Local 1285 News

Transcription

Local 1285 News

LOCAL 1285 NEWS
May 2007
CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 1285
Union Hall Phase II Opening Ceremonies
Page – Local 1285 News
Local 1285 News – Page Retired Local 1285 worker and activist Aubrey McNaughton
is presented with a special plaque in recognition of
his years of volunteer work assisting youth
in a community reading program.
Local 1285
activists joined
members from
other CAW Locals
in support of
CAW Local 303
workers fighting
for their rights
at Collins and
Aikman in
Scarborough.
n PRESIDENT’S
REPORT n
Fighting For
Canadian Jobs
At our December 6th, 2006 CAW Council meetings, the leadership approved Buzz’s recommendation:
1.“I recommend that the CAW lead a campaign to highlight the
ongoing loss of manufacturing jobs in our economy and the
effect that will have on our country’s future.
2.“Working with the CLC, labour councils, other unions and
allies in the broader community we will build for a National
Day of Action on the government’s inaction on the permanent
loss of jobs in the Canadian manufacturing sector.”
Leadership meetings on Manufacturing across Canada were
held in the following cities:
cWindsor
cToronto
cSt. Catherines
cSt. John’s, Newfoundland
cKitchener
cVancouver/Victoria,
cLondon British Columbia
cThunder Bay
cQuebec
cHalifax/New Brunswick
cOshawa
The Campaign will:
cFocus attention on the crisis in manufacturing jobs
cDemonstrate the job loss as a national crises across regions and
sectors
cMove the focus from facts and figures to community impacts
c Promote policies that work for good jobs
These are some of the tragic symptoms:
cIn just 4-1/2 years we have lost about 250,000 manufacturing
jobs in Canada. In fact, in the last two years the loss had accelerated.
cThat is more than 150 jobs every single day
cManufacturing share of jobs in the economy down 25 percent
in 10 years.
cNot in a recession:
Early ’80 and early ’90s
Period of economic growth
cNot isolated to one sector, one region, or one period of time.
LOCAL 1285 NEWS
CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS
Publication of CAW Local 1285
Published in Brampton, Ontario.
Submissions to:
Local 1285, CAW,
23 Regan Road, Brampton, Ontario
L7A 1B2
(905) 451-8310 or fax at (905) 450-6877
The opinions expressed in this publication
are not necessarily those of the Editors,
Editorial Board, executive officers
or Local 1285, CAW
PUBLICATIONS MAIL
AGREEMENT NO. 40064845
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN
ADDRESSES TO CAW LOCAL 1285
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email val@caw1285.on.ca
BY
The impact has been felt by many
VINCE
regions and communities across Canada:
BAILEY
PRESIDENT
cOntario lost 171,600 manufacturing
jobs (15 percent)
cQuebec has lost 124,440 manufacturing
jobs (18 percent) over a 4-1/2 year period (2002-2007)
cNova Scotia lost 20 percent, Cape Breton lost 15 percent,
Windsor lost 25 percent
cNew Brunswick lost 10 percent, Newfoundland South Coast
lost 25 percent, Toronto lost 104,600 jobs
cBritish Columbia lost 13,700 jobs, Montreal lost 19 percent,
North Coast, B.C. lost 23 percent, Kootenay Region lost 25
percent, Maurice, Quebec lost 24 percent.
cWe know the alarming state in auto:
Textiles & clothing Food & Beverage
66,000 jobs
40,000 jobs
or 40 percent
or 13 percent
Primary Metal
Wood Products
12,500 jobs
10,700 jobs
or 13 percent
or eight percent
Paper
8,500 jobs
or nine percent
Aerospace
83,000 jobs
or 16 percent
Shipbuilding
3,300 jobs
or 32 percent
Manufacturing is a vital source of jobs and good union jobs
and support for our communities:
c One in four: jobs in Windsor and Kitchener – Waterloo
c One in five: Oshawa
c One in six: Hamilton and Toronto
c One in seven: St. Catherines – Niagara and Montreal
c One in nine: Winnipeg and Vancouver
President’s Report – continued on pg. 6
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Vince Bailey
President
Leon Rideout
First Vice-President
Gerry Harvey
Second Vice-President
Dave Ireland
Financial Secretary
Jody Schneider
Recording Secretary
Jaspal Brar
Trustee
Willie Fulton
Trustee
Wayne Hunter
Trustee
Bill Turner
Sergeant-at-Arms
Bill MacKenzie
Guide
Dennis Hryhorchuk
Retiree Chairperson
EDITORS
Linda Thompson ● Bill Turner
EDITORIAL BOARD
Vince Bailey ● Terry Gorman ● Joe Baber
Printed by Thistle Printing
Local 1285 News – Page President’s Report – Continued From Page 5
Benefits spread far and wide:
c Canada’s Manufacturing Sector
cDirectly accounts for 17 percent of economic activity
cPurchase of goods and services, and spin-offs, total up to 55
percent of economic activity.
cCreates $3.05 elsewhere for every $1 activity.
cHas highest value-added sector accounts for two-thirds of
nation’s exports
cSpends three-quarters of private sector R&D
cHigher productivity
cFamily support pay – manufacturing hourly pay in Canada:
$22.96 with overtime, annual pay of $50,000 per year 27 percent higher than average for all of Canada
cUnion Jobs – 28 percent of manufacturing sector unionized
nearly double rest of private sector (16 percent). Opportunities
for our youth – we need primary wealth creation industries.
cSupport for our Communities – Canada’s manufacturing workers: Direct payroll of $94 billion per year. General income taxes
of $20 billion per year; Health Care, Education, Infrastructure,
Social Services. Add to this: Sales, property and other taxes.
If we care about our social programs, we have to care about
manufacturing.
These are some of the solutions – Canada needs Fair Trade:
cBalanced and Managed Trade
Trade safeguards
No to Canada – Korea FTA
A New North American Auto Pact
Rescind NAFTA
New Trade rules to govern international trade and development
cUnbalanced Trade is a major problem
Large and growing manufacturing trade deficit from a surplus of $12 billion to a deficit of $29 billion in a decade.
Deficit grew by 75 percent during 2006, highest on
record
Trade exports have shifted to resources, 2005 was the first
time that mineral fuel products (oil and gas) passes transport vehicles as our top export.
Losing ground on all accounts – low-tech, resource-based
manufacturing, and higher value-added.
cCanada had an Automotive Trade Deficit in 2006, first time in
18 years
From high of nearly $15 billion surplus in 1999.
Canada becomes a net importer of automotive products.
cIn Auto: Off-shore Imports surge
Highest levels in two decades
26 percent of Canadian sales, 22 percent of U.S. sales
Japan imports to U.S. grew 24 percent last year
Back to crisis levels of 1980s
Government must use the economic tools it has:
cThe Canadian Dollar – Bank of Canada inflation fight wrong,
“petro-dollar,” must support manufacturing (’90s recession)
cGovernment Purchases – “made-in-Canada” matters, Transit
(TTC & Ottawa), Aerospace and Defense
cInvestment – public investment in key sectors, financing, infrastructures, TPC, green car, foreign takeovers
cIndustries Policies – government must lead with sector specific
plans: auto, aerospace, ships, fisheries, etc.
cNatural Resources – energy and other resources must be used
to develop the economy: e.g. aluminum, nickel into manufactured goods.
cBalanced Economy – less reliance on private sector investment
and external trade.
Workers must be protected:
cBankruptcy – protect
wages, severance, Bill
C-55
cPensions – pension
charter, guarantee fund,
public plans
cEmployment Insurance
– improve benefits and
funds for adjustment
cPay Conditions – resist
the downward spiral
After we complete the
leadership meetings across
Canada we are going to
take the lead in organizing:
cCommunity days of education and action in centres we’ve
identified.
cEncourage and work with other unions to hold similar events
in other communities.
cWork with the CLC to take the stories and the strong message
from the community forums to Ottawa.
cThen proceed to Ottawa on May 29th & 30th. Local 1285 has
chartered buses for the trip.
There has been a lot of discussion on the special meeting for
the DaimlerChrysler Brampton Plant, Sunday, March 11th, 2007
at the Pearson Centre.
Everyone knows the industry is changing, and we as a progressive union leadership have to change with the times.
Here is an article from “Contact,” April 13th, 2007, on Ford:
Stronger Future for Oakville Members
Ford unveiled its new Flex crossover vehicle at the New York
auto show recently, a product that will be built at the company’s
Oakville, Ontario assembly plant following a decision by Local
707 members last year to implement work rule changes.
“The platform the company is bringing to Oakville on which
the new Flex crossover will be built promises to make our plant
the crown jewel in Ford’s auto production system,” said Gary
Beck, CAW Local 707 president.
“This announcement by Ford clearly shows that our bargaining committee and membership made the right decisions and Ford
has kept their commitment to our union,” he said.
CAW President Buzz Hargrove said the members deserve a lot
of credit for making a decision that will help secure good auto
assembly jobs at a time of rapid change within the industry.
“The membership of Local 707 have made a decision that
promises to bring a strong and more secure future for thousands
of CAW members, their families and communities,” Hargrove
said.
Here is an insert from Buzz’s speech at the CAW Council at
Port Elgin, April 13th, 2007.
Special meeting, DaimlerChrysler March 11th, 2007
I want to talk about Brampton because this got a lot of publicity. The headlines said, “Major Concessions,” “Big Pay Cuts for
Workers.” It was not a major concession, and it was not a major
pay cut. The Brampton bargaining committee led by Local 1285
President Vince Bailey and Ardis Snow, the chairperson, and
Chrysler met with us in February. At that meeting, they told us
that they were looking at a new investment and a new product,
and would like to consider Brampton, but only if we agreed to
give up our alternative work schedule bonus. Our bargaining
committee from Brampton went back and talked about it. The new
President’s Report
– continued on pg. 7
President’s Report – Continued From Page 6
investment would guarantee our third shift in that facility, so they
decided to give up the bonus.
I want to explain where the bonus came from. It started in 1993
when we bargained the third shift in Windsor. Those were good
days, when the demand was there for our products, and Chrysler
wanted to get more production out. This union bargained an eight
hour day, where the workers would spend a total of eight hours in
the plant, but they would get eight hours and 45 minutes pay. The
rationale was that it is only a 7.5 hour shift and if you are working eight, you must pay overtime. Chrysler bought it, not because
there was any logic to our argument, but because they wanted the
product, and we would not agree to anything else. We bargained
the bonus, and we have had it in Windsor ever since. We put it in
our plants in Oshawa, at the truck and car plant. In exchange for
a new investment and a new product, they have since lost it in the
car plant. We gave this up in Brampton.
You only get this when you have three shifts. When you have
back to back shifts, you are working the plant 24 hours a day.
Our agreement states that you get paid for eight hours and 45
minutes – the only group of workers in the country to get a bonus
for working an eight hour day. We were in the plant 8.5 hour days
prior to this, and were getting eight hours pay. Now we are in the
plant a half hour less and we are getting eight hours and 45 minutes pay. That’s a great accomplishment on behalf or our union,
but in Brampton today, if we do not get the new investment, we
are going to lose the third shift. We would go back to two shifts in
the plant for 8.5 hours for eight hours pay.
We bargained to give up the bonus, the three quarters of an
hour, in exchange for a $700 million investment and new product
which will keep 900 people working on the third shift. Somebody
is going to have to tell me how that looks anything like a concession. It was a manipulation of our no-concessions policy by a
small number of people in that facility who tried to screw with the
heads of the workers. When we took the first vote, it was defeated
1,400 to 1,100.
Chrysler came back to us. Frank Ewashyn, the vice-president
in charge of manufacturing for Chrysler said: “I am going to the
Board of Directors on Wednesday of next week. I respect democracy and what happened in Brampton. You had a vote, the committee recommended it, and the membership rejected it. I respect
that, but I must tell you what my alternative is. We are going to
tool a plant in North America, but not in Canada – it’s either the
U.S. or Mexico. We are going to put the $700 million investment
in that plant to build a new product – it will be able to build the
vehicles that you are building in Brampton now, as well as the
new product. We are moving ahead because you guys leave me
no alternative.”
I argued with him about it, but at the end of the day, they were
going to make the decision. I called my assistant Bob Chernecki
and I said we must meet the committee. We have to go back to the
membership, because not only does this mean that we are going
to lose our third shift and the bonuses are gone, we are back on
two shifts now.
We are entering into bargaining next year with the minivan
plant in Windsor that has a sister plant capable of building our
products in St. Louis. We are going to have a plant in Brampton
building the LX models, and a plant in the U.S. newly tooled
up and started – that can produce every vehicle that we have
in Brampton. Where will our bargaining power be in the fall of
2008? Common sense told me we had to move, and move quickly.
We went to the membership and this time, almost the total plant
showed up for the meeting. They voted overwhelmingly to ratify
the agreement that gave up the bonus, but got the commitment
for the new investment and the new product. I defy anybody to
say that there is a concession involved in getting a commitment,
continuing to work, and continuing to have 900 people on a third
shift.
These examples show that the leadership at the Brampton
Plant, the Local and the National made the right decision, not
only for the members of Chrysler, Ford and GM, but for the rest
of the membership of our Union.
Attention all CAW Local 1285 Members
The following discounted tickets are available at the Union Hall, 23 Regan Road, Brampton, ON:
Wild Water Kingdom
$23 per ticket (adult)
$17 per ticket (4-9 years)
African Lion Safari
$22.75 per ticket (adult)
$17.05 per ticket (3-12 years)
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
$32 per ticket
(Tickets are not valid on December
31st, 2007)
Marineland
$33 per ticket (ages 5+)
Canada’s Wonderland
$21 (child 3 years and under)
Ontario Place
$10 per ticket (seniors)
CentervilleAmusement Park
$20 per ticket
If you are interested please drop by the Union Office
to purchase your tickets.
Local 1285 News – Page n FIRST
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT n
Thanks For Your Support
I would like to thank the membership of
the local for their support in the recent
election for the position of First Vice
President. I have served in a number
of Union positions at DaimlerChrysler
Brampton Assembly over the past eighteen years and bring a lot of experience
to the local. I have always been a hard
worker and commit to giving 100 percent
when it comes to representing the membership of the local.
Workplace Changes
One of my biggest assignments is being
a liaison to Brampton Assembly. The
last few months have been trying at best.
On January 11, 2007 we were called
to a meeting at the National office in
Placer Court regarding the future of the
DaimlerChrysler Brampton Assembly
Facility. The Company brought in some
of their top executives and we had several
members of our bargaining committee
present as well as our National President
Buzz Hargrove, and several members of
his staff.
The Company presented a proposal to
the Union with the crux of it being $700
million investment and to maintain the
viability of Brampton Assembly’s third
shift. In return for this investment, they
wanted workplace changes (we refer to
them as concessions), including eliminating the AWS premium (work eight hours
and get paid eight hours and 45 minutes).
Outsourcing of our GSOs, (janitors) and
lift-truck repairs. They also wanted the
Skilled Trades to exit construction, in
other words, contractors would complete
any expansions or install any new equipment in our plant. They also wanted the
Skilled Trades to redefine their full utilization language. Under our language, if contractors are working in the plant perform-
ing maintenance and construction work,
then an equal number of our trades in the
particular trade would be on twelve hour
shifts (in other words fully utilized). They
also wanted to combine the Welders and
Industrial Millwrights. From the production side of the house they wanted for us
to buy into the Workplace Organizational
Model (WOM) to support and launch the
corporate model in its entirety.
No Bargaining
The company made it quite clear that
there would be no bargaining and for us
to get the new product and investment, we
would have to accept the agreement in its
entirety and we had one week to respond.
Failing an agreement, the product and
investment may go to a plant in the U.S.
or Mexico as they had excess capacity at
these locations.
We caucused as a Union with our
National President and his staff and decided that they were serious and that we
would try and work out an agreement.
This had been the fifth time that they had
approached us for work place changes.
We said no the previous four times as
we were seeing record sales. This time
around sales were slow and we were
experiencing down weeks. Over the past
couple of years, General Motors, Ford
and the UAW had made these changes
in their workplaces. We felt that if we
did not make some movement this time
around there would be a price to pay and
we did not want to gamble with the future
of the plant and the job security of the
membership.
Over the next several weeks we had
numerous meetings amongst ourselves
(bargaining Committee) as well as with
the Company. We did come to an agreement eventually with the Company, not
within their time limits and we did not
agree to everything
that they asked for
in their original proposal.
Information
Meeting
BY
LEON
What we decided
RIDEOUT
to do this time for
FIRST
ratification was to
VICE-PRESIDENT
follow what GM did
in Oshawa and have
an information meeting for the membership with the vote taking place in the
plant, not at the meeting. This may have
worked well at GM but it backfired on
us. We had the information meeting on
Sunday February 18, 2007 at the Pearson
Convention Centre with approximately
500 members showing up.
Several members of the bargaining
committee, who had agreed with the
agreement originally, went astray on us.
They handed out a leaflet at the meeting
encouraging members to vote no. We did
have a number of speakers at the meeting
as well as answering questions that were
asked. Unfortunately, with only 500 of
3,500 members showing up at the meeting not everybody got the right message.
The members of the bargaining committee that jumped ship decided to do a gate
hand out of their leaflet. With the fact that
they were a part of the bargaining committee it created mass confusion on the
shop floor with the majority of members
thinking that they were speaking for the
whole bargaining committee and in turn
the agreement was rejected.
Second Vote
In the weeks following the vote there
were hundreds of calls to the Local office,
National office, as well as several petitions requesting a second vote on the
agreement. At that time we took the
position that there would not be a second vote. On Tuesday March 6, 2007,
our National President received a phone
call from the Senior Vice-President of
Manufacturing for DaimlerChrysler North
America, Frank Ewasyshyn, stating that
the following Tuesday they would make
a decision to redirect the investment to
an undisclosed U.S or Mexican facility
First Vice-President’s Report
First Vice-President’s Report – Continued From Page 8
including re-tooling this facility for LX
platforms. He did state that if we could
turn this around and have the membership
ratify the agreement the investment would
be ours.
With this new information we felt that
we had no choice but to take the agreement back to the membership and let
them make the call if we were to have a
revote. During our first meeting with the
Company in January they said that the
investment may go elsewhere and there
was no mention of us sharing our platform
with another location. We knew that if this
was to occur, this would be the beginning
of the end for our plant and we could not
risk thousands of jobs.
We called a special meeting for Sunday
March 11, 2007 at the request of our
National president so that he could
address the membership. Unfortunately
our President was on vacation and his
flight back to Canada was cancelled so he
could not make it to the meeting.
We did have Bob Chernicki, assistant
to the President, and Ken Lewenza the
President of Local 444 and chair of the
DaimlerChrysler master bargaining committee address the membership. At this
meeting we had an excellent turn out from
the membership as this was an extremely
important issue on the future of the plant.
Ardis Snow, the plant Chairperson chaired
the meeting and did an excellent job
of controlling the meeting and keeping
order.
A motion was put on the floor by
the membership in attendance to have a
revote. The motion was discussed and
debated and passed by the vast majority
of those in attendance. We conducted a
secret ballot vote on the agreement which
was passed by 78 percent of the membership.
Perfect Storm
During this process everything that
could go wrong went wrong. We referred
to it as the perfect storm. At the time of
this agreement we were going through
Local and plant elections which brought
out some of our best politicians. The
plant was experiencing down weeks. The
Company had asked us to not release too
much information in writing after we
signed the agreement as they were going
to make an announcement on February
14, 2007 and they didn’t want it getting
out to the press or UAW before hand. We
did put out a leaflet, which was a waste
of time, only to have the Corporation
blurt out on February 14 that the Chrysler
division of DaimlerChrysler was for sale
which was a surprise to us all and created
more uncertainty for the membership.
Concessions Are Tough
There was mass confusion regarding if
the agreement depended on Government
funding or not. There was confusion if
Project X had already been approved by
the management board in Germany. Our
membership did not trust the Company.
On top of all of this we had our own internal politics, where there was a mistrust of
the union leadership with several members of the bargaining committee breaking
ranks and opposing the agreement. On the
date of the second meeting our National
President was supposed to be present
and had his flight cancelled. At the end
of the day calmer minds prevailed and
thanks to the membership the agreement
was passed. I would like to thank the
membership personally for their patience
and understanding during this extremely
tough period and for making the right
decision. Concessions are tough at the
best of times but at least we got something
in return.
Best For The
Membership
There are those in the membership who
would have you believe that your union
leadership is on the take and only put
this agreement together to line their own
pockets. This could not be farther from
the truth. This would have been an easy
one for me to disagree with as I was in the
middle of one of the toughest elections of
my career. I could have been a politician
like those who jumped ship and said no
but I didn’t because I knew that it was not
about my political career but what was
best for the plant and the membership.
Regain Losses?
During the mid 1980s (American
Motors/Renault days), for those who were
around, in order to get the plant that we
have today we gave up 10 paid holidays
and a host of classifications as well as
First Vice-President’s Report
Local 1285 News – Page n SECOND
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT n
Collective Solidarity
Dana-Long
This Company, as I’m sure you are
aware, is under Bankruptcy protection
in the USA. Last year we had bargained
a one year Collective Agreement (March
1st, 2006) on a Saturday morning here at
Regan Road. When we left the meeting
and picked up the paper and turned on the
news we learned of the Bankruptcy and
realized the importance of signing and
ratifying the Collective Agreement.
This year March 1st, 2007, we entered
bargaining with the company still in
Bankruptcy Protection. However, this
year was unlike the previous year at
bargaining. Leading into bargaining a year
ago, the company had worked overtime to
build enough product to ensure that if the
membership voted to go on strike they
would not shut down General Motors,
their major customer.
This year, the membership, to their
credit, realized that the company was
taking advantage of their working
overtime to build a supply bank. Needless
to say this put the shoe on the other foot
at bargaining as very little overtime was
worked.
I also may mention that the year
previous when the overtime was workecd,
shortly after ratifying their one year deal,
the membership was laid off as there was
a surplus of product.
I would again like to congratulate the
membership at Dana
Long in Mississauga
for their collective
solidarity
“you
earned your increases
and your three year
contract.”
Congratulations
to the Committee
and Judy Ransom,
the
Chairperson,
who pulled this all
together, also Doug
Orr, who has taken
BY
GERRY
HARVEY
SECOND
VICE-PRESIDENT
Second Vice-President’s Report
First Vice-President’s Report – Continued From Page 9
the outsourcing of the seats, instrument
panels and the cleaning of the paint
shop. When things turned around we
got the holidays back. We did not get
the seats and instrument panels back but
we got more jobs in return to offset the
losses. We organized the group cleaning
the paint shop and they are proud members of our local today. There is nothing to say that if and when things turn
around in the future we cannot regain
these losses just like we did in the past.
The Union and the membership had to
make a tough decision on concessions
in the past, the same as was made today,
and it paid off. History usually repeats
itself.
Round Up
I do represent Aramark, the unit that
provides the cafeteria service in the
Brampton plant. Rosie Laramee, the
Chairperson, and her committee are
experiencing job loss due to cutbacks.
DaimlerChrysler does pay a subsidy
to Aramark for the food services and
is pressuring them to reduce their
Page 10 – Local 1285 News
cost. This in turn is done
by reducing service, hours
of operation and reducing
workers. Most large corporations pay subsidies for
food services for employees
and do not think twice about
it. With all of the cutbacks
that DaimlerChrysler is
making, it’s easy for them to
cut services to employees. They wonder
why morale is low in the plant. In 2008
we will be back in bargaining and will
address this issue.
I also represent Abednego which
operates the Waste water treatment plant
for DaimlerChrysler. Felix Stolc who is
the Chairperson and his committee have
things under control with some minor
issues of coverage on weekends and
down weeks which we are addressing.
Another assignment is Team Industrial
which is responsible for the cleaning of
the paint shop for DaimlerChrysler.
John Toohey and his committee have
things under control with not a lot of
issues to report.
The office salary bargaining unit of DaimlerChrysler
is also one of my responsibilities. Danielle Billo the
Chairperson and her committee are experiencing
issues with the threat of job
cuts and the Company not
wanting to replace those
off on disability or maternity benefits and denying
LOA’s.
Eberspacher Exhaust Systems was
newly organized and came under our
local last year. Rudolph Shiwnath the
Chairperson and his committee are
having a tough time resolving issues
with uncooperative management. I have
been involved in several meetings with
upper management where they have
made commitments and did not follow
through. If things continue the way they
are, we will be asking for the assistance
of the membership to take some type
of action to get upper managements
attention.
Eberspacher supplies exhaust systems for DaimlerChrysler Brampton
Assembly and are being pressured by
DaimlerChrysler to reduce their costs
which in turn trickles down to the membership. Being newly organized we are
asking the membership to be patient as
we work through these issues. We have
scheduled several unit meetings this
year for the membership but have never
had a quorum. In order to get managements attention we need the full support
of the membership and would like to see
a good turn out at unit meetings.
In Solidarity
Leon Rideout
Second Vice-President’s Report – Continued From Page 10
over from Dawn Cartwright as Dana’s
National Representative. Great to have
you in the trenches with us Doug, thanks
for your dedication.
On Going Restructuring TI Automotive
This Brampton-based brake line
manufacturer has seen increased pressure
for the past year, as many parts suppliers
have from off shore concerns. The ability
to obtain parts from places like Korea,
China, etc., at costs that here in North
America we could never compete with,
has made it difficult for TI to attract new
business and keep what they had always
enjoyed.
At bargaining we were constantly told
the business was not growing and shortly
into bargaining the company informed the
bargaining committee that they suspected
that a quarter of their business could be
lost.
The Bargaining Committee was faced
with a company which then was entering
into a restructuring period so some
operations would be lost. Their priority
then was to try to structure some type of
early retirement package to save some
junior people and retire others who would
be able to leave.
Many scenarios were looked at but
after proposing different alternatives, the
company clearly were not interested in
paying anything significant towards this
program and the Committee would have
to finance this totally out of the present
monies bargained in the previous contracts
over the years.
As a result we now have a one year
Collective Agreement and the situation is
one we will be watching closely over the
next year as bargaining and restructuring
throughout the company will be ongoing.
Thanks to the Committee and to Ron Smith
the National Representative for what was
a very difficult road of bargaining and I
look forward to next March when we will
be right back at it!
Progress Made? Benteler Automotive
Benteler Automotive supplies the
suspensions for DCX in Brampton. As
Daimler is Benteler's only customer,
whatever happens at DaimlerChrysler
Brampton happens at Benteler. Daimler
has had some layoffs early this year and
the rumour is they will continue to be off
from time to time in the future.
Recently a meeting was held with upper
management to identify some issues in
the plant that the Committee had to have
addressed.
The issues were identified and the
Company agreed to return to another
meeting in May to see if progress had
been made between the meetings. We will
see how they do on the Report Card!
TransAlta
TransAlta is a power generating plant
located in Mississauga near the airport.
This unit will be entering bargaining
sometime in the fall. We have put out the
Contract Demands and I have received
some back at the Local and we hope they
will all be in soon.
National Representative
There have been some changes at the
National with regard to DaimlerChrysler
Brampton and TransAlta Mississauga
Staff Rep Jerry Dias.
Our long time rep has been appointed as
Assistant to the President, Buzz Hargrove
and Bob Orr takes over from Jerry.
To Jerry, whom I have met many years
ago as a trainer in union representation
at the Days Inn in Mississauga, and who
would no doubt tell you that I was a star
pupil, (right), I wish you all the best in
your new endeavours and most important
thank you for your leadership, counsel
and dedication which was always first
class.
To Bob, I remember when I first got
elected as an alternate. The brother I was
taking over for told me I had just been
elected and I asked what does that mean?
He promptly said “you go from a six
pack to a 24.” That’s kind of the way of
things Bob. It is a very difficult time in
the industry with the offshore companies
such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia and
soon to be China in the mix as well, taking
away market share. Survival will be very
difficult for the Big Three. So I certainly
welcome you and congratulate you on
your new assignment and look forward to
working with you.
I would like to recognize the newly
elected Committee at TI Automotive in
Brampton. Congratulations and I look
forward to working with you. The past
three years have been very difficult with so
many changes taking place in the market.
I would like to say that Annette Sousa was
a very steady worker on behalf of the TI
membership and it was a pleasure to work
with you Annette. Thank you for your
dedication and your friendship.
In Solidarity,
Gerry Harvey
Local 1285 News – Page 11
FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
BY
DAVE
IRELAND
FINANCIAL
SECRETARY
CAW Local 1285 Balance Sheet
ASSETS
CASH
Royal Bank of Canada (NEW)
Petty Cash
Credit Union Certificates
Royal Bank Term Deposits
G.I.C.
Royal Bank Security Bonds
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
E.I. Payable
CPP Payable
Income Tax Payable
RECEIVER GENERAL PAYABLE
COPE Local 343 Payable
Officer’s Union Dues Payable
TOTAL LIABILITIES
EQUITY
General Fund
TOTAL EQUITY
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
(Cash basis)
December
353,818.33
25.00
30,267.42
32,661.31
68,926.58
434,954.18
$920,652.82
January
February
356,618.68
532,172.81
25.00
25.00
30,267.42
30,267.42
32,661.31
32,661.31
68,926.58
68,926.58
435,704.90
435,704.90
$924,203.89 $1,099,758.02
479.70
958.36
6,785.98
8,224.04
298.38
0.00
$8,522.42
1,522.47
3,119.58
9,383.14
14,025.19
255.30
674.58
$14,955.07
2,448.66
4,896.68
13,645.59
20,990.93
478.77
1,050.78
$22,520.48
912,130.40
912,130.40
909,248.82
909,248.82
1,077,237.54
1,077,237.54
$920,652.82
$924,203.89 $1,099,758.02
Thank You Notes Received From...
☛ From the Cancer Society for donations in memory of:
– Donald Hall
– Annabelle MacKinnon
– Qua Duong
– Anirmil Bhoure
☛ From the Canadian Diabetes Association for donation in memory of
Maria Panait
☛ From the Heart & Stroke for donations in memory of:
– Steve Sawchuck
– Larry Gallant
– Patricia Flaven
☛ F rom the Canadian Liver Foundation for donation in memoriam
☛ From the Sick Kids Foundation for donations in memory of:
– Keith Langille
– Martha Boatenea
– Naomi Murray
☛ F rom the Arthritis Society for donation in memoriam
☛ F rom the Schizophrenia Society for donation in memoriam
☛ From Credit Valley Hospital for donation in memory of Elsie Langille
☛ From the Princess Margaret Hospital for donations in memory of:
– Muoi Van Phan
– Luis Sousa
☛ F rom St. Elizabeth Health Care for donation in memoriam
☛ F rom the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for donation in memoriam
☛ From The War Amputations of Canada for donation in memory of Otto
Fauland
☛ From Saunders-Matthey Cancer
☛ F rom St. Thomas More Paris for donation in memoriam
☛ F rom Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus for annual donation
☛ F rom Leprosy Relief Fund for annual donation
☛ F rom Brampton Library for Bonspiel Fundraiser donation
☛ F rom Ste Louise Outreach for donation
☛ F rom Knights Table for donation
☛ F rom Family Transition Place for Gift baskets
☛ F rom Graham Porter for flowers & card
☛ F rom Roman Urbanek for flowers
☛ F rom Salvation Army for Christmas gifts
☛ F rom Peel Youth for Christmas gifts
☛ F rom Region of Peel for Christmas gifts
☛ F rom the Aguiar family for funeral tribute
☛ F rom the Mitic family for funeral tribute
☛ F rom Peter Mitic & family for donation in memoriam
☛ F rom Robert Hall for donation in memoriam
☛ F rom 2006 Christmas Dinner & Dance, DCX for donation
☛ F rom the Vitanova Foundation for donation
☛ F rom the Peel Children’s Centre for donation
n TRUSTEES’
We would like to start off by congratulating Wayne
Hunter as the newly elected Trustee.
Wayne is currently holding the position of Committee
person on the “A” shift at Brampton Assembly Plant.
Congratulations are also in order to Leon Rideout who
was also recently elected as the First Vice President.
Leon replaced Paulo Ribeiro who took up the position of
National Rep.
We wish Paulo the very best for the future but at the
same time he will be sincerely missed.
Financially we are in a good standing condition at this
point and hope to continue to be so. We also have to be
ready to pay the amount borrowed from the National, the
total amount will be finalized shortly. This is the money
we had borrowed from the National to complete Phase
Two of our Union Hall.
The Hall is also now ready to rent for any functions.
Please contact the Local if you need further information
for availability.
The Auditor has been in and has completed his audit
n RETIREES’
REPORT n
BY
WILLIE
CAW
FULTON
LOCAL 1285
TRUSTEE
AND
AND
WAYNE
JASPAL
CAW LOCAL 1285
TRUSTEE
CAW LOCAL 1285
TRUSTEE
HUNTER
BRAR
for 2006. We are in the process of setting up a meeting
with him to get a summary of his report. This will give us
an opportunity to discuss any concerns we may have.
We will take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy
and safe summer.
CHAPTER CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
Meetings Well Attended
Local 1285 Retiree monthly meetings
are quite well attended. We get anywhere
from 80 to 150 members attending.
Ribbon Cutting
At the February meeting we had even
greater numbers because after our meeting
there was an “Official Ribbon Cutting”
ceremony for our new hall, Phase II.
Brothers Buzz Hargrove and Jim O’Neil
were there to do the ribbon cutting. It was
a great event, well organized and all the
Retirees in attendance really enjoyed the
festivities.
Good Presentations
We look forward to our meetings being
held in the new hall. Our first meeting in
the new hall was in March where Twin
Oaks Credit Union did a presentation
on retirement and tax issues. We had
the City of Brampton Fire & Emergency
Services speaking about fire safety in
the home. John Falice, Health Promotion
Specialist for DaimlerChrysler arranged
the speaker on fire safety, which was very
well received by members. The members
also enjoyed the prizes that were distributed later.
On April 11th, we had a trip to Casino
Rama where a few members had some
winnings but all had a great time.
I want to thank Brothers Vince Bailey,
Leon Rideout, Gerry Harvey, Dave
Ireland, Ardis Snow and Paul Lewis who
often speak at our meetings to update us
on issues. Thanks!
Retiree Recognized
Brother Aubrey McNaughton, a retired
CAW Local 1285 activist was honoured
in a recognition ceremony on April 26th,
2007 for the work he has done making
a difference to the scholastic success of
children in public schools in a community
which is challenged by deep poverty and
need. He heard about the program through
the CAW. He is there because of his commitment to the Union as well as to his
community. Congratulations Aubrey!
I’ve heard Brother
Jim Nesbitt, long-time
union activist, (Unit
Chairperson), etc.
has had health problems. We wish you
a speedy recovery,
Jim! Also, Brothers
BY
Roman Urbanek and
DENNIS
Alfie Murschitz both
scheduled for surgery HRYHORCHUK
RETIREES’ CHAPTER
soon, we wish you
CHAIRPERSON
both a speedy recovery.
Thanks to the Retirees who bring nonperishable food items for the local food
bank when we have meetings. Also, thanks
to those forwarding pictures and information regarding our history as a local Union
so it can be documented.
May all Local 1285 Brothers & Sisters
and families be safe & healthy – take
care.
Congratulations To Our Recent Retirees
Murray
White
Hydro One
Brampton
Margaret
Richard
Dana/Long
Manufacturing
Arnoldo
Marroquin
DaimlerChrysler
Bus Unit
Marian
Wiacek
DaimlerChrysler
Bus Unit
Mario
Fatovic
DaimlerChrysler
Brampton Assembly
n CAW
COUNCIL REPORT n
McGuinty Addresses CAW Council
April 13-15, 2007 Port Elgin, Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty addressed
this session of CAW Council. He is the
first Liberal Provincial leader to be given
the opportunity to do so. His speech
emphasized his government’s commitment to the Auto industry in Ontario and
the thanked the membership for our historical involvement in working towards
a better society. He pointed out that the
minimum wage in Ontario would soon be
the highest of any province.
Assembly of First Nations chief Phil
Fontaine also spoke to Council. He is
particularly worried about the poverty
level amongst many aboriginal people in
our nation. Canada, as a nation is usually
ranked quite high for its standard of living
in comparison to other countries, but if we
were to examine the standard of living for
our aboriginal population, we would see a
completely different situation.
The Federal Government shells out billions of dollars annually to theoretically
help First Nations folk, however the reality
is that most of the money is absorbed by the
Federal bureaucracy long before it reaches
the people that actually need the services.
Chief Fontaine is particularly annoyed
with the current government’s stance of
not recognizing the Kelowna Accord.
Agreements reached with the government
of Canada should be honoured. The fact that
a different political party may form the current government does not mean that commitments no longer have to be lived up to.
Manufacturing Matters
There was a presentation on Canada’s
manufacturing sector. Statistics quoted
in the main stream media suggest that
our economy is doing quite well. This is
misleading. The percentage of people in
Canada employed in manufacturing has
fallen to less than 12 percent of our total
employment. The loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector is reaching a crisis point:
Over 250,000 in the last 4.5 years.
We are not seeing a loss of jobs because
of a temporary recession. There are new
jobs in the economy, but these are lower
paying, service sector jobs. It is becoming
common for people to work several part
time jobs to try and make ends meet.
Canada now has an automotive industry trade deficit. The Canadian dollar has
reached 90 cents U.S. because of a strong
resource sector, led by the oil boom in
Alberta. A strong Canadian dollar is OK
for folks who want to spend money out of
the country, but is devastating to exporting
BY
BILL
TURNER
CAW COUNCIL
DELEGATE
goods manufactured in Canada.
The CAW is loaning a million dollars
to help set up the Canadian Construction
Workers Union, independent of the current international organization.
n CAW
Delegates also voted to
“Strategic Voting Policy”
Federal election, and to
the policy to include the
Provincial election.
continue our
in the next
also expand
next Ontario
COUNCIL REPORT n
CAW Facing Challenges
At CAW Council, Buzz Hargrove
spoke about the challenges facing
our union. It is almost daily that we
get notice of layoffs, shift reductions
and workplace closures. The auto sector is not the only industry affected. Loblaws is closing stores, the
Hershey’s Chocolate plant, a Rail Car
plant in Nova Scotia and fish plants in
Newfoundland are closing.
Thousands of jobs are disappearing!
The Ford Talbotville Plant was just
reduced to one shift. Even the launch
of the Lincoln Town Car later this year
is not expected to return the plant to
two shifts. The Ford Casting plant in
Windsor and the Essex Engine plant
are scheduled to be closed. The only
good news around the Ford section
is the Oakville plant where there has
been investment and product.
DaimlerChrysler
restructuring
includes 2,000 fewer jobs in Canada
(most of the job loss will take place
in Windsor). The announcement concerning the Chrysler Group, that all
options are open for the future was a
bombshell. The CAW, UAW and IG
Metall prepared a joint statement calling on DaimlerChrysler to keep the
Chrysler Group intact and not to sell
it. The CAW is determined to defend
the interests of its members and if
the Chrysler Group is sold it should
be to a company
that is committed
to manufacturing
automobiles. He
spoke about the
Brampton Plant
because it got a
lot of publicity.
BY
Buzz defies anyCAMMIE
body to say that
there is a concesPEIRCE
CAW COUNCIL
sion involved in
DELEGATE
getting a commitment; continuing
to work and continuing to have 900
people on a third shift.
General Motors announced they are
laying off almost 40 people from the
transmission facility in Windsor. This
is another blow to the city of Windsor.
In Oshawa, Car Plant 2 is still scheduled to close in the fall of 2008 in spite
of the fact that the Camaro is scheduled to be built there. GM says as they
look to the future all the products can
be built in one building.
While the Union has been successful in negotiating restructuring/retirement packages, the problem is there
are going to be a lot fewer jobs in our
industry and in our plants as we move
ahead.
CAW Council Report
Voter Reform
The Citizens’ Assembly is made up of 104
Ontarians appointed by the government:
103 randomly selected citizens – one from
each of the province’s electoral districts
– plus the Chair.
The Citizens’ Assembly must recommend to the government whether Ontario
should keep its current electoral system or
adopt a new one. If the Assembly recommends a change, it will be put to a referendum expected to be at the next provincial
election on October 4, 2007.
Our present system of first past the post
has been in place since our first elected
government in 1792.
Without a lot of media fanfair, meetings
have been going on all over Ontario where
citizens have been allowed to make presentations on their views to the Citizens’
Assembly.
Our present system of first past the post
resulted in the last federal election of:
Party
Conservatives
Liberal
Bloc
NDP
Green
Independent
Seat
Result
124
93
51
29
0
1
Percent of
Vote Won
36.5
30.1
10.5
17.4
It’s easy to see that 63.5 percent of
voters did not vote for the present federal
government.
Did you vote? Do you feel your vote
counted? Is this lack of input from the
majority of voters the reason for poor
voter turn out?
Is this why our youth see voting as a
waste of time?
Recently The Toronto Star, with horror,
ran articles that stated that a 40 percent
vote for the Block in Quebec would result
in them forming a majority government in
that province.
Late February the 103 ordinary citizens
of the Citizens’ Assembly on Election
Reform voted overwhelmingly for a
change to our present system to one of
proportional representation.
This is an example of how proportional
representation would change the last federal results;
Party
Conservatives
Liberal
Bloc
NDP
Green
Seat
Result
113
93
31
59
12
Difference
in Seats
down 11
same
down 20
up 30
up 12
This recommendation of reform was
immediately followed in the Toronto Star
with an editorial on this being a fix to a
system that may not need fixing.
Like it or it’s time for debate! Get
involved! Shouldn’t every vote count to
make a country democratic?
Dana/Long Stood
Together
I cannot end my report without mentioning the recent negotiations at my
workplace Dana/Long Manufacturing.
All in the auto sector know what a hit
this sector has taken with job loss, down
sizing, roll back of
wages and plant closers. ...But we have a
contract!
BY
Never has this been
DONNA
a plant where the
members’ requests ROBERTSON
CAW LOCAL 1285
have been unreasonable. Never has the
in-plant committee negotiated anything
but a fair and reasonable increase for their
members and this time was no different.
The difference was the members! These
members except for a small few stood together. They stood together and did no overtime
since Christmas. The company every day
put sign up sheets up for overtime but they
stayed almost blank. What a beautiful sight!
If you think this was easy; it was not. We
have many single parent families, large families and like anywhere else these workers
could use the money but they said no.
They had been lied to, hot dog day
disappeared, hamburger day, no turkey
for Christmas and were told that this was
a corporate decision only to find other
plants received them.
I have never been so proud of my coworkers and they should all pat themselves
on the back and hold their heads high.
Without a doubt “Together We Bargain,
Alone We Beg!!!”
In Solidarity,
Donna Robertson
CAW Council Delegate
P.S.: Thank you also goes to Doug Orr
National Rep., Gerry Harvey Second Vice
President Local 1285 and the Dana/Long
Committee, a job well done!
CAW Council Report – Continued From Page 14
Buzz continued and expressed his
disappointment with the budget and the
tax on SUVs and major big vehicles
(from $1,000 to $4,000) and a tax
incentive on the purchase of a fuel
efficient vehicle (up to $2,000). We are
supportive of the Kyoto Accord. The
clean air act is going to Parliament. The
timing must be flexible enough to allow
for the technologies to develop. The
environment is important but things
have to be done in a manner that is
sensitive to the jobs of our members
in the auto industry and in every other
industry.
Buzz spoke about politics and gave
McGuinty’s government credit for the
increase in the minimum wage and for
working with us on the auto industry
in Ontario. He advocates continuing
“strategic voting” to ensure that the
Tories don’t take over the Government
of Ontario again. Federally (if there is
an election as speculated) he expressed
concern that if the Harper government
gets majority government we will see
the real Stephen Harper.
Buzz announced some staff appointments. Congratulations to Elaine
White who has been appointed to the
Communications Department on a temporary basis. Jerry Dias (our National
Representative) has been appointed as
an assistant to Buzz Hargrove and Bob
Orr was appointed as our new National
Representative.
Guest Speakers included Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty, Steve
Mahoney (chair of the WSIB) and First
Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine.
The 12 “Recommendations” presented to and passed by Council included
continuing to oppose the “Free Trade
Agreement with South Korea,” that local
union leadership continue to participate
in the CAW Manufacturing Campaign
and that CAW council endorse strategic
voting in the October Provincial election and in an effort to stop a Harper
majority (coupled with our own issue
orientated campaigns).
In Solidarity.
n SKD
BRAMPTON SKILLED TRADES DEPARTMENT REPORT n
We Have A Job To Do
It is indeed a distinct pleasure and privilege to have been asked to submit an article in the edition of the Local 1285 News
letter on behalf of the Skilled Trades
Department at SKD Brampton and the
BGMO Skilled Trades Area Council.
First I must thank all the Brothers who
showed up and supported me in the recent
Skilled Trades Delegate elections held
on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007. As your
delegate, my mandate is to serve you by
strengthening and educating our members
and protecting our classifications within
the workforce.
As Skilled Trades Representatives we
deal with concerns, problems and grievances raised by our members in our workplaces. These issues could be contracting
out, new technology, hours of work, holidays, changes made by management without proper discussion with the appropriate
union representation, to name a few.
While our members don’t expect us to
resolve all their problems, they do expect
us to move forward with their issues positively and show that the union representation is actively protecting their interest.
As leaders and stewards we must work as
a unit, not as individuals. We should serve
our members, not our own ambitions
n UNION
Skilled Trades Council
A unique structure to Canada, the
Canadian Skilled Trades Advisory
Committee became the CAW Skilled
Trades Council with the formation of our
Canadian union. A national Skilled Trades
Department was immediately established
with a director appointed by the CAW
National President.
Separate Ratification
This phrase scares a lot of people
especially those in production, but this
should not be so. A full understanding of
Separate Ratification would allow you to
think differently. Separate Ratification
on Skilled Trades issues in the Collective
Agreement gives recognition to particular
needs of the Skilled Trades. Our National
President is part and parcel of Separate
Ratification. The President of the CAW
Skilled Trades Council is a member of the
National Executive Board, giving Trades
not only a voice but also a role in building
Skilled Trades in Canada.
The CAW Skilled Trades Council is
comprised of 16
area
sub-locals
across Canada. The
BGMO (Brampton,
Georgetown, Milton
& Oakville) area
council is one of 16
sub-locals, of which
BY
I am proud to be
CLIVE
the vice-president.
Brother Don Lawton
GOLDING
SKILLED TRADES
is the President SKD
REPRESENTATIVE
and Brother Rick
Maclean is Secretary/
Treasurer. Our mandate is to serve all
Skilled Trades personnel within our
region who fall under the CAW banner.
It’s our job to help strengthen our union
by supporting our leadership and creating
a positive Skilled Trades representation.
We are also committed to support those in
production and being responsible members assisting wherever we can.
The important thing to remember is, we
will be there when you need us.
In solidarity,
Clive Golding
Skilled Trades Rep. SKD
BGMO Vice-President
IN POLITICS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
I’m wondering why someone would
increase their payroll deductions for
income tax when the government is
already showing a surplus. They have
shown these surpluses by cutting funding
to programs that help people less fortunate
than us. The E.I. program is a major cash
cow for the government. They pay us no
problem but for the general workforce it is
a highly stressful experience. Meanwhile
an increased surplus from additional tax
deductions, make our current government
look artificially better while they implement policies that hurt Canadian workers
like the new “green tax,” and fast and
loose trade deals. You would probably feel
better putting that extra money in a sock,
and donating it to a food bank a couple of
times a year. Just my opinion though, try
it, you might like it.
Can’t Do It Alone
Mississauga Metals and Alloys are at
or becoming dictators. Working together
strengthens our identity as Skilled Trades
people and proud CAW union members.
Surplus
it again. They have made a new license
application with the Canadian Nuclear
Safety Commission (CNSC) to become a
full fledged radioactive waste processing
facility. I find it hard to believe that the
CNSC would even look at this request, if
you consider they did not meet targets to
reduce their contaminated inventory on
schedule for the end of 2006 as ordered
to do so. The new schedule is the end
of April. We will see. Welcome to your
atomic neighbourhood. This could probably be fought, like before, but I can not
do it alone. markred1285@gmail.com
Magna Buying Chrysler?
I read a research paper on Magna
recently. They have some elements of a
union there. They treat individual plants
with a certain amount of autonomy, and
as individual profit centres. Some things
I have concerns about are how the injured
worker is treated and the risky “Deferred
Profit Sharing Plan.”
I’m thinking that if
Magna buys Chrysler
it may not be so bad.
Belinda has contacts
with the Liberals
and Conservatives,
to help her lobby for
BY
auto. It’s doubtful she
MARK
will cross the floor
to Toyota. On the
REDIGER
UNION IN POLITICS
upside we would be a
COMMITTEE
Canadian based auto
CO-CHAIRPERSON
manufacturer.
I want to thank all
the people that put in their own time (not
paid), to make nearly 4,000 phone calls on
the re-schedule of the special meeting in
March. I also have to thank everyone that
came out to get informed. Education is the
most effective form of rebellion!
n UNION
IN POLITICS COMMITTEE REPORT n
The Cost Of Real Jobs
In an earlier article titled, “Squeezing
the Bottom” I wrote, partially tongue in
cheek, that the wealthy, heads of corporations and other profit takers ought to limit
themselves to one mansion per continent,
pay for own golf memberships etc.
In reality and simply put, each one of
those excesses come at the cost of real job
losses in the economy. It can be stated as
baldly as that and here’s why.
We often read in the news that immediately after a drastic restructuring of a
workplace, in other words after a bunch
of people have suffered job losses, that
executives have made millions in salary,
stock options and bonuses.
Even when workers give concessions
so that a company can “compete,” executive salaries and bonuses are just as rich
and are announced without any shame.
This is obscene.
Workers’ ever shrinking salaries are
deemed costs, to be chopped either wholesale or piecemeal, but the millions made
by corporate executives who already have
much are simply termed as due compensation. What kind of logic is this?
Even more telling is the question, Why
do we, as workers accept this twisted
logic?
I think we do, because we usually trust
business leaders far more than we ought
to.
Ending that earlier article I stated that
we ought to be “Pinching the Top.”
We should not only pinch the top, we
should seriously question their credibility.
How Much Is Enough?
CALM
Ever since the early ’80s corporations and their mouthpieces such as the
Business Council on National
Issues, or BCNI and of course
their own political party, the
New Re-Formed Alliance of
Conservatives have consistently
called for government to clawback gains made by working
people so that businesses could
compete globally.
An argument that is still being
made today begging the question, how much do we have to
give up so that big business can
finally be successful globally?
They loudly brayed that if
working Canadians gave up the
benefits that their hard-earned
taxes paid for, they would actu-
ally be better off. More of those voodoo
ideas.
“McJobs”
On April 2 I attended a leadership meeting put on by our Union that addressed the
loss of well paying manufacturing jobs
in Canada. The promise of Free Trade
policies was that these good jobs would
be replaced with jobs in the knowledge
sector.
The reality is that those well paying
manufacturing jobs have been largely
replaced by McJobs.
I termed it a ocuseding presentation,
not only because of the skills and passion
of the presenters, but because every one of
the statistics quoted about the tremendous
job loss that occurred because of Free
Trade economic policies was another slam
against the ill-deserved credibility of our
corporate masters.
Wrong Again
I actually visualized each point that was
quoted as a physical slap of a Michael
Jackson sequined glove, off the face of
some well known pundit who predicted
that Free Trades policies would actually
have far more beneficial than negative
results. The glove would have the words
“wrong again” imprinted on it.
Each dismal stat loudly proclaimed that
business had it wrong again, when they
predicted rosy results.
Oh! It was rosy for a very elite minority
alright, but too many workers saw their
years of hard work, pensions, savings,
homes, their childrens futures, go *poof*,
disappear into thin air, just like that, at the
stroke of the legislative pen.
In many cases job loss affected union
members, but in
all cases they were
human beings who
suffered real losses,
economic and personal pain.
At the same time
each point quoted
BY
added to the credibilMICHAEL
ity of the union.
Our union the
HEATON
UNION IN POLITICS
CAW, along with
COMMITTEE
other unions and
MEMBER
social partners consistently predicted
these results during the great free trade
debates of the late 1980s and early ’90s.
Indeed it was those mostly blue jeaned,
union jacketed leaders and activists who
marched in the streets, bellowing out “hey,
hey, ho, ho, Free Trade has got to go!..
who clearly articulated the dangers posed
by Free Trade policies, whilst the policies
proclaimed by a well heeled media and
then implemented by all those Armani
suits turned out to be ruinous for workers
and for the communities in which we live.
Unions and our social partners correctly identified the effect these policies
would have on the economy and on workers throughout the whole country.
Our Corporate Masters?
Let’s see. They continue to advocate
Free Trade deals with other countries and
are hoping like hell Canadians will give
them a Conservative majority government.
After an orgy of profit taking, after
greedily bankrupting and crashing major
corporations, forcing retired workers to
lose their pensions and return to the
workforce, probably in McJobs,
after getting exposed for some
truly staggering compensation
packages, global attention is
being ocused on corporate governance.
Indeed greed itself is on
trial in a Chicago courtroom,
in the person of Lord Black of
Crossharbor.
While all this goes on, our
union, the CAW, continues to
advocate for fairer trade policies, continues to drive the
agenda for keeping well paying
manufacturing jobs in Canada,
indeed clearly articulates our
right to good jobs.
n NATIONAL
ORGANIZING REPORT n
Organizing –
Why All The Fuss?
CALM
In the labour movement, there has always
been a lot of debate and discussion when it
comes to organizing – its importance and
the need for us to do just that, “organize.”
A person can only guess the hectares of
trees that have been mowed down to write
about and evaluate this issue – it’s likely
enough to make most environmentalists
cringe. But what exactly does “organizing” mean and why all this talk?
Organizing, for the uninitiated, is the
procedure by which a workplace goes
from a non-union status to a unionized
one. That might not sound like a significant achievement, but it has a tremendous
impact on all of us. That’s what all the
fuss is about.
Many of us are union members today
because when we were hired in our workplace, we were blessed to discover that
the workplace was unionized. We had a
collective agreement which enshrined our
workplace rights and we didn’t have to
constantly look over our shoulders, especially once the dreaded probation period
was over.
For about 68 percent of the workforce,
this luxury does not apply. The unorganized live and work in a constant probation
period where their treatment, working conditions and everyday lives are governed by
the boss’ discretion and whims.
Organizing changes all that. There are
countless benefits to organizing – for the
workers who join, our current workplaces,
our Local and National unions, our communities and our country. We all win
when we organize, it’s that simple.
The benefits to workers who join are
obvious – it’s like night and day in many
workplaces. Those of us who are union
members fail to realize the lack of rights,
fairness, respect and dignity in many nonunion workplaces. The rights and privileges that we enjoy were not mandated or
given. They were negotiated and earned
through our collective struggles. And even
in “good” non-union workplaces, there
are no meaningful enforcement mechanisms to uphold the rules. It’s like David
vs. Goliath, and unlike the original story,
the little person never wins.
But once unionized, contrary to what
many employers want their workers to
believe, the benefits are plentiful and
almost immediate. Management must
sit down, listen to workers’ issues and
work to reach solutions on their concerns.
BBQs and pizza days are no substitutes
for a grievance procedure and a collective
agreement.
The facts are also very clear when it
comes to union density. The higher the
unionization rate in any sector or industry, the better the wages, working conditions and standards across the sector. The
more workplaces that unionize, the more
opportunities we have to raise the stan-
BY
JOHN
dards. We can’t leave
that up to employers
AMAN
CAW CANADA
whose objectives are
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
to decrease workplace
OF ORGANIZING
standards in order to
put more money in
their pockets.
The more we organize, the greater our
voice. Employers and politicians of all
stripes have to listen to the collective. As
we organize, we educate. As we organize
we mobilize and as we organize, we fight
back. Fighting back makes a difference
and that is exactly what organizing is:
fighting back against the status quo and
fighting back to make a difference.
When we organize we raise our living
standards. Our communities and country
are based on all of us contributing fairly,
for the good of the whole. The work of
the CAW extends beyond the workplace
– we are a progressive influence on public
initiatives, social programs and economic
policies.
The CAW and its members have consistently demonstrated their social commitments. Whether it is a United Way initiative,
food bank drives, fundraisers for women’s
shelters, Tsunami or Katrina relief, picket
line support, International social justice
campaigns... we always step forward to
help those less fortunate than us.
When we look around the world and see
the countries with high living standards,
good working conditions, full access to all
levels of education, access to health care,
lower crime rates, better environmental
standards, they all have one thing in common. You guessed it, high levels of unionization. It is not a coincidence – unions
are an important factor in the development
of a just and fair society.
Unions make a difference, a big difference. Perhaps mainstream society will
never give unions the accolades that we
deserve, but that is not why we do what
we do. We do it because it is the right
thing to do. We organize because it is our
obligation to help our fellow workers and
to protect the quality of life of our own
members.
If you are aware of anyone or any
workplace that might benefit and need a
union, please contact the CAW organizing
department toll free: 1-877-495-6551 or
e-mail: organize@caw.ca
In solidarity.
n EARTH
DAY CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORT n
Climate Change –
Rising To
The Challenge
This is the eighth year we have been in the schools delivering
what we believe is a different sort of Earth Day message, one that
concentrates on the many ways we can live and work in harmony
with the environment. Last year we reached over 80,000 students
across Canada with our presentations.
Never have we seen the kind of discussion and debate about
climate change as in the past few months. Actually it is no longer
a debate, it is a reality. The fact is that 11 out of the last 12 years
were the warmest since global temperatures were first recorded in
1850. What this means is that we can expect more frequent heat
waves, droughts and severe storms to be with us for a very long
time unless we do something about it.
Earlier this year a group of international scientists released a
report on global warming. The conclusion is that human activities, since the advent of Industrial Revolution, such as burning
fossil fuels, deforestation and large scale agriculture have been
the major contributor. The scientific evidence is undeniable.
Climate change is a reality. It’s having huge impacts upon weather patterns around the world.
To sit back and say that there is nothing we can and should do
is simply irrational and irresponsible. Global climate change is
indeed a crisis but it affords us perhaps the greatest opportunity
to change the course of history, to reclaim our world.
The number one contributor of green house gases is the energy
sector followed by transportation and manufacturing. So what can
we do to make a positive change? The technology is here. It is
known as green energy. It is just a matter of adopting these new
ways of doing things.
BY
AND
LALJI
JOHN
CAW LOCAL 1285
EARTH DAY
CO-ORDINATOR
KEN
HEALEY
CAW LOCAL 1285
EARTH DAY
CO-ORDINATOR
Solar energy – Energy
from the sun is safe, clean
and will never run out.
Heating homes and water is the most common use of solar
power. Large solar collectors are being used to supplement power
for industries. It was recently announced that Sarnia will have
the largest solar farm in North America which could provide the
power needs for up to 15,000 homes.
Wind energy – We have all seen the windmill or at least
pictures of it. We knew how to harness wind power hundreds of
years ago. The new technology is wind turbine. We have wind
farms in Ontario supplementing our needs. Denmark, one of the
leaders in this field, is generating 20 percent of their energy needs
through wind power and it created 12,000 new jobs.
Geothermal energy – This is another non-polluting, natural
energy source. The energy comes from the internal heat of the
Earth. There are five kinds of geothermal energy: hot water, hot
dry rocks, magma, compresses hot water aquifers and ground
source heat.
Tidal and wave energy – Energy from tides has been used
since the Middle Ages when millers used them to drive the water
wheels in their millponds. Water has four times the energy intensity as a good wind site. The largest tidal power generator is in
France providing power for 200,000 homes. The second largest
is in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia where the Annapolis Tidal
Generating Station produces power for 4,000 homes.
Hydroelectric energy – Niagara Falls is the best example. A
natural waterfall is the best place to generate power from the falling water. We have to be concerned when
we erect dams which may destroy habitat
for plants and animals.
Energy from plants – Biomass is the
energy stored in plants. Biomass can be
burned to produce electricity, digested by
bacteria to produce biogas and biodiesel
or processed to make ethanol or alcohol
fuel. In Brazil half a million cars run
on ethanol. China has 4,000,000 biogas
generators.
Energy from waste – Rotting garbage produces Methane. This gas could
be captured and converted to electricity.
Throughout Europe and now in Canada
we are already doing this. The city of
Toronto makes $2.5 million a year by selling its electricity from methane.
Fuel Cells – Fuel cells work like a battery, but it does not run down as long as
the fuel, hydrogen is supplied. Hydrogen
Earth Day Co-ordinators’ Report
n ENVIRONMENT
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
Global Warming –
Is It Everyone’s Problem?
If present trends continue, the world will
become more crowded, more polluted,
less stable ecologically and more vulnerable to disruption than the world we live
in now. Pollution is not the only environmental threat to our planet but it maybe
the one we can do the most about.
So what can we do?
First, we ask questions. What chemicals
are we using and are they worth it? Are
conditions at work really safe or is someone taking shortcuts? What pollutants are
particularly dangerous to children? What
are the local factories putting into the
rivers and air? What is being put into our
local landfill sites? If something is wrong
you can join up with others to put pressure
on industry or government.
Pollution reminds us that humanity is
interdependent. The food wrapper that I
drop becomes someone else’s problem; so
does the sewage a city flushes untreated
into a river; the acids a power station bellows into the air.
The fate of climate will determine the
future of all humanity. But...
We Have Consumer Power!
Governments all over the world tend to
think in short term, the immediate crisis,
the next election. Pollution acts slowly,
lakes take years to die and cancers can take
decades to grow. Politicians think we wont
vote for them if they offer us a cleaner
environment rather than a higher standard
of living. There are no votes in sewage.
Pollution is linked to our lifestyles. If
we want goods we can enjoy for a while
and then throw away, industry will produce them for us, taking short cuts to keep
the prices down. Are we ready to pay the
price for clean air and water? Do we really
want a society where things last? Do we
judge ourselves and each other by what
we have? We need money to survive and
possessions to enjoy – but... How much
is enough?
People’s perception of environmental
problems has improved by being educated
but have we all adapted our lifestyles in
response? Whose problem is pollution?
Someone else’s or are own?
Pollution, Politics And
The Environment
Pollution, because it involves a lot
of money and power, is also a political
issue. Most pollution issues cause clashes
between economic interests on one side
and health and conservation concerns on
the other. Can problems of pollution be
solved within the present political framework?
Government bodies state they have
to balance risks against needs. If we are
going to run out of energy from fossil
fuels and they are contributing directly
to climate change and global warming,
nuclear power maybe a solution... Or so
they say. Lets think about that. Pesticides
may kill – but starvation is even more
lethal. There are alternatives.
You maybe more likely to die or become
very ill from a virus than of radiation
exposure. But does one danger make the
other acceptable?
Safe Alternatives For Energy Use
Is Nuclear Energy a safe alternative?
Every pound of coal we can save will
be less acid rain and less ozone depletion. Oil and gas, the cleaner fossil fuels
are running out. So where do we go for
tomorrows energy?
The Ideal Energy Source
Energy industries and governments
in most industrialized countries believe
that the answer to the
future energy needs
lie in nuclear fission.
Supporters of nuclear
power claim that it is
economic and much
cleaner than fossil
fuels. They may be
BY
right but is it safer?
KELLY
Nuclear
fission
required the usage of
WOLFF
ENVIRONMENT
uranium. From the
COMMITTEE
moment uranium is
CHAIRPERSON
mined, it becomes a
very serious threat to
workers, the public and the environment.
Radioactive waste requires safe removal
and safe storage. Where do we put such
waste? Is it right to create wastes which
will be lethal for thousands of year?
During the production of nuclear energy are we sure that there are no radiation
leaks from the power stations? How safe
is the water from nuclear fission? What
is leaking into our drinking water? Have
you ever heard of the chemical tritium? It
may be worth your while to start asking
questions.
Power Without Pollution
Sun, wind, rivers, oceans, plants and
even garbage could all provide alternative energy sources. Most have the added
advantage of being renewable – the coal
we burn today is gone forever – but the
wind continues to blow whether we use
it or not.
We need to understand that change
must happen. If we cannot succeed in
protecting the environment by using green
energy, there is not much hope for the
future. The cost of action is high but the
cost of inaction is higher. People pay
either as a consumer or as a tax payer or
as a victim.
Earth Day Co-ordinators’ Report – Continued From Page 19
can be made from water. This is a clean form of energy
production because when burned or converted to electricity,
hydrogen joins with oxygen and again forms water.
Reducing our energy use is a good start, but it is still the
same old way of producing greenhouse gases. What we need
to do is move away from the old technology and start with
the new clean green energy. All those who talk about job loss
and a down turn in economy are still thinking old. We need
to progress and advance to the new way of living. We have
to be thinking of sustainable energy and concentrate on not
doing less of the old but more and more of the new clean
green way.
In Solidarity.
n EDUCATION
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
We recently held a week long Workplace Leadership
and Grievance Handling course at the Local 1285
Hall.
We have been hosting several “Area Schools” at
our new facility as well. Area Schools are courses
that are open to anyone in the membership of any
CAW Local to attend. We have reciprocal agreements, so if you see a course offered at another
location, you can attend these as well. That is
exactly why we create postings for courses that
are held in (for example) Oshawa, Toronto, or St.
Catharines.
We are still encountering difficulties when it
comes to getting Leave Of Absences, or LOAs, recognized by management at the Brampton Assembly
Plant.
CAW – McMaster classes are wrapping up for
the Spring.
New postings for the fall schedules for PEL &
H&S Training Fund courses, Area Schools and
CAW-McMaster classes will be generated early
next month.
Climate Change And
The Poorest Countries
BY
Over the last few decades, as scientists have
LALJI
intensified their studies of human effects on
climate and of the effect of climate on humans,
JOHN
CAW LOCAL 1285
one thing has come to light: In both respects the
EARTH DAY CO-ORDINATOR
world is a very unequal place.
In almost every case the people most at risk
from climate change and its ill effects live in countries that have contributed to it the least. The recent warming of the planet, known as the global
warming is directly linked to the build up of carbon dioxide and other
Green House Gases in the atmosphere. The largest contributor of GHG is
undoubtedly the energy sector (production of electricity by burning fossil
fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas) followed by transportation (including cars, trucks, rail and air travel) and large scale agriculture and related
activities. It is the industrialized countries with the ever increasing need
for energy that has emitted almost all of the GHG in the atmosphere.
Droughts will worsen. We will see an increase in deforestation, forest
fires, loss of biodiversity and degradation of the environment. Coastal and
low-lying areas are threatened by the rising sea level and the increasingly
powerful storms. The most vulnerable countries tend to be the poorest.
Countries that face the least harm, the rich countries, are best able to deal
with it. The United States, where just four percent of the economy is agriculture can endure a climatic setback far more easily than a country like
Malawi, where 90 percent of the population is rural and 40 percent of the
economy is based on rain-fed agriculture.
c75-250 million people across Africa could face water shortages in the
next 10 years.
cCentral and south Asia could see a drop in crop yield by 30 percent
cRain-fed agriculture could drop by 50 percent in some African countries.
cSmall island nations are already threatened by the rising sea level and
some have been evacuated.
cLow lying countries like Bangladesh could lose up to 30 percent of the
land due to floods.
cMillions in India who depend on the rivers which are fed by the melt
water from the Himalayas face water shortages as the rivers dry up.
The large industrialized countries are best able to deal with it for many reasons. Most fall in the mid-latitude regions with temperate climate, neither too
hot nor cold. Many enjoy a generous growing season. But the biggest factor is
their wealth – wealth that was accumulated by burning of fossil fuels since the
advent of the industrial revolution which now has put us all into a crisis.
It is the poorest of the poor in the world that will suffer the most,
including the poor people in prosperous societies. Urgent assistance is
needed for those who are ill equipped to deal with yet another calamity.
BY
BILL
TURNER
EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON
n EDUCATION n
A Worthwhile
Experience
I was one of the members
who was happy to be
able to attend the recent
one week Grievance
Handling course at our
local. It was a thoroughly
worthwhile experience.
The reason for running
BY
this course at the Local
LINDA
rather than at Port Elgin
was that the smaller units
THOMPSON
1285 NEWS
cannot afford to send all CAW LOCAL
CO-EDITOR
of their members who
require training to Port
Elgin. By running the course at the Local
more members could attend as it is a much
more economical way of providing training.
Each course must have a minimum of
20 participants so the Local made up the
numbers by sending members from a variety
of units, both large and small.
It was interesting spending the week with
other members from our local. Although
going to Port Elgin for training is a great
experience if there are other members who,
like me, prefer to remain close to home and
family I encourage you to enquire if there is
the possibility of you too attending courses
at Regan Road.
Grievance Handling is an interesting course
and both new and more senior members
benefited from both the experience of the
trainers and each others past experiences,
both union and personal.
I recommend this type of training to
any member who is involved, or wants to
become involved, in the union. Unfortunately
funds are not endless but remember that
the weekend schools are available to any
member.
n YOUTH
COMMITTEE REPORT n
Transitions For Youth
CALM
“Transitions for Youth” is a non-profit community based organization providing assistance to at risk youth and their families.
Located in the Halton community; they’ve been creating brighter
futures for young people for 25 years.
They recently hosted an event called the “Champions of Youth
Speaker Series:” Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former
Ontario Premier Bob Rae were guest speakers. They spoke about
socialism; and the importance of providing the youth of today
with inspiring role models. We can help guide our youth in the
right direction, and make sure that every child has a consis-
n PRIDE
BY
AND
tent positive role model in their RYAN
KEN
lives.
The speakers highlighted KELLY
HEALEY
examples of the connection CAW LOCAL 1285 CAW LOCAL 1285
between successful people and
the role models in their lives. Accomplished people share a common thread – someone to ensure they stayed on track; whether
that is a family member, the guy down the hall, or a teacher in the
classroom. We all need to do our part to make sure that we are
setting a good example for the youth of today.
The speakers discussed the theory that
our generation will be the first to encounter
a lower standard of living than our parents.
We are well educated but continue to be
lower paid in today’s society. Soon the baby
boomers will be retiring and there will be a
need to fill the skills gap.
Our youth will face struggles we thought
were long defeated. With growing problems
such as the environment, global economy,
and poverty, we will continue to see the
need for groups such as the CAW to take
a leading role. With government more and
more directed towards big business, we
need to address these issues today.
The onus falls on our youth to be active
where possible, whether it is in our workplace or in our communities, it is time that
the youth of today start taking an active role
in the needs of tomorrow.
In solidarity.
COMMITTEE REPORT n
Pride Conference 2007
On the weekend of April 20th-22nd 2007,
we held our fourth biennial CAW Pride
Conference at the Family Education
Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario.
Many of our LGBT brothers and sisters from across Canada as well as many
CAW allies attended the conference.
It was a great weekend to touch base
with our members from coast to coast
and to brainstorm on how to create a
better and safer working environment
for our LGBT members.
Thank you to the 1285 executive for
allowing us to attend this important
conference!
Bring Awareness
This coming Thursday, May 17th
is the International Day Against
Homophobia. This day is set aside each
year to bring awareness to the on going
issue of Homophobia. I ask all our
members to please realise that Sexual
Orientation is not a choice! You do not
choose to be gay just like you do not
choose to be straight.
There are many researchers who have
tried to find an explanation for homosexuality but all are in total agreement on
the facts that people cannot choose their
sexual orientation and that there are no
ways to change it! For more info on the
International Day Against Homophobia
please go to www.homophobiaday.org
Pride Parades
The Toronto Pride Parade will be
held on Sunday, June 24th and the
Local 1285 Pride Committee will once
again be part of organizing the CAW
contingent. At this
time we are inviting
all CAW brothers
and sisters, family and friends to
come to Toronto to
support our LGBT
brothers and sisters.
BY
More info will be
CHRIS
posted on our 1285
website as the day
MACKEY
PRIDE
gets closer. Also,
COMMITTEE
the Brampton Pride
CHAIRPERSON
Day will be held
in July at the Heart
Lake Conservation Area. For more info
on this please go to www.prideeventspeel.com
In Solidarity and Pride.
n COMMUNITY
SERVICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
End Of 2006
Holiday Season’s Celebration
On December 27, 2006 about 250 Daimler
Chrysler employees and their families
and friends gathered at Kingsley Chinese
Restaurant in Brampton to celebrate the
holiday season.
The cost of the ticket to this non-profit
event was $35 each, which automatically entered each participant in numerous draws, which included two mountain
bikes, gift certificates, restaurant vouchers, and a gift for each child under 10.
Some of these gifts were sponsored
by local businesses like Roasty Jack,
Elements, and of-course CAW Local
1285.
Thank you to Ontario Chrysler for the
two airline tickets. We cannot do it alone.
We can build the best vehicles in the
world, but we need the dealers to sell them
and keep the customers coming back.
lead by Sing Law and other oriental brothers and sisters of BAP.
Gatherings of this kind promote understanding and a share in the richness of the
different cultures in our work place and
in our union, and is a reflection of how
the CAW encourages and celebrates the
differences and diversity and strength of
its membership to help build solidarity.
In fact our CAW Constitution contains
policies which recognize and reflect the
diverse nature of our union.
Congratulations to the East Asian broth-
ers and sisters of BAP
for organizing for the
first time a similar
event on December
28th which turned out
to be a big success,
and I would hope for
more similar events
in the future from our
sisters and brothers in
our Local.
In solidarity.
BY
CHRIS
LIU
COMMUNITY SERVICE
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON
Traditional Menu
The dinner menu was the traditional
twelve course meal with two free bottles
of wine for each table.
Throughout the evening there was
dancing and singing and performances by
both old and young. Suffice it to say we
all had a ball. It was encouraging to see
over 20 of our union’s leadership enjoying
themselves.
This is the 19th year that a gathering of
this nature had taken place. Thanks to the
hard work and organizing team’s effort
n INTERNATIONAL
I am honoured to have had the opportunity
to be part of the CAW’s first international
delegation comprised entirely of women.
Annie Labaj (National Representative
for the CAW Social Justice Fund and originally from Local 222 – General Motors,
Oshawa) and Julie White (CAW Director
of Women’s Programs and originally from
Local 227 – 3M, London) deserve recognition for their effort and coordination of
this delegation.
The
other
participants
were
Jacqueline Cardillo (Employment Equity
Representative from Local 200 – Ford,
Windsor), Maria McFadden (National
Women’s Committee Member from
Local 27 – Siemens, London), Evelyn
Sy (President of Local 2169 – Boeing,
Winnipeg), Kellie Scanlan (Human
Right’s Committee Member from Local
222 – General Motors, Oshawa) and
Maria Pinto (Chair of the National Human
Rights Committee and President of Local
673 – Bombardier, Toronto).
The CAW Executive and Membership
should be proud of the intelligent and
eloquent women who represented them
so well.
We travelled to a number of cities and
towns in Brazil where we visited communities, union halls, work places, political offices and met with women activists
involved with unions, labour councils and
politics.
Lasting Impression
Unions in Brazil operate very differently from Canadian Unions. Each Union is
defined by the occupation they represent.
For example: Auto workers belong to
the metal worker category therefore auto
workers can only belong to the “Metal
Workers Union” within their municipality.
Workers are organized – not work
places. The DaimlerChrysler Plant in
Sao Paulo is 75 percent unionized. Even
though all the workers might not be
unionized they are paid the same.
When asked what happens in the event
of a strike the answer was “no one works.”
Unions do not have strike funds and no
one gets strike pay.
Union leadership communicated with
all the workers when they handed out leaflets or made announcements (from on top
of a truck) in parking lots. The attentive
and respectful manner exhibited by every
worker was impressive.
Brazil’s Union’s grassroots community
REPORT n
Brazil
involvement left a lasting impression on
our delegation. Many Union halls house
government assisted medical, dental and
legal community resources as well as
classrooms for facilitating community
education programs. These Unions actively support desperately needed job creation
opportunities even if the jobs created will
not be unionized. Unions assist and promote “co-ops” (small businesses owned
by some of the workers).
High Cost Of Living
The densely populated cities are plagued
with poverty. It is intense and overwhelming. Highways led us through miles of
shacks that could barely provide shelter
from the weather. In the late evening, children wander the streets selling trinkets.
Workers are paid a fraction of what
their North American counterparts earn. A
bag of potato chips, a pop or an ice cream
bar is about the same price as in Canada.
The price tags in the shopping mall (when
you account for the exchange rate) are
comparable to the price tags in North
American malls. In Brazil, the garment’s
price tag displays the full price and payment by instalment cost, for example a
pair of jeans cost 160R ($80 Canadian) or
eight (payments) x 20R).
Merely Follow
Directions
Every workplace we visited claimed to
be safety and environmentally conscientious. This image was easily shattered.
Recycling is commendable but spewing
pollution into the air
explains the haze
that envelopes the
city. Safety glasses
were distributed but
machinery lacked
guarding.
One company repBY
resentative assured us
CAMMIE
that holding a screw
between two continuPEIRCE
CAW LOCAL 1285
ously spinning grinding wheels is perfectly safe as long as the
employee did not put his finger between
the wheels.
Management embraces “kaizen” and
team concept philosophies. The workers
are not educated in the philosophy and
merely follow directions.
Globalization offers corporations the
opportunity to take advantage of countries
(like Brazil) offering wages that perpetuate poverty, a lack of real environmental,
health and safety standards and a work
force that is poorly equipped to deal with
corporate strategies.
Government Worker
Friendly
The left-wing government is worker-friendly and deserves recognition for
advances made by the women’s movement. This government has put in place
a “women’s office” that supports womInternational Report
n BRAMPTON
ASSEMBLY PLANT WOMEN’S ADVOCATE’S REPORT n
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The International Women’s Day breakfast, rally and march in Toronto was on
March 10. This was the first year that I
was on the planning committee for this
event; what a great group of women!
This year was also the first year that the
Toronto West Women’s Network had an
information table at the information fair
at this event. I would like to thank Sister
Julie White and the National for providing the materials and the table rental for
the Network. It was nice to see the interest that so many people displayed with
respect to what the union has done to aid
the women of our union.
I held an information fair in recognition
of IWD here at Brampton Assembly as
well. There were two draws from the vendors. Angele Valentino won the cookbook
and Pat Cowan won the SPA treatment
draw.
I would like to thank Gwen Campbell
for arranging for 10 of us to participate
in Interm Place’s fundraiser in February.
Interm Place is a women’s shelter in
Mississauga. It was quite an entertaining
event!
I have now been accepted onto the
Board of Directors at the Sexual Assault/
Rape Crisis Centre of Peel. I am very
excited about this and am happy to assist
this organization in any way that I can. It
is one of those organizations that assist
women at one of the worst times of their
lives and it is free for all who need this
service. They also counsel women who
have sexual assault or sexual child abuse
in their past as well.
May Is Sexual Assault
Awareness Month
Interestingly, rape is not a crime based
on sex. Usually this crime is more about
controlling and humiliating the victim. It
is all about power.
Sometimes it is also about convenience,
meaning there are males out there who
will rape if it is available and they think
they can get away with it. In my third psychology course, which I recently finished,
they mention a study that was done with
some first year male university students.
This study showed that 22 percent of
these males said they would rape if the
International Report – Continued From Page 36
en’s issues and serves as a women’s
resource. Municipal level governments
have a significant impact on the communities. Workers in municipalities
with a left-wing government benefit
regardless of the political party in
power at the federal level. A left-wing
federal government supported by a
left-wing municipal government can
make great gains. A right-wing municipal government usually requires some
“encouragement” to comply with new
federal policies.
Humbled By
Dedication
The women of Brazil are inspiring! In the manufacturing workforce,
women are a minority – often found
performing work requiring good dexterity and fine motor skills and seldom
found in the skilled trades classification.
Although most of the union leadership is male, the women activists are
an impressive force. I was humbled
by the dedication displayed by the
women who claim unionism is in their
blood and flows through their veins.
One woman explained her motivation
with a question “How can you justify some people having two loaves of
bread while others have none?” Their
imaginative slogans and campaigns are
highly visible.
Networking with the CAW has provided inspiration and educational tools
(such as the PEL women’s activist
course). Recent gains in their women’s
movement include women operating
co-ops, opening doors for women to
enter the “Skilled Trades” workforce
and the passing of a “domestic violence law.”
During the two-day workshop that
marked the end of our tour, we noted
that across borders women struggle
with similar issues – violence, discrimination, day care and difficulty balancing a job, activism/union involvement
and responsibilities at home.
I would like to thank the Social
Justice fund for sponsoring this delegation. The information we absorbed was
overwhelming and diverse. This was
an amazing, educational and inspirational experience.
In Solidarity.
opportunity was there
and they thought they
could get away with
it!
Some stats on sexual assaults are:
c63 percent of all
sexual
assaults
BY
reported to police
PHYLLIS
involve girls under
the age of 18.
FOSTER
BRAMPTON
cCanadian girls are
ASSEMBLY PLANT
victims in 84 perWOMEN’S ADVOCATE
cent of reported
cases of sexual
abuse
cCanadian girls are victims in 60 percent
of reported cases of physical abuse
cSexual assaults have risen in Peel by 16
percent
In reality, the majority of this violence
occurs in a seemingly safe, familiar environment – often the victim’s home, neighbourhood or in the home of an acquaintance. The majority of sexual assaults
are perpetrated by someone known to the
victim, not strangers like most believe.
Just like the Crisis Line workers, to be
on the Board of Directors for SA/RCCP
there were many training sessions I had
to take part in. During one of these sessions we toured the sexual assault centre,
or Chantal’s Place as it is also known,
at Trillium Hospital in Mississauga.
During our tour, the nurse there told us
that their youngest victim was in Senior
Kindergarten and the oldest victim thus
far, was 85 years old. This again just
proves my point, rape isn’t about sex.
Sense At Last
The government has finally wised up
and will now allow a patron in a bar to take
their drink with them to the washroom.
While this statement may seem unusual,
allow me to explain. There has been an
argument made that with the date rape
drugs that are out in the community that
people should be allowed to take their
drinks with them when they go to the
washroom. In the past, there usually was
a sign near the bathroom doors in bars
that said “no drinks allowed beyond this
point.” The government has finally recognized that people having to leave their
drinks at the table unattended can be at
risk of having their drink spiked with these
date rape drugs. Therefore they will now
allow one to take their drink with them.
There’s something that makes sense!
In peace and solidarity.
n WSIB
REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT n
Time Again For
Some Basic Information
Report. Your doctor should have these
forms in his or her office. Once again,
these forms can also be found on the
WSIB website.
Your doctor should complete a Form 8
if you tell him/her that your injury/illness
is related to your work; or if your doctor
believes that the cause of your injury/illness is due to workplace factors; or if you
tell your doctor that your current condition is a recurrence or re-injury of a previous work-related injury/illness.
The above information is taken from
the WSIB website, with some of my own
emphasis and input. It is not meant to be
all inclusive, but is some good basic information. It appears to be time to share it
again, as there have been some instances
of late where injured workers have not
reported their injuries to the employer in
a timely manner. The sooner you report an
injury, the better it is for all concerned.
It is also suggested that you seek immediate medical attention. If you cannot see
your own health care practitioner, go to
a walk-in clinic. Remember, if you have
to miss work due to an injury or illness,
someone (doctor) needs to authorize the
lost time. If you neglect to have medical
substantiation for the absence, it is doubtful you will be paid for the lost time.
For more information, contact your
Compensation representative, or your
local union for assistance.
On a more personal note, I would like
to ask for your patience and understanding on behalf of the injured workers I
see every day. Many of these sisters and
brothers carry their work wounds on the
CALM
When can I claim WSIB benefits?
As a worker, you can claim benefits
for a work-related accident (or illness) if
you have:
cReceived health care, (more than just
basic first aid) and
cLost time or wages from work beyond
the day of accident/illness, or
cContinued to work but on partial (or
modified) hours only.
If you had to do different work (modified work, or alternative duties) due to
the accident/ illness for more than seven
days (even if you did not see a health
professional,) you can also make a claim.
However, it is strongly suggested you see
a health professional to assist you in healing from your injury.
How do I file a claim for benefits?
To file a claim for benefits you must
report your injury or illness to the WSIB.
You should complete a Form 6, the
Worker’s Report of Injury, which will be
mailed to you by WSIB if your employer
has reported the injury. The Form 6 is
available on the WSIB website – www.
wsib.on.ca There is a deadline for filing
a claim. A claim must be filed within six
months of an accident or, in the case of an
occupational disease, within six months
of a worker learning of the disease.
As well, to claim for benefits, you must
consent to release your functional abilities
information to your employer.
Your functional abilities information is
non-medical information from the health
care professional treating you. It tells you
and your employer what kinds of work
activities your illness or injury permits.
Without this consent, you cannot claim
benefits.
To share this information, have your
doctor or health care professional complete a functional abilities form on your
behalf. You can obtain a form from your
employer. The functional abilities form
can also be found on the WSIB website.
The FAF can be printed from the website
and taken to your doctor for completion.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board covers the costs of your health
professional completing the WSIB forms;
you are not charged for these.
Besides the functional abilities form,
your health care professional should complete a Form 8, the Health Professional’s
inside, in the form
of repetitive strain
injuries. Their outward appearance is
fine, but the pain they
experience on a daily
basis can be incapacitating. Often, when
BY
these injured workers
ANNELLE
cannot perform their
regular work, they are
LEBLANC
WSIB
ridiculed by their coREPRESENTATIVE
workers and supervisors. They are often
accused of being doggers, lazy, and scamming the system. Some injured workers
are disciplined when they are unable to
keep up with the moving assembly line
because of their injuries.
These workers did not ask to be injured.
If given the choice, most injured workers
would rather be on the lousiest job in the
plant without the injury, than to be on
a modified job because they have been
injured. If an injured worker’s appearance was bruised and battered, (the way
they often feel as a result of their injury,)
we would all likely be more patient and
understanding. However, when their outer
appearance is “normal” we are unable
to “see” their pain. If we don’t see it,
it doesn’t exist, right? If only that were
true.
With repetitive strain injuries, the
injury cannot be seen. This does not,
however, mean the injury does not exist.
Chances are the injured worker is doing
all s/he can, keeping up with fast paced
repetitive movement required by assembly line work, and dealing with the constant pain. We do not need to add to an
injured worker’s difficulty by commenting on their disability, accusing them of
not wanting to work, or isolating them
every chance we get. None of us would
like to be treated this way, yet injured
workers often seem to be fair game for
ridicule. We need to be more tolerant and
understanding, and to remember that we
may be just accident away from becoming an injured worker.
Under human rights language, disability
is a prohibited ground. Rather than fighting among ourselves, let’s stand together
in support of issues which affect us all.
In solidarity.
n ERGONOMICS
REPORT n
Rotation Issues Need To Be Addressed
Excerpted from a previous article in
1285 News:
What does Rotation mean to BAP
and the member in the plant? And what
have we learned?
The answer to this is unclear at this
time. Studies to date, specific to rotation,
are few and tools are somewhat inadequate to accurately quantify risk factors.
Certainly there are some very positive
gains: less monotony, flexibility, higher
morale, a potential reduction in musculoskeletal disorders.
What is clear is that allowing time for
cross training is critical. So too is fixing
the “harder” jobs within the rotation,
not initiating rotation as a means to fix a
known high-risk operation within a rotation group, this was the recurring issue
throughout the workshops I’ve attended.
It is my opinion that all jobs need to be
studied and found acceptable based on an
eight hour duty cycle, this ensures that if
it is safe ergonomically for eight hours, a
lesser time in a rotation should definitely
be safe.
Thankfully there are relatively few
“high-risk” jobs at BAP, this may however
not be the case elsewhere in our local.
This is not to infer that rotations incorporating a worse than average job into the
mix will not increase the risk of MSDs to
all participants within that group.
Some challenges remain for management, the Union, and membership relative to return to work processes for those
members who have become, or do become
injured. Similarly, as noted, WSIB impact
is also undetermined at this time.
As usual the CAW will continue to
ensure the best interests of its members
continue to be paramount.
l l l l l l l
Since the time of writing, the company
has begun to prepare an ergo module for
their “WOM” or smart manufacturing
classes and process currently underway
at BAP. I raised issues with some of
Traffic Offences
BY
Even the most careful drivers
FRANK C.
can sometimes make errors or be
charged with traffic offences. As an
CARLONE
STAFF LAWYER –
employee of DaimlerChrysler you CAW LEGAL
SERVICES PLAN
are entitled to some legal benefits
that will allow you to protect your
rights. Details of the coverage can be obtained by calling the
CAW Legal Services Plan.
I have represented numerous members that have been
charged with Traffic Offences. I always advise my clients
to plead not guilty. This is usually done by attending at the
Courthouse listed on the back of the traffic ticket. The not
guilty plea has to be filed within 15 days of receiving the
traffic ticket.
Remember: Plead Not Guilty. Do not plead “guilty with
an explanation.”
Once the not guilty plea has been entered the facts of the
case and the applicable law can be reviewed. Upon such
review a realistic appraisal of the chances of success can be
made. Usually, a strong case can be made to work out a resolution of the case. If the prosecutor is willing, a resolution
requiring a guilty plea to a reduced charge can be worked
out. The reduced charge will lead to a reduction in severity of
the charge and a reduction of demerit points and fines.
In some cases the charges laid are not proper or cannot be
proven in court. In those cases you may wish to push ahead with
a trial. We can discuss the suitability of exercising that option.
Please note that the CAW Legal Services benefit for traffic
offences does not permit reimbursement or coverage of fees
paid to para-legals. Other limitations and restrictions also
apply. If you do retain a CAW Legal Staff Lawyer a monetary retainer will be required.
the slides destined
for their presentation
to the membership.
I felt these could,
at the very least,
be misleading. The
Company Ergonomist
has agreed to sit and
BY
find common ground
GARY
on this item.
More problematic
BOVARD
REGIONAL
thus far is that the
ERGONOMICS
“teams” have been
REPRESENTATIVE
assembled, to a large
extent by, I.E predominately based on geography. My concern is there is no attention being paid
to the type of work elements being combined. For example, if all jobs in a rotation
are with air guns and overhead where is
the benefit to the operator to rotate? Until
these issues are addressed there will be
little (if any) benefit to rotation.
In Solidarity.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Spring has finally sprung and
summer is just around the corner. It’s a time for family and
friends to get together.
For all your barbeque needs
M & M Meat Shops will be having a customer appreciation day.
They will be offering a 10 perBY
cent discount on all purchases
SAMANTHA
(excluding gift certificates). It
will be a great time to stock up
MANDAS
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
your freezer.
COMMITTEE
Please watch the bulletin
CHAIRPERSON
boards, as further details become
available they will be posted at
your workplace.
Our local will be participating in the Carabram
Festivities for the first time this year. We will be
hosting the Canadian Pavillion at the union hall.
This event is scheduled to take place on July 6,
7, and 8th.
Bring your family and friends out to enjoy various activities. I look forward to seeing you there.
Have a safe summer!
In Solidarity.
Consumer Affairs Discount Sheet
Name/Type of Business
Location
Phone Number
Discount Offered
Acts
Hwy 9 & Heartlake Road, Orangeville
(519) 940-3735
15 % off year membership
Apollon
3 locations
CentrePoint – Thornhill
Square One – Mississauga
Eglinton Square – Scarborough
(416) 733-9556
(905) 848-8883
(416) 759-6111
Avenue Optical Inc
200 County Court, Brampton
(905) 454-1277
Bell Mobility
$70.00 per year
All Locations
connection charge
Or Stellar Communications (905) 629-8300 1st year waived
GranCode 100842849 – $22.50 unlimited after 8:00 p.m.
GranCode 102043532 – $25.00 unlimited after 6:00 p.m.
CCV Insurance
32 Queen St. W, Brampton
(905) 459-6066
Group rate with a 15% discount
Eagle Optical Inc.
(905) 450-9330
15% discount
Eastside Mario’s
City South Plaza, 7700 Hurontario Street,
Brampton
Trinity Commons Mall, 130 Great Lakes,
Brampton
(905) 790-0040
10% discount up to 2 people per Union card on dine-in
entrances only
Mr. Steamer Cleaner
Brampton
(905) 913-0903
10% discount on all carpet and upholstery.
Playdium
99 Rathburn Road W., Mississauga, ON
(905) 273-9000
V.I.P. cards available through committeepeople
Putting Edge
All Canadian locations
Remax Realty Specialists Inc
45 Bramalea Rd. Ste 102, Brampton, ON
(905) 456-3232
$500 cash back on every purchase / sale or $500 donation
on the clients behalf to the Childrens Miracle Network
Re/Max Realty Services Inc.
391 Main St. N., Brampton, ON
(905) 456-1000
(647) 883-0394
Selling & buying save 1% commission
Selling only, save ½ % on commission
Buyers receive up to $1000 cash back on closing
(Fitness Centre)
(Fine Men’s wear)
Joe DaCosta
Dhruv Bhatt
(Indoor mini-golf)
(Chabi Singh)
(Manny Rodrigues)
Royal LePage Credit Valley
Real Estate
(Steven diGiovanni)
Rust-EAZE
Queen & Dixie, 44 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton
Apollon will pay all sales taxes on regular & sales Items
Offering a 30% discount on frames & 50% on lens
1 (888) 544-9262 20% discount – excludes Birthday parties
*Selling home – receive discounted rate of 2% commission
to list home
*Receive complimentary comparative market analysis and
6 digital photos
This offer is only
*Buying home – receive 20% cash rebate on the
available through agent commission payable to cooperating agent.Complimentary
only
home inspection for 1st time home buyers.
(905) 793-5000
(416) 795-0000
1-800-631-5216
(Rust control company that uses only oil based
chemical inhibitor)
2 Melanie Drive, Unit 4, Brampton, ON
(905) 792-7937
10% discount off of all products and services
Snipes & Wipes Auto Detailing Inc.
238 Dundas St. E., Waterdown, ON
(905) 690-2500
10% discount off detailing services performed at their
location
(Esthetics and Wellness Spa)
Brampton
(905) 454-5712
50% off all services (excluding products) to all first time
members
10% discount off everything with exception of spa
packages, special event packages and products
Spabound
11300 Yonge Street, Unit 3, Richmond Hill
(905) 770-8827
10% Discount on any accessories and a
15% discount on any arctic spa purchase.
Sun Glass Hut
Bramalea City Center
(905) 799-2694
10% off sun glasses
Travel Professionals Int’l
5945 Airport Rd. Suite 175, Mississauga
(416) 363-6447
Discount airline tickets, cruises, hotels, car rental
Vibes
43 Guelph Street, Georgetown
(905) 873-4700
10% off all regularly priced merchandise
Vintner’s Quality Wines
Vintner Cellar
(905) 846-2504
$10 off regular or premium batch of wine
Exclusive Wines
2 Fisherman Drive, Brampton
164 Sandalwood Pkway East,
Brampton
(905) 840-7011
$15.00 discount
Vivah Jewellery
All locations across Ontario
(416) 661-7188
Union card and two pieces of picture ID required by
member only. Discount – No Tax (15%)
Watch World
Bramalea City Center
(905) 791-8780
20% off all regularly priced merchandise
Spa Avenue You
(Sun glasses)
Murshed Alam
(Beach ware, lingerie & evening wear)
(watches, clocks & jewellery)
**Must show Union Card plus photo ID**
The Consumer Affairs Committee has the authorization to solicit further discounts from local merchants.
If you are aware of any businesses that want to get involved, they can contact Samantha Mandas through the Local at
(905) 451-8310 X242.
n HUMAN
RIGHTS/EQUITY REPORT n
What’s
New
In
Human
Rights
Supreme Court Upholds Entitlement Of Same-Sex Partners
Widowed Before 1998 To CPP Survivor Benefits
Based on the equality rights guarantee
in s.15(1) of the Charter of Rights, the
Supreme Court of Canada has declared
that same-sex partners who were widowed prior to 1998 are eligible for Canada
Pension Plan survivor benefits, but has
denied them full retroactivity to the dates
of their partners’ deaths.
Instead, consistent with a CPP provision that applies equally to opposite-sex
and same-sex couples, they are entitled
to payment of arrears only for 12 months
before the date of their application for
survivor benefits.
Canada’s Security
Certificates Regime
Manufacturing Matters
Canada’s manufacturing sector is in
crisis. Almost every other week another
Canadian plant shuts its doors.
The Standard – Quote from David
Robertson: “We’re hemorrhaging good
paying manufacturing jobs and we have
to stop it before we bleed to death.”
So what this means is that every day,
150 jobs are lost in Canada.
We’ve seen two budgets recently the
Federal and the (Ontario) Provincial budget and there was nothing in place to
help the struggling/ailing manufacturing
sector in Canada (shame) but we’ve been
introduced to a new scheme called the
Green Levy Tax. Not
good news for the
Big Three, I guess I
can’t say Big Three
BY
any more we’ll just
MIKE
say North American
automobile manuALLEN
HUMAN RIGHTS
facturers will feel
COMMITTEE
the impact of this
CHAIRPERSON
new budget.
To express your
concern e-mail Flaherty.j@parl.gc.ca
Federal Finance Minister.
Canadian immigration law provides for
the issuance of “security certificates” in
national security cases.
Such certification by the executive
authorizes the government to detain a
person – suspected of being a threat to the
security of Canada – for an unspecified
period without charge or trial; present
secret evidence, not available to anyone
except the government and a judge, in
closed hearings to which detainees and
their lawyers do not have access; and to
deport him or her.
A group of men subject to these certificates challenged the Constitutionality of
the immigration law providing for security certificates. The Canadian Supreme
Court heard the case in June 2006.
Human Rights Watch and the University
of Toronto International Human Rights
Clinic intervened in the case and submitted this brief arguing that the regime in
practical effect led to indefinite detention
and that terrorism suspects should be
charged and tried under Canada’s criminal laws with due process of law
Creed
Even in a society as devoted to diversity and tolerance as Canada’s, nothing
divides people as sharply as religion.
Recent cases confirm that the workplace is no exception. Lancaster House
brings together a panel of experts to
analyze the latest arbitral, human rights
and court decisions considering the duty
to accommodate employees’ for religious
practices and freedom of religion in the
workplace.
Mike Allen (left) and BAP Plant Chair Ardis Snow (right) present donation to
Brampton Food Bank “The Knight’s Table” representative Nilda Patey.
n UNION
LABEL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT n
Give The Gift Of Life
As you are aware the CAW has been a strong advocate in teaching the public and our members the importance of Organ Donor
Awareness. I have first hand experience in this field as my partner of 17 years underwent a liver transplant operation just last
November. As a matter of fact her operation was on Remembrance
Day, my dad’s birthday and a day we will never forget.
The long wait was a road I never want to travel again. Lin, my
partner, was told way back in 1991 that she had “Hep C.” We
never knew much about it until I started to do some web surfing
on the subject.
Much to my surprise it seems Lin would live a long life with
not too many complications. Great, life goes on... for now... Boy,
was I wrong!
It started in early 2004. Lin was not herself, she was having
trouble remembering things and not able to have a full dinner. Her
mind and appetite were going down hill. The strange thing was
she was gaining weight. Little did we know that she was retaining fluids that were starting to really harm her body. The fluids
Dear Buzz
Hello, my name is Kelly Roy CAW Local 1285 Brampton.
I would like to say a few words on the gift of organ
donation.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you, CAW
and Trillium Gift of Life for your voices at the Delegates
meeting in Toronto.
My partner, Lin Bambrick, has just arrived home
after her life saving operation done at Toronto General
Hospital, Transplant floor. Lin received a new liver. She
has been very ill for several years. The last year being
the worst one. We almost lost her a few days before the
operation was done.
were full of toxins, and they were going to
the brain.
By the year 2006, Lin was in bad shape.
She was placed in the hospital several times
over the early months to have her tummy
“Tapped.” The Dr. would place a tube in her
tummy and try to drain the fluids from her to
make her more comfortable. During this Lin
would have no drugs to help with the pain.
The Dr. would just go right through the skin
into the inner walls of her tummy.
Lin had been on the Transplant list for a
year now. We were told we’d get a liver faster
if we had a “Live Liver Donor.” Not to sure
what that entailed, so again on the computer I
BY
KELLY
ROY
UNION LABEL
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON
Union Label Committee Chairperson’s Report
The Doctors had her in drug-induced coma for four
days prior to surgery. We truly didn’t think she would
make it over the November 11th weekend.
Remembrance Day will never be the same for our
family. We truly believe that organ donation is a gift from
GOD. No one will ever know what people go through until
you have been there. That, I wish on NO ONE!
It is so important to get people to sign their donor
cards! I wish that the Trillium Gift of Life Network would
visit Port Elgin at least six times a year to really spread
the word! Our Sisters and Brothers are the best way to get
the word out to the streets.
How effective that would be on our members. I myself
want to try to bring Trillium to my plant. I am going to
ask my plant chair for help in doing this. Right now I’m off
work looking after my partner.
She is doing better everyday and we have so much
respect for Toronto Hospital. I don’t know what we would
have done with out them. Not just the Doctors but also
the whole staff on the seventh and tenth floors. We met
people from all over Canada getting transplants.
Now we at just starting to write the donor family but
how do you say thank you for a life? This will be the
hardest letter of our lives but also the greatest gift that
family could have done.
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to get
involved with Trillium and helping people save other
people’s lives.
I have a sweatshirt my partner bought for me a few
years ago that reads...
DON’T TAKE YOUR ORGANS TO HEAVEN... HEAVEN
KNOWS WE NEED THEM HERE...
This is a saying that sticks in my head always!
Thank you for your time in reading this letter and being
the person you are.
In Solidarity.
Sister Kelly Roy
CAW Proud
Local 1285
Union Label Committee Chairperson’s Report – Continued From Page 42
– Sign Your Donor Card
go. We sent out many “Live Liver Packages” we had put together.
All our friends wanted to help. My son was the first one to jump
up to the plate! He was told during early testing that he was too
“big.” There are five main veins that have to be almost the same
size as Lin’s. That was very disappointing but we moved on.
Then our “Angel from Heaven” was sent. Michelle is a very
close family friend. We had our liver! The transplant was to take
place on a Monday. Lin was transferred to Toronto General via
ambulance from Oshawa Hospital on a Thursday evening. Boy
was she excited to be leaving.
Friday night at 9:30 p.m. we got the news, Michelle had a very
rare blood disorder. She was no longer in the “running.” We had
lost our donor. Lin was becoming very ill now.
Early November Lin was placed in a drug induced coma and
attached to all the life support machines that she needed to keep
her with us. For five long days we sat and waited for news, any
news regarding a donor. I was told to get things in order and to
call all of Lin’s family because she would most likely not be with
us by Monday. Michelle was devastated with this news, we all
thought she was the “one.” Time was running out for Lin.
At 5:00 a.m. on Saturday the 11th, I got a call from the hospital.
Kelly? Yes, this is Binky from Toronto General, we have a liver
for Lin!
Early in the morning of November 11th my sister and I went
to the lobby of the hospital to join in on the Remembrance Day
Service. Praying for the liver to be healthy, praying for my
departed dad to help us out, praying to GOD for Lin to be able
to fight long enough to stay alive. Praying for the family that had
made the painful decision of organ donation when their world
was falling apart.
The Doctors took Lin to the operating room at 8:35 that evening, I then knew we had a chance.
Early the next day Lin was alive, and trying to talk, ... when...
can ... I ... go... home? We all started to cry, myself, my sister,
the nurses and even the Doctor. All the staff never thought Lin
would make it.
To this day when I take Lin to Toronto General for her
Transplant check-up they always stop and say, Wow, you look
great for a woman we thought wouldn’t see her next birthday.
Now home to heal. Lin and I have now joined the fight to keep
people aware that Organ Donations do give people life they otherwise might never have.
We truly believe that people, even if you don’t drive should
sign a donor card. Make your wishes known to your family and
loved ones. They could save a life!
In Solidarity & Pride,
Kelly Roy
Union Label Chairperson
Pride Committee Co-Chair
Alt. Union Awareness Trainer
CAW Local 1285 Brampton
Canada’s largest
and best water park
will be hosting a CAW day:
Scheduled for June 10th, 2007
All CAW Local 1285 members and friends are welcome to join us for the following on June 10th, 2007.
Included in your fun-filled day are:
All attractions to the park, as well as organized games, and a BBQ lunch.
Cost: $15.00 adults – immediate family n $10.00 per Children (4-9 years old) (dependents only)
Friends are welcome at a cost of $23 per adult – $18 Kids price
One free parking pass per family
Tickets are available at CAW Local 1285 Union Office, 23 Regan Road, Brampton.
Imports Get Rebates
DaimlerChrysler Brampton Assembly Plant Unit Report
All CAW members from the Chrysler, Ford, GM and the
Automotive Parts Sector are being asked to contact their Member
of Parliament if they live in an area where a Conservative MP is
elected and let them know our displeasure with the government’s
recent budget. This is a result of the Conservative government
placing a Gas Guzzler Tax on some domestic vehicles and giving
the imports a rebate. This will give the imports a boost in sales
leaving our vehicles unsold.
All CAW members are being asked to contact the Minister of
Finance Jim Flaherty and tell him our outrage at this irresponsible decision. We need to let this government know this decision
will hurt our industry, our future, our families and their future
attempts to obtain a majority government.
Concessions vs Future Product
The Brampton Assembly Plant membership recently ratified a
“future product” shelf agreement. The issue of concessions versus
future product has caused more debate than any other issue presented to our membership.
This was a difficult vote because it pitted Union ideals (no concessions) against the future of the plant (product and investment).
Many members expressed concern with opening the collective
agreement outside of the regular bargaining process. The agreement to outsource the GSO classification was painful but efforts
have been made to ease the transition.
Dodge Challenger
The preparations for the anticipated launch of the “Dodge
Challenger” or LC product have begun. Arrangements are in
process for the “launch specialists” from the Brampton Plant to
participate in the launch program in Detroit. Construction in the
Body Shop is ongoing. The additional Body Shop line is expected
to create jobs.
The majority of the Assembly and Paint Shop modifications are
scheduled to take place during the August downtime and vacation
period. From September 2007 to April 2008, the Brampton Plant
will build 5,000 “6.1 Hemi SRT Dodge Challengers.” The official
launch of the “Dodge Challenger” should be in April 2008.
I would like to congratulate Jerry Dias, our previous National
Representative, on his recent appointment to the position of
Assistant to the President. Bob Orr (not to be mistaken as Bobby
Orr #4) has been appointed as our new National Representative. I
would like to welcome Bob to his new position and I look forward
to working with him. Bob comes to us out of the GM division and
was a National Representative on a different assignment.
Unfair Trade
I recently attended the Chrysler and CAW Council. Chrysler
Council meetings ran from April 10, 2007 to April 12, 2007.
CAW Council was from April 13, 2007 to April 15, 2007.
At Chrysler Council the major discussion was around the possible sale of the Chrysler division.
At CAW Council there were 12 recommendations put forward
by the National Executive Board for discussion and vote. All 12
recommendations were passed by the delegates.
The one recommendation that is very important to us in our
plant is that “all members call on the Harper government to put an
end to the unfair trade in vehicles with Japan and Korea.” Further,
that the Harper government withdraw from the current discussions on a free trade agreement with South Korea.
These trade agreements will hurt the auto industry and many
manufacturing jobs in Canada will be lost.
We currently have a $5 billion trade deficit
with South Korea.
ERAP
During the week of April 16, 2007 there
were four information meetings held at the
plant explaining the Enhanced Retirement
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Allowance Program (ERAP). This gave
ARDIS
members an opportunity to question a company representative. There was some confuSNOW
sion among the membership his presentation PLANT CHAIRPERSON
was based on the criteria for retiring from the
Windsor Assembly Plant. He was not aware
of the differences between the two plants. Members wishing to
retire in December will be given that opportunity but we will have
to work out a posting procedure to replace these members prior
to their retirement.
Team Concept
Training for TEAM Leaders in zone 50 took place the week
of April 16, 2007. The “pilot area” in this zone has been set-up
with the tables, chairs, lockers and the problem solving boards.
Once this area is running under the TEAM concept, this will
give everyone the opportunity to see how things will run first
hand. It will give us an opportunity to see what problems need
to be resolved before TEAM moves into other areas. We will
see if management resolves the issues as outlined in the TEAM
procedure. I think one of the biggest problems we face will be
getting the company to do what they say they will do to make the
procedure work in this plant.
Union Awareness
The third session of Union Awareness is to start in September,
2007. The program is currently being developed. We have asked
if this could be moved forward at the Brampton Assembly Plant
because as members bid out of these jobs, they are not being
replaced. The company is refusing to post these vacated jobs until
Union Awareness starts again. This could cause some members to
be laid off short term.
SUB Fund
The issue of SUB payments to members with less than five
years seniority during the January 22, 2007 lay off week has
fallen on deaf ears with the company. There have been many discussions with the company but still no resolution. Several letters
have been received by the National Union flatly refusing to put
any money into the SUB fund. The company continues to remind
us that they wanted the third shift to be a temporary work force
so they would not have to pay SUB and other benefits to these
members if they were laid off. The Union refused this saying that
every member working in this plant will fall under the conditions
of the collective agreement.
The issue of the company not recognizing the second New
Technology Coordinator has been resolved. The newly elected
representative Gary Ouellette was placed on the job April 10,
2007.
I would like to welcome Jiulio Di Paolo aboard as our CAW
WOM Coordinator for the Brampton Assembly Plant.
There are currently 295 members indefinitely laid off. That
brings the seniority of the lowest member to Januarry 31, 2005.
The Truth Hurts
SKD Brampton Unit Report
I was going to write the article, but instead let’s be real!
1. SKD is a mess
2. No plan for recovery
3. Simple issues not addressed
4. Lack of foresight
5.People not understanding their roles
6. No accountability
7.Simple structure changes or placements unable to be
grasped
8.Simple goals and tasks not being accomplished
9.Self indulgence as opposed to teamwork
10.Cover your ASS, mentality taking hold
It’s a sad existence here at SKD, or so it would seem.
We have offered solutions with the hope that the ideas
be expanded upon, to resolve issues. We have worked with
management to deal with extreme fluctuations in staffing. We
continue to place structure in the committee to allow our members greater support
in their dealings to provide better representation.
These have provided some improvement.
Rest assured, we will continue to make
sure that those people who have the ability
to make changes are aware of the issues.
We will continue working to resolve
problems and build SKD and our membership, so that we have long lasting, good
paying, secure jobs.
With all of your help we can accomplish this goal.
In Solidarity.
BY
DAVE
HALL
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Stress Levels High
Mopar/Mercedes Parts Depot Unit Report
The stress levels in the Parts Depot are at an all time high,
with Lean being implemented over the last year and a half and
especially since the recovery plan announcement.
We are seeing a greater interest in the desire for packages.
People who have turned down the retirement incentives in the
past and even the members who are not eligible to retire, but
just want a way out with a bit of money in their pockets are
hammering on the Union office door wanting to know if and
when our plant will get packages or incentives to leave.
Although it is hard to blame people for feeling the way they
do, it is extremely alarming and very sad that it has come to
considering these options in our Plant.
I am hearing rumours on the shop floor that there are packages or incentives for people to leave coming in the very near
future. I want to take this opportunity to put these rumours to
bed right now.
As of this writing there has been no communication from
the company to the local in-plant committee about any type of
package or incentive to leave.
I would also like to encourage our members to come and ask
our elected committee about any type of rumour that you hear
or are told, for verification before you believe it.
Fear Of The Unknown
The fear of the unknown has taken over. If it isn’t the fact that
Mopar Parts Division is a non-core sector DaimlerChrysler,
then it is that Lean Warehousing will eliminate jobs. It is
dam near impossible to have all or even some of the answers
that will relieve the stress that people are feeling in our plant
today.
Our plant is faced with the reality that depending on the
outcome of a DaimlerChrysler split, sale, merger, partnership,
etc... that 10 percent to 15 percent of our workforce will be
eliminated because Mercedes-Benz may pull their parts from
our facility.
Positive Impacts
By the end of this year, Lean should be
in the final stages of implementation in
our plant. The storage team was on schedule until just recently when the racking
they were about to put up may be unfit
to use. An engineer will be assessing the
rack and a decision will be made then.
BY
Only time will tell how much of a delay
KEITH
will be created.
Our plant has started to show some
SLINGER
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
positive impacts from storage bins being
changed. People are starting to see that
they are not having to work harder, just working within the
new work departments has made the improvements and gains
happen naturally.
We still have some major issues to work through in our
plant such as overtime distribution, start times, and employment levels per shift that will have to be discussed before next
open season. All in all our plant is moving forward and making
gains in the areas needed to show that we are a viable part of
DaimlerChrysler business. Hopefully for the long term.
I would like to congratulate Brother Jerry Dias on his
new role as assistant to Buzz Hargrove. Jerry was the
National Representative for all Parts Distribution Centres
within DaimlerChrysler, for many years. Jerry has continuously supported us on many issues we have had to deal with.
He is a big part of why we still have been able to maintain five
Distribution Centres across Canada. Jerry, I wish you all the
best in the future and thank you for all you have done for us
in the past.
I would also like to welcome our new National Rep.,
Brother Bob Orr, to the Chrysler family. I had the opportunity
to meet Bob a few weeks ago and I look forward to working
with him in the future.
Please Support Fellow Workers
Aramark Foods Unit Report
Deepest Sympathies
Hello everyone, before I start with my newsletter, I would
like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Garry
Payne who had just passed away. The staff from the East Café
are sure going to miss him and also condolences go to Sister
Roalda Williams, who recently lost her mother-in-law.
Eliminating Two Shifts
And now to discuss what’s happening to “Aramark.” I wish
I had good news, but I don’t – it was like a time bomb that hit
you. The Company told us that Chrysler would like to eliminate the midnight and afternoon shift cafeteria services due to
losing money again and this means, more people will be out
of a job!
It’s so sad to see people go. We, the staff are not making
enough money as it is and with all their cut backs it’s even
harder. Sometimes the girls will ask themselves “why can’t
Aramark” offer us a good package like Chrysler? Some of us
are willing to take it. We don’t know what else to do.
What we need right now is for you guys
& gals to keep supporting our cafeterias
(East, West & West Satellites).
And for those who’ve been selling coffee on the line (what we were told) please
stop that little business of yours and start
supporting us!
Try to remember that we also have
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families and that we need this job. For
ROSIE
those people who have been there for us
for years, please continue coming back to
LARAMEE
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
support us.
Before I end this newsletter, I would
like to say get well soon to Lucia Tucci who’s been recovering
for her fall and also to Linda and Vicky who’ve been sick for
awhile.
That’s all folks and have a great summer!
Hybrid Buses
Orion Bus Plant Unit Report
There have been some new developments taking place within
our communities by City Councilors and by our Canadian
Government. They are taking our environment more seriously
than they have in the past. One thing is the need to promote
and produce environmentally friendly vehicles and to have
people to consider taking the bus.
The recent oil refinery fire at Lake Erie Plant showed us
how much we depend on gasoline and oil products for our
automobiles. The auto industry has been trying to and has
made some strides in this area.
Our new generation hybrid bus is a perfect example of
these strides made here in Ontario. The Orion Seven at this
time will be finishing up shortly and there are already a
few new generation buses on the line. We have a run of our
dependable Orion Five Diesel buses coming on the line and
for the period between the change over, the Sevens and new
generation, the production rate will go down but will go up
again once it gets rolling.
Contract talks will be taking place in our sister plant in the
United States in August and I hope they settle.
Offer Of Support
Our order bank is good and we have done some hiring
recently. I also realize that our Chrysler Brothers and Sisters
have had to make some tough decisions lately in wake of
what is going on in the organization. I want them to know
that myself and my Unit will stand by them in solidarity in
these trying times. On a personal note, whatever I can do in
the Labour Unit outside for them in the way of support, I will
do.
The auto industry is going through some tough times.
We as a bus manufacturer are in a favourable position even
though there is competition in this field.
The fact that the recent gas shortage and
the prospect of the provincial government
giving funding to Toronto Transit for
subway expansion as well as money for
public transit is a good sign.
The other positive development is that
there could also be money for the surBY
rounding municipalities, and cities for
WALLY
improving their public transit.
It was most recently released that the
SYME
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
City of Hamilton who lost an earlier bid
for the Commonwealth Games may be in
the forefront for the next games in 2014.
This seems far away at this stage, but if the bid comes through
for the City of Hamilton, they will need more buses.
Buy Canadian
As your Plant Chairperson and your Oakville & District
Labour Council representative, I will once again bring forth
the need to spend our gas tax dollars and government funding
on the purchase of Canadian-made buses. We would appreciate some more orders locally as well as nationwide.
The Oakville mayor is starting to think about the environment and his thinking is green trans, a sign that he has taken
my questions on the bus system and that the need for better
and more public transit is needed. So hopefully he will in
future look at Orion Bus.
In solidarity.
Intense Bargaining
Dana/Long Unit Report
Unbelievable and outstanding is how I would describe the
unity and solidarity of this membership. We entered into
negotiations in January of 2007 and the bargaining was very
intense to say the least.
These negotiations were more difficult than most because
of the U.S. involvement from the parent company generated
by Charter 11 bankruptcy protection that was announced one
year ago.
The bargaining committee has never been prouder to represent the members than at this time. Our members sent us
to the table with a clear and loud message, and that was to
obtain a fair and reasonable three year agreement.
The strength that was provided by our membership did not
go un-noticed by management. We were able to negotiate
a Collective Agreement that was responsible to our membership and to the employer
in these uncertain and difficult
times. An agreement that will
hopefully support the long term
stability of Dana/Long!
The Agreement included
moderate gains in wages, benefits and improved workplace
language. The Agreement was
ratified at 96 percent.
We were also happy to be the
first unit to ratify an Agreement
in the new hall. A big thank
you to Dick Thyssen for setting
up everything for our meeting,
always a pleasure.
The committee would like
to thank all of our alternates
who took over for us in our
absence. As always, you did a
terrific job.
We would also like to thank
Gerry Harvey and Doug Orr for their
invaluable assistance and guidance and
without them we would not have been
able to negotiate such a Contract.
I hope that this whole experience has
shown this membership that there is
strength in numbers, that there is strength
in solidarity, when we all work towards a
common goal for the betterment of our
members.
In Solidarity,
Your Union Committee
Judy, Lesley, Bev and Louisa
BY
JUDY
RANSOM
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Third Shift Ended
Crosby Canada Unit Report
This is my first report after the Christmas break. Crosby is
still very busy, but as per my last article, I said the company
was going to review the need for the third shift in March. The
company reviewed and notified the committee that the third
shift was finished at the end of March. They also told us that
no one will be laid-off at this point.
Good Understanding
The last few months you may have noticed that the committee hasn’t been in the plant very often. We have been getting
ready for the upcoming negotiations. We held a unit meeting
in April to discuss the proposals and what the membership
wanted to see in this next round of bargaining. It was a good
meeting and the membership gave the committee a good
understanding of what they would like to
see come out of these negotiations.
Please keep your eye on the union bulletin board for the latest information about
negotiations and any future meetings.
In closing I would like to send get well
wishes to all members who off sick and
send my sincere condolences to all the
members that have recently lost loved
ones.
In solidarity.
BY
ROGER
DA SILVA
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Unit Report
DaimlerChrysler Brampton Office/Clerical Engineering
Dear Brothers and Sisters.
This year our Local will be involved with the Canadian
Pavilion at Brampton’s Carabram Festival which will be held
from July 6th to 8th. Anyone interested in volunteering, please
contact the Local at ((905) 451-8310 x 0.
At the last Executive Board meeting we were handed a
leaflet from Rogers for the recycling of old cell phones to
support local food banks. Please let me know if you would
like a copy.
Back in March I attended a special DCX bargaining committee meeting in Ingersol at which, amongst other things, we
received an update on our pensions. There is a status report on
the pension plan available that informs us that under different
scenarios our funding level is between 84.2 percent to 98.7
percent. I have found out that the same funding ratios applies
to SERP. Please see one of your committee reps or myself for
a copy of that report.
At the Chrysler Council earlier this
month we listened to reports from all
locations and it is clear that the uncertainty created by news of our eventual sale
weighs heavily on most of our memberships. Frustrations are high everywhere.
My thought on this, for all it is worth, is
that we should stay focused on our work
and not dwell too much on the news until
we hear something concrete. The majority
(if not all) of us have been there before,
some of us more than once, and we are
still here today.
In Solidarity.
BY
DANIELLE
BILLO
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Our Local 1285 News
Abednego Inc. Unit Report
Irregularities and a less than desired frequency for our CAW
Local 1285 news doesn’t always allow up to date information
to be included in the published articles.
I am saying that with full respect for the editorial board
– they are doing an outstanding job in bringing an excellent
quality final product to all of us.
In my opinion, it is time to make our newspaper truly a biweekly event with set dates, therefore being more predictable
and easier to work with for contributors as well as for readers.
In addition, the popular Christmas issue could include the
retiree lunch and childrens’ Christmas party exclusively in
order to avoid unnecessary delays in the publishing process.
I hope my suggestions will generate some comments and
will make our newspaper even better in the future.
Union Matters
A lot has changed since the last published issue.
We’ve had elections on the local level, and in other units,
not to mention uncertainty with Chrysler ownership as well as
with product selection and profile. On behalf of the Abednego
unit, I wish to congratulate Leon Rideout on his hard fought
battle and win in the local election.
The Abednego unit held an election as well. I wish to welcome on board Shawn Greer as a new health & safety representative. Brother Shawn Greer replaced Tony Principe in this
position. After 12 years of being health & safety rep, Tony
Principe, decided to give the chance and opportunity of union
involvement to another member. He will still continue to be
my alternate. Thank you Tony for a job well done.
For those who are not familiar with the Abednego unit, our
members take care of the Industrial Waste Water Treatment
Plant at BAP. We have a number of ongoing maintenance
problems – some of these issues are nearly two years old.
Thankfully our commitment to the quality of service we have
provided to DaimlerChrysler for over 16
years allows us to cope with any difficulties in a professional fashion.
Environment
Recent annual Earth Day celebrations
prove again how hypocritical our approach
is to the environment. The corporation
BY
worries about their good image instead
FELIX
of good daily practices. The time, money
and effort spent on political correctness
STOLC
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
during various displays of pseudo celebration could be spent more wisely and with
a better purpose.
The main entry to the plant at Williams Pkwy is clean,
tidy and appealing to visitors. This is in total contrast with
the state of the employee entry at North Park Drive. Hope
DaimlerChrysler as a good corporate citizen shows leadership
on this issue. Your employees are at least as important as your
visitors and deserve the same pleasant surroundings.
There is a need for more trash cans, garbage pickups,
brooms, etc. These would be welcome additions and dare I
mention... flowers?
To be fair, some garbage and filthy trash is being left behind
by we, the employees. By emptying the car contents i.e.
cigarette butts, coffee cups and empty bottles we are showing
complete disregard for others and the environment. Things
might change if Magna International gains the Chrysler ownership and Tie Domi gets the position of plant environmental
enforcer/challenger.
In solidarity.
Kennedy Optical
TOMMY – GUCCI – EASY CUP –
158 Queen Street East, Brampton
Tel. (905) 456-2840
– Quality Personalized Service
– Serving Brampton Chrysler Plant Since 1991
– Eye Exams On Site
DIESEL – GUESS? – FLEXON – DIOR Quality Eyewear & Service
At The Right Price
ARMANI – CALVIN KLEIN – OAKLEY – RAY BAN – DKNY
New National Representative
TransAlta Mississauga Cogeneration Plant Unit Report
Jerry Dias, our national representative since 1999, has been
appointed to the position of assistant to President Buzz
Hargrove. Let me take this opportunity to thank Jerry on
behalf of all the Brothers and Sisters at TransAlta for a
job well done over the past eight years. Jerry I’m sure will
continue to add to his successful challenges, Buzz will
not be disappointed. Bob Orr has been appointed CAW
Area Director and replaced Jerry as the representative for
TransAlta Mississauga and Windsor Plants.
Contract Year
Negotiations are coming up fast. Our contract with
TransAlta ends September 30, 2007 and the preparation
has started. Thanks to all our members who participated
in the mail in survey for submitting their ideas and recommendations.
Staffing
tion coverage but since late December
he’s been on shift covering a STD
absence. Summer is approaching and
it is normally the peak vacation period so coverage this year might be
tight. As a means of alleviating the
problem, the Company is exploring
the re-employment of one retiree for
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temporary summer relief. This is now
JOE
possible since new legislation banning
mandatory retirement came into effect
CORREIA
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
last December. Because the operation
of a Cogeneration plant is complex
and requires a long training period the
Company prefers to go this route for temporary help. A
decision is forthcoming and at time of writing we are still
waiting.
Our Plant normally carries a spare man to help with vaca-
Lots Of Concerns
Benteler Automotive Unit Report
At the time of this article there are approximately 312
active and 26 on layoff.
New torque cell went in on the front line which will
reduce two people from each shift, company saying there
will not be layoffs as a result.
The average build for a day is just over 1,200 units.
Also the company is looking to reduce the Rework area
by one on each shift.
As you might have heard Jerry Dias who has been our
National Rep from the beginning has been appointed
Assistant to Buzz Hargrove, we wish him all the best. Our
new Rep is now Bob Orr who comes out of the Oshawa area
of Local 222 as a National Rep.
Old faces that are back with us are Greg Thompson as
Production Manager and Martin Rogers for C shift.
For anyone who wants to go out for something on their
lunch period first must acquire permission from their supervisor, punch out then back in, the supervisor will have to
adjust Kronos and you will get paid for your 18 minute
lunch.
Bringing in FAFs for modified work, if you require
modified work you are required to bring in a FAF. If you
do not the company has the right to send you home. If you
are injured outside the plant, do not assume the company
has work for you. You should be calling the HR department
and the Chairperson’s phone so the accommodation can be
discussed.
The Chairperson’s phone number is
(905) 494-7668.
Terry Hillier and myself attended
CAW Council this April at Port Elgin
and we did not hear a lot of good news.
At the Independent Parts meeting there
were a lot of empty seats, due to plant
closures, negotiation closure agreeBY
ments, lay offs etc.
JODY
Lots of concerns and discussion on
the Chrysler bidders, who will buy
SCHNEIDER
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Chrysler and “what does this mean to
me,” “will I still have a job?” Those
are good questions. Magna, GM, some
private companies and we heard a bank or two are potential bidders. There was a resolution passed at Council that
CAW have some kind of a say on who buys the business,
so we will wait and see.
Right now we have jobs with new business coming in the
New Year which puts us in a better position then some. We
are putting out a great product and people see that so keep
up the good work.
On behalf of the Committee I would like to congratulate
those Brothers and Sisters who got married and who had
new babies since my last report and as always our deepest
sympathies for any losses.
In Solidarity
Know Your Rights!
Eberspächer North America Inc. (ENA) Unit Report
Workplace accidents and injuries can change the lives of
not only employees, but their entire families. Therefore, it is
imperative that workers know their rights and understand the
steps to report injuries, for the claim process can become very
problematic if correct procedures are not followed.
Employees must be aware of the many pitfalls that this issue
can ultimately lead to which can, in some cases, become a long
drawn out process for compensation and sometimes, deprivation of benefits.
For instance, there are certain steps which an injured
employee must comply with so that in the event that the
worker has to take time off work for medical treatment, he/she
will be eligible for compensation and receive benefits in terms
of wages/salaries or modified responsibilities.
If a worker is injured on the job then that worker is advised
to immediately report the matter to his/her supervisor.
It is beneficial to the worker to request a copy of the
accident report for their records and if he/she seeks medical
attention then also request a copy of the
medical report from the attending medical
practitioner.
Workers must maintain documents
relating to their injuries because sometimes injuries can heal and reoccur later.
If workers do not keep records then claims
will take a longer time to process. Relying
BY
on memory alone for details can be probRUDOLPH
lematic.
Also, the injured worker must complete
SHIWNATH
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
a Worker’s Report of Injury referred to
as “Form 6.” Note that this form must be
completed as soon as possible after the
injury. There is a deadline for this form to be submitted to the
Workplace Safety Insurance Board, if proceeding with a claim.
For more information please refer to www.wsib.ca.
In Solidarity.
New Committee
T1 Automotive Group Unit Report
Since the last article there have been some changes at T.I.
Automotive.
We have a new collective agreement in place for one year.
Since signing this new agreement there have been some
recalls, and overtime. It appears that this business that was
fading through negotiations has apparently taken an upswing.
We now have a newly elected committee: Zeb Teves
Chairperson, Darren MacKenzie and Dave Spratt
Comitteepersons.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gerry
Harvey from the Local for his persistence in trying to help
resolve a lot of the problems we have in regards to benefits and
outstanding grievances.
Thank you all for your support in the
past three years and I would like to wish
the committee all the best.
In Solidarity.
BY
ANNETTE
SOUSA
UNIT CHAIRPERSON
Condolences to the following Members on the loss of your loved ones:
Laurie Wager
Lyndell Lindsay
Henry Delorey
Vickie Sitarz
Azeez Rahaman
Susan Martin
Ellwood Payne
Robert Hall
Derek Hall
Janet Gallant
Chris Hendry
Simon Amoaka
Mario Monaco
Al Drummond Eric Kasperowicz
Hoa Nguyen
Jackie Meloche
Cliff Dedman
Linda Bell
Roger Alonso
Craig Denby
Stan Joyce
Al Duboy
Dana Yoshimoto
Tammy Ralph
Kevin Hill
Robert Deveaux
John Colarossi
Peter Frost
Christopher Frost Anthony Menecola Margaret Whelan
Roalda Williams Ovila Laramee
Ruth Critch
Gary Bertasson
Ayub Shaikh
Mike Payne
Paul Payne
Daniel Payne
Andrena Toohey
John Toohey
Condolences to the families on the loss of your loved ones:
Armando Alves
Otto Fauland
Cynthia Alleyne
Horst Lagler
Ralph Carver
Garry Payne
n RECREATION
COMMITTEE REPORT n
TCRC Hockey Qualifier
Local 1285 made a very strong showing at the Toronto Central
Recreation Council hockey qualifier!
With three teams in the Open Division and two in the
Masters, we were hoping for some great results. But nobody
expected results like this.
In the Open division the “Hornsby Flyers” again captured
first place, but as a surprise the Parts Depot team headed up
by Martin Lusk put on a great show and ended up in second
place.
Now in the Masters Division, the 1285
Antiques beat out their old nemesis Ford
of Oakville to win the Masters Division.
Hopefully all the teams enjoyed the
tournament, and I look forward to Oshawa
and the National Finals.
BY
BILL
APSEY
RECREATION
COMMITTEE
MEMBER
CAW Local 1285 Antiques.
n RECREATION
COMMITTEE REPORT n
National Hockey Finals
On the weekend of March 31st – April 1st, Local 1285 sent
five teams to the National Finals in Oshawa. We had three in
the Open Division and two in the Masters. We were all hoping
for some great results and we were not disappointed!
In the Open Division, the returning champions “Hornsby
Flyers,” once again took home the gold! They beat a team from
Local 1451 to capture the National Title once again. Our team
from the Parts Depot did an excellent job in winning the silver
division championship!
In the Masters Division the “Antiques” had a couple of good
first round games, but unfortunately lost to the returning champions out of Local 1001 in the semi-finals.
Our Local has a great hockey base, and
it was awesome to see a group of fans out
from the Plant to cheer the teams on. All
I can say is “well done Local 1285,” and
we will see you next season!
BY
BILL
APSEY
RECREATION
COMMITTEE
MEMBER
Upcoming Events!
May 26th, 2007TCRC Golf Qualifier @ Granite Ridge
June 23, 2007National Slo-pitch in Dorchester
August 25th, 2007National Golf Finals @ Lionhead
On behalf of CAW Local 1285 we
would like to take this opportunity
to announce that we are honoured
to host the Canadian Pavilion
for the 25th Anniversary of the
Brampton Carabram.
We welcome everyone from our
work places and our communities
along with your families to attend
this event that will take place
July 6th, 7th & 8th, 2007 located at
the CAW Local 1285 Union Hall at
23 Regan Road, Brampton.
So come on out and enjoy yourself.
Relax and have some fun during
the three day event. Learn about
the other different cultures and
see their displays. Enjoy the
entertainment that each pavilion
has to offer. There will be vendors,
food, drinks, etc and fun for all.
Canadian Pavilion
Enjoy the History, Music, Dance, Crafts, Beverages, Food &
Culture of our great Nation.
Continuous Entertainment
Location: CAW Local 1285 Hall, 23 Regan Road
Take Bovaird Drive West of Main Street, then go North on Van Kirk.
The first left is Regan Road.
Hosted by
LOCAL 1285
905.451.8310 c www.cawlocal.ca/1285
Canada Post Corporation
Publication Mail Agreement No.
1507702

Local 1285 News

Transcription

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