up - Local 88
55th UFAWU Convention
More than 100 delegates, guests and staff attended the 55th convention of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union/CAW in Vancouver recently. BC Premier Ujjal Dosanjh spoke at the convention, which opened April 13. Also attending were BC Fisheries Minister Corky Evans and Jim Sinclair, president of the BC Federation of Labour and a CAW member. The delegates discussed issues and resolutions dealing with the decline of the fisheries in the West Coast and declining membership. They also restructured the union's executive board. "The changes we made to the union will help ensure it's around for another 55 years," said John Radosevic, UFAWU/ CAW president. Radosevic was re-elected as president. Irvin Figg was elected first vice president and John Sutcliffe, was elected second vice-president.
WEB PREVIEW: CAW Web Page
Here's a brief look at just some of the information available on the CAW home page. CAW Press Releases April 18, 2000 Thousands of SEIU members vote to join CAW April 14, 2000 CAW continues support for democratic decision by SEIU members April 13, 2000 CAW reaches tentative agreement at First Air For CAW Press Releases, go to the CAW web site, www.caw.ca, under What's News - Press Releases.
