June 11, 2010
Volume 40, No. 23
CAW Launches Groundbreaking Study Tracking Laid Off Workers
The CAW has unveiled a study tracking laid off workers in three different cities across southern Ontario that highlights how incredibly difficult it remains to find work in the current economy.
The study, which is the first of its kind in the province, tracks a random sample of workers at the Collins and Aikman auto parts plant in Toronto, Chrysler Canada in Brampton and Kitchener Frame in Kitchener, many of whom lost their jobs only months prior to the official beginning of the recession.
The study was written by Sam Vrankulj of McMaster University and focuses on the experience of manufacturing workers struggling with plant closures and lost jobs. It examines the various challenges in finding new employment and retraining; the impacts on workers' health and well being and the role of action centres in providing critical supports.
CAW President Ken Lewenza said the study shows that "Bay Street and Main Street are worlds apart." He said it underlines how workers hard hit by the financial crisis are being left behind.
Lewenza emphasized the unemployed still need more government income supports to ensure they get training and education that will lead to solid job opportunities.
"Laid off workers are too often left to fend for themselves. This has to be one of the worst times to be unemployed since the Great Depression," Lewenza said. Since 2002 more than 550,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Canada.
Here are some key findings from the joint study by the CAW and McMaster:
- the labour market remains very tough. Only 24% of the participants were working at the time of the survey. Of this group, approximately 70% were employed in part-time, temporary or more precarious forms of work;
- when workers get adequate income and tuition support they take advantage of retraining opportunities after job loss. Otherwise, the financial obstacles are too great. The vast majority of the 260 study participants who enrolled for upgrading or retraining identified the level of income support and the cost of tuition as the most important factors enabling that enrollment;
- workers report high levels of satisfaction with the unique services provided by action centres and peer helpers;
- more targeted supports are needed to address the multiple obstacles faced by laid off workers who are older, women, immigrants or who lack strong literacy skills.
The study was initiated by CAW with funding approved in the adjustment contract between CAW, Chrysler Canada and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Action Centres offer a wide range of formal and informal supports to meet the needs of laid off workers including job search, retraining, financial, personal and social needs. To read the full report, go to: http://www.caw.ca/en/8996.htm
CAW Urges Harper to Condemn Attack on Aid Ships
CAW President Ken Lewenza is urging the federal government of Canada to condemn the recent attack on a flotilla intending to bring humanitarian aid and supplies to the people of Gaza.
The following is an excerpt from a June 3 letter from Lewenza to Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
"The nearly 700 people on board the aid ships included Members of Parliament from a number of nations, UN staff, human rights and trade union activists, journalists, writers and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. They carried 10,000 tons of humanitarian and basic supplies for the peoples of Gaza: temporary shelters, equipment for children, construction materials, medical equipment, medicines and school supplies.
The international trade union movement has denounced Israel's blockade of Gaza and called on governments everywhere to support a two state solution. Unions around the world, including the CAW, are committed to the work we do with Israeli and Palestinian workers in efforts to build peace and forge alliances.
We urge you to condemn the attack on these ships in international waters that were bringing much needed humanitarian aid and supplies to the people of Gaza - an attack that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. We also urge you to call for a full, open and independent inquiry to establish what exactly occurred and to bring those in violation of international law to justice."
A full copy of the letter can be downloaded here: http://www.caw.ca/en/8992.htm
Women Leaders Demand NDP Vote to Keep Gun Registry
More than 630 women leaders from a variety of organizations, including the CAW, across the country have issued a joint appeal to NDP leader Jack Layton demanding that his party vote against Bill C-391, which would abolish the national long gun registry.
The following is an excerpt from the June 4 letter:
The Harper Conservatives have launched an attack on the progressive foundations of our country. There are no hidden agendas. From day one, this government has attacked the very foundations of equality and well-being. They are not nation builders but thrive on the politics of division and fear.
We should not abet them in their agenda.
It began with the slashing of $4 billion in funding for child care and early learning. Then came the elimination of the Court Challenges Program, the attack on pay equity, and the cutbacks and narrowed mandate for Status of Women Canada. Canada's reputation as a consensus-builder and progressive force on the world stage has also been greatly diminished under the Harper regime and they continue to undermine efforts to reduce the impact of climate change on our planet.
Every step, every victory, has emboldened the Conservative right. Now they have their sights set on the gun registry and a woman's right to choose.
The Bill could go for third and final reading in the House of Commons as early as June 16, where MPs will be called on to vote for or against the Bill. The CAW is urging members to get in touch with NDP leader Jack Layton and NDP MPs who voted in favour of Bill C-391. To find out how, please visit: http://www.caw.ca/en/8182.htm
To read the full letter, please visit: http://www.caw.ca/en/9005.htm
CAW Calls for Extension of UI Pilot Projects and Benefits
| Participants take in a presentation during the CAW's annual UI conference. |
Over 90 delegates from CAW locals across Canada participated in this year's Unemployment Insurance Conference, May 28 -30 at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario.
Delegates took part in workshops and plenary sessions, including presentations by Service Canada, Trish Blackstaffe, Employment Insurance (EI) Commissioner for Workers and national representative Angelo DiCaro on precarious work and the link with EI entitlements.
Sharon Lupton from the London & Middlesex United Way Employment Services also played a big role in facilitating an Action Centre and Adjustment Committee workshop. The weekend concluded with a mock appeal presented by CAW Council UI Committee members.
Delegates were very disturbed to learn the Federal Government plans to eliminate their $57.2 billion cumulative debt to the EI Account. This means that a newly established EI account will start in a deficit position following the recession.
Delegates called for an extension of EI pilot projects and budget spending on extended benefits that are scheduled to end in 2010, including those for "long tenure" workers.
CAW Recognized for Child Poverty Work
The CAW was presented with the 2009 Outstanding Community Partner award by Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC) - an independent charity devoted to enhancing the well-being of children in Canada and around the world. The award was handed out at the annual CFTC donor appreciation event, held in Toronto on June 8.
The union was recognized for its ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia, where the CAW Social Justice Fund has devoted funds to support education, income generation, health, nutrition and agricultural programs.
CAW President Ken Lewenza considers the Social Justice Fund a hallmark in the union's ongoing efforts to promote social unionism - the belief that a union's work must focus on building solidarity, forging social ties and making positive and progressive change within communities at home and around the world.
"It has been the commitment of CAW members to social justice that has taken our work well beyond the confines of boardrooms and bargaining tables and into the community," Lewenza said.
"We are honoured to receive this award from Canadian Feed the Children, an organization we hold in the highest regard and join with in the battle to eradicate child poverty."
For more information on the CAW Social Justice Fund, visit: http://www.caw.ca/en/services-departments-social-justice-fund.htm
For more information on Canadian Feed the Children, visit: http://www.canadianfeedthechildren.ca/
CAW 2010 Retired Workers Council and Conference
The CAW Retired Workers Council and Conference will be held at the CAW Family/ Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario from September 5 to 10.
The registration deadline is August 15.
For more information regarding the RW Council and Conference please contact national coordinator Dean Lindsay at 1-800-268-5763, ext. 3791.
Outstanding CAW Retired Worker Award
The deadline for submitting nominations for the Outstanding CAW Retired Worker of the Year Award is June 15. This annual award is presented to a CAW retired activist, who has made a major contribution to their local union and community.
All nominations must comply with written criteria and be approved by the chairperson of the Retired Workers chapter and the local union executive board and signed by the president. The criteria and application form can be found on the CAW website at http://www.caw.ca/en/8941.htm
Contact national coordinator Dean Lindsay if you have questions concerning the award at 1-800-268-5763, ext. 3791, directly at 416-495-3791 or email deanlindsay@caw.ca.
CAW Songwriting Contest
Hey there budding songwriters and musicians!
The Canadian Auto Workers union is turning 25 this year and we want you to use your talents to write a song, commemorating this special anniversary. Songs will be judged on the criteria below and the winners* will be invited to perform the song at the CAW Joint Council in Montreal, August 27-29, 2010.
Judging criteria:
- relevance to the CAW and its history
- diversity
- artistic quality
We encourage entrants from a diversity of backgrounds, representative of our ever-changing union. All musicians/applicants must be CAW members or retirees.
Shortlisted entries will be uploaded to YouTube after July 1 for voting via the CAW national website. The submission deadline is July 1, 2010.
Entries should be submitted by email as mpegs or wmv files only. Please contact Shannon Devine, Director of Communications at 1-800-268-5763 x 6544 or Shannon.devine@caw.ca with any questions.
*There will be one English winning group and one French winning group.
Good luck!
Key Events for the G8 & G20 People's Summit in Toronto
June 18: People's Summit 2010 Launch
Event: Building a Movement for a Just World: Solutions and Stories from North and South
Host: People's Summit
Location: The Carlu Hotel, 44 Yonge Street - 7th floor, Toronto
Time: 7:00 pm
Contact: Marya Folinsbee, (905) 218-5131
June 19: G8 & G20 Open Forum
Event: People First: We Deserve Better!
Host: CLC
Location: Room 2158, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto
Time: 10 am - 4:30 pm
Pre-registration: Ontario Regional Office 416-441-3710
Description: This open forum will explore the global financial and economic crisis and highlight Decent Work and the ILO Jobs Pact as the pillars of labour's response.
June 20: G8 & G20 Conference on Mexico
Event: Building Solidarity with the Democratic Labour Movement in Mexico
Host: CEP, USW & CAW with ICEM, IMF & UNI
Location: Chestnut Residence Hotel - 2nd Floor, 89 Chestnut Road - right behind Toronto City Hall
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Registration @ 8:30 am)
Description: This conference will bring together workers from Mexico and from other countries to build awareness on the assault on the independent labour movement by the Calderon government in Mexico and to develop an international solidarity campaign in response.
June 25: Shout Out for Global Justice
Event: Challenge the G20 and Demand Trade, Water and Climate Change
Host: Council of Canadians and CEP, CAW, CUPE, SFL, OSSTF, CUPW, rabble.ca, PSAC & NUPGE
Location: Massey Hall - 178 Victoria Street Toronto ON
Time: 7:00 pm Tickets on sale at Massey Hall ($14).
For further information call 1-800-387-7177 ext. 239 or visit http://www.canadians.org/
June 26: G8 & G20 Public Rally
Event: People First: We Deserve Better Rally & March!
Location: Queen's Park, Toronto
Time: 1 pm
Description: This rally and march is an opportunity for Canadians to speak out on priorities for industrialized nations to adopt on economic recovery, environment and human rights, decent and green jobs, equality and social protection, as well as universal access for AIDS. Decisions taken by the G8 and G20 governments have a direct impact on millions of lives in Canada and around the world.
PLEASE NOTE: With maternal health a key issue in the G8 & G20 discussions the march will be lead by women! It is important to have as many women as possible join the march!
Buses for the Toronto Rally are being organized through Labour Councils. CAW contact person for the rally - Steve Watson at steve.watson@caw.ca or toll free at 1-800-268-5763 x 8462.
Posters - Updates and further information will be available on the CAW website: http://www.caw.ca/en/8954.htm
