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
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Robin Dudley
Unit 42
Phone: 519 822.6121
Keith Leahy
Unit 42
Fax: 519 836.9958
Newsletter Committee
Email: unifor1917@bellnet.ca
Newsletter email:
unifor1917@gmail.com
Robin Dudley
Unit 42
Keith Leahy
Unit 42
Editors
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www.unifor.org
Robin Dudley
Unit 42
Lynne Hulley
Union Office
This issue is printed by Union Labour
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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