May 1, 2000
Volume 30, No. 16
CAW Council: Port Elgin - April 29 to May 1
More than 700 CAW Council delegates recently met in Port Elgin to debate and discuss the key issues facing the union. On the agenda was everything from the WTO decision on the auto pact to the struggle of 30,000 SEIU members to make a democratic choice to leave their union and join the CAW. Here's a look at some of the debates, recommendations and speeches:
SEIU - The Fight For A Democratic Say In The Future
For the first time with the entire CAW leadership present from coast to coast since the start of the fight to defend the right of 30,000 SEIU members in Ontario to determine their own destiny with a democratic vote, CAW president Buzz Hargrove laid out in detail the events that have transpired. Delegate after delegate outlined their support of the right of the membership to make a democratic choice about their future. Prior to council, various CAW sectoral councils and locals such as Local 707 and Local 707's retirees chapter had already voted in support of the CAW position. In February, more than 800 elected local leadership of the SEIU 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 got a court order to stop a membership vote. Nevertheless, in spite of being stopped by the court from voting on disaffiliation from SEIU, on March 2 more than 10,000 members endorsed by 98.75 per cent the direction taken by their former elected leadership. Since that time, 66 separate SEIU bargaining units have made a democratic choice about their future and through Ontario Labour Relations Board supervised votes have overwhelmingly voted to join the CAW. However, an umpire who reviewed the dispute has found the CAW in violation of the Canadian Labour Congress constitution. The CLC has imposed a round of sanctions against the CAW. It sparked a lot of discussion, but there was unanimity of support for the CAW's position. "We want to be part of the Canadian labour movement," Hargrove said. "If you take us out of the Canadian labour movement, labour councils and federations of labour, you would have a much different labour movement in this country." "But if the price of remaining in the Canadian Labour Congress is that we have to ignore the democratic wishes of organized working people in this country, then I believe we have to accept we're going to be outside the Canadian labour movement," he said. At council, Ken Brown, former elected president of SEIU Local 210 in Windsor, blasted the International for not allowing members the right to vote. Several former SEIU leadership thanked delegates for their support and there was a standing ovation from delegates for the ongoing struggle to win a democratic say in the future of the 30,000 members.
Support For Locked Out BDL Workers
CAW Local 285 members locked out in Edmonton by Brewers Distribution Ltd., which is jointly owned by Labatts and Molson's, received the support of CAW council, which approved a recommendation that local unions provide financial support. They also were urged to be ready to support a national CAW boycott of Labatts and Molson products, if necessary. Hargrove said the company is demanding a $3 per hour wage cut from these workers who have been delivering beer in Alberta since 1928. The company has locked out CAW members demanding they accept the cuts in wages and benefits. The company has told the committee they are going to close the Edmonton facility in September this year. Hargrove said the union faces a real challenge. "There is no way that our union is going to sit idly by and watch the members of this union take a 30 per cent cut in wages and benefits," Hargrove said. CAW members at BDL's Calgary facility had an overwhelming strike vote and went on strike April 17.
Brand-Name Bullies
Writer and social activist Naomi Klein outlined the growing backlash, especially by young people, against the growing trend by corporations to brand not just products, but also concepts or lifestyles. Klein said many companies are concerned about "product fatigue" and the overmarketing of coffee, sneakers and other products. As a result, corporations are increasingly trying to sell people concepts intended to connect them to communities and what they long for in life. One example is the very expensive marketing campaign by Nike to link its products to the concept of transcending everyday life through sport. Klein, author of the recent book No Logo, said branding is transforming the economy and culture and at the same time producing an anti-corporate backlash. Recent protests in Seattle against the MAI and in Washington against the IMF and World Bank are evidence of that growing corporate backlash, she said.
March To End Poverty And Violence Against Women
The importance of financial support and the backing of women and also men was highlighted as a key to the success of the World Women's March to End Poverty and Violence Against Women. CAW Local 444 delegate Gary Parent urged as many men as possible to support the march and its goal of ending poverty and violence against women. Parent, president of the Windsor and District Labour Council, also encouraged all affiliated unions in all labour councils to provide financial support to the march. CAW women's department director Cheryl Kryzaniwsky said CAW women need to be involved in all the activities that are planned across the country during the eight months of the march. Here are some of the upcoming events: The march will culminate in a Parliament Hill rally in Ottawa on October 15. The CAW will hold a National Women's Conference in Port Elgin August 27-30 and the National Action Committee on the Status of Women will hold a conference and lobby of politicians in Ottawa on May 26 to 28. For more information, contact the CAW Women's Department at 1-800-268-5763.
Calgary Herald Boycott
The lengthy strike at the Calgary Herald and the fight with owner Conrad Black to achieve even basic workplace improvements was outlined by guest speaker Sasha Nagy, a Herald reporter and bargaining committee member. "We have a legal right to seek a collective agreement and he's thumbing his nose at that," said Nagy. Despite the presence of LPI Security guards outside the paper, workers on the picket line remain strong, he said. Hargrove reminded the delegates of how difficult this strike is and the enormous power of the person heading up the corporation. He urged all CAW local unions to support the striking workers and asked Nagy to take a message of the CAW's full support to the picket line.
OAS Fightback In Windsor
Delegates outlined the need for strong participation in Windsor at the events of June 2, 3, and 4 to protest the inaction of Organization of American States (OAS) governments on human and trade union rights abuses. CAW Council delegates urged as many CAW locals as possible to commit resources and participation in the upcoming Windsor Teach-In and Rally. Hargrove said the union is working to ensure a good presence at the upcoming events. "I would encourage those Ontario locals that can participate to make sure that we have a good turnout of CAW people on the streets and in the workshops," Hargrove said. "We have a lot of wonderful people there to talk to us about what's happening around the world and leading the struggle for social justice in this country." CAW international department director Carol Phillips said there's an important and growing movement throughout the world, particularly among young activists who are rejecting the present system and calling for more social justice. "Windsor will give us an opportunity to join with that movement," said Phillips. For more information on events in Windsor contact Rick Kitchen at 519-256-5967 or 519-256-9175.
Support for Mozambique
The continuing hardship faced by the people of Mozambique was outlined by CAW Local 222 president Mike Shields who recently traveled to the African nation as part of a CAW delegation to inspect the union's de-mining project. "I witnessed first hand the suffering of these people...I have never witnessed anything like that," Shields told delegates in a moving, detailed description of Mozambique's struggles with cyclones, flooding and disease. He also outlined the tremendous work the CAW's Social Justice Fund is doing in helping the people cope. On top of the recent floods and cyclones the people of Mozambique must overcome the dangers of removing millions of landmines left after a 16-year civil war. Hargrove urged leadership to go back to their locals to raise awareness and seek at least $1 of relief support per member. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised from CAW locals and an additional $50,000 was provided by CAW Council. In addition, the CAW's Social Justice Fund has provided $100,000 and as well the CAW National union another $100,000. In addition, CAW Council expressed deep concern over the situation in various parts of Africa, in particular the war in the Congo and the war and famine in Ethiopia.
Day of Mourning Rally
Hundreds of delegates marked the April 28 Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job at a ceremony on the grounds of Port Elgin. Hargrove and CAW health and safety department director Cathy Walker challenged delegates to actively participate in the CAW's Machine Guarding and Lock-Out campaign by going back to their local unions and workplaces. They urged delegates and all members to redouble efforts to prevent serious injuries and deaths. During Council delegates heard a moving speech from Rob Ellis, the father of David Ellis, an 18-year-old student who died after an industrial accident February 17, 1999. David was killed when he became entangled in a commercial dough mixer in a non-union bakery. It was his second day on the job. He had received no training and was unsupervised at the time of the accident. The machine had no guard, despite a recent ministry of labour inspection. Rob Ellis outlined the need for strong measures in schools and in the workplace to prevent similar tragedies, especially among young people. He urged all parents to talk to their children about the need for workplace safety. In Ontario last summer there were 8,000 on-the- job injuries to young people. Ellis stressed these injuries can be prevented through awareness, training and employers who take responsibility to end such tragedies. CAW organizing department director Paul Forder stressed that governments establish compulsory workplace health and safety training and ensure workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. Delegates were urged to read and distribute the Student Safety Handbook, developed by the London Occupational Safety and Health group which includes CAW Locals 27, 88 and 1520. For more information contact (519) 433-4156.
Support for Canadian Shipbuilding
The struggle to convince the federal government of the critical need for a shipbuilding policy in Canada was highlighted. Les Holloway, executive director of the CAW/Marine Workers Federation, said the federal government's approval of a shipbuilding policy will help put Canadians who work in shipyards back to work. CAW Locals were urged to lobby MPs in their areas and ask for support for Bill C213 when it comes back to Parliament for third reading, the final step in making it law. The private members' bill has received second reading so far. Hargrove said the bill calls on the Canadian government to establish a shipbuilding policy that will strengthen shipbuilding, not only for CAW members in Atlantic Canada, but also for shipbuilding unions and workers in Quebec and British Columbia. "We have to keep up the fight that our members in Atlantic Canada have started," Hargrove said.
CAW Members At Air Canada Turn Down Tentative Agreement, While At Canadian Airlines It's Approved
A tentative agreement with Air Canada has been rejected by 63.6 per cent of CAW members at Local 2213, but at Canadian Airlines the tentative agreement got the approval of 90 per cent of CAW Local 1990 members. With the agreement turned down by CAW members at Air Canada, the union is now urging the company to return to the bargaining table to address the key issues the membership have identified. One major problem is the question of seniority. When the financial restructuring at Canadian Airlines is finished, Air Canada president Robert Milton should tell all employees that he is merging the two airlines, so the unions can find a process to resolve the seniority issue, said CAW transportation director Gary Fane. The tentative agreement covering 4,200 CAW members at Air Canada and 4,100 CAW members at Canadian Airlines was reached in March. The membership voted at meetings held across the country in the following weeks.
Two-Tier Health Care System On Its Way
Health care spending cuts are leading to a two-tier system according to the evidence presented in a report recently released by the Ontario Alternative Budget Working Group. The report, "Health Care Spending in Ontario: It's Time to End the Games" documents the decline in health care spending in Ontario measured by examining dollars spent per person. The report, prepared by Bill Murnighan of the CAW Research Department, shows the Harris government spends $198 less per person on health care today than it did in 1994-95. And, five-year spending plans unveiled in the 1999 Ontario Budget will see real health care spending fall in each of the next four years. The slide in spending is sending Ontario into a two-tier system according to the report. The system will pit rich against poor - if you have money you can get private health care - what you need, when you need it. The cutbacks to the public system have already pushed nearly $1 billion more per year into the for-profit health care market. For copies of the report contact Bill Murnighan in the Research Department at (416) 718-8483.
WEB Preview: CAW Web Page
Here's a brief look at just some of the information available on the CAW home page. CAW Video News "Branding - A Double Edged Sword dated May 2, 2000 "Branding - A Double Edged Sword" Lifestyle branding, not products, is the new global business strategy that encourages child labour and abuse of workers rights. At the same time, it has given activists the tools they need to fight back, according to Naomi Klein, columnist for the Globe and Mail and author of "No Logo Taking Aim At The Brand Bully"... For the full text, go to the CAW web site, www.caw.ca, under What's News CAW Video News.
