Summer Edition 2014
Transcription
Summer Edition 2014
Local Post Spring 2014: Volume 9 Issue 1 President’s Report -Robin Dudley President Unifor Local 1917 President Truck Bus Specialty Vehicle Council and Financial Secretary IPS Council coming up and has it ever grown. The first year this tournament was run we needed people as we struggled filling it. This year we have a number of teams that couldn’t get in because it filled up so quickly. As summer finally approaches there are a few things going on in the Local that you all need to know about. So let’s get right to it. Always be sure to keep a close eye on your Union board to insure you see what events and issues are going on within the Local and the Union in general. Trap Shoot: I attended and shot this year for the first time and President’s Report 1 Robin Dudley Unit 42 Report Greetings Members of Local 1917. First off, I would like to write about some of the recreation events. As posted on your Union boards there are various events like POEM Golf, POEM Trap Shoot (just happened), a car/bike show and our Local’s own golf tourney, as well as a few more events. Inside this issue: 3 Robin Dudley Retired Workers Chapter 4 Mel Davis Unit 04 Con Cast Report 4 Ross Bolton wanted to take a moment to commend DON ABBOTT for the job he does organizing and running an efficient, wonderful event. The weather could have been better but what a great day. Don went over and above what one would expect when running an event like this. There were twenty-four (24) squads consisting of five (5) members and their families and, wow, what a day. Thanks again Don. Local 1917 Golf Tournament: This event is This is run well, too, all by member volunteers. KEITH LEAHY heads up this event along with members from all the units, in order to make this day a success. THANKS TO YOU ALL for your support for this event. The next issue I wanted to touch on would be the upcoming Local election. Unit 69 & Council Report 6 Doug Abel Health & Safety Report 7 Kevin Patterson Regional Council Report 8 Kevin Patterson Regional Council Report 10 Ross Bolton Special Point of Interest: ♦ Peter’s Work Boot Rant This is a first for our Sisters and Brothers in Unit 69, RockTenn, and we want to encourage them all to run for a position within the Local and become engaged and involved. Continued Page 2 ♦ Poem: I Chose to Look the Other Way ♦ Hassan Yussuff elected CLC President ♦ Victory for Unifor Stevedors in Cape Breton President’s Report, continued We will be electing the entire executive which includes the positions of: President, VicePresident, Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, Guide, Sergeant-At-Arms, and three (3) Trustees. Also there will be election for three (3) delegates to the Unifor Council. One (1) delegate will come out of Unit 40, CPK Ip, and the other two (2) will come from a combination of Unit 42, Hitachi, Unit 04, ConCast, and Unit 69, RockTenn. I would like to thank everyone for supporting me as your president for the past six (6) years. It has been wonderful and I hope to continue to be your president after the June Election. The next item on the agenda would be to official notify you all that ConCast Pipe ratified a new collective agreement on May 2, 2014. I had the PRIVILAGE to be part of the negotiating team once again for this round of bargaining. Unifor Staff Representative Jim Robinson, the ConCast Committee members, Ross Bolton, Larry Breeze and Dave Watters, and I, as Local president, unanimously recomPage 2 mended acceptance of the is excellent agreement. The members ratified it just a few days ago and now it is in place. Kudos goes out to the Committee and workers at this facility. All the best in the future. for Ontario. Our Union was a little disappointed in the NDP decision not to support the budget and to call for an election. Now is not a good time with Tim Hudak gaining ground in the polls. We all need to know where Hudak comes from and what he Another exciting item on the stands for. He is more right wing agenda is that soon enough the than Mike Harris ever was. He Local will have a new webpage wanted to (no saying he won’t and interacbring this back if tive system elected) make OnWe all need to know where in place to tario a “Right to Hudak comes from and what he assist all Work” province. stands for. He is more right wing members than Mike Harris ever was. and help the It was made clear to Local bring/ him this isn’t the build more solidarity and indirection that we want for Onvolvement from the members. tario. However, I’m sure if elected, this issue will be This new service will allow all brought forward once again. He members to have an email adis anti Union and wants rid of dress and contact info so the unions in order to bring wages Local or unit can contact them and pensions down and elimiby phone, email nate the middle class. or text to update all the members I know this seems a little harsh about Local and but over the next few weeks you specific unit iswill have information presented sues like how to you about Hudak as it will be negotiation talks passed out within your units and are proceeding, PLEASE take a moment to read upcoming imporit. tant meetings and events and We need to be informed going so on. into this election and we need to do what’s best for Ontario. I will get more into this in a fuWell that concludes my report ture article as for this Newsletter and again it the webpage was an honor and privilege betakes form and ing your President over the past is online. two (2) terms. The last item is the upcoming Provincial Election to be held on June 12. I look forward to continuing in this role moving forward as Unifor in the Community. This is a very important election In Solidarity. The Local Post Spring 2014 Unit 42 Hitachi Truck Report -Robin Dudley Plantchair Unit 42 As we all know things are still very slow and there isn't much to report however, I would like to take the opportunity to write about a few issues nonetheless. First and foremost is the rumors that are surrounding the "training" of welders and the welding postings etc. According to our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) when the company has the need to hire people they must follow specific sections of the CBA. To date they have done that. They posted for temporary and fulltime welders and have had some success filling those postings. Eligibility is based on passing the testing, which requires 60% combined written and practical and, of course, on the basis of seniority. Some members passed and others did not. Now the next step, which indeed is new to the facility, is the post- ing for volunteers. This is in the CBA and your committee is in discussions with the company on this. We are willing to explore this option as it is part of our Collective Agreement. I would like to make it clear however, that we will not be interested in continuing down this road if we do not get a written commitment from the company stating that the option of posting for volunteers and training people MUST occur in all postings with the exception of Electrician and Millwright where a certificate is required. This of course, is if no one is awarded the job following the normal job posting process. Hitachi claims we are the core employees and this will help keep the company from laying off and we WILL do what we can in order to preserve jobs PROVIDED the CBA is followed. This we understand is tough for members with lower seniority. What needs to be clear is that all the members here at Hitachi know what you are feeling and we have all been through this already with the exception of the fact that the company used to layoff quite often which is something we haven't seen in some time. Keeping people employed is a PRIORITY for our union and your committee. The second thing I would like to mention would be Union Meetings. Our Unit #42 Hitachi Truck, has monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday of every month at the Union Hall on Silvercreek Parkway. Instead of buying into or qualifying plant rumors or stories to which people seem to use as a personal agenda, we all should be attending our Union Meetings. That way everyone gets the information firsthand. We welcome all to attend and bring your questions. Also, feel free to approach anyone of your committee, myself included, as we are there to answer questions and address issues as needed. In Solidarity. CBC Budget Slashed -CALM ten percent of the CBC’s permanent workforce. CBC announced a massive programming cutback, including an end to regional expansions and service reductions amounting to $130 million from their annual budget. CBC has struggled to maintain their programming, announcing it would no longer bid on contracts to broadcast sporting events. Six hundred fifty-seven workers will lose their jobs over the next two years as a result – almost Notably, the CBC will no longer broadcast NHL games, with the rights instead going to Rogers. The Local Post Spring 2014 The announcements are the culmination of budget shortfalls brought on by a longtime Conservative strategy of gradually underfunding the Canadian public news provider. Government funding fell from $1.03 billion in 2011 to $913 million in 2014. Page 3 Retired Workers’ Report -Mel Davis Chairperson Retired Workers’ Chapter With five (5)other delegates giving their reports on the second Unifor Ontario Regional Council, I will try to keep my report short. It was a pleasure being there with Dino Chiodo holding the chair. He has a way of control over the floor and speakers and delegates at the microphone. With past chairs, past presidents, new MPPs, doctors, veterans from the military service, Aboriginal peoples, directors from various groups and debates with a list of recommendations to resolve, all made for long and interesting sessions. A little news about our retirees; all is well and all is quiet. An Area Council meeting was held in March with few members attending, making for a quiet time. Monthly local Retired Workers’ meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month. In Solidarity. Unit 04 ConCast Pipe Report -Ross Bolton Plantchair Unit 04 Good day Brothers and Sisters. As always it’s a privilege to present my ConCast Pipe Unit report. We are very busy at ConCast and another ten (10) new employees have just been hired. At this time I would like to welcome all of these new workers to the ConCast team. I am pleased to tell you that we ratified a new collective agreement on May 2, 2014. agreement which the members have ratified. The company last year had purchased a new million dollar automated machine which is now almost assembled and ready to produce. We all are hoping it’s going to be as productive as the company thinks it will. chine it’s replacing. Communication with the company is still fairly good, we have no new grievances. I would now like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a safe and happy spring; it was a long time getting here. Yours in solidarity. Manpower for this machine should almost be the same as the ma- A thank you goes out to the negotiating team: Unifor Staff Representative Jim Robinson, Unifor Local 1917 President, Robin Dudley, and the ConCast Committee members, Larry Breeze, Dave Watters, and I. We unanimously recommended acceptance of this excellent Page 4 The Local Post Spring 2014 Peter’s Work Boot Rant -Peter Schick Member in Unit 42 I needed new work boots last Christmas, so I went to my regular shoe store. I wear steel worker boots; have been for a long time. All they had was a poor imitation work boot, made in China. I asked the girl to look online for JB Goodhue steel worker boots. She found them and made a special order. My boots came in a few days later. They were a winter boot made to look like a steel worker boot. The first time I put them on I broke an eyelet, so I took them back and ordered another pair of boots. They came in after our Christmas holidays. Nice boots, good fit, but I noticed a problem: the eyelets the laces go through were almost touching, so maybe in a month I would not be able to tighten them up any more. I wore them for about four hours before taking them off. The next day I took them back, but was told I could not exchange them. Now I had to deal with JB Goodhue directly. I phoned them and talked to a woman called Lynn. She could not believe their boots had a problem. Lynn said they have never had a complaint about their steel worker boots. I had to email her pictures of my old and my new boots. A few days later I phoned Lynn back and she could see what the problem was by looking at the pictures. She said she would forward the email to her boss. Four days later I phoned him and tried to explain the problem. Lynn’s boss did not want to hear anything I had to say about their badly designed boots. “Our boots are good,” he said, “It’s your foot that’s the problem!” He finally agreed to refund my told me to come see him on Saturday at the plant. If he could not pull a pair of boots off the shelf that fit me, he would make me a pair of boots! WOW! This guy sounds too good to be true. Saturday found me at the Tatra boot company in Dunnville. I meet Dezi and he personally helped me find a pair of steel worker boots. He carries three different types of steel worker boots. Good boot, good fit and made well, so I bought a pair. Only problem is the pair that fit are MADE IN CHINA. I know… I didn’t buy Canadian which was my purpose of driving to Dunnville. It’s hard to change the type of boot I wear. Next pair I buy I’ll try a heeled boot again and buy Tatra boots Made in Canada, for Canadians. money so on Feb 20th, I returned their boots and got my money back. Okay, now I still need new boots. I found a Canadian company, Tatra that makes work boots in Dunnville. I phoned them the next day and talked to the owner, Dezi Krajcir, for about 20 minutes. Dezi told me they have been in business since 1932. I told him about the JB Goodhue boots and the problem with them, and he concluded, "Bad design." Dezi We should support Canadian made products, even if they are not big corporations. Tatra boots in Dunnville: small town, small company, family owned, and still in business. Who would make me a pair of boots? Not JB Goodhue!!! Tatra Safety Boots & Shoes Inc. 330 Ramsey Drive PO Box 86 Dunnville ON N1A 2W6 Owner: Dezi Krajcir T: (905) 774-7585 C: (905) 577-3989 Jerry Dias, Unifor National President offers condolences to the family of a Unifor Local 707A member who was mauled by a bear on the job in Fort McMurray. "Unifor offers our deepest condolences to our member's family," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. The name of the oilsands worker is not being released at this point. Alberta Occupational Health and Safety will be investigating. The Local Post Spring 2014 Page 5 Unit 69 RockTenn & Regional Council Report -Doug Abel Plantchair Unit 69 It’s been a trying few months here, as we have gone through a layoff for the first time in quite a number of years. Things have picked up, all members have been recalled and for the past two or three weeks weekend overtime has been available. This being said all machines are not at full capacity and are not being crewed for our third shift. This either indicates we are doing a great job and keeping up with demand or the staffing resources are not available to cover an additional shift. It’s a question to be answered, but great to see everyone back to work. There are still issues with overtime grievances in particular, which seems like a never ending battle. “Battle” is a little strong, but ongoing nonetheless. The resolve of this issue is not rocket science. We have entered a new chapter here, with a new plant manager. I have mentioned this change at local union meetings, but would like add that so far we have had some ups and downs with the new processes and issues. I am sure they can be worked out. For a certain few members this will be a great year! There are about six or seven who will be Page 6 retiring this year, some before the next newsletter is published. Therefore, I extend to you all very best wishes for a long and happy retirement. Dave Ardrie will be first to go on May 31. Good luck Dave on behalf of all of the members of Local 1917. Ontario Regional Council I attended the Unifor Ontario Regional Council meeting at the Family Education Centre in Port Elgin on April 25 and 26. This funding issue goes along with the changes to the Health Accord that the Federal Conservatives under Stephen Harper want to implement where healthcare funding would not be renewed to the provinces. This could lead to privatization of certain medical procedures that will cost Canadians more in the long run. Dr Danielle Martin, the founding chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, spoke to us about this very point and does not support the privatization of medical care. She noted that one in ten Canadians cannot even fill their prescriptions due to cost. I believe we all need to speak It was an impressive event, with up for what’s important and great guest speakagainst the ers, and great deThe policies Tim Hudak wants trend of the bates on a number Federal and to implement would be very of points that touch Provincial us all either at detrimental to the union Conservahome or on the tive govmovement and to good jobs shop floor. ernments for the working class. that attack Katha Fortier, Onthe rights tario Regional Director discussed and good jobs of the middle a number of topics which included class. the budget and the upcoming Provincial Election on June 12. Our rights as union members This lead to discussions of Tim Hudak leader of the Conservative Party, and the policies he wants to implement. These policies would be very detrimental to the union movement and to good jobs for the working class. For instance, hospital and nursing home contracts are coming due at the end of the year. Transfer funds could have an impact on the quality of jobs in this sector. are being threatened to appease the corporate run governments, and this needs to stop now. In closing I’d like to wish all a great summer and safe vacations. See you back in September, when we start a new set of CBA talks. In Solidarity. The Local Post Spring 2014 Health and Safety Report -Kevin Patterson JHSEC Co-Chair Unit 42, Hitachi Greetings Brothers and Sisters. On April 28th workers and families across the province took time out to recognize our national Day of Mourning. April 28 is the day to honour those who are killed or injured on the job. Statistics for 2012 tell a sad story; 977 workers were killed across the country, and another 245,365 were injured seriously enough to stop them from working. There were 306 work related deaths here in Ontario alone. I attended a Guelph and District Labour Council sponsored Day of Mourning memorial at Gouldie Mills Park in Guelph. A guest speaker from the Ministry of Labour, Mr Tom Mackay, spoke about his personal experiences over the years as an inspector. When we think of fatalities we don’t think about the effect these have on inspectors who are called to the scene to investigate. Mr Mackay The Local Post Spring 2014 stated that he still sees workers (mainly non-union) who do not use their legal right to refuse unsafe work under Section 43 of the Act. This right was fought for and won by workers many years ago, and I believe it should be seen not only as a right but as an obligation that we have to ourselves and our fellow workers. and neglect in the global garment industry. Unifor is currently involved in this region to help push for positive changes. Under leading causes of death in 2012, 451 were caused by exposures to harmful substances, and 407 of the 451 were caused by exposure to asbestos. Vehicles were the leading cause of work related deaths for young workers (age 29 and younger) At the Hitachi plant we are currently working with the developers of the 18001 safety program. Canada is not alone with its workplace fatalities, every country has its Remember to exercise problems. your legal right to re- This new program will include risk asIn 2013 on April 24th sessments for fuse unsafe work. the Rana Plaza garevery hazard in ment factory in Bangladesh colevery department and specific lapsed killing 1,138 people and policies for young workers. injuring more than 2,000. My hope is that once this is fully At the Unifor Ontario Regional implemented, and the most efCouncil meeting held at the fective control measures are in Family Educaplace, we will see a dramatic retion Centre in duction in risk. Port Elgin in April, a recom- Your Union, Unifor, has a premendation vent cancer campaign that is run was passed every year. that local unions distribute Please look for this information information to on your union boards and please members take the time to come out to through their your next union meeting where websites and more discussion and information social media will be presented. tools, to remember this In closing I would like to urge all disaster. members to exercise your legal right to refuse unsafe work. These deaths highlight the In Solidarity. exploitation Page 7 Ontario Regional Council Report -Kevin Patterson Council Delegate Greetings Brothers and Sisters. On April 25th and 26th I attended the Unifor Ontario Regional Council meeting in Port Elgin. Council opened this year with an Aboriginal greeting from First Nation Unifor member, Patricia Johnston. Sister Johnston is a direct descendant of the famous chief Tecumseh whom allied his forces with the British in the war of 1812. She asked for recognition of the creator and for blessings on the Council. Regional Director Katha Fortier, opened her speech with comments on the upcoming provincial election, scheduled for June 12. She stressed how important it is for working class Canadians to understand the real agenda behind the Conservative candidate Mr Tim Hudak. I would encourage all members who have not yet had the opportunity to view the DVD titled “MADE IN THE USA: Tim Hudak’s Plan for Ontario Workers”. Ask a union representative in your workplace for a copy of this short but very informative DVD. It is critical that all working class Canadians go to the polls with the facts before exercising their democratic right! Page 8 I am reminded of the last Council meeting I attended where guest speaker Hugh Segal, spoke of Canada’s long history with the labour movement. He reminded us how Canada’s Sir John A Macdonald supported the building of a strong middle class. I have always wondered how any government could believe that they can have a truly stable economy that relies so much on consumerism when you don’t have a stable middle class! The past years have seen Ontario hit hard with the loss of good manufacturing jobs. We also heard from speaker Dr. Daniel Martin who spoke about the state of universal health care in this country. Dr. Martin helped launch an organization in 2006 called “Canadian Doctors for Healthcare”. She was also invited to speak at senate healthcare reform committee in the US. Dr. Martin strongly defended the universal healthcare system at the US hearings stating that the right to access quality healthcare should not be based on ability to pay. The Founding Father of universal healthcare, Tommy Douglas, stated many years ago that “healthcare is expensive but adding profit to it simple makes it more expensive”. When the ConDr. Martin stated The Founding Father of universal that 1 in 10 Caservatives get healthcare, Tommy Douglas, up in the nadians are not House of Comstated, “Healthcare is expensive taking their premons and scriptions bebut adding profit to it simple boast about job cause they are makes it more expensive”. creation, they not covered and fail to include must choose bethe fact that most of the jobs tween groceries or necessary being created are precarious in prescriptions. nature and part time. Can you imagine what effect it These types of jobs do not supwould have on Canadians if the port a strong economy. Former universal healthcare system as Bank of Canada Governor Mark we know it became privatized! Carney, has stated in the past that all the money to invest is How would that affect the inout there, but corporations concomes of the already stressed tinue to sit on it. middle class, and how about our most venerable in society our Treating people with respect, seniors? and rewarding them with a fair wage really does work! Continued page 9 The Local Post Spring 2014 Ontario Regional Council Report cont’d In 2004 a health accord agreement was reached which ensured proper funding from the federal level to provincial level, and now Stephen Harper has made it clear that he has no intentions of renewing that agreement to Canadians. union dues and, given the state of the current economy, I am quite sure you will have no problem finding a non-union job that pays more than your union wages, and I am sure this non-union job will also pay the same benefits that you and your family enjoy.” A number of our Unifor members who work in the healthcare sector spoke of the devastating effects of funding cuts that they have seen in hospitals and nursing homes. The man looked at Jerry and said, “You’re right, I guess I must have sounded pretty stupid.” Another advantage of the universal healthcare here in Canada, is that it offers a huge cost benefit to an employer’s benefit plan! Jerry reminded us with this story that sometimes union members need to be reminded about what they do have and what they stand to lose! Unifor President Jerry Dias, opened his address to Council with a personal story of how he got into a discussion with a stranger at a pub while visiting some friends. Jerry went on to talk about how politicians in this country continue to push agendas that are not in the best interest of the working class. The stranger, not knowing who Jerry was, started complaining about his union, (teamsters) and how they did not do anything for him and how much he paid in union dues. After growing tired of the man’s complaining Jerry said, “You know what, you’re right! You should stop paying The Local Post Spring 2014 “Tim Hudak’s plan to drive down wages has not been a new idea since they started pushing it in Alabama half a century ago.” Another guest speaker at Council was Brother Wayne Gates, who was Tim Hudak’s plan to drive given a standing ovation for his down wages has not been successful cama new idea since they paign in a byelection in the started pushing it in AlaNiagara Fort Erie bama half a century ago. region. Ontario’s NDP leader Andrea Horwath has been quoted as saying, Brother Gates is a long time CAW/Unifor member who defeated Tim Hudak in his own riding. He talked about the attacks that the Conservatives used against him including calling him a communist, and a union boss. Wayne thanked all the locals that contributed to his campaign and for the many volunteers. He urged us all to get out and vote in the upcoming provincial election on June 12 to ensure that Tim Hudak never holds office. Council finished the two day session by unanimously passing ten (10) excellent recommendations. To see these recommendations, be sure to attend your next local union meeting, or look for them on your union information board. In Solidarity. Page 9 Ontario Regional Council Report -Ross Bolton, Chairperson Unit 04, ConCast and updated on all changes in policies and practices that affect every one of us. Sisters and Brothers, it’s always a privilege for me to represent my local and ConCast Pipe Unit. When I looked around the room at the Unifor Ontario Regional Council Meeting, on April 25 and 26, it’s like getting a boost of energy when you realize that all these people are here to help. We bring all the information back to our members with the hope that we can encourage you to get involved with issues that concern us all. Together we can make the change. They are union members here to lend a hand and who really care. One thing I know we should all put great effort into is stopping Tim Hudak from getting into power. We are here to keep informed With the election soon approaching on June 12, we can’t forget the Conservatives many attacks on organized labour. Hudak may have backed off his policy to kill the rand formula for union dues deductions, but be sure if he gets elected he will pick up just where he left off. Brothers and Sisters, have a safe and happy spring, it was a long time getting here. In solidarity . I Chose to Look the Other Way -Murray Kirkpatrick This thought provoking poem was submitted by Murray Kirkpatrick, Retired Worker. I Chose to Look the Other Way I could have saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way. It wasn’t that I didn’t care, I had the time, and I was there. But I didn’t want to seem a fool, Or argue over a safety rule. I knew he’d done the job before, If I spoke up, he might get sore. The chances didn’t seem that bad, I’d done the same, heck, knew I had. So I shook my head and walked on by, He knew the risks as well as I. He took a chance, I closed an eye, And with that act, I let him die. I could have saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way. Now every time I see his wife, I’ll know I should have saved his life. That guilt is something I must bear, But it isn’t something you need to share. If you see a risk that others take, That puts their life or health at stake, The question asked, or thing you say, Could help them live another day. If you see a risk and walk away, Then I hope you never have to say, I could have saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way. -Author Unknown Page 10 The Local Post Spring 2014 Hassan Yussuff elected CLC President -Unifor Hassan Yussuff has been elected president of the 3.3million-member Canadian Labour Congress, the first worker of colour to hold the position. "I'm truly honoured to be the next CLC president," Yussuff told the CLC convention where he was elected May 8. "You have voted for change, you have voted for a strong labour movement." election. They have contributed to an important debate on renewal, and that can only be good for the labour movement." In a show of solidarity, outgoing CLC president Ken Georgetti immediately put forward a motion to declare Yussuff's election unanimous. "I would like to thank Ken Georgetti for his years of dedicated service to the labour movement," Yussuff said. Unifor National President Jerry Dias congratulated Yussuff on his election. "Members of the CLC have voted for change. Working with all of the affiliates of the CLC, that is what Yussuff will deliver," Dias said. "I would like to congratulate all the candidates in this A third candidate, Hassan Husseini withdrew from the election during a candidates' debate on May 7, throwing his support behind Yussuff. Yussuff campaigned on a platform to reinvigorate the labour movement in Canada, pledging to reach out to workers of colour and to lead a more inclusive CLC that pushes back against the anti-labour and austerity agendas of Conservative governments across Canada. "The job head of us is bigger than any one person," Yussuff said. Yussuff began his involvement in the labour movement while working as a truck mechanic and member of the Canadian Auto Workers, later becoming the CAW's first Director of Human Rights. In 1999, he was the first person of colour to be elected to the CLC executive. Three years later, he was elected secretarytreasurer of the CLC, a position he held until being elected president. Victory for Unifor Stevedores in Cape Breton -Unifor reverse its decision and recog- The union workers responsible for securing cruise ships at port are celebrating as the sudden decision to replace them with non-union workers is reversed. This reversal comes days before a planned demonstration at the port by the workers, the labour movement and community. Lana Payne, Unifor's Atlantic Regional Director, applauded the efforts by all involved, including the Cape Breton Labour Council and the town council leaders who stood with the workers, who are members of Unifor, and demanded Sydney Ports Corp. The Local Post Spring 2014 nize the union rights and the collective agreement of the stevedores. "If there is one place in the country where people understand the important role unions play in our communities and in our country, it's Cape Breton," said Payne. "This is a victory for these 12 workers, but more than that, it is a victory for the entire labour movement. We've shown that fighting back really makes a difference." The Sydney Ports Corp. had planned on replacing the stevedores with non-union workers, ignoring the fact that unionized stevedores had serviced the ports for more than 50 years. The victory comes after a sustained campaign by their union, Unifor, the broader Cape Breton labour movement, with the solidarity from the International Transport Workers' Federation and the support of the entire Cape Breton Regional Municipal Council. Page 11 Unifor Union Hall Editorial Board 611 Silvercreek Pky N RR5 Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Robin Dudley Unit 42 Phone: 519 822.6121 Keith Leahy Unit 42 Fax: 519 836.9958 Newsletter Committee Email: [email protected] Newsletter email: [email protected] Robin Dudley Unit 42 Keith Leahy Unit 42 Editors Unifor is on the web! www.unifor.org Robin Dudley Unit 42 Lynne Hulley Union Office This issue is printed by Union Labour Display advertising of events of interest to unionist is welcome. Rates are: Full page-$200, 1/2 page-$100, 1/4 page- Deadline for reports for the $50, 1/8 page-$25. Summer 2014 issue is: June The Editor reserves the right to edit or delete any material submitted for publication. Publication of advertising material Email to: [email protected] does not constitute an endorsement. Union Officials, Chairpersons, and Delegates Union Officials Chairpersons Unifor Council Delegates: Kevin McGarr Union President: Robin Dudley Vice-President: Dale Heaney Financial Secretary: Doug Beaton Recording Secretary: Keith Leahy Guide: Todd Townsend Sergeant-at-Arms: Mahmud (Mo) Harji Trustees: Don Abbott Blain Ferneyhough Kevin Patterson CpK Interior Products (Unit 40): Dale Heaney Plant Ph: 519 767-4247 Con Cast/Sky Cast (Unit 04): Ross Bolton Plant Ph: 519 763-8655 x236 Hitachi Truck (Unit 42): Robin Dudley Plant Ph: 519 826-5575 Retired Workers’ Chapter: Mel Davis Rock-Tenn Container (Unit 69): Doug Abel Kevin Patterson Unifor Convention Delegates: Doug Beaton Mahmud (Mo) Harji Keith Leahy Jon West Labour Council Delegate: Kevin Patterson
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