1520 NEWS HEAD.

L
O
CA
0
CAW
L
15
2
S T. T H O M A S , O N T A R I O
Volume 38, No. 2
June 29, 2005
SUMMER COLOURING
CONTEST
Name.........................................
Age........... Phone.....................
Address.....................................
CAW
..................................................
L
CA
0
Postal Code...............................
O
L
15
2
(See page 15 for details)
PAGE 2, NEWSHEADLINE
L
O
CA
0
CAW
L
15
2
St. Thomas, Ontario
P. O. Box 545, St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3V6
EDITORIAL BOARD
Jean Simpson, Editor
John O’Handley
Whitey MacDonald
President
Plant Chairperson
Cindy Aquilina
Les Smith
Member-At-Large
Recording Secretary
Stan Szydlowski
Sara Johnston
Financial Sec.-Treas.
Member-At-Large
Bob Such, Retired Workers’ Chairperson
The opinions expressed or advertisements displayed do not necessarily
reflect the views, opinions or endorsement of Local 1520 C.A.W. The
Editorial Board reserves the right to edit any article submitted for length
or conformity to C.A.W. Policy.
CEP
UNION
FINE TOUCH GRAPHICS
SCEP
LABEL
GRAPHICAL
962-M
BORDER PRESS INC
by as much as 80%.
This proposed bill would ensure that employees,
not banks or suppliers, are first on the list when debts
are being paid out and rightfully so. It would also mandate that under funded pensions be fully funded, in fact
not to do so would be illegal.
Workers who dedicate themselves for a majority of
their lives to make a profit for the companies they work
for most certainly deserve this protection. They deserve
to live out the remainder of their lives in the manner
they were accustomed to during their working years,
with dignity, not in poverty.
Let’s make sure our MPs understand exactly where
we, as workers, stand on Bill C-281!
In closing, I wish each and everyone a safe,
healthy and happy holiday.
In Solidarity!
Jean Simpson, Editor
EDITORIAL
PENSION
PROTECTION –
Do We Need It?
Last November, Pat
Martin an NDP MP for
Winnipeg Centre introduced
a private members bill,
C-281 that would amend
Canada’s bankruptcy act, giving employees more protection over their wages, benefits and pensions. It has
gone through second reading and has been sent to committee for further investigation.
Why would such a bill be necessary? Don’t WE
already have a fully funded pension?
Yearly in Canada there are approximately 10,000
commercial bankruptcies, leaving thousands of workers without back wages, benefits and pension contributions.
Recently several major Canadian companies let it
be known that the pensions of their employees were in
jeopardy.
• Air Canada pension plan $3.1 billion under funded
• Stelco wants to cut pensions and benefits in
restructuring
• Northern Telecom rumours of bankruptcy, thousands
of pensions would be cut
It’s anyone’s guess which company could be next.
There are many horror stories of companies going
under where not only are the active employees out of a
job but the retirees find their pensions and benefits cut
In Memory
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of
PETER FISHER – March 20, 2005 – Retiree
ROBERT BUCHANAN – March 27, 2005 – Retiree
TED TETLOW - March 28, 2005 – Retiree
RICHARD PARDEY – March 31, 2005
Final “B” Shift
JOHN LEFRANK – April 8, 2005 – Retiree
MARTIN STIMAC – April 15, 2005 – Retiree
STUART GILLESPIE – May 11, 2005 – Retiree
BOB JONES – May 12, 2005 – Retiree
CHUCK CORMACK - May 20, 2005
Chassis “B” Shift
JOHN WOODS – June 3, 2005 – Retiree
ARNIE VANDOESBURG – June 3, 2005
Final “B” Shift
MORRIS STILLWELL – June 8, 2005 – Retiree
ANGELO SPITERI – June 12, 2005 – Retiree
KEITH GARROD – June 15, 2005 – Retiree
LARRY HOPKINS – June 18, 2005 – Retiree
ANTON BOSKOVIC – June 19, 2005 – Retiree
PETER HERTLEIN – June 20, 2005 – Retiree
They will be missed by the membership of C.A.W. Local 1520
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 3
P r e s i d e n t ’s
Message
A
s we head into this year’s set of negotiations
you will experience the media coverage of the
Big Three talks as they unfold. You will experience the media’s attempt to try and undermine the
union’s position on wages, benefits, pension and job
security. They will attempt to try to portray us as
greedy workers asking for unrealistic demands to our
friends, families, and neighbours and to our communities.
It is imperative that we get the message out to
those mentioned above, the important contribution of
the region’s auto industry and its CAW membership to
building strong, viable, and healthy communities.
What follows is an economic analysis of the
London area and what the auto sector means to its survival. The analysis highlights the central role that the
auto industry has played in the local economies for
years. It should also be noted that without a healthy
auto industry our communities would have a lot fewer
jobs and would not have a strong enough tax base to
support important public services such as hospitals and
schools.
The London region is a major auto community
with two assembly plants, dozens of independent auto
parts facilities as well as truck and military plants.
Major employers include Ford, Cami, Siemens,
Accuride, Sterling and General Dynamics.
301,599 passenger vehicles were built in the year
2004. The industry produced vehicles and parts worth
$11 billion in the region. The auto industry directly
employs 13,400 people, thousands more jobs are created to supply the industry with steel, plastic and other
manufacturing and services. More jobs are created by
the spending power of autoworkers’ pay cheques.
The major original equipment manufacturing jobs in
the region stimulate an estimated 36,000 jobs throughout the economy. Auto workers paid $145 million in
provincial and federal taxes, funds, which support public services like health care, education, social services,
and most auto workers own homes. Based on average
property tax rates we have contributed 36 million in
municipal taxes in 2004, helping to pay for local ser-
vices.
As we move towards negotiations this fall, there is
much uncertainty in the auto industry. Let me reassure
you that you have the most experienced negotiating
committee of any of the Big Three Locals, with the
commitment and determination to bring back a collective agreement that we all can be proud of. It is important that we have a united leadership and a supportive
membership as we enter into bargaining this fall.
In closing, I would like to take the opportunity to
wish all a safe and enjoyable vacation.
In Solidarity,
John O’Handley,
President
Paul Forder, National Rep. and John O’Handley, President
IMPORTANT PHONE
NUMBERS
Local 1520 Hall – 652-5552
Toll Free – 1-800-411-2700
Benefit Office – 637-5265
637-5450
637-5212
Green Shield - Toll Free
1-888-711-1119
In Plant – 637-5350
PAGE 4, NEWSHEADLINE
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 5
Plant
C h a i r p e r s o n ’s
Repor t
2005 Negotiations – As we head into 2005
negotiations, we will be facing many difficult challenges that have had a direct impact on the auto industry, the rising dollar, the flooding of imports into our
market and Ford’s inability to produce new design
products and market them effectively. The CAW has
absolutely no control or say over these concerns and
we have made that very clear in our discussions so far
with the company. In saying this, there is no doubt in
my mind that this will be one of the most difficult set
of negotiations that the Big 3 has seen in many years.
Recognizing this, Brother Hargrove has called many
more meetings with the Big 3 chairs and master committees to strategize and prepare ourselves as we
approach the official opening of bargaining in Toronto
on July 20/05, with the Ford Motor Co.
On May 13/05, we officially opened up local bargaining with the company in London. We met again on
June 13/05. At this point, the process is moving along
fairly smoothly and by the time we move bargaining to
Toronto, I anticipate that we should be in pretty good
shape.
In regards to our local issues, I would like to take
this opportunity to apprise the membership that our
strike vote meeting will take place at Centennial Hall
on August 28, 2005.
In closing, your continued support and solidarity is
appreciated and important to enable your Bargaining
Committee the mandate it needs to negotiate you and
your family a successful collective agreement.
National Ford Bargaining
Council Elections - The Ford Council met in
London the week of May 30, and held its executive
elections. The following Brothers were elected for a
three-year term:
Chairperson - Whitey MacDonald, Local 1520
Vice Chairperson - Mike Vince, Local 200
Sec. Treas. - Reg Galbraith, Local 584
Trustee - John O’Handley, Local 1520
Trustee - Tim Murphy, Local 200
Trustee - Gary Beck, Local 707
Member-at-Large - Pat Garducci, Local 707
I would like to thank the Ford Council delegates
for their continued support and more importantly, I
would like to thank our membership in allowing me
this opportunity and your continued support is very
much appreciated.
Tentative Layoff Schedule - The following are the tentative dates that the plant will be on layoff for the balance of the year: July 18 to 22, August 8
to 12, 15 to 19, September 12 to 16, October 3 to 7, 24
to 28, November 7 to 11, 14 to 18, and December 19 to
23, 2005.
I would like to remind everyone that these dates are
tentative dates and are subject to change.
ATM Bank Machines - The two Royal Bank
machines, which were bargained locally were taken out
effective May 9/05. The reason these machines were
taken out is because the Royal Bank wanted to take the
machine in number two cafeteria out leaving us with
one banking machine in the main hallway.
This was not acceptable so the company looked for
a new vendor, which would be willing to provide our
members with the current service. I am proud to be
able to say that we were able to negotiate a far better
deal for our members with the new vendor. Royal Bank
was charging $1.50 on every transaction. The new vendor agreed to a .99 cent, service charge with .50 cents
of every transaction would be donated towards our
United Way campaign. The feed back from our membership has been nothing but positive.
Gate Collection - On June 3, 2005, we held our
annual gate collection for the Children’s Hospital of
Western Ontario. I am pleased to say that we raised
$2765.65, and the company agreed to top it up to
$5000.00. I would like to thank all of you who donated
to this very worthy cause. Also thanks to the plant controller, Jim Bundschah, and Human Resources manager
David Cook for agreeing to top up the gate collection.
Cost of Living Allowance - The C.O.L.A.
adjustment effective the first period on or after June 1,
2005, will be .21 cents. When added to the previous
float of $1.46, the new amount will now be $1.67.
Summer Students - As of June 13, 2005, the
company has hired 141 summer students to assist in
covering people off on vacation during the peak period.
Also the current plan is to hire an additional 20 starting
July 25, 2005, bringing the total to 161.
I would like to conclude my report by wishing you
and your family a safe and enjoyable summer vacation.
In Solidarity,
Whitey MacDonald,
Plant Chairperson
PAGE 6, NEWSHEADLINE
concerns would be non-existent. As we get closer to
the contract expiration you will hear many rumours and
media reports, rely on your in-plant committee for any
up-dates. With the support and solidarity of you, the
membership, we will make progress for all in this
round of bargaining.
SKILLED TRADES
REPORT
P
reparations for contract negotiations are progressing well. We have had several meetings
with the company during which we forwarded
our Local demands.
Master bargaining officially opens with Ford on
July 20, with our current contract expiring September
20, 2005. Our Local Bargaining Committee, along with
the committees from the other Ford locations met in
London the week of May 30, to formalize our master
demands for this round of bargaining. The master committees of the Big Three met with Buzz Hargrove in
Toronto, June 6. At this meeting the chairperson of the
Ford master bargaining committee, Brother Whitey
MacDonald, stressed the importance and high priority
of a long-term commitment to the St. Thomas
Assembly Plant, as well as improvements to our pensions and benefits.
We enter into this round of negotiations with many
challenges facing us as a Local, be it the many down
weeks, the uncertainty of the automotive industry, or
the continued loss of market share to the Asian based
corporations.
The media doesn’t help us all that much, you will
read many articles concerning the high legacy costs to
the Big Three with pensions and the ever-increasing
cost of health care. The real truth is the failure of the
Big Three to come to terms with the loss of market
share to the Asian based manufacturers.
They have buried their heads in the sand and refused
to join with the union to lobby the government for fair
trade restrictions on imports. Even with two (possibly
three) Asian based assembly plants in Canada, there is
still a major trade deficit with these companies. They
import over a million vehicles a year more than they
produce in Canada, all we ask is that the government
impose restrictions requiring more Canadian content.
This brings me back to the issue of legacy costs, if
the Big Three had 75 - 80% of the North American
Automotive market, rather than the 57% they currently
share; they would be making so much money that these
Pensions are a very high priority for our union as a
whole, the National Union has undertaken a multi-year
campaign to defend and improve our pensions. The
Canadian Pension Charter developed by our National
Union in Politics Committee (UPC) is a list of rights
stating that all working Canadians be entitled to retire
with adequate pensions to their employees and employer commitments to retirees must be enforced through
public regulation and guarantees.
Ontario is the only jurisdiction with a guarantee
fund, which protects the first $1,000 of monthly pension benefits. We as Canadians stand at the end of the
line after banks and investors, for our pensions and
benefits that we have worked our entire lives for, just to
see pennies on the dollar if anything at all should our
employer declare bankruptcy. It’s time we stood up
against this injustice and demand security in our retirement years.
What can we do?
Many of you are talented writers. Send letters to the
editor of your local paper addressing this issue. Call,
write or fax your MP & MPP. Educate yourself on this
issue, visit the CAW website and read the pension
charter under the pensions and benefits section. This is
an issue for every Canadian as we see more employers
using bankruptcy as a means of circumventing obligations to working class Canadians.
I am proud to announce the graduation from the
apprenticeship program and successful completion of
the Trade Certificate testing of Greg Pratt, Jason
Johnston, and Imran Ahmed. These three members
enter into their respective classifications, as full journeymen, congratulations to all three. Apprentices to
replace these three members in the program have been
moved into the system. The 16-hour pre-apprenticeship
orientation for all 275 members qualifying to sit the
apprenticeship test was well received. A thank you to
the many people involved with getting the program up
and running. This enabled our members to sit the test
with renewed knowledge and a greater sense of confidence. The test took place June 25, 2005.
The grievance log currently stands at four. These
are all overtime based and are at various stages of
grievance procedure.
There are still openings available for Skilled Trades
Union Education program offered in Port Elgin. If you
, , , cont’d on next page
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 7
have yet to attend this program, contact me and I will
place your name on one of the dates. All those having
attended since its inception will attest to the hospitality,
beauty of the facility, and the knowledge gained from
the discussion with other trades people from all the Big
Three locations.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
In Solidarity,
Mike Aquilina,
Skilled Trades Chairperson
A
retirement. Beginning July
1st, you would need 1000
hours worked to attain full
vacation entitlement for the
year. Included in the 1000
hours are holiday hours but not vacation or EAA hours.
Should you attain less than 1000 hours prior to your
retirement, you would receive a percentage of eligible
holiday pay upon retirement, for example 800 hours
80%, 600 hours 60%.
If you are anticipating retirement shortly after the
new pension contract is negotiated we would suggest
you see Mary Beth Rickwood, the company benefit
representative, to get a list of the documents the company will require prior to your retirement. Because of
the large number of people eligible to retire, we would
suggest you should give the company at least four to
six months advance notice prior to your retirement
date.
If you are eligible to collect Canada Pension or Old
Age Security you need to make application at least
three months in advance. We have those forms in the
Union Benefit Office.
In closing we wish you all a safe and enjoyable
vacation.
Ron Galbraith, Dennis McGee
& John Wallace, Benefit Representatives
s you read this article, you will be
anticipating the
upcoming two-week shutdown followed by a one-week
layoff.
Here are a few reminders regarding your out-ofprovince coverage. If you are leaving Ontario make
sure you have your OHIP card and your Green Shield
card.
Within Canada and the U.S.A. call 1-800-936-6626
From all other countries call collect 1-519-742-3556
If you need medical attention while out of the
province and have the opportunity call World Access
Canada first and they will direct you to the nearest
facility and notify the facility that you are coming.
The week following the two-week shutdown there
will be a one-week layoff. You will receive instructions
on calling in that layoff week upon your return to work
on July 25th. During the layoff week of July 18 to 22,
if you are still out of the province we would strongly
suggest you declare yourself unavailable for work. E.I.
has the right to establish an overpayment and fine a
person if they feel they were unavailable for work during a week of layoff.
We have had numerous questions about working
1000 hours to obtain full vacation entitlement prior to
Benefits Report
2005 BARGAINING COMMITTEE
Back row: Brian Bell, Chris Wright, Rick Lee and Paul White
Front row: Whitey MacDonald, John O’Handley and Mike Aquilina
PAGE 8, NEWSHEADLINE
COLLECTION STATISTICS
ENVIRONMENT
CAW Earth Day School
Presentations
Our Union prepares environmental lessons for elementary and secondary schools every year. This year the
message was one of hope. Students were told of positive
changes to environmental problems.
Our membership delivered these lessons to 5758 students in 55 schools in Middlesex and Elgin counties.
Teachers were impressed with the fact that the CAW
would contribute to the education of their students and
were equally impressed with the ability of our members
in delivering these lessons.
Teachers and students were very interested in some
of the developments that are happening in our area. A 99
megawatt wind farm is being developed in the Port
Burwell area. This would be approximately 55(+), wind
turbines spread across 32kms. These turbines will help
to provide the power that the mothballed coal fired generating plants once produced.
In the Lucan area, a beef farmer is developing an
electricity generating facility on his farm. The manure
from his cattle will be anarobically digested producing
methane gas that will fire a gas generator. The power
from this will be for his farm and for the local municipal
offices.
Household Hazardous Waste
Again this year, many of you used this opportunity
to rid yourself of environmentally hazardous material
and to protect the environment. Best of all, it was free!
The Environment Committee looks forward to volunteering for this event every year and takes pride in what
this membership accomplishes by removing this material from the waste stream.
The Youth Committee and Women’s Committee did
an outstanding job of collecting your donations for their
cause. Thanks to their help, they contributed largely to
the success of this day.
Great Lakes United
Every year the Environment Committee donates
money to Great Lakes United and this year we donated
$1300.00. The money is raised from your generous support of the draw we have. This year the winners were
Bronco Subo and Dawn Sands. Congratulations!
Great Lakes United (GLU) does an outstanding job
1999
No. vehicles
255
Misc Paint, ltres 6600
Misc Oils, ltres 6100
Misc. Flam. Liq. 6500
Batteries, kgs
3266
No. of Batteries
218
Flammable
Aerosols, ltres
300
Pesticides/
Herbicides ltres 300
Corros. Liquids, ltres
(Acids, Ammonia) 200
Oxidizing Subtances
(Fertilizer) ltres/kgs100
Poison. Solids, kgs.
(Pharmaceuticals)
Liquid Fuels, ltres
Propane Cyl. (BBQ) 47
Freon Containers
Women’s Comm.
Donations
2000
304
7000
5500
6600
2546
170
2001
228
4500
5100
5800
1994
133
2002
365
6500
6300
8200
3050
203
2003
399
9200
6100
3400
2940
196
2004
411
10000
5845
3280
1995
133
2005
394
12400
6355
5000
2575
164
300
300
500
400
400
400
100
200
300
240
240
360
200
200
300
320
480
880
100
100
800
240
160
160
1
44
80
400
75
79
3
92
95
93
1
$350
$833 $1071
of raising issues that impact the health of the Great
Lakes. This was very evident at this year’s International
Joint Commissions Biennial meeting. GLU presented
information to and helped to gather information for the
IJC. This would then be used to make submissions to
both the American and Canadian governments.
Brother Jim Mahon from our Local was elected to
the Board of Directors of GLU and we expect that he
will be elected to the position of Chairperson.
Congratulations Jim!
Wildlife Habitat Council
This plant has decided to become certified by the
Wildlife Habitat Council. This means that a plan must
be formed, information gathered, community outreach
must be made and the plan then has to be implemented.
This spring, 4700 trees and shrubs of various species
were planted by students of St. Joseph’s Wing
Secondary School and by Air Cadets of Wing #862.
This action will have a number of benefits. The trees
will have a positive impact on air quality, reduce the
number of Canada Geese and provide greater habitat
opportunities for other plants, insects and wildlife.
Summer Vacation
Global warming has brought many changes on how
we enjoy the great outdoors. We may feel the heat more,
the sun is more hazardous to our skin and the weather
may be more severe. Whenever we want to enjoy ourselves at the beach, fishing, sunning or whatever we still
can but we must take the necessary precautions, sunscreen, weather reports and planning can make for a
safer and enjoyable holiday.
On behalf of the Environment Committee, be safe,
be smart and enjoy your holidays.
Ron Challis, Chairperson
Environment Committee
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 9
BUDD MAYNARD
. . F R O M MY
RO C K I N G A IR
CH
If we were allowed into these markets unrestricted,
I have no doubt our plants here would be running flat
out. MacDonald’s Golden Arches and Kentucky Fried
Chicken’s buckets are displayed all over Japan and are
as common as rice. Coke and Pepsi are never far from
a Japanese consumer. J.A.W. (Japan Auto Workers)
union recently bargained for Coke machines in their
car plants. Let’s make the rules the same, an even playing field. The Canadian Auto Worker cannot increase
our domestic auto share. The government can and
must!
his is a great time of year for all of us, spring
and start of summer vacation, school’s out and
contract negotiations in the auto industry. All
are in place making for a most exciting time. This set
of contract talks affects all of us from low seniority to
retirees.
T
Our cars and trucks are just as quality-built and
some are actually better (J.D. Power Award), our vehicles are competitively priced, some even cheaper
(Toronto Star and New York Times). Our North
American industry has the leading components and
innovations of the world (Japan Auto World.)
If you have just a few years at Ford, your future is
being mapped out and if you’re a long time retired
worker you worry about benefits and maybe a few
monetary improvements. Now more than ever, we must
not only say we support our union negotiating committee, we have to show them our full backing and
unyielding solidarity.
Support your negotiating committee and while we
can, buy the car your Sister or Brother built.
When you speak to management don’t be shy in
telling them how strongly we support our negotiating
committee. Trust me that message ALWAYS drifts
back to Ford’s contract team. DO NOT USE negative
terms like “I hope we win this or that” or “As long as
we can keep this holiday or that benefit.” What you
think might be private or confidential. Casual conversations are actually deliberate company engineered
plant floor questions designed to gauge for that “on the
line” union support. These revelations are always
reported back and are quickly used to assist company
positions.
Rock On!
Budd Maynard, Retiree
See I can be serious sometimes!
GREGORY’S OPTICAL
CENTRE
During WWII civilians back on the home front
were warned repeatedly with posters reading “Loose
lips, sink ships.”
Whenever I run into management and they invariably ask me about our union contract proposals, I
always assure them that this will be the year of our
biggest gains that our negotiators are really confident
and I’ve never seen such membership support since I
was a young guy working in the paint shop.
Fact: The Japanese have 95.7% of their market by
law. The Koreans have 95% of their market by law. The
North American Auto Market is open to anyone with
absolutely few restrictions.
OFFERS CAW LOCAL 1520 MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
PAY NOTHING
Choose from Any Frame $139.00 or Under and
PAY NOTHING with your Insurance
Two Locations
GREGORY’S WHARNCLIFFE 438-3662
GREGORY’S LONDON EAST 453-8350
Call or Visit Store for Details
PAGE 10, NEWSHEADLINE
cannot emphasize enough how important it is to keep
this area clear, as every second counts when medical
and Emergency Response Team members are responding to an emergency in the plant.
O
n behalf of St. Thomas Assembly Plant people,
the JHSC committee accepted two safety
awards recently in Detroit.
The safety awards were for 4 years continuous
improvement in lost time case rate awards Occupational Visits and for Grasp Hazard
Identification and Resolution Tracking. CAW and
UAW safety coordinators Guy Hewson (CAW) and
Gary Cox (UAW) as well as Division Safety Engineers,
John Cieslik and Dave Small along with Roman
Krygier, General Vice President Global Manufacturing
and Matt Demars, Vice President Vehicle Operations
presented the awards.
STAP was the only Canadian plant to win an
award and has won awards for four consecutive years.
Medical Emergency * Telephone 222 It is important that all employees understand what
actions are required in the event of a medical emergency:
1) Call out to alert and request others for help.
2) Contact the medical section immediately (telephone
222) and provide the COLUMN & AISLE LOCATION, Name of caller and nature of injury/illness.
3) Shut off equipment that could cause further injury.
4) Remove the victim from immediate/imminent danger.
5) Provide/arrange basic first-aid as required.
a) Establish airway
b) Evaluate breathing/need for CPR
c) Control bleeding (minimizing exposure to blood
and/or fluids)
6) Ensure aisle ways are clear for emergency vehicles.
7) Direct vehicles to the scene.
8) Assign employees crowd control responsibilities as
required.
9 ) Please assist medical personnel and ERT members
as requested. They will assess and take charge of
the accident scene and assess the requirement(s) for
additional assistance, provide emergency treatment
and determine how and when the injured employee
will be moved SAFELY.
No Parking
On an ongoing basis, people are parking in the
restricted area blocking the ambulance garage door. We
Non-Emergency Treatment
Employees are reminded to report occupational
injuries/illnesses immediately to your supervisor and
medical department (located off the main hourly corridor).
Non-emergency treatment is available during both
production and non-production hours. Security staff
(ext. 5332) will provide first -aid services when the
medical department is not staffed.
F.Y.I.
The Ontario government has passed a Bill that
expands the ticketing powers of all provincial health
and safety inspectors. The new Bill now allows for a
ministry inspector to issue tickets to workers for unsafe
practices in the industrial sector.
Examples of violations that employers, supervisors
and workers can be issued a ticket for are: failing to
wear fall protection equipment (harness, lanyard, lifeline); failure to use a machine with adequate guarding;
failing to ensure a lifting device is operated safely.
Tickets are issued under the Provincial Act and
carry set fines of up to $300.00 depending on the
offence.
Unsafe Working Area
It has been brought to our attention that some of our
members and management supervisors are going up
into the overhead basket system to do repair work on
vehicles.
This situation has been discussed at the plant managers’ safety meetings, which we attend on a weekly
basis. Plant manager Mark Bolden at this time
informed everyone at the meeting to stop this practice
immediately and NO person was to go into overhead
basket unless it is maintenance personnel.
Ministry of Labour inspectors issued orders against
the Ford Motor Company several years ago, prohibiting
members from working, repairing vehicles in the overhead basket areas. If anyone is being instructed to work
up in the baskets, let the safety office know so we can
stop this unsafe practice.
It’s Your Life – It’s Your Right – Lock It Out!
Pete MacGinnis, “A” Shift
Joe Foster, “B” Shift
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 11
CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS CONVENTION
T
he 24th Constitutional
Convention of the Canadian
Labour Congress was held
June 13th to 17th, in the city of
Montreal.
The Convention was opened
with a blessing from the First
Nations welcoming the delegates in
the Mohawk native tongue. This
Constitutional Convention was dedicated to the memory of Brother
Dennis McDermott, former president of the Canadian Labour
Congress and Canadian Director of
the UAW.
President Ken Georgetti addressed
the delegates in both French and
English, informing the 2200 delegates in attendance that the CLC
has grown to over three million
members with 58 affiliated unions
and 78 labour councils. Brother
Georgetti stressed that the CLC is
the strongest political voice for all
working people.
Several keynote speakers were
introduced throughout the convention. Maude Barlow, chairperson of
the Council of Canadians warned
the delegates of American
Imperialism and the right wing
policies of the Bush administration.
Bush has been demanding that
Canada fall in line defense and natural resource
issues.
Jack Layton
addressed the convention, praising
the CLC for its
work with labour
issues and how the
congress helps to
build a Canada for
workers. Brother
Layton touched on
the co-operation
between the NDP
and Liberal party
stressing that the
NDP better balance budget was a
good start to mak-
ing the minority government work,
forcing politicians to work for the
people of Canada rather than themselves.
Adams Oshiombole, President
of the Nigerian Labour Congress,
educated the delegates on the
poverty and lack of basic necessities of the people of Nigeria. Their
congress has dealt with many struggles during their existence including military dictators and governmental corruption. He spoke of the
need to unite the Labour Congress
world wide to assist developing
countries and how the Nigerian
government needs to be accountable to the people of Nigeria not
held ransom due to debt with the
World Bank.
Roberta Jamieson, CEO
National Aboriginal Achievement
Foundation, drew comparisons
between the CLC and the First
Nations, the fact that both organizations fight for human rights and the
respect and dignity for their members. She spoke of the need to
improve education for First Nations
children and raise their members.
She spoke of the need to raise their
prospects for employment opportunities.
Stephen Lewis, Special Envoy
to the United Nations, thanked the
delegates for their work in the
struggle to eradicate child labour
and world hunger. He detailed the
United Nations Millennium development goals of urgent human
imperatives and asked the CLC to
continue the fight for the elimination of poverty, disease and war.
Documents, statements and resolutions were dealt with during the
five days of the conference. Issues
of pay equity, pensions, bans on
racial profiling, post secondary
school education, globalization and
youth.
A resolution brought to the floor
of the CLC by CAW Local 1520 to
raise the cutoff age from 27 to 30
was debated, voted on and carried.
The election for officers was
chaired by Brother Bob White on
Thursday morning. Brother Ken
Georgetti was re-elected to the
position of president. Brother
Yussuff Hassan from the CAW was
re-elected secretary-treasurer, Sister
Barb Byers and Sister Marie Clarke
Walker were both re-elected to the
positions of executive vice-presidents. The officers will carry out
their duties for the next three years.
This convention was exciting,
educational and
productive. The
CAW was well
represented with
over 200 delegates
from many locals
and were involved
with the debate on
issues that affect
us all.
Submitted by
CLC Delegates
Mike Aquilina,
John O’Handley,
Stan Szydlowski,
Dennis McGee
and Miro Soucek
PAGE 12, NEWSHEADLINE
RETIRED WORKERS CHAPTER
T
hank you to C.A.W.
Local 1520 for hosting
our Retired Workers
Dinner/Dance on May 4th. An
enjoyable time was had by all
who attended. The next date for this annual event will
be Saturday, April 29, 2006.
RELAY FOR LIFE – Our thanks and appreciation to
Team Captain Gary Potter and all team members for
representing our chapter in the Cancer Relay for Life
held June 10 and 11 in St. Thomas. Seventy-one teams
participating in the rally helped to raise a total of
approximately $145,000. Kathy and Jim Lumley are to
be commended for the outstanding role they played in
organizing this event.
RE-DEDICATION – Our June 13 chapter meeting
began with the rededication of the Bert Rovers
Memorial Garden. This year’s ceremony honoured thirty-two members who have passed away during the past
year as well as the 287 Sisters and Brothers previously
deceased.
Thank you to all who attended. Special thanks for
your involvement to Brother Anton Moravcik’s widow
Norma and to Brothers Mark Campbell, Frank
LeFrank, Gentil Vandenabeele, Ray Wharton, and Paul
French.
ELECTIONS – Delegates to attend the September
4th to 9th, 2005 C.A.W. Retired Workers Conference
in Port Elgin were elected at our June meeting. Voting
delegates are Brothers Jim Lumley, Jim Mahon, and
Bob Such. Fraternal delegates are Brothers Dino
Rovithis and Doug Seaton. Brother Jerry Stiltz will
also attend as a voting delegate from our Retired
Workers Area Council.
COMPUTER TRAINING – All three phases of
computer training have now ended for the summer.
Classes will be scheduled in the fall based on the num-
ber of people showing interest in Basic, Internet, or
Word Processing.
Each of the three courses is taught in four threehour sessions for a total of 12 hours and must be taken
in the order listed. All are offered free of charge to
retired members, spouses, and surviving spouses. All
costs are covered by the negotiated C.A.W. Big Three
Retired Workers Fund.
To register contact the Local Union Hall at 6525552 anytime throughout the summer except vacation
weeks of July 4 and July 11.
WEB SITE – Information on C.A.W. Local 1520 and
many other areas of interest can now be accessed
through our local union web site at
www.cawlocal.ca/1520.
For chapter activities click on “News and Events”,
then “Click here for more details” under “Retired
Workers Chapter Meetings” in the “News” column.
Along with the co-operation of everyone involved,
Sister Jean Simpson is doing an excellent job of keeping information on the site current and up to date.
TRIPS AND FUNCTIONS –
• Saturday, August 13 – Local 1520 Family Day, from
11 am to 3 pm. Grandchildren are welcome. To register
contact Janice McClennan at the local union office at
652-5552.
• Friday, September 2 – Stratford Festival, 2 pm performance of “Hello Dolly” at the Festival Theatre.
Provide your own transportation. Cost is $46.00 per
person. Contact person is Sandra Stiltz at 681-1526.
• Monday, September 5 – Retired Workers Labour
Day Parade, Port Elgin. Departure from Local 1520
Hall at 7:30 am. Timbits and juice boxes will be provided on the buses. Contact person is Jerry Stiltz at
681-1526.
• Wednesday, October 19 – St. Jacobs downtown
shopping and a 2:00pm performance of “Beauty and
the Beast” at the new St. Jacob’s Playhouse followed
by a buffet dinner at the Crossroads in Elmira. Cost is
$60.00 per person and must be paid by September 12.
Departure from Local 1520 Hall at 9:30am. Coffee
stop at Woodstock. Contact person is Sandra Stiltz at
681-1526
• Wednesday, December 7 – Fox Theatre, Detroit 2
pm performance of the Radio City Rockettes
Christmas Spectacular followed by a turkey dinner at
the Hilton Hotel in downtown Windsor. Cost is $95.00
Canadian per person and must be paid by October 11.
Proper documentation (passport, birth certificate) is
required. Departure from Local 1520 Hall at 10 am.
Coffee/lunch stop at the Devonshire Mall in Windsor.
. . . cont’d on next page
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 13
Contact person is Jerry Stiltz at 681-1526.
CARD COMMITTEE – If you are aware of an illness, injury, or bereavement involving a chapter member, please help us send an appropriate card by calling
Kay Seaton in London at 455-3604 or Karen Cooper in
St. Thomas at 633-1742.
NEXT MEETINGS – Our next two meetings will
take place at C.A.W. Local 1520 Hall 11 am Monday,
September 12 and 11 am Tuesday, October 11.
Please bring your favorite salad, dessert, or food
item and stay for lunch. In addition to the potluck,
there will be a barbeque and corn roast in September
and a pig roast in October, all compliments of the chapter.
Have a great summer! See you in September!
In Solidarity,
Bob Such, Chairperson
Retirements
APRIL 2005
K. Allore
F. Bogacki
J. Buller
G. Clarke
G. Giannarapis
R. (Elgin) Johnson
D. Kellar
L. Roy
JUNE 2005
D. Kuhn
M. Mall
J. Noel
J. Simms
P. Weir
Gary Bijker, Jim Wanamaker, Paul French, Lloyd Hopper, Ron Mitchell, Jim McDonald, Dud Simmon, Sam Pettit,
Jerry Mills, Lou Fleming, Dick Kelly, Harold Sandell
CHAPTER MEMBERS ESCAPING THE RAVAGES OF WINTER THANKS TO OUR C.A.W. NEGOTIATED PENSIONS AND BENEFITS
PAGE 14, NEWSHEADLINE
R
Re
eccrre
ea
attiio
on
n R
Re
ep
po
orrtt
C
ongratulations to the London Knights on winning not only the O.H.L. championship but the
Memorial Cup!
The Recreation Committee has also been very
busy so far this year.
On Saturday, April 30, we had 64 players for our
first Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. Everyone had
a great time. Thanks to Shane, Jim, Dick. Barb and
Stan’s son Stanley who provided his lap top computer
with a Texas Hold’em Poker program, which kept track
of all the players, seating, money and changed the
blinds every hour.
The winners of the tournament were: first
place–Gerald Curnew, second place–Mark Bakker,
third–Joshua Hill, fourth–Gerald Hoggarth,
fifth–Michele McColl, sixth–Nathan Girardin and seventh–Mike McCoy.
The tournament went very smoothly and was over
by 6:30 pm and the Brothers from Wingham had such a
good time they have already reserved seats for the next
tournament on September 17.
The Terry Dunford Memorial Golf Classic was
held Saturday, May 14, at Greenhills Golf & Country
Club, with 98 golfers. The day started out fine and then
for three holes there was cold, heavy rainfall but everyone stuck it out.
Despite the bad weather some great scores were
turned in. 13 under were the winners–Whitey
MacDonald, Tyler MacDonald, Doug Clark and Bobby
Clark. We also had a hole in one on the 6th hole, with
an 8 iron, which was worth $4,500.00 - a complete golf
package including five rounds of golf at Doral Golf and
Country Club, Florida. Is that any good? The winner’s
name is Rich Cornelius from Emco Waterworks
Limited.
Closest to the pin was Jeff Scott who received a
pass for four golfers at Greenhills, valued at $300.00.
John Copeland was also closest to the pin and won a
golf shirt. We also had a draw for a package to Lake
Joseph valued at $2,000.00 and one lucky “closest to
the pin” won a 2005 Jaguar for a weekend. There was
also a keg at #9 hole on the corner of the dogleg at 185
yards. “Closest to the keg” (which was worth $300.00
and donated by Miller Motors) was won by Jamie
Allen.
Following the golf we returned to the union hall for
a great prime rib dinner. Everyone was quite pleased
the way things were done thanks to John O., Stan and
Brad from Greenhills also Coop, Wendy and Barb
thanks.
More work was on the way for Rec. On May 28
and 29, we held the Slo-Pitch Tournament at Slo-Pitch
City. We were down quite a few teams due to the
Memorial Cup and Gus Macker Basketball Tournament
plus a number of other events, which meant there were
no hotel or motel rooms available. So with 17 teams,
we did the best we could. Saturday, it rained plus hail
and more rain. Sunday was a great day. We got every
game done by 4 p.m. and on their way. Here are the
winners:
Masters
CAW Co-Ed
CAW Men’s Division
1520 Old Shots 3M
88 Snowballs Chance
88 Total Kaos
Local 1859
Fortek Violators
27 Accuride
Autrans Timber Under the Table
27 Blues
Local 1001
POEM West Golf was also held at Greenhills Golf
and Country Club on June 4/05. There was a hole in
one on the #6 hole by Jerry Skinner from Local 27. He
won a Doral Golf Package, which included air flight to
Florida, rental car for five days, hotel and five rounds
of golf. I think his brothers wanted to go because they
were being really nice to him on the next tee.
We had a Nevada hole, closest to the keg on #9.
Brian Neal, Dave Guzi, Jerry Skinner, Ken Brash and
Ken Cook were also winners of $107.00 each for skins.
We were sorry for the long round. We will try and fix
that next year.
Results of the day were as follows:
Men’s “A” Flite
Local 1520 Dave Guzi
70
Local 1001 Brandon Barclay
72
Local 27 Jamie Skinner
73
Local 636 Dan Ford
75
Local 2168 Jamie Allen
77
Women’s “A” Flite
Local 1520 Brenda Stephens
Local 1520 Donna Aikens
Local 1520 Shelley Beardshaw
Local 27 Joyce Manners
Local 397 Dayna Dan
Men’s “B” Flite
Local 1520 Pete Sawatzky
Local 27 Brian Neal
Local 636 Curtis Todd
Local 1520 Perry Ignagni
Local 1520 Pete Schmidt
89
92
94
95
96
81
81
85
82
82
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 15
Men’s “C” Flite
Local 88 Rob Hughson
Local 1520 Joe Simpson
Local 27 Wayne Clark
Local1520 Frank Doyle
Local 1520 Pete Waters
Men’s “D” Flite
Local 1520 Gerry Vanrensel
Local 88 Wally Balasiuk
Local 27 Roy Jollymore
Local 636 Ken Brash
Local 27 Al Basyluc
90
90
90
92
90
79
107
99
103
100
U
Up
pcco
om
miin
ng
g E
Ev
ve
en
nttss
• P.O.E.M. FISHING TOURNAMENT – July 17/30,
Long Point Bay (Details available at hall)
• LOCAL 1520 FAMILY DAY – August 13, at Union
Hall
• BIKE RIDE FOR CANCER - September 10
(Details available at hall)
• TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER – September 17, at
Local 1520 hall
Have a fun filled and safe summer vacation!
Joe Simpson,
Recreation Chairperson
LETTERS
to the Editor
On behalf of the Spring 2005 PEL delegates, I
would like to thank the leadership and members of
Local 1520 for the opportunity we had to strengthen
our union activism.
Those who thought it was going to be a four-week
holiday didn’t come back after the opening weekend.
The three and five minute speeches, 15 minute presentations, projects in the community and local level and
the many night classes compressed into a short time
span, left us busy.
The fifty-four activists who completed the course
learned first hand the strengths of solidarity and commitment.
Those attending were from across the continent,
Newfoundland shipbuilders, Vancouver Air Canada,
Nova Scotia food workers, aerospace and auto sectors.
We all faced the same struggles no matter what sector
or region we came from. Learning the skills and the
methods to tackle and win these ongoing struggles was
our objective and with your help we achieved it.
In Solidarity,
Willy Churchill, Chad Fletcher,
Bernie Wabischewich and Ray Cooper
CAW Local 1520 - Proud to be Union
•
•
•
Gary Argent was a friend to many CAW 1520
members.
Gary was the gentleman who sold excellent safety
footwear and accessories from the ISECO Safety Wear
Truck.
He passed away Friday June 3, 2005, at the age of
63.
Gary will be missed by all.
Brother Brad Trudgeon
COLOURING CONTEST RULES
NEXT RETIREES’
MEETING
Mon., Sept. 12, 2005
11 am - Local 1520 Hall
1. Open to all Local 1520 members’ children.
2. Age groups are: 5 years and under; 6 years to 9 years;
and 10 years to 12 years.
3. Deadline for entries: August 26, 2005
4. Mail completed entries to:
C.A.W. LOCAL 1520
P. O. Box 545, St. Thomas, Ont. N5P 3V6
PRIZES TO BE AWARDED PER AGE GROUPING
PAGE 16, NEWSHEADLINE
BEST
EMPLOYMENT
EQUITY
H
uman rights violations are an issue that all
employees cannot choose to ignore. The number of complaints has increased steadily over
the past ten years.
Complaints range from discriminatory jokes told in
the workplace to severe cases of harassment.
Why do these violations persist so often despite an
increase in education in human rights?
Part of the problem is that people do not realize that
any kind of human rights violation is against the law.
It is important for people to realize what was once
considered acceptable behaviour in the workplace is no
longer tolerated. That means telling a joke that
demeans a particular race is no longer considered
funny, and making derogatory, sexual remarks to a coworker male or female is not okay.
Incidents involving harassment and discrimination
harm us in two ways, by hurting the people who are
being harassed or discriminated against and by creating
a work environment that is threatening and emotionally
unhealthy.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to create an environment that’s positive.
Stop and consider if what you are saying or doing
is hurting someone else. Harassment and discrimination are violations of Federal Human Rights legislation. A copy of the CAW Harassment Policy is posted
in the plant, have you ever read it?
The important thing is for you to speak and voice
your complaints whether it’s something that has happened to you or something you’ve witnessed. You are
responsible. You see things, you hear things, and you
react.
Protecting human rights benefits everyone, most of
all, ourselves and it is in all of our interest to create an
atmosphere of zero tolerance and fairness in the workplace.
T
he philosophy of BEST comes from Labour’s
conception of the broader goals of social
unionism to help empower working people to
take control of their lives individually and collectively; to be better able to speak with their own voices;
to be better able to make those voices heard; to question, criticize, evaluate and act as full citizens with a
broad social vision in a democratic society.
Our current class is coming to an end for the
summer and once again it has been a great success.
We have had a lot of fun learning where we can go to
improve your communication skills as well as reading skills and writing. Have fun and get partially
paid for it.
I will be doing a new recruitment late summer,
early fall. If you are interested or know someone
who is, contact me at ext. 5526 or in person.
The grade 12 credit program is still running as
well. There are over 400 participants achieving their
OSSD.
Any questions and all inquiries are strictly confidential.
Enjoy the summer. See you back in class.
In Solidarity!
Penny Wilkins
LONDON & AREA LGBT
CAUCUS REPORT
We are all happy to see the return of summer.
Summertime is PRIDE time. LGBT Pride is celebrated in many locations and in many forms.
Festivals, dances, parades, etc. and CAW is proud to
be there for it all.
In London, Pride celebrations run July 2nd to
23rd, this year with the parade being held Ju1y10th.
We hope to see you and your families in London for
the fantastic shows and for your support at the
parade.
We recently had the pleasure of getting together
for a wonderful picnic hosted by Troy. Thanks, Troy
for your gracious hospitality. It was a great day for
all. We are looking forward to the pig roast in the
fall.
Darlene Beroud
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 17
HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMITTEE
I
n April, we shipped two barrels of school supplies and children’s clothing to Jamaica. The
Torrington school shares surplus supplies with
other schools in the area. Brother Glenn Sands and
Sister Dawn Sands vacationed in Jamaica and
returned with happy reports from the school.
The school building has a new roof which was
much needed due to damage from a tropical storm
last year. The school was also able to purchase a
refrigerator and nutritious snacks for the children
with funds generously supplied by our membership.
More information on the school can be found at
http://www.friendsoftorrington.com/ membership.
This summer with our shutdown being followed
by various down weeks, we all have plenty of time
off work to enjoy the diversity of Canada. There are
many festivals close by in Southern Ontario to enjoy
and learn about other cultures and lifestyles. We
hope you take advantage of our down time to get out
and enjoy the many venues offered.
Check out:
www.pridelondon.ca www.city.stthomas.on.ca/photo.shtml and
www.sunfest.on.ca
for just a sample of coming events in London and
area.
In addition, with all our extra time off, please
consider getting involved with one of the many local
groups always in need of volunteers. Elgin Big
Brothers/Big Sisters is still in need of help with their
fundraising efforts, for more information:
http://www.bbbselgin.org/.
The London Food Bank is also always in need of
a helping hand, for information www.web.net/londonfoodbank/.
There are so many agencies and so many ways
that you can help others.
Please share a bit of your time, get involved, celebrate our diversity and have a great summer.
Darlene Beroud,
Human Rights Chairperson
In Memory of
Robert Buchanan
Back on Easter weekend, CAW Local 1520 lost
one its more colourful and committed activists.
Brother Robert Buchanan passed away following a
courageous battle with cancer.
Many Local 1520 members remember Rob as one
of our longest serving Health & Safety Workplace
Training Program trainers, spanning twenty years of
service.
The Local enjoyed Rob’s skill as a trainer. As well,
he was active across Canada as a certified trainer with
the Workers Health & Safety Centre and the CAW
Health & Safety Training Fund.
Rob served Local 1520 as a trustee on our executive board and was a past chairperson of the Human
Rights Committee. There were not many Local
Committees that Rob did not serve on at one time or
another and he was a regular at most CAW Local 1520
functions, sporting events, bus trips and protests.
Brother Buchanan was very active in the labour
community as a delegate to London & District Labour
Council and was the founding chairperson of the
London and Area CAW Human Rights Council. Rob
also helped with Labour Links Solidarity Network,
Workers’ News and Views and Work Life TV television programs on Rogers Cable in London. He also
supported a host of active organizations supporting
working class causes.
Rob always felt it was a privilege to work for and
with his Brothers and Sisters at Local 1520 and he will
surely be missed by the members and Leadership.
George Dryburgh,
Local 1520 Training Co-ordinator
On behalf of Trainers past & present
UPDATE ON SCOTT WOODHOUSE
Scott Woodhouse, a former CAW Newsheadline
profile, will be going to Quebec City later this month
to attend the World Police/Fire games as a referee.
Scott will be attending the event with Constable Jason
Wong of Tri-Star Taekwondo, WTF.
At the police/fire games held last year in London,
Jason won Gold in sparring and Silver in patterns.
Scott has also been chosen by the WTF (World
Taekwando Federation) of Canada to be the head of the
team at the 23rd Universaide In Izmuir, Turkey in
August. The Universaide is the second largest event
after the Olympic games.
It is a great honour for Scott to be chosen to represent his country at this event.
PAGE 18, NEWSHEADLINE
Great
Selection
We’ve go !
t
colour inyour
stock!
GARY FLONDERS
2005 Mustang . . .
inspired by the classic
cues of the late 60s,
Mustang will steal your
heart!
“Please call me
519-680-1200
Ext. 244
2005
Freestyle
. . . Sedan +
SUV =
Freestyle
- a new
class
of vehicle
for a new
generation
A 2005 F-150 packs all the
traditional tough-truck power
and performance you need, –
we have your colour.
The all new
2005
Five Hundred
takes the
sedan to
an entirely
new level.
We are closer than
you think! –
“15 Money Saving
Minutes”
C o u r t e s y Fo r d L i n c o l n S a l e s L i m i t e d
684 Wharncliffe Road South, London, Ontario N6J 2N4 • Telephone 519 680 1200 • Facsimile 519 680 3222
www.courtesyfordlincoln.com
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 19
Torrington Early Education Centre
O
n April 25, we visited the Torrington Early
Education Centre in Sav La Mar, Jamaica.
We were guests of the school the morning
they distributed the donations that were generously
donated from many of the CAW Local 1520 Brothers
and Sisters.
The two barrels were sent to Jamaica in early
April by ocean freighter. The school recently bought
a refrigerator for the school lunch program with
monies donated by Local 1520 Human Rights
Committee. It was greatly appreciated and timely, as
the recent hurricane had damaged the school.
We look forward to repeating this next year and
would like to thank all those who took the time to
gather up some donations for the school. Anyone
wishing to donate school supplies can contact the
Local Union Hall or Dawn or Glenn “A” shift.
Thank you. In Solidarity,
Dawn & Glenn Sands
L
O
CA
0
CAW
L
15
2
CAW 1520 / Ford United Way
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday,
Aug. 6th, 2005
GREEN HILLS
GOLF COURSE
Lambeth – 1:30 p.m. sharp
(Shotgun Start . . . Best Ball)
$100.00 per Golfer
(includes cart, round of
golf, dinner and
prizes)
OPEN TO 144 GOLFERS
Deadline: July 29, 2005
Sign up sheets available at CAW LOCAL 1520 HALL
or LABOUR RELATIONS
United Way
Report
I
would like to thank all the people who did such a
wonderful job selling tickets. A special thanks
goes to all the people who bought tickets for the
Memorial Cup prize. The United Way raised
$3657.00, from this event.
Congratulations go out to Nick Berry, who won
the tickets.
United Way has planned our annual golf tournament, which will take place on August 6, 2005.
Entry forms for this are located at Labour Relations
and the Union Hall.
A great big thank you to Ray and Brenda
Stoddart for all the hard work they have done for the
United Way Committee over the past years.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone for
their continued support and hope to see you at the
upcoming golf tournament.
Les Smith Chair,
Special Events
PAGE 20, NEWSHEADLINE
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 21
Yo u t h C o m m i t t e e
Hazardous Household Waste
The Youth Committee assisted the Women’s
Committee on April 30th by collecting donated food
and charitable donations in conjunction with the
Hazardous Household Waste Day. It was a great success! We enjoyed working with the Sisters and look
forward to working with them in the future. A special
thanks to all CAW Local 1520 members who came out
and supported us.
Canadian Labour Congress
Convention
The CLC Convention was held from June 12 - 17 in
Montreal. Our committee submitted a resolution to the
convention to have the CLC amend their constitution.
Currently the CLC only allows workers who are 26 and
under to participate in Youth discussions, caucuses and
forums. The larger affiliates and our national union,
have studied their respective memberships and found
30 and under to be a better representation of a youth
worker. The national selected me to attend the CLC
Convention.
Future Indicatives
The Youth Committee is setting to take on three
major projects within the next coming year. We are
currently assisting the national union with their organizing efforts at the Toyota plant in Cambridge. Also,
we will be participating in Family Day to help raise
money for cancer research. During the summer break,
members of the committee will be preparing a course
module to enter the area high schools. Topics that we
will cover include:
• History of working people in Canada before organization
• Bargaining gains by organized workers (from organization to present)
• Workers during the depression
• Post-War attitude, how workers dealt with employers
• Neoliberisms’ effects on working people
• Our present day challenges, why we need a union
now more than ever.
We hope to enter into the schools in early
September.
On behalf of the Youth Committee, I would like to
wish everyone and your family members an excellent
summer vacation.
In solidarity
Miro Soucek,
Youth Committee Chairperson
2005 FOCUS
2005 MUSTANG
2005 ESCAPE
2005 FREESTYLE
2005 F-150
2005 TAURUS
2005 FREESTAR
PAGE 22, NEWSHEADLINE
UNION
IN
POLITICS
NEW AND VIEWS (My Own)
NEWS – On May 2, Bill C-281 (Workers Pensions
First) advanced to the second reading, which is the
committee stage. At our May 15, meeting the CAW
Pension Charter and campaign was introduced to the
presidents of the local NDP.
The committee passed a motion opposing Bill
144 (Union Certification) because there is no antiscabbing legislation; no union rights for agricultural
workers, no successor rights in the public sector and
provides cardbased certification in the construction
sector only.
VIEWS – The Scoop from Coop (It’s a good thing
cows don’t fly.) Don’t believe the doom and
gloomers despite a stall in production, efforts to
reduce material and labour costs will improve Big
Three profits from 3.6 billion to 5.0 billion in three
years. Profits made off of the labour of workers like
us while the corporations expect us to step backwards.
A few years back, Air Canada was reported to be
flying into the ground. According to management,
only staffing, wage cuts and pension reforms were
the only solution. The union (CAW) successfully
negotiated an agreement to protect worker rights and
wages. Now Air Canada shares and profits are soaring into the wild blue yonder!
Those of us who walked the hot, dusty picket line
at Navistar will never forget the arrogance of the
security goons and Brother Donny Milner’s sacrifice.
The demands and rhetoric of the company who
brought in busses of scabs rather than negotiate, the
solidarity of CAW members and leadership helped
save the plant from moving to Mexico and kept those
jobs in Canada. Navistar profits rose 2% last year,
the plant expanded, worker numbers have doubled
and orders are way up!
Locally, IMT workers in Ingersoll are back to
work. Company threats to close and move work
south crumbled in the face of union solidarity.
Locked out for months with no negotiations, their
lives turned upside down by the company who used
scabs to do their work. Anti-scab legislation must be
passed to protect the rights of union workers and
their families or this will only get worse.
Local 302 health care workers also faced a corporation that demanded concessions before negotiating. They wanted workers to take cuts in the face of
rising costs and inflation.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Shop Wal-Mart – We
recently held an information picket with Local 27 at
the Argyle Mall Wal-Mart store. This chain is the
most profitable retailer worldwide. Their employees
are among the lowest paid, have no worker rights or
protection, no pensions and most of their goods
come from third world sweat shops where workers
have no rights and no hope of change for the better.
Wal-Mart demanded that Levis produce jeans for
under $40.00 or lose the order. Levis solution was to
close plants in St. Catharines – 190 CAW jobs and in
Edmonton – 200 CAW jobs were lost and the work
moved off shore.
Federal and Provincial Governments
Don’t Support P3s
Beware of the brown rain from this one.
Governments are flip flopping away something here
that makes us uniquely Canadian and two tier hospitals a reality. Those who can afford to pay won’t
have to wait and those of us who don’t have six figure incomes will have double the wait times and face
more de-listing of services from Medicare. Examples
so far are MRI clinics; X-Ray clinics, diagnostic
clinics, physiotherapy, and the numbers are increasing rapidly as profit hungry businesses take over.
There goes our universal and comprehensive
Medicare system that has worked so well. The
Health Care tax takes a bite out of all of us without
making the situation any better. P3 corporations
expect profits of 25.0% a year, that translates into
worse hospital care, bed reductions, fewer medical
staff and nurses. Profits go to shareholders not reinvested into health care.
Allowing People to Work Until Age 100 – The problem with raising the retirement age is that it doesn’t’
address the real problem of pension reform and the
huge surplus that retired workers have paid into it.
With CPP rates frozen, as inflation and cost rise,
retirees’ incomes go down. The people who created
this surplus deserve a decent standard of living not
living below the poverty level.
Now, The No Bull Part – There are 13,400 employees in the London, St. Thomas, Ingersoll auto industry and spin off jobs that auto workers earned $2 million a day in 2004. We paid $145 million in federal
. . . cont’d on next page
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 23
Union in Politics . . . cont’d
and provincial income tax and $36 million in property tax. Local governments appreciate not only the tax
dollars, but also our commitment to community service. It seems the federal and provincial government
aren’t listening to our concerns.
Union awareness and unions in politics courses
are not just a forum for Rae bashing or telling us
how to vote, it’s an attempt to educate and inform
our members of the real issues and what we can do
to effect a positive change. We have made such huge
gains in health & safety, harassment and discrimination in the workplace, if we use this same solidarity
to speak out on pension reform, Medicare, minimum
wage and P3s we can make things better for all
Canadians and their families.
The window of change is opening. The CAW has
always been in the forefront of workers’ rights legislation, let’s continue that strong tradition. The recent
shenanigans by the Conservative/Reform/Alliance
who ever party, proves they have no idea how to govern and if you are voting Liberal, then you don’t
know JACK!
Ray Cooper, CAW Local 1520
Proud to be Union
EYE EXAMS ON SITE
FORD EMPLOYEES
100% EYEGLASS COVERAGE
IF YOU’RE PAYING MORE THAN YOUR PLAN
COVERS YOU’RE PROBABLY PAYING TOO MUCH
451-5417
COTRAC
FORD LINCOLN
At COTRAC FORD LINCOLN we strive for your complete satisfaction. All our staff
members are given the authority to resolve any problem that may arise. Come in and
see for yourself the difference in dealing with a “hometown” dealership. You’ll find the
same quality of service a “big town” dealership provides with one major difference:
Attitude! We’ll make you feel like a V.I.P., because you’re the reason we’re here.
Cotrac Ford Lincoln Sales Inc.
204 Main Street, Dutton, ON, N0L 1J0
Bus: 519-762-3536
Fax: 519-762-2345
Toll Free: 1-800-265-4370
PAGE 24, NEWSHEADLINE
1520
CAW
O
L
H
ello everyone! On April
23rd, we held our fourth
Fashion Show. All proceeds went to the London Regional Cancer Centre.
Over 300 people attended and we raised over
$4000.00. We would like to thank everyone who
supported us with their time and talents. What a
great night! I would also like to thank everyone who
donated items to our auction and raffle tables. It was
a huge success.
The Women’s Committee would like to thank
everyone who supported our food drive in conjunction with the Environment Committee, April 30,
2005. We would also like to thank the Youth
Committee for volunteering their time to help us out.
We collected over $1,000.00 along with a truck full
of non-perishable food for the Women’s Community
House. Thanks again for your generosity.
On October 2nd, we are planning a car
rally/scavenger hunt. The rally will start at 11:00
a.m. at our union hall. We are trying to put together a
classic car show in the parking lot. If anyone has a
car they would like to display please let us know.
There will be prizes, BBQ and Hog Wild has offered
entertainment. There will be more information at a
later date. All proceeds will be going to one of our
local charities.
We would like to wish everyone a great summer.
Drive safely and please remember - Don’t Drink and
Drive.
Anne Broome, Chairperson
Women’s Committee
CAW
C.A.W. Local 1520
CA
0
Women’s
Committee
L
15
2
Banquet Hall
and Lounge
Reservations are now
being taken for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Awards Dinners
Banquets
Bar Mitzvahs
Class Reunions
Conferences
Dances
Family Reunions
Graduation Parties
Holiday Parties
Lectures
Trade Shows
Weddings
Weekly Meetings such as
Church Services and Clubs
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR
TO TOUR OUR FACILITIES, CALL
(519) 652-5552
or 1-800-411-2700
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 25
Fashion Show 2005
Photos by David MacMillan
PAGE 26, NEWSHEADLINE
T h a n k Yo u !
Thank you so much for
the lovely Bible and for
your support during my
father’s illness and death.
Very sincerely,
Mike & Nancy Butler
•
•
•
It was so nice of you and appreciated more than
words can say. Thank you for the lovely Bible.
The Jordan Family
•
•
•
Bill Dorosz, Ron Benwell and Bruke Ferencz
would like to thank Local 1520 for the beautiful
Bibles given to them on the passing of their father,
father-in-law and grandfather Jan Dorosz.
•
•
•
I would like to take this opportunity to say many
thanks to Paul White and 1520 CAW for the Bible in
memory of my father.
John Stafford & Family
•
•
•
Thank you so much for the Bible and I would
like to add too that it’s nice to know there are people
like you.
Roy & Roseina McEown
•
•
•
Bob and I would like to thank you for the beautiful Bible and we appreciate the support from Local
1520 in the recent death of Dad, Gerald Franche.
Sincerely,
Shirley & Bob Franche
•
•
•
I would like to thank the membership of CAW
1520 for the Bible given to me in remembrance of
my Mother. It was greatly appreciated.
Leland George & Family
•
•
•
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank
CAW Local 1520 for the beautiful Bible given in
memory of my wife.
Bruno Morin & Family
On behalf of my family
and myself, I would like to
thank the membership of
Local 1520 CAW for the lovely Bibles given to
Elaine and me on the passing of my Father. The
sympathy cards and phone calls were deeply comforting in our moment of sorrow also, a special
thanks to those who visited our home.
Sincerely,
Benny & Elaine Sartoretto
•
•
•
On behalf of my family, we would like to thank
CAW Local 1520 for the beautiful Bible that was
given in memory of my Father. Your kind thoughts
and support are sincerely appreciated.
Charlie & Doreen Brouning
•
•
•
Local 1520 Canadian Auto Workers - Thank you
for your donation on Dad’s behalf to the Cancer
Society.
The Andreychuk Family
•
•
•
On behalf of my family and myself, I would like
to thank CAW 1520 for the donation to St. Thomas
Community Living, in remembrance of my daughter
Lori.
Thanks again.
Vic Schnekenburger & Family
•
•
•
On behalf of the Proulx Family, we would like to
thank the membership and leadership for their condolences, cards and memorial donation from Local
1520 and the Retirees Chapter on the loss of my
Mother. Your kind thoughts at this difficult time
were greatly appreciated by all of us.
Sincerely,
David Proulx & Family
•
•
•
A belated Thank You. Special thank you to all
the guys for my retirement party. Special thank you
to my friend Mark Sims for arranging the lunch.
Regards,
Boyd Powell
NEWSHEADLINE, PAGE 27
How do you feel about the need for
government protection for our
pension plan?
DARREN PINEAU
It is important for a comfortable retirement, not having to
worry.
STACY HUNT
Yes, I do believe there is a need.
It is like having to make a deal with
the devil.
ILONA CONNOLLY
I’ve worked for it. - I want it
to be there when I retire.
BEN MORGAN
Pensions are an added incentive and if you put your time in,
you should be entitled to it.
JOHN CARPENTER
When a company provides a
pension plan, people plan their life
around it. It should be set in stone.
KEITH McGREGOR
I don’t like it. The reason
being is that I don’t like it when
the government touches anything.
JEFF WILCOX
I think it is necessary, They
shouldn’t be allowed to touch
them.
RICK LONSBERRY
It is very important. They don’t
want us to live off of CPP alone.
RICK SAELENS
I’d like to know that my pension will be there when I’m done
with this place. It was hard
fought for, so we shouln’t lose it.
PAGE 28, NEWSHEADLINE
FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2005
Balance at the end of April 2005 – $640,002.20
INCOME
FUND SUMMARY
Dues
$178,525.23
Skilled Trades Dues
18.52
Recreation
10,049.50
Retirees Per Capita Fund
1,751.60
Women’s Fund
1,070.09
Jackets, T-Shirts, etc.
521.00
Interest
497.98
Lost Time & Expense
400.00
Retirees’ Chapt. Active Fund 1,339.00
Environment Fund
1,395.00
Newsheadline
2,100.00
LRCC
9,682.00
Lounge Receipts
7,419.19
Building Receipts
10,745.00
TOTAL INCOME
$225,514.11
EXPENDITURES
Office Wages
3,951.49
Lost Time
26,220.17
Travel, Meals, etc.
27,503.15
Registration & Delegate Fees
300.00
Equipment - Mtce & Repairs 1,780.82
Rent
1,700.00
Supplies
1,110.18
Per Capita to Building
8,228.50
Telephone
1,200.12
Subscriptions
388.55
Per Capita Tax
100,496.57
Per Capita Tax - Affiliates
3,055.06
Staff Medical & Payroll Taxes
558.30
Jackets & T-Shirts Etc.
133.40
Retirees Active Fund
485.48
Recreation
9,422.75
Women’s Fund
1,070.09
Special Assistance
1,682.43
Retirees Per Capita Fund
1,169.41
Donations - Strikes, Union
550.00
Donations - Charitable
4,299.30
Payroll Remittance
12,906.98
Payroll Deductions
(9,033.61)
Bank Charges, NSF, etc.
1.00
Retirees Watches
217.01
LRCC
7,542.94
Auditor’s Fees
2,541.25
Lounge Expense
8,743.71
Building Expense
9,268.20
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$227,493.25
ALLOCATION OF ASSETS
Balance per bank statmt
418,049.48
Less o/s cheques
30,840.01
Actual Bank Balance
387,209.47
Special Accounts
133.38
Term Deposits
250,680.21
TOTAL CASH ASSETS $638,023.06
Per Capita Owing
115,097.99
Payroll Remittance Owing
9,033.61
Actual Cash Assets
513,891.46
Balance of Mortgage
0.00
S. Szydlowski, Financial Secretary
(bracketed figures are in the red)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2005 – 11 am-3pm
MEMBER’S NAME.............................................................
NUMBER OF ADULTS ATTENDING.................................
NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING.............................
Please return this form to your Committeeperson.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE AUGUST 5th, 2005
Please Plan to Attend and Have a Fun Day!
FAMILY FUN DAY
Local 1520’s Eleventh
Annual Family Fun Day is
fast approaching ––
August 13th. Last year’s
event was a great success
and this year’s is looking
even bigger and better.
We ask you to register your family members
before hand so we can estimate the amount of food
needed. There will be a choice of hamburger, hot dog
or pizza with a pop available for the nominal fee of
$1.00. This is done to prevent waste. There will be free
sno-cones, popcorn and cotton candy.
There will be moonwalks (for different size children), a funhouse trailer, radar gun, obstacle courses,
giant maze and much more.
So come on out, have a good time and hope for
great weather. Remember, Grandchildren, Dads and
Moms are all welcome!
PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40930011
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
CIRCULATION DEPT.
866 WALKER ROAD
WINDSOR, ON N8Y 2N5
CAW
O
L
Net Income
(1,979.14)
Add to last month's Bal. of 640,002.20
Leaves Bal. to Acct for of $638,023.06
GENERAL FUND
Balance previous month
341,011.04
Add income
188,587.29
Less expenses
195,651.18
Balance
$333,947.15
EDUCATION FUND
Balance previous month
14,916.06
Add income
239.20
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$15,155.26
RECREATION FUND
Balance previous month
(15,994.73)
Add income
11,245.50
Less expenses
9,422.75
Balance
($14,171.98)
POLITICAL ACTION FUND
Balance previous month
3,410.68
Add income
239.20
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$3,649.88
RETIRED MEMBERS (per capita)
Balance previous month
37,950.42
Add income
1,775.52
Less expenses
1,169.41
Balance
$38,556.53
BUILDING
Balance previous month
(17,472.58)
Add income
10,745.00
Less expenses
9,268.20
Balance
($15,995.78)
FLOWER & BIBLE FUND
Balance previous month
9,041.60
Add income
717.60
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$9,759.20
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Balance previous month
(473.58)
Add income
nil
Less expenses
nil
Balance
($473.58)
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Balance previous month
9,426.30
Add income
598.00
Less expenses
1,682.43
Balance
$8,341.87
INVESTMENT
Balance previous month
250,680.21
Add income
nil
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$250,680.21
LOUNGE
Balance previous month
(6,919.02)
Add income
7,419.19
Less expenses
8,743.71
Balance
($8,243.54)
RETIREES’ ACTIVE FUND
Balance previous month
8,199.48
Add income
1,339.00
Less expenses
485.48
Balance
$9,053.00
HUMAN RIGHTS FUND
Balance previous month
2,989.28
Add income
47.84
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$3,037.12
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
Balance previous month
1,798.57
Add income
1,117.93
Less expenses
1,070.09
Balance
$1,846.41
ENVIRONMENT FUND
Balance previous month
1,438.47
Add income
1,442.84
Less expenses
nil
Balance
$2,881.31
TOTAL ALL FUNDS
$638,023.06
FAMILY FUN DAY
CA
0
FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
L
15
2
PRINTED ON
RECYCLED
PAPER