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Organizations make election plans to oppose Security and Prosperity Partnership
OTTAWA - Canadian civil society groups concerned about the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are holding a press conference March 30, 2007 outlining key problems with the current corporate push for so-called "deeper integration."
The Council of Canadians, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the
Parkland Institute and the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-CAN) are concerned that the SPP will have harmful effects on democracy,
job security, natural resources and the environment, and minority rights in
Canada and throughout North America.
In opposition to the SPP, the groups are demanding that the Canadian
government:
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- Abolish the North American Competitiveness Council, the corporate
advisory body driving the SPP process
- Develop a concrete plan to protect the environment, energy and water in
Canada
- Ensure that civil liberties and rights are not compromised under the
pretext of the U.S.-led war on terror
- Make job security and higher standards of living for workers in Canada
a priority
- Submit the SPP to legislative review and meaningful consultation with
the public
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The organizations say they will make the SPP an election issue. They will
be joining many others this weekend in Ottawa at the first civil society
gathering on the SPP- a weekend teach-in organized by the Council of
Canadians, the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives.
"The SPP has allowed large corporations to impose their agenda on the
rest of us," says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of
Canadians. "Over the next few days, civil society groups, academics and
activists will gather in Ottawa to share our concerns and discuss strategies
to ensure that our voices are heard during the next election and at the next
SPP leaders' summit that will bring U.S. President George Bush and Mexican
President Felipe Calderon to Canada in August."
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CEP to Harper - Say NO to foreign ownership of BCE
OTTAWA - Canada's largest union of telephone and media workers is opposed to the sale of Bell Canada Enterprises to foreign investors and will take "any and all" steps necessary to block it.
Dave Coles, President of the 150,000 member Communications, Energy and
Paperworkers Union of Canada, termed the potential takeover of BCE by American
interests "a direct threat to thousands of jobs, to Canadian economic
sovereignty and to our cultural heritage.
"BCE owns the largest phone company in the country and it is also one of
the major players in print and broadcast media. Canadian legislation limits
the amount of foreign ownership in these sectors and this takeover of BCE
threatens to violate the intentions of those restrictions.
"I think Prime Minister Harper should send an unequivocal message to the
investment community that he will not allow foreign interests to take control
of these key economic and cultural development industries," Mr. Coles said.
CEP Media Vice-President Peter Murdoch echoed those sentiments and added:
"Our communications and broadcasting systems are at the very heart of our
national security. If the Prime Minister is prepared to sell these essential
industries to foreign interests, his comments on other security issues become
empty political posturing."
The reality is that technological convergence and cross ownership between
telephone and media companies has created one single industry, says the CEP.
If foreigners are allowed to take over one part (telephones), they also gain
control of the other (broadcasting).
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CAW 'Manufacturing Matters' Campaign Arrives in Kitchener, Friday
KITCHENER - Canada's manufacturing sector is in crisis. Across Canada, almost every other week another plant shuts its doors, files for bankruptcy or announces its intention to move operations out of the country. Good manufacturing jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate and with them go opportunities for future generations and vibrant communities. To Canadians, good jobs matter - manufacturing matters. <<
What: CAW leadership meeting about the loss of manufacturing jobs in
the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford area
When: 12:00 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2007
Where: CAW Local 1451 hall, 600 Wabanaki Drive, Kitchener
Who: CAW Local and National Leadership - Media Welcome
In response, the Canadian Auto Workers union is launching the
'Manufacturing Matters' campaign, highlighting the sweeping job losses,
exploring the impact they have had on our communities and what we can do as
citizens.
In attendance will be local and national CAW leadership as well as workers
affected by lay-offs and job loss in the region. Media are welcome to attend.
Some facts to consider:
- Since 2000, the Kitchener-Waterloo region has lost 10 per cent of
all manufacturing jobs, a total of 6,900 jobs have disappeared.
- This means a loss of $358,000,000 in wages from the local economy
each year.
- Major plant closures and permanent lay-offs have become regular
occurrences affecting large employers like Martinrea, Imperial
Tobacco, NCR Canada, ABB, Tiger Brand Knitting and many others.
- Manufacturing in the Kitchener-Waterloo area is very diverse and
accounts for 31 per cent of the local economy -one in four people
work in manufacturing in this region.
- Hardest hit have been the auto parts, textiles and furniture
sectors.
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Steelworkers vote to strike if no deal reached with CVRD-Inco
SUDBURY - Members of the United Steelworkers' (USW) Local 2020 have voted 99.1 per cent in favour of strike action if no settlement is reached with CVRD-Inco by the March 31 expiry of the office and technical workers' current contract.
The 330 workers are seeking a new collective agreement that at least
matches the pattern that has been established in the nickel industry.
USW Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said that the new company
needs to prove that it can and will treat all CVRD-Inco workers with fairness
and respect.
"Our office and technical members are not second-class citizens," he
said. "CVRD-Inco must understand that."
USW Area Coordinator Dan O'Reilly said picket lines will go up if no deal
is reached by midnight Saturday.
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Manufacturing Jobs Matter Campaign Arrives in Niagara, Wednesday March 27
ST. CATHARINES - Canada's manufacturing sector is in
crisis. Across Canada, almost every other week another plant shuts its doors,
files for bankruptcy or announces its intention to move operations out of the
country. Good manufacturing jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate and with
them go opportunities for future generations and vibrant communities. To
Canadians, good jobs matter - manufacturing matters.
<<
What: CAW leadership meeting about the loss of manufacturing jobs in the Niagara area
When: 12:30 pm - Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Where: CAW Local 199 hall, 124 Bunting Road, St. Catharines
Who: CAW Local and National Leadership - Media Welcome
In response, the Canadian Auto Workers union is launching a campaign highlighting the sweeping job losses, exploring the impact they have had on our communities and what we can do as citizens.
Some facts to consider:
- In the last four and half years, the St. Catharines-Niagara region
has lost 15 per cent of manufacturing jobs, a total of 4,400 jobs.
- This means a loss of $239,000,000 in wages from the local economy
- Major plant closures and permanent lay-offs have become regular
occurrences affecting large employers like Camco, Atlas Steel,
Siemens, Dana Corp and many others.
- Manufacturing in the St. Catharines-Niagara region is very diverse
and accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the local economy.
- Hardest hit have been the automotive and metal sectors.
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International and national partners join National Chief Phil Fontaine in denouncing budget's failure to address First Nations Poverty
OTTAWA - "Monday's budget will ensure that First
Nations remain in last place," stated National Chief Phil Fontaine, "This is
not just a failure that will harm First Nations communities for generations,
it will impact all Canadians through missed economic opportunity and continued
social injustice."
"Canadians value equality and diversity. I do not believe that any
Canadian wants to see shocking poverty in their backyard," said National Chief
Fontaine. "By ignoring the needs of the poorest in this country, this
government has chosen to raise the unnecessary risk of confrontation, an issue
highlighted in a recent Senate Report, instead of fulfilling its historic
obligations to negotiate with First Nations peoples. The success of the
Residential Schools Agreement is proof that negotiation is the surest way to
effectively resolve longstanding issues that have plagued our relationship."
Last month, National Chief Fontaine hosted a Call to Action Against First
Nations Poverty on Parliament Hill. He was joined by a long list of
international and national organizations and Parliamentarians who support the
elimination of First Nations poverty as a top priority for the federal budget.
Since the release of the budget, many of these organizations have joined
National Chief Fontaine in denouncing it.
"Once again, the Conservative budget fails to address poverty facing
First Nations peoples in Canada. It's shameful to see anyone in this country
living in such Third World conditions today," said Canadian Auto Workers union
President, Buzz Hargrove.
"Our Union will continue to demand that the government fully implement
the Kelowna Accord, and ensure that there is a sustained investment for the
revival of the economic, social, cultural and health status of First Nations
communities.
"There should have been financial commitments in the budget that would
effectively address fundamental needs like access to clean water, housing,
education and settlement to land claims," added Hargrove.
"Make Poverty History is dismayed that the 2007 Conservative budget does
nothing to make poverty history for First Nations, the poor in Canada and
around the world. With so much surplus available, there is no justifiable
reason for lack of action on what should be the most important priority for
Canada," said Gerry Barr, Co-chair of Make Poverty History.
The churches and church organizations that form KAIROS (Canadian
Ecumenical Justice Initiatives) also expressed their profound disappointment
of the Conservative government's decision to essentially ignore Aboriginal
peoples in its 2007 Budget, in keeping with its previous decisions to abandon
the Kelowna Accord and oppose the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS is dismayed that the budget contains no specific
measures to address the fact that Aboriginal peoples remain among the poorest
in Canada, with a severe shortage of adequate housing, challenges accessing
health care, and lack of support for Aboriginal women and children.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing
First Nations citizens in Canada.
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United Steelworkers to lobby MLAs over forestry crisis
Forest workers to contact all MLAs over log exports and forest policy
BURNABY, BC - Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) in BC's forest-sector will start lobbying provincial MLAs next week to address the looming crisis in BC's number one industry.
The basis of the lobby effort is a USW position paper, "The Time to Act
is Now: Campaign to Restore the BC Forest Sector".
"Our aim is first and foremost to make sure that our elected
representatives understand the serious situation in forest-based communities
and the impact it's having on workers, their families and the overall health
of their communities," said USW Western Canada Director Steve Hunt.
"While we have proposed some solutions, we are fundamentally asking the
MLAs to understand the urgency and join our call for a more open debate on
forest policy. Right now, the discussions are limited to a few people in
government and a handful of corporate executives."
The union's paper outlines the magnitude of the crisis, including: the
massive exports of raw logs that have helped force the closure of
39 manufacturing facilities since 2001; the loss of nearly 20,000 direct jobs
in the industry; the growing uncertainty around the future of areas impacted
by the mountain pine beetle; chronic under-investment, particularly in key
segments of the industry such as value-added manufacturing; the severing of
any link between timber harvesting and community benefits.
"Our major problem is rampant raw-log exports, even when local sawmills
say that they haven't enough logs to run," said USW Wood Council Chair Bob
Matters. "Log exports are up 10 times as high as they were a decade ago. We're
shipping more raw logs than we have since the Second World War -- yet the
government hasn't done anything but talk."
The USW also points to the continued horrific safety record in BC's
woods, mills and in the transportation of forest products.
"Although some steps have been taken on safety, we will also release a
report card next week that shows systemic problems in the industry are still
causing accidents and fatalities," added Hunt.
USW members have a history of successfully lobbying legislatures and
Parliament. Over a 10-year period, for instance, USW lobbied federal
politicians and ultimately won passage of Bill C-45 (also known as the Westray
Bill), which makes corporations, their directors and executives criminally
accountable for putting workers' lives at risk.
The union also conducted a concerted lobby against the Harper-Bush lumber
deal and a lobby last year in Victoria calling on the government to conduct
the independent safety review of the forest sector currently being conducted
by the Auditor General's office.
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Ontario Budget Falls Short of Expectations, Hargrove Says
TORONTO - "The Dalton McGuinty government took some steps today with its budget to help low-income Ontarians, but it hasn't gone nearly far enough to narrow the growing income gap in this province," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove.
Today's budget provides a $2.25 per hour increase to the provincial
minimum wage for working Ontarians earning substandard wages. This help for
the working poor will not arrive immediately, as the minimum wage will be
phased in over the next three years until it reaches $10.25 in 2010. "I
applaud the minimum wage increase," said Hargrove. "This is a very important
step and sets the bar for other provinces and the federal government to boost
their minimum wages accordingly."
Anti-poverty activists from across the province deserve much of the
credit for the minimum wage increase. "It is a testament to the hard work and
dedication of provincial activists who have worked tirelessly on this
important campaign," said Hargrove. "Clearly, fighting back makes a
difference."
The investment in research and development of green car technology is
forward looking. We're at the threshold of a new generation of automotive
technologies - such as flex fuels, cylinder deactivation, fuel management,
bio-fuels, hybrids - and the resources in the budget will help support the
development and commercialization of many of these technologies. "The
resources flowing to Ontario universities and research centres will make a
contribution to Ontario's most important industry, unlike the recent federal
budget which penalized the industry," said Hargrove.
The budget also includes a long-overdue provision to address the Federal
Child Benefit Supplement clawback. "It is definitely good news to hear that
low income families will no longer be penalized by this clawback. We pressed
this government and the previous government on this important issue - the
McGuinty government listened and has now dealt with this long standing
inequity," Hargrove said.
The two per cent increase in welfare rates is minimal - it barely keeps
up with inflation and is a long way below what is needed, he said.
"While these steps are partial solutions, the province still lacks a
comprehensive program to effectively combat poverty," said Hargrove.
The budget identifies that more needs to be done in terms of affordable
housing, but the government hasn't done nearly enough. "Working Ontarians and
the poor in this province need more than rent subsidies, which go straight to
landlords. Instead, more affordable housing than this budget promises needs to
be built," Hargrove said.
"More needs to be done to stem the flow of good manufacturing jobs from
the province. We need more job training and skills development programs for
workers and especially our young people," Hargrove said.
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McGuinty pre-election budget misses the mark on manufacturing and job loss - Steelworkers
"As a pre-election package, this is a disgrace."
TORONTO - Thursday's Ontario budget completely fails to
address the jobs crisis in the province's manufacturing and forest sectors,
says United Steelworkers' (USW) Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser.
Fraser noted that more than 100,000 good-paying jobs have been lost since
the McGuinty government was elected in 2003, but the Liberal pre-election
budget's only new initiative in the sector is to create an Ontario
Manufacturing Council to "provide regular updates" to the Minister of Economic
Development.
"This is insulting window dressing," Fraser said. "Workers are demanding
immediate action to save and protect Ontario jobs. Northern communities are
literally dying and becoming ghost towns. Dalton McGuinty and his
Toronto-based finance minister just doesn't get it."
Fraser had made a detailed presentation to Ontario's pre-budget
consultations in January, calling for a co-ordinated approach to make
manufacturing a good-news story in Ontario again, including stable electricity
prices, a jobs protection commissioner, a suite of sector strategies and
special measures for the forest industry.
"The Liberal budget took no action in any of these areas. Even where the
government took positive steps, such as raising the minimum wage and
addressing the child benefit supplement clawback, a slow phase-in schedule
means hundreds of thousands of children and low-wage workers will be left in
poverty for years to come.
"As a pre-election package, this is a disgrace."
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Dr. Janice MacKinnon joins Canada West Foundation Board
CALGARY - Dr. Roger Gibbins, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Janice MacKinnon, a professor of public policy at the University of Saskatchewan, to the Foundation’s Board.
Dr. MacKinnon is also chair of the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Between 1991 and 2001 she was a cabinet minister in Saskatchewan and held various portfolios including Minister of Finance, Minister of Social Services, Minister of Economic Development and Government House leader. During her tenure as Finance Minister, Saskatchewan became the first government in Canada to balance its budget in the 1990s.
She is the author of three books, The Liberty We Seek, published by Harvard University Press, While the Women Only Wept, and Minding the Public Purse, published in 2003.
Dr. MacKinnon also sits on the Board of Directors of VCom, a Victoria-based technology intensive TSX company and of International Road Dynamics (IRD), a Saskatoon-based technology intensive TSX company. She is also on the Board of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance OmbudService.
Canada West Foundation
The Canada West Foundation is a leading source of strategic insight, conducting and communicating non-partisan economic and public policy research of importance to the four western provinces, the territories, and all Canadians. The Foundation has offices in Vancouver and Calgary.
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Budget Auto Incentives Hammers Domestic Auto Makers
TORONTO - In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CAW president Buzz Hargrove criticizes the Harper budget's incentive for fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. The incentive provides a higher incentive to an imported 4-cylinder vehicle than to leading-edge, Canadian built products.
"To introduce an incentive program that rewards imports without requiring
foreign producers to make commitments here, is outrageous. Your government's
incentive program will encourage consumers to buy imports from Asia at the
expense of our manufacturers and the jobs of our members," said Hargrove in
the letter.
Hargrove's letter to Harper follows:
"In the 2007 budget your government had the opportunity to meet the twin
goals of improving the environment while strengthening the domestic auto
industry. You have failed on both accounts. That you chose to ignore our
proposals that would have achieved both may be about politics. But to ignore
the fact that all around the world governments are acting in ways that support
their domestic production is a callous disregard for the problems workers and
their communities in Canada's auto industry are facing.
It doesn't make any sense that your government would announce a program
to get older vehicles off the road and yet fund it at such a low level as to
render the program meaningless. There are about 18 million vehicles on our
roads, over one million are 20 years or older ---your program may encourage
15,000 at best of them to be retired next year.
It doesn't make any sense that you would announce an incentive for fuel
efficient and alternative fuel vehicles and then provide a higher incentive to
an imported 4 cylinder vehicle than to leading-edge, Canadian built products.
To introduce an incentive program that rewards imports without requiring
foreign producers to make commitments here, is outrageous. Your government's
incentive program will encourage consumers to buy imports from Asia at the
expense of our manufacturers and the jobs of our members.
Workers, facing layoffs such as those in engine and transmission plants
in Windsor and St. Catharines, now have to wonder whether the products they
produce will end up in vehicles that are hit with a poorly designed gas
guzzler tax.
General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler who provide 80 per cent of the
investment and 80 per cent of the jobs in the Canadian auto industry are in
trouble. Auto workers, their families and their communities have already been
hit hard. And the future is at best uncertain.
We already contend with an artificially high dollar; we already have to
deal with the most open automotive market in the world; we already have to
bear the cost of your government's refusal to challenge foreign producers who
use currency manipulations and closed markets to advance their industries; and
we are already vulnerable to your unreasonable determination to expose our
auto industry to even more unfair competition in bilateral trade deals.
CAW members continue to produce high quality vehicles, we continue to
chalk up impressive productivity gains, we continue to bargain for additional
investment and flexible plants. But we are no match for reckless government
policies.
The 2007 budget could have signaled a different approach. It could have
said that there is no necessary contradiction between the environment and
jobs. It could have put in place programs that would encourage drivers to
shift from older vehicles to newer technologies. It could have demonstrated a
real commitment to Canadian green automotive technology, investments and
strengthening production. Your Budget could have demonstrated leadership, but
didn't.
Imports of foreign made auto products continue to flood our market at
levels that no other country would tolerate. Canada's trade balance in auto
has shifted dramatically from a surplus to a deficit for the first time in 18
years. Thousands of Canadians have lost their jobs in the auto industry. And
now, as auto workers, we face further job loss due to a poorly conceived and
designed budget.
I strongly urge you to scrap the proposals in Budget 2007 and to sit down
with the industry and our union to design a set of programs that can drive
environmental improvements and at the same time strengthen our industry."
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Hargrove: Budget Made No Real Effort to Address the Needs of First Nations
TORONTO - CAW president Buzz Hargrove has expressed his disappointment that the Harper budget makes no real effort to address the needs of First Nations peoples.
In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Hargrove calls on Harper to
make a real difference for First Nations peoples by implementing the Kelowna
Accord.
Hargrove's letter to Harper follows:
"I was very disappointed to learn that the budget presented to Parliament
on March 19th, made no real effort to address the needs of First Nations
peoples in Canada. It is extremely frustrating that First Nations have been
left out of the "stronger, safer, better Canada" envisioned by Minister
Flaherty.
While the Minister of Finance recognized the fiscal imbalance with the
provinces, the federal government has once again failed to make a commitment
to correct the gross under funding of First Nations communities. It's shameful
to see anyone in this country living in such third world conditions today.
There should have been financial commitments in the budget that would
have effectively addressed fundamental needs like access to housing, health
care, education and settlement to land claims.
On behalf of CAW members from coast to coast to coast, I urge your
government to fully implement the Kelowna Accord, and ensure that there is a
sustained investment for the revival of the economic, social, cultural and
health status of First Nations communities."
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Steelworkers and Global Union Partners Announce Unity Accord
SUDBURY - The United Steelworkers (USW) and unions from six of the world's nations announced on Tuesday a new global union accord designed to advance the interests of workers employed by the rapidly growing Companhie Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD).
The Brazil-based CVRD purchased Inco in 2006.
The 'Sudbury Unity Accord' was developed by members of the United
Steelworkers from across Canada, along with union leaders from Brazil,
Mozambique and New Caledonia. As well, unions representing CVRD employees in
Norway and Australia have endorsed the accord.
The full text of the accord is available at www.usw.ca.
It forms the basis for a global union network and a united front in
dealing with CVRD, which continues to grow worldwide as a producer of nickel,
iron ore and coal.
"We are a global mining union," said USW International President Leo W.
Gerard. "So even though we recently bargained a pathbreaking collective
agreement here in Sudbury, when Inco was taken over by CVRD, we started to get
ready for the next round of bargaining in 2009. Today's accord is part of that
plan."
The USW represents about 5,000 employees of CVRD Inco across Canada.
"Building unity among workers across the global nickel industry is vital
as corporate consolidation puts control of nickel mining and processing in the
hands of a few, larger multinational companies," said Gerard.
"CVRD is based in our nation" said Joao Trevisam, General Secretary of
the Confederacao Nacional dos Trabalhadores no Setor Mineral (CNSTM), "We have
years of experience with this company but, by working together with the
Steelworkers and other unions around the globe, we can better defend our
members' interests and help workers elsewhere."
The Brazilian unionists at the Sudbury conference represent close to
25,000 CVRD workers in Brazil at the company's mines, rail operations, ports,
offices, chemical plants, energy operations and steel mills.
Jeremias Timana, President, SINTICIM (National Union of Construction,
Wood and Mines Workers of Mozambique), said, "Once the CVRD coal mine in
Mozambique is developed, it will be the largest in the southern hemisphere.
The Sudbury Unity Accord is about increasing communication and common action
among union members dealing with the same issues.
"It is about learning from and supporting each other. I am thrilled to be
here to sign the Accord. By helping to form this global union pact, we will
build a better future for Mozambique coal miners, their families and our
nation."
"CVRD Inco's nickel project in Goro has been the subject of much
controversy," added Didier Guenant-Jeason, USOENC (New Caledonia's Workers and
Employees Union; Union syndicale des ouvriers et employés de
Nouvelle-Calédonie). "Environmental risks, workers' rights and the impact on
indigenous populations in New Caledonia must be addressed firmly. This accord
will help us do that - and we know we can help workers in Canada, Brazil,
Mozambique and elsewhere as well."
The Sudbury Unity Accord sets out 5 common goals:
<><
Increasingly stronger collective agreements that bring high wages improved retirement incomes and benefits safe workplaces and a meaningful voice in the corporate decisions that affect workers lives Capital expenditures by CVRD in our communities to support new facilities exploration the highest environmental standards and new developments Safe and healthy workplaces for our members and environmentally sustainable operations which are healthy and safe for our families and communities Respect for the human rights of communities affected by corporate operations and full recognition of the right for unions to represent the collective interests of workers Full access to information about corporate acquisitions mergers or other reorganizations that affect our members in any way Elimination of corporate outsourcing contracting out>>
An annual work plan was set out that includes a gathering of even more
CVRD-linked unions in Brazil this fall.
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CAW Reaches Tentative Agreement At MTS Allstream
TORONTO - CAW Local 2000 members who work at MTS Allstream across Canada are voting on a tentative three-year agreement with the Winnipeg-based telecommunications company. The CAW bargaining committee has unanimously recommended acceptance of the agreement, which covers 800 CAW members. Results from the mail-in balloting will be completed within a few weeks. Details of the agreement will be released after ratification ballots are counted. The CAW represents technicians at Allstream.
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Conservative budget doesn't make country fairer, safer or better
OTTAWA - In spite of its claims, the latest Conservative budget is not going to make Canada better or safer, nor will it make it fairer, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
"The federal budget proposes to establish a $25-million office to foster
public-private partnerships (P3s), when what Canadians need and deserve are
quality public services that are publicly funded and delivered," says PSAC
National President John Gordon.
The budget calls for $1.26 billion over 7 years in a national fund for
unspecified public-private partnerships, as well as $2.1 billion for gateways
and border crossings, including the new Windsor-Detroit access which is
already earmarked as a P3 initiative.
"Despite the Conservative budget's praise for P3s in other countries,
experience actually shows that public-private partnerships are less
accountable and produce higher long-term costs," says Gordon. "If our tax
dollars are paying for this country's infrastructure, then we should own it.
P3s are simply a way to guarantee corporate profits at taxpayers' expense."
The Conservative budget also sets the stage to put the health and safety
of Canadians in jeopardy through deregulation. Government regulations set the
terms and the extent to which the safety of the public is protected, whether
it is food and drug safety, the environment, transportation or public health.
"Canadians expect a government that supports strong regulations and
effective enforcement," says Gordon. "The Conservative budget sends the
opposite message. Public safety now takes a back seat to economic
competitiveness."
The Conservative budget also fails to address Canada's social
infrastructure. The budget provides a mere $250 million to the provinces for
the creation of child care spaces, instead of the $1.2 billion that was part
of the signed agreements negotiated by the Liberals and repudiated by the
Conservatives.
"Not only is this an immense reduction, there is no obligation on the
provinces to actually use these funds for child care or early learning," says
Gordon. "In addition, the government is continuing to pursue its misguided
notion that a tax credit for businesses will create child care spaces. Tax
credits haven't created any child care facilities up to now and the proposed
25% investment tax credit won't create any in the future."
And, while the Conservatives are prepared to spend lavishly in some
areas, there is nothing in the budget to reverse their decisions last fall to
cut the operating budget and close most of the regional Status of Women
offices, to eliminate funding for women's groups to conduct research that will
produce solutions for systemic change, and to eliminate the Court Challenges
Program.
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Harper budget may prevent an election, but doesn't do the job for working Canadians
TORONTO - "The Stephen Harper budget appears to be a budget structured to avoid an election," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "The budget recognizes problems but fails to address them. There is a nod here and a wink there, but no real solutions."
For instance, the government applies a bandaid to the hemorrhaging
manufacturing sector. There is tax support for manufacturing investment, but
only for the next 18 months. It does nothing to stem the loss of manufacturing
jobs - some 200,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in Canada over the
last two years. It does nothing to address our growing trade deficit in
manufactured goods.
In a similar vein, the government acknowledges poverty, but does very
little to help Canadians escape the poverty trap. It provides a $500 tax
credit to single individuals, but only if their net income is below $12,883 -
single parents, might get up to $1,000.
"A tax initiative combined with introducing a $10.00 minimum wage would
have not only acknowledged poverty, but would have done something about it,'
said Hargrove.
"The budget admits that what the Harper government has done with the
child care issue has been inadequate. This time they tried to fix the problem
with a tax credit of a few hundred dollars for children under 18. What working
families really need is the national child care program the Harper government
scrapped when they came to power."
Where the government has been forced to respond is in the area of fiscal
transfers to the provinces and the environment.
In terms of the environment, there is some good rhetoric, but too many of
the programs are either inadequate or wrongheaded. For instance, the
government has announced a program to get older vehicles off the road, but
with a financial commitment of only $30 million over two years, it won't
retire many vehicles. Instead of providing an incentive to made-in-Canada
green automotive products that would strengthen our most important industry,
the Vehicle Efficiency Incentives will instead opened the door even wider to
imports from countries which limit access to their markets.
"Any positive news in the budget is offset by the government's commitment
to advance P-3 deals, its determination to reduce corporate taxes even further
and its aggressive pursuit of bilateral trade deals," added Hargrove. "The
budget may do enough to prevent an election, but it doesn't do the job for
working Canadians and their communities."
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Ontario Chamber says "Government embarks on road to fairness"
TORONTO - The federal government has made progress towards restoring fairness in Canada in Budget 2007 by implementing a number of the recommendations of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
"We're pleased to see the federal government's commitment to per capita
funding of major transfers including health and social programs," says Len
Crispino, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Ontarians
deserve the same level of services as their fellow Canadians and that simply
has not been the case in the past."
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce had advocated for a principle-based
solution, several of which were included in today's budget:
<<
- A commitment that provinces receiving equalization will not have a
higher fiscal capacity than contributing provinces
- A commitment to equal per capita cash support for the Canada Social
Transfer and the Canada Health Transfer
- A clarification of roles and responsibilities of governments, and a
commitment to focus on areas of federal responsibility
>>
"Overall Ontarians across the province will benefit from today's
announcement," adds Crispino. "Improved federal transfers will trickle down to
services Ontario residents use every day."
"The Ontario Chamber of Commerce had hoped the government would include a
component of program evaluation for federal transfers, one of the largest
wealth transfers in the world," countered Crispino. "We commit to work with
the federal government to develop a measurement tool so that we can ensure the
program's effectiveness."
The full OCC pre-budget submission to the Federal Finance Minister can be
found on our website at www.occ.on.ca.
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Harper budget may prevent an election, but doesn't do the job for working Canadians
TORONTO - "The Stephen Harper budget appears to be a budget structured to avoid an election," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "The budget recognizes problems but fails to address them. There is a nod here and a wink there, but no real solutions."
For instance, the government applies a bandaid to the hemorrhaging
manufacturing sector. There is tax support for manufacturing investment, but
only for the next 18 months. It does nothing to stem the loss of manufacturing
jobs - some 200,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in Canada over the
last two years. It does nothing to address our growing trade deficit in
manufactured goods.
In a similar vein, the government acknowledges poverty, but does very
little to help Canadians escape the poverty trap. It provides a $500 tax
credit to single individuals, but only if their net income is below $12,883 -
single parents, might get up to $1,000.
"A tax initiative combined with introducing a $10.00 minimum wage would
have not only acknowledged poverty, but would have done something about it,'
said Hargrove.
"The budget admits that what the Harper government has done with the
child care issue has been inadequate. This time they tried to fix the problem
with a tax credit of a few hundred dollars for children under 18. What working
families really need is the national child care program the Harper government
scrapped when they came to power."
Where the government has been forced to respond is in the area of fiscal
transfers to the provinces and the environment.
In terms of the environment, there is some good rhetoric, but too many of
the programs are either inadequate or wrongheaded. For instance, the
government has announced a program to get older vehicles off the road, but
with a financial commitment of only $30 million over two years, it won't
retire many vehicles. Instead of providing an incentive to made-in-Canada
green automotive products that would strengthen our most important industry,
the Vehicle Efficiency Incentives will instead opened the door even wider to
imports from countries which limit access to their markets.
"Any positive news in the budget is offset by the government's commitment
to advance P-3 deals, its determination to reduce corporate taxes even further
and its aggressive pursuit of bilateral trade deals," added Hargrove. "The
budget may do enough to prevent an election, but it doesn't do the job for
working Canadians and their communities."
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'Election-ready' federal budget fails to address long term
TORONTO - United Steelworkers' (USW) National Director Ken Neumann said that Monday's Conservative federal budget doesn't do enough to address the continuing drain of jobs in manufacturing and the forest industry, and fails to address the most pressing concerns of Canada's working families.
"This is a budget by a government looking solely at the short-term, with
continued corporate tax cuts and a complete failure to understand the role
government must play to strengthen the nation's industrial base," said
Neumann. "The corporate tax incentives to invest in new plants and equipment
are welcome news but still too little too late for many Canadians whose entire
communities have been literally wiped off the map by runaway companies."
Neumann said the increase in limits to Registered Education Savings Plans
only highlights the failure to take any steps toward making college and
university tuition affordable for working families.
"We are being conditioned to expect less from government. What Harper and
Flaherty have presented to Canadians is an election platform, not a budget for
the future."
Neumann also added Steelworkers' voice to the disappointment expressed by
the USW's strategic alliance partner, ACTRA, over the government's continued
failure to provide support for Canada's film and television industry.
"Actors are workers too," he said. "Our governments need to support
industries that build the nation as well as those that tell our stories
through film and television."
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'Global' Union Meeting in Sudbury March 18-21: CVRD Workers to Arrive in Sudbury on Sunday
TORONTO and SUDBURY, - Union members representing CVRD workers in Brazil, New Caledonia, Mozambique and Canada will start arriving in Sudbury this weekend in advance of a three-day meeting to plan strategies that put the interests of CVRD workers and their communities front and centre for the growing corporation.
Sponsored by the United Steelworkers (USW), the event involves workers
speaking three languages from four countries.
The agenda features presentations describing the history of labour
relations with CVRD, the company's global corporate structure and strategy, as
well as a review of CVRD Inco's operations in New Caledonia.
The following sessions are open to the media:
MONDAY MARCH 19, 2007 -
Opening Remarks by USW Local President John Fera Ken Neumann USW National Director a m a m Joco Trevisam CNTSM Brazil operations and union relations in Brazil
USW District Directors Wayne Fraser Canada and Steve Hunt Western Canada operations and union relations in Canada
Joco C sar de Freitas Pinheiro Ministry of Mines and Energy Brazil and USW Researcher Jeff Richardson global corporate structure and strategy
Informal social event with remarks by Mark Cutifani CVRD Inco Chief Operating Officer and USW International President Leo W Gerard
TUESDAY MARCH p m News conference.
All sessions, including the news conference, will take place at the USW
union hall at 92 Frood Road, Sudbury.
Participants will take part in a smelter and mine tour starting at 8 a.m.
on Wednesday.
The USW represents more than 4,800 CVRD Inco workers across Canada.
Representatives of USW local unions from Voisey's Bay, NL, Port Colborne, ON
and Thompson, MB will join Local 6500 and Local 2020 in Sudbury for the
conference.
National and international participants will be available for media
interviews throughout the event. Translation is available.
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES:
Brazil:
-------
Joco Trevisam, General Secretary, National Confederation of Workers in
the Mineral Sector (CNTSM)
José Horta, local union president, Metabase Mariana - MG, CNTSM
Raimundo Nonato Alves Amorim, local union president, Metabase Carajas -
PA, CNTSM,
Jorge Luis Campos, local union general secretary, Sindimina - RJ, CNTSM
Gilson dos Santos, local union president, Sindimina - SE, CNTSM
Casiano Oliveira, local union president, Metabase Corumba - MS, CNTSM
Sergio Luiz Guerra, local union financial secretary, Vitoria -ES, CNTSM,
Jose Zagallo, attorney, STEFEM - MA, National Confederation of Land
Transportation Workers (CNTT)
Joco Cesar Pinheiros, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Brazilian government
Mozambique:
-----------
Jeremias Timana, SINTICIM
Fernando Jorge, SINTICIM
New Caledonia:
--------------
Didier Guenant-Jeason, USOENC
Trevor Underwood, USOENC
Charles N'gaihony, USTKE
Sarimin (Jacques) Boengkih, Kanak Development Agency
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Millions for social service agencies wasted without investment in staff, CUPE says
TORONTO - Millions of infrastructure dollars announced recently for developmental services agencies will go to waste unless the McGuinty government also invests in the staff who support persons with disabilities, says CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan.
"Workers, their employers, the people they support and their families
have been speaking with one voice to tell the provincial Liberals that we have
a staff recruitment and retention problem in developmental services," Ryan
said. "Years of underfunding are taking their toll. A renovated building isn't
going to do much good if the people aren't there to staff it."
Liberal MPPs have been making announcements in their ridings in recent
weeks about monies the government is spending to renovate and expand program
sites. But, with more than 90 collective agreements expiring this year in the
developmental services sector, the province must make a much larger investment
in front line workers, Ryan said.
"Dalton McGuinty has a chance to put this right in the next provincial
budget," said Ryan, whose union represents about 7,000 developmental services
workers across the province. "On March 22, we will be going over the
provincial budget papers with a fine-toothed comb to see if he and Finance
Minister Greg Sorbara have responded to the thousands of postcards, emails and
phone calls that have been going to them from families and workers."
A study conducted six years ago by KPMG on behalf of community living
agencies showed that workers in developmental services earn 25% to 30% less
than people doing similar work in hospitals, schools and other institutions.
"If anything, the situation has gotten worse," Ryan said.
Recruiting and keeping developmental services workers has become
increasingly difficult and some community colleges have even considered
closing support worker diploma programs because of low enrolment.
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CAW Meets with Transport Canada Over Rail Safety
OTTAWA - Taking concerns of railway workers to the table, CAW Rail Safety representatives met with the Transport Canada Rail Safety Directorate on March 13 to raise ongoing rail safety issues. The CAW used the opportunity to voice concerns about derailments, shipping dangerous commodities and negligent safety inspections. The CAW has repeatedly warned Transport Canada that a lack of standardized rules, few inspections and excessive railway safety exemptions could lead to dangerous deficiencies in rail safety, evidenced by derailments in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec between 2005 and 2006.
"There have been many rail accidents lately and Transport Canada is now
looking for answers," said CAW National Representative Brian McDonagh. "The
meeting was much more productive than usual." Transport Canada has agreed to
meet the CAW at least once a year over rail safety - the next will take place
in September.
The meeting was held in conjunction with the International Transportation
Federation's 8th International 'Railway Worker's Day of Action.'
CAW Secretary-Treasurer Jim O'Neil is the Canadian executive board member
for the ITF. On this day, the CAW joined labour unions in 60 countries across
the globe in advocating improved rail safety standards.
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USW Announces Launch of Global Web Site for ExxonMobil Workers
BEAUMONT, TEXAS - The USW announced March 12, 2007 it has launched a multilingual web site that will allow workers at ExxonMobil sites around the world to communicate easily and make it easier to combine their efforts on issues of common concern.
"This site has been a long time in the making," said USW Vice President
Gary Beevers, who leads the union's collective bargaining efforts in the oil
and gas industry, and who also is chair of the Global Network for ExxonMobil
Workers' Solidarity. "I am confident it will enhance our ability to
communicate and make this valuable network all the more effective."
The web site may be accessed at http://workersatexxonmobil.usw.org. It is
presented in five languages, English, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
"It contains key information about the company, about unions that have
relationships with it, about human rights concerns, links to union-allied
organizations concerned with the company, and a space for ExxonMobil workers
to comment," said network administrator Keith Romig.
The Global Network was developed in 2004 in partnership with the
International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine & General Workers' Unions
(ICEM). "The ICEM has been a valuable contributor to this effort," said the
USW's Joe Drexler, who directs the USW's strategic research and planning.
ExxonMobil is the world's largest multinational oil company and is in
fact the largest and most profitable privately-owned business corporation in
the world. "In the past ExxonMobil has had a reputation of being unwilling to
engage with labor and with civil society to make improvements in conditions,"
said Beevers. "However more recently the company has taken positive steps in
the right direction. We believe our network, and our ongoing dialogue with
human rights and civil society groups has played a strong positive role in
this change."
The USW is North America's largest industrial union, with 850,000 members
in the United States, Canada, and Aruba. It is the largest U.S. and Canadian
union in the energy sector.
The ICEM is a global federation of unions representing 20 million workers
in the chemical, energy, mining, paper and related sectors.
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CAW Local 1285 Members Vote In Favour Of New DaimlerChrysler Agreement
BRAMPTON - CAW Local 1285 members who work at DaimlerChrysler's Brampton, Ontario car assembly plant voted overwhelmingly to an agreement today that helps secure new work at the facility. More than 2,800 members attended a packed meeting today: CAW production members voted 78 per cent in favour and skilled trades members voted 95 per cent in favour of the agreement that will come into force when new products come into the plant, which currently produces the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger.
Bob Chernecki, assistant to the CAW President, spoke to the membership
about the tough environment facing domestic automakers and the challenging
times that have created so much insecurity in auto producing communities.
"Our members work hard to produce high quality vehicles and they made a
difficult decision today that will help provide a more secure future for
themselves, their families and their community," Chernecki said.
Ardis Snow, Local 1285 unit chairperson at DaimlerChrysler, said, "It was
a very hard decision for the membership to make, but they looked at the long
term future for themselves and their families."
"As the new plant chairperson I have a lot of work ahead of me to unite
the membership and the leadership," Snow said.
Ken Lewenza, chairperson of the CAW's DaimlerChrysler master bargaining
committee, said, "There is obviously a lot of uncertainty in the auto industry
and our members continue to express frustration and concern about the future."
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Great Northern Grain's challenge supported by 10 grain-industry corporations
OTTAWA - Great Northern Grain (GNG), an inland grain terminal in Nampa, Alberta, on March 7 filed a major level-of-service complaint against the Canadian National Railway (CN).
The action, filed with the Canadian Transportation Agency, is supported by 10 grain-industry corporations, which are seeking intervener status in the case. They are: the Canadian Wheat Board, Great Sandhills Terminal, Northeast Terminal, Northwest Terminal, Parrish & Heimbecker, Paterson Grain, Prairie West Terminal, Providence Grain Group, Southwest Terminal and Weyburn Inland Terminal.
At issue is a recent change made to CN's advance-product program that is preventing smaller grain companies and single-point shippers from securing enough rail capacity to stay viable. It is also a serious concern for farmers who face added costs, marketing challenges and delivery disadvantages from reduced flexibility in rail transportation for their grain.
"This change by CN could put our business in jeopardy," said Bruce Horner, CEO of GNG, of his 17 000-tonne capacity GNG grain terminal in Nampa. "If this continues, only very large players will be left to ship and handle grain in the West. We believe CN is failing to meet its obligation of service to small shippers and farmers."
Rob Davies, CEO of Weyburn Inland Terminal (WIT), said it was important for others in the Prairie grain industry to support this case. "We as a group of shippers, handlers and marketers of western Canadian grain stand solidly behind Great Northern Grain in its pursuit of fairness from CN. Our company has joined in this action, not because we face the same issues with Canadian Pacific Railway on our own line, but because we hope we never will."
For the 2006-07 crop year, CN eliminated opportunities to advance-book guaranteed supplies of rail cars in units of 50 (except for a limited supply of cars available through cash bids). The railway now offers only blocks of 100 cars, which must essentially be booked to one destination for 42 consecutive weeks to secure supply. This is impossible for single-point shippers and smaller companies.
Only 22 per cent of primary grain elevators in Western Canada have a rail car spot for 100 cars or more. With only enough track for 73 cars, GNG is incapable of participating in CN's 100-car advance program, which moves at railway tariff rates, and is forced to pay cash bids to CN at over-tariff rates to secure any advance products. Advance cars this year have comprised almost 70 per cent of CN's total railcar offerings to the Port of Vancouver. The remainder is allocated as general car supply with no guarantees provided.
For farmers, the change CN has made creates additional obstacles to the efficient movement of their grain to port. This costs them money and risks sales opportunities with international buyers. More than 20 million tonnes of western Canadian grain are exported each year.
"We must have flexibility in grain transportation," said CWB Chief Operating Officer Ward Weisensel. "On farmers' behalf, the CWB markets and coordinates movement of grain in many different grades, classes and protein levels, sourced from diverse locations all across the Prairies. The change CN has made to advance cars reduces efficiency in the system."
CN is one of two Class One railways, which are critical to the movement of grain. Grain is one of Canada's largest-volume exports, worth billions of dollars a year to farmers, the grain industry and the economy. Delays and inefficiencies in railway performance can lead to significant extra costs for shippers.
The CTA will now investigate the complaint and render a determination within 120 days.
- CN allocates rail cars to grain shippers in two ways:
1) Advance cars booked for the entire year, with preference given to bookings for the largest number of consecutive weeks and to those with the highest-volume shipping history with CN. Advance cars are guaranteed capacity, with $250/car penalties for default by either party. In 2006-07, advance cars are 69 per cent of the total CN supply to Vancouver. This includes a limited supply of cars available through cash bid auctions, booked two to five weeks ahead.
2) General car supply offered weekly with no guarantee that the railway will provide booked cars. There are no restrictions on unit size and no additional charges above the posted rail tariff freight rate. During times of tight supply, the general-car program is often reduced to ensure that guaranteed advance cars are used and penalties avoided.
- In 2006-07, CN completely removed its 50-car products (called "GT Secure") for yearly advance bookings and offers only 100-car units ("GX100"), which must essentially be booked for 42 consecutive weeks to secure supply. No single grain elevator in Canada is capable of shipping 42 consecutive 100-car trains to one destination. Yet this is what CN's GX100 program is asking single-point shippers to do.
- Because smaller companies and single-point shippers cannot forward-book into a single rail corridor for consecutive weeks, they cannot participate in the GX100 program, except through the cash bid car market ("GT Pro"). This is a limited planning tool because the companies may not win the cars they want and, during high-demand periods, successful bids are very expensive. This creates an uneven playing field between the very large companies with multiple shipping locations and the others.
- Great Northern Grain (GNG) has a 73-car loading spot at its grain terminal in Nampa, Alberta. The only way for GNG to obtain pre-booked cars in the 2006-07 crop year has been through the cash-bid process available for 50-car units, which entails an average extra cost of $4.59 per tonne but has climbed as high as $9.21 per tonne over the posted rail freight rate. By contrast, the GX100 cars, which GNG is incapable of handling, move at regular posted freight tariff rates.
- This year's change in CN's advance-car program reduces efficiency in grain loading. Shippers capable of storing enough grain and loading 100-car trains will have an incentive to overcommit themselves to increase their chances of receiving cars.
-- During low-demand times, this means either that trains will go unused, with the shipped paying a penalty, or be filled with grain not required at port.
-- During high-demand times, CN will spot its guaranteed advance cars before the general allocation to avoid paying a penalty. This means grain required for ocean vessels arriving soonest may be forced to wait, causing grain to arrive at port out of order with vessel arrivals. This leads to increased congestion and potential vessel demurrage penalties, which are paid by shippers (including farmers).
- The level-of-service complaint application outlines a list of specific remedies that GNG is proposing. Among them: to ensure that advance-car bookings constitute no more than 50 per cent of the rail program in any specific corridor; to eliminate 100-car units in the advance-car program in favour of 25- and 50-car blocks (which can be combined to make 100 if needed).
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CRTC hearing pandering, says CEP
OTTAWA - The idea of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) giving Canadians 35 days to review the largest television deal in Canada's history is nothing short of a charade at transparency and public accountability, says the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Canada's largest media union.
"The CRTC needs to hold full public hearings on the concentration of
media ownership in this country," says Peter Murdoch, Vice-President, Media
for CEP. "It has the mandate and the responsibility. Trying to squeeze a brief
review in before major deals get signed is a regulatory shell game," he says.
In early February, CEP wrote to the CRTC's Chairman, Konrad von
Finckenstein, to ask that the CRTC hold a public hearing concerning
concentration of ownership in Canada's broadcast media. The CRTC has never
held a policy hearing on concentration of ownership in broadcasting, though it
has held public hearings on many other important issues, such as religion, and
the portrayal of women by the broadcast media.
The CEP pointed out in its letter to the CRTC that concentration of
ownership in Canada's private television sector is staggeringly high. In 1983,
the four largest companies in private TV controlled 37% of the sector's
revenues. In 2005, the four largest companies controlled 86% of those
revenues.
The CRTC did not answer CEP's letter, but announced a public hearing on
March 1, 2007 to consider BGM's purchase of CHUM's 33 radio stations, 12
television stations and 21 specialty television services. BGM announced this
purchase in July of last year.
The CRTC hearing will begin Monday, April 30, 2007. The CRTC wants
Canadians who are interested to file their comments by Thursday, April 5, 2007
- 35 days from the time the CRTC announced its hearing.
"Why the rush?" asks Mr. Murdoch. "How does giving Canadians so little
time to review a $1.3 billion deal and media concentration constitute the
'open, transparent and accountable' process to which Mr. von Finckenstein has
said Canadians are entitled?"
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BUZZ says Stéphane Dion Abandoned Commitment to Canada's Working Families
TORONTO - In a letter to Liberal leader Stéphane Dion, CAW president Buzz Hargrove expressed his frustration and disappointment at Dion's recent announcement that he will no longer support federal anti-scab legislation when Bill C-257 comes up for third reading in Parliament later this month.
Dion personally committed his support for the legislation to Hargrove in
a meeting February 7, 2007, on the condition that essential services are
protected in the event of a strike. Bill C-257 will do nothing to diminish the
current protections which are in place for essential services.
Here is Hargrove's letter to Dion:
"Dear Stéphane,
I am writing on behalf of the 265,000 members of the CAW and their
families to express my frustration and disappointment after hearing your
announcement that you will not support Bill C-257 - and once again ask
you and the Liberal caucus to endorse this important legislation when it
is voted on later this month in Parliament.
At our meeting on February 8, 2007 you committed your support for C-257,
as long as essential services would be protected in the event of a
strike.
Essential services are protected by both the Canada Labour Code and other
statutes that deal specifically with federal public services. Passing C-
257 does nothing to diminish those protections. Those protections are
contained in section 87.4 of the Canada Labour Code which are in effect
and will remain in effect when C-257 is passed.
In its rulings, the CIRB has confirmed seven times in the last six years
that section 87.4 is an essential services clause.
Anyone who has been locked out by their employer or has had to go on
strike to protect their job knows what scab labour means for their loved
ones, their community, their union and our country as a whole.
The research is clear: when scabs are used during strikes and lockouts,
labour disputes last longer and often get nastier. Bargaining is stalled,
communities are divided, and tempers flare. Work days are needlessly lost
and everyone suffers.
For workers, watching someone steal your job creates anger, bitterness,
and resentment that damages morale and productivity for years to come.
For employers, the tiny minority of managers who use scab labour set a
bad example, and take Canadian labour relations back to the nineteenth
century.
It's time for federal anti-scab legislation. It's time that the Liberal
leadership supports the millions of people who make our country work,
rather than the millionaires who ignore their rights.
Thank you."
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Warehouse workers at U of T Press on strike as of Monday, March 5
TORONTO - Warehouse workers at U of T Press are on strike as of Monday March 5. "We've worked as hard as possible to reach a fair and equitable contract with U of T Press," said CUPE 3261 president Ron Hoinkes. "But the employer is being unreasonable."
Right now, CUPE 3261 employees earn just $9.36 an hour, with no benefits.
Many of them need to hold down two or three jobs, just so their families can
survive. In current contract negotiations, these workers are asking for a
modest increase to $10 an hour plus benefits. But the U of T Press is refusing
to agree.
In its mission statement, the U of T Press sees its purpose as "advancing
the University of Toronto's role as Canada's leading institution of higher
education and enhancing its stature."
Apparently, they think the way to do this is to force their part-time
warehouse workers to live in poverty. At the same time, U of T Press
counterparts at the University of Toronto (owners of U of T Press) earn over
$13. per hour.
"All we're asking for is a decent living wage and benefits so that we
have some sort of security net," Hoinkes continued. "It's hypocritical of the
U of T to have such a double standard when it comes to workers having a living
wage. The U of T Press refuses to pay us a liveable income."
"U of T Press is one of the country's most prestigious publishers and is
owned by Canada's leading university. How can they maintain their dignity and
reputation when they treat their most vulnerable employees so badly?" Hoinkes
concluded.
At this time it is not known how the strike will affect the operation of
U of T Press or the retail outlets they supply.
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RSI Awareness: Work Shouldn't Hurt
TORONTO - Members of the Canadian Auto Workers union from coast to coast will focus on a variety of activities around the 8th annual International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day, tomorrow, February 28. The focus of the RSI Day events is on the need for ergonomic regulations and respectful accommodation of injured workers in the workplace.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) or musculosketal disorder (MSD) are
umbrella terms used to describe a collection of injuries that affect the
muscles, nerves and tendons. Tendonitis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel
syndrome are some common examples. Common symptoms include aches, pains,
tingling, swelling and loss of joint movement and strength in the affected
area. These symptoms can progress into crippling disorders preventing those
affected from working or leading normal lives.
RSIs are a serious occupational health concern. In some Canadian
provinces, sprains and strains account for 50 per cent of all occupational
injuries and illnesses - with nearly 30 per cent occurring to the back. RSIs
are a direct result of poor job design. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are
currently the only two Canadian provinces with ergonomic regulations.
Approximately 2.3 million Canadian adults have experienced a repetitive
strain injury serious enough to limit their normal activities, says a recent
Statistics Canada study. These findings mark a significant increase in RSI
incidence over the five-year period between 1996 and 2001. The survey
established the majority of these injuries are caused by work-related
activity. It also found a direct link between RSIs and stress.
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'Global' Union Meeting in Sudbury March 18-21: CVRD Workers confront Corporate growth
TORONTO/SUDBURY - Unions representing CVRD workers in Brazil, New Caledonia, Mozambique and Canada will be in Sudbury March 18-21 to plan strategies that will put the interests of CVRD workers and their communities front and centre for the growing corporation.
Sponsored by the United Steelworkers (USW), the event will span three
days and involve workers speaking three languages from four countries.
"The nickel business in this region has gone global. We are a global
mining union, so it is fitting that this event will be held here in Sudbury,"
said John Fera, president of USW Local 6500.
The USW represents more than 4,800 CVRD Inco workers across Canada.
Representatives of USW local unions from Voisey's Bay, NL, Port Colborne, ON
and Thompson, MB will join Local 6500 and Local 2020 in Sudbury for the
conference.
"We will maintain and improve our collective agreements here in Canada by
working with our partner unions in the global mining industry," said USW
President Leo W. Gerard. "International unity and coordinated action just
makes sense in dealing with global mining companies like CVRD, Xstrata, Teck
Cominco and others."
The March 18-21 conference will feature working sessions to develop a
Global Union Accord, tours of the CVRD Inco operations, and information
exchanges among the participating unions.
For information on a call-in news conference, after March 7 contact Pat Van Horne, USW Communications Director, at 416-544-5990,
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"Productivity-enhancing budget a must" says the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
VANCOUVER - At its meeting in Vancouver today, the board of directors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce called on the federal government to make productivity the centrepiece of the upcoming budget by making meaningful tax cuts for individuals and corporations.
The board of directors has identified Canada's lagging productivity
record as the key economic challenge facing the country. Without taking action
on this front, Canada will continue to fall further behind the U.S. in
productivity and Canadians' standard of living will erode, the directors said.
"Our productivity is below 80 per cent that of the U.S. and so is our
standard of living," noted Sean Finn, Chair of the Canadian Chamber board.
"That's not a coincidence, that's cause and effect."
Nancy Hughes Anthony, President and CEO of the Chamber added: "The
Finance Minister tabled the government's productivity paper, Advantage Canada,
in November, and now is the time to begin putting it into action."
Advantage Canada called for broad tax cuts, targeted investments in R&D,
post secondary education and national infrastructure, paying down the national
debt, reducing and eliminating red tape, and controlling government spending.
"That's precisely the prescription that is needed," said Ms. Hughes Anthony.
The Canadian Chamber has a detailed list of tax changes and other
measures the budget should contain, but stressed the following:
<<
- Restore the lowest personal income tax rate to 15 per cent, reversing
the half-a-percentage point increase of last May's budget.
- Reduce the general corporate tax rate to 20 per cent in 2007, and by
another percentage point in each of the following three years.
- Ensure that Capital Cost Allowance rates in Canada line up with the
true economic life of the relevant asset.
- Limit program spending to approximately 3% per year.
- Raise the threshold at which the top marginal personal income tax rate
kicks in to $150,000.
>>
Ms. Hughes Anthony said that the government must address these issues now
as they are critical to the long-term economic future of the country.
"Despite some recent progress, Canadians remain among the most heavily
taxed people in the world," said Ms. Hughes Anthony. "Ensuring that Canada's
tax system is competitive with that of the U.S. and other global competitors
is vital to increased productivity, income and overall standard of living of
Canadians."
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Chamber of Commerce Announces 2007 Business Excellence Award Recipients
Kitchener – On Thursday, February 23, 2007, close to 900 people honoured the exceptional contributions of 53 individuals and organizations who were nominated for Business Excellence
Awards at the Chamber’s annual gala.
Nine recipients were announced.
2007 Business Excellence Award Winners
Business Leader of the Year Award (<20 employees):
Stemmler Meats & Cheese
Business Leader of the Year Award (+20 Employees):
Miller Thomson LLP
Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year Award:
Fred Kuntz, formerly of The Record
Environment Award:
Enermodal Engineering Ltd.
Innovation Award:
Christie Digital Systems Inc
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Tim Sothern, BDO Dunwoody LLP
New Member of the Year Award:
Baker Investment Group Inc.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award:
John Baker, Desire2Learn Inc.
Workplace Training Award:
Lutherwood
This year the Chamber made a special recognition in the Innovation category to the Centre for International Governance Innovation and its IGLOO initiative.
The Chamber has now opened nominations for the 2008 Business Excellence Awards which will
be taking place on Thursday, February 21, 2008.
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Revised - New bargaining unit at Canada Border Services Agency: Frontière-Border Services (FB)
OTTAWA - PSAC members at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) received their own bargaining certificate from the federal Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB). They are now part of the unit called Frontière-Border Services (FB).
The new bargaining unit includes approximately 7,000 members and
represents all PSAC members employed by the CBSA inland and at points of
entry. The new unit also includes PSAC members providing immigration and food
inspection services at CBSA.
For these PSAC members, the new certification represents an important
step towards solving many issues that are specific to their place of work and
duties.
"Our members at the CBSA provide very specialized services to Canadians
in all regions of the country," said PSAC National President, John Gordon.
"Because of the ever increasing complexity of their functions, the members
needed to be united at the bargaining table to better address their unique
work issues".
Upon receiving the receipt of the Board Order recognizing the new unit,
the PSAC served notice to bargain to Treasury Board. The notification was sent
on February 21, 2007.
The President of Customs Excise Union Douanes Accise (CEUDA), Ron Moran,
believes the new bargaining certificate is huge step in the right direction
though the new group has also brought on a series of classification concerns.
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CFIB asks Dion to back national interest instead of Big Unions on Bill C-257
TORONTO - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has released the following open letter to Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion asking that he put the fortunes of the Canadian economy and employment as a whole ahead of big union interests by opposing Bill C-257.
February 21, 2007
Mr. Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
OPEN LETTER
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Dion:
The purpose of this letter is two-fold. Firstly, to raise an important and
urgent issue regarding Bill C-257 - an act to amend the Canada Labour Code
(replacement workers). Secondly, to encourage you to consider meeting with
CFIB in the very near future. As you may know, the Canadian Federation of
Independent Business (CFIB) has been the voice for small- and medium-sized
Canadian businesses for over 35 years. CFIB currently represents over 105,000
business owners, making it the largest individual membership business
organization in Canada. As Canada's small business sector represents about
half of Canada's GDP and employment, it goes without saying that this is a
very important constituency.
Small businesses have many very serious concerns regarding Bill C-257. A
previous letter we wrote to all MPs, which is attached, outlines the nature of
these concerns. If there was any doubt as to the impact a ban on replacement
workers would have on federally regulated workplaces, you need only look at
the drastic impacts the current CN strike is having on the Canadian economy to
get a taste of what would happen if C-257 was passed. The agricultural sector
is reeling from not being able to get their products to market, the
manufacturing sector, which operates largely on just-in-time inventory
systems, is suffering terribly and gas prices are spiking because a major
refinery cannot deliver gas to the retail level, among other negatives. And
this is all happening in an environment that permits replacement workers in
the event of a strike! Imagine the even more devastating impact if replacement
workers were banned.
The NDP and Bloc have stated categorically that they will vote in favour
of this Bill. There is a major opportunity for the Liberal party to take a
true leadership position and oppose the Bill, effectively putting the fortunes
of the Canadian economy and employment as a whole ahead of merely big union
interests. Legislation similar to C-257 has been voted down many times in the
past as the majority of MPs realized it would be very negative for the
economy. The current minority Parliament is placing bad politics ahead of what
is best for Canada's economy and this private members' bill is an excellent
example of this.
Over the past few weeks, we have been speaking with your staff to arrange
a meeting at the first available opportunity. I would hope that we can
accomplish this soon to discuss the urgent need to deal with C-257, as well as
other issues of importance to Canadian small businesses. I look forward to
your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
Catherine Swift
President & CEO
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"OPP Bound 2007" Taking Applications
ORILLIA, ON - The Ontario Provincial Police is preparing for its fifth OPP Bound recruitment program. "OPP Bound 2007" is an one week mini-OPP recruit camp, being held at the Provincial Police Academy from July 15 - 20, 2007 in Orillia, Ontario.
The OPP are inviting applications from all women and men who represent
diverse communities and women and men who are bilingual that are interested in
exploring a career in policing.
One hundred participants will learn about the history and traditions of
the OPP. The program will include a number of mentoring sessions with key OPP
officers who will share their experiences. Participants will also have the
opportunity to live the life of an OPP recruit at the Academy, including
firearms, drill, physical training and practical exercises. They will be
exposed to the advantages of the OPP and will be provided the opportunity to
build relationships with OPP employees.
May 4, 2007 is the application deadline for "OPP Bound 2007". Those
looking for an exciting career opportunity can obtain information and the
application on the OPP website at: www.opp.ca.
Further information can be obtained by calling the Ontario Provincial
Police Recruitment Section at 1-877-OPP-HIRE (1-877-677-4473)
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Canadian Autoworkers Union Files Occupational Disease Claims for Workers at Marystown Shipyard
MARYSTOWN, NL - CAW/ Marine Workers Federation Local 20 is filing 15 compensation claims for occupational disease with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) because of past exposures at the Marystown, Newfoundland shipyard.
The initiation of compensation claims follows a meeting Thursday,
February 15 between representatives of the union and Joe O'Neil of the WHSCC
regarding occupational disease at the Marystown Shipyard. The WHSCC was
notified of the pending claims and of the union's concerns.
Henry Moores, president of CAW Local 20 and Wayne Butler, a member of the
union's occupational disease committee, were joined at the meeting by Nick De
Carlo, representing the CAW National Office, and Reg Anstey, President of the
Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of Labour.
The 15 claims emerged as the union began collecting names of workers who
have contracted diseases such as cancer and obstructive lung disease in order
to examine the possibility that they were caused by past exposures at the
workplace. "There is no question in my mind that some of our members have
suffered illness and even death as a result of their exposures to workplace
chemicals over the years at the shipyard. Most of those exposures happened
under the ownership of the government of Newfoundland and it's time for the
WHSCC to ensure that those workers or their surviving family members are fully
compensated." said Moores.
Seven claims for lung cancer and eight for various types of
gastrointestinal cancer (such as cancers of the stomach and bowel) are being
filed with the WHSCC. The claims state that all these illnesses relate to
asbestos exposure at the shipyard. In addition to these 15, other workers have
come forward and their illnesses are being investigated for work relatedness.
Dozens of toxic chemicals were used in the yards. "There is every likelihood
that, considering the way work was done in the past, more work related
illnesses will emerge," said Butler.
The CAW has asked the WHSCC to fully investigate the claims that are
being filed and to provide resources and funding for an intake process whereby
the union, with expert medical and hygiene support, can document the workers
who are ill; investigate the work relatedness of the illnesses; file
compensation claims where appropriate; and represent the workers through the
adjudication process.
"We expect to hear back from the WHSCC by early March," said Moores. "In
the meantime, anybody who worked at the shipyard and who feels they may have
an illness that is caused by their work should contact CAW Local 20. We are
pushing ahead until we get all of our members' occupational health concerns
answered."
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City of Ottawa a mid-to-low spender on community services
Spends less than other Ontario municipalities and is the only one
pushing tax freeze
OTTAWA - The City of Ottawa is in danger of becoming a "does not" municipality that does not adequately fund its community programs while lagging behind the rest of the province, according to a report released today by CUPE 503, the city's municipal workers.
"Ottawa is lagging behind Ontario's other major urban centres when it
comes to funding levels for essential city services," said David Macdonald, an
independent economist who works with Ottawa unions and community groups.
Where Ottawa Stands: A comparison of municipal spending levels across
Ontario takes a broad view of the 2007 city budget by looking at how Ottawa
compares to other municipalities in Ontario. It looks at spending levels in
administration, public health, ambulance services, employment and financial
assistance, assistance to aged people, parks & recreation, child care, social
housing, libraries and transit.
The results for Ottawa are worrying. Ottawa has already driven down
administrative costs per capita, but in six of the other nine areas, it falls
into the low or mid range of spending levels. Ottawa is doing quite well in
transit but is doing particularly poorly in public health and assistance for
aged people.
Macdonald noted that a tax freeze would just make things worse.
"Mayor Larry O'Brien's tax freeze is out of step with the other large
urban Ontario municipalities," he said. "Ottawa is also the only municipality
considering no property tax increase of the cities surveyed. Even if it
adopted an inflationary increase of 1.7 per cent, it would still be in last
place and significantly behind Ontario's other big urban centres."
Without additional revenue to support a growing city and new ideas,
Ottawa is in danger of falling further behind Toronto and the big GTA
municipalities, Macdonald noted.
"We labour under the illusion that we are spending too much, but this is
misplaced," Macdonald said. "We have a revenue problem, not a spending
problem, so we need to enhance funding for municipal services and programs,
not cut and "gap" our way to the bottom."
Macdonald issued a dire warning for councillors and residents alike.
"Ottawa's rank across a range of programs shows that it has precious
little room before it falls into the bottom quarter of social spending, if
it's not there already," Macdonald said. "This brings us perilously close to a
"does not" municipality that does not take care of its citizens, its
infrastructure and its public services."
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ACTRA and producers reach new agreement
TORONTO - Following several days of negotiations the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Québec (APFTQ) and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) announced Feb 21, 2007 that they have reached a renewed Independent Production Agreement (IPA).
This deal is a win-win for Producers and ACTRA Members.
Key elements of the agreement:
<<
- Producers have agreed to ACTRA's wage proposal. Performers will receive
a 10% increase in compensation over the new agreement's three-year
term.
- Performers will be compensated for the use of their work on the
internet. Producers will share 3.6% of revenues received from the use
of productions on the internet, tracked separately. The parties agreed
on how producers will compensate performers appearing in productions
specifically produced for the internet. An agreed provision will allow
certain producers to accumulate use fee payments until a "re-opener"
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