THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LOCALS 175 & 633 UFCW CANADA VOLUME XIV NO. 2
APRIL 2005
Health & Safety Update
YAP’s ready for BROADWAY!
More members earn high school credits
38099 April Checkout.indd 1
3/21/05 9:42:17 AM
CONTENTS
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UFCW LOCAL 175 President
Wayne Hanley
PEOPLE Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stewards Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Chuvalo: Still standing … and fighting back against substance abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secretary-Treasurer
Jerry Clifford
Recorder
Betty Pardy Executive Assistants
Shawn Haggerty, Jim Hastings, Teresa Magee
UFCW LOCAL 633 President
Dan Bondy
LEUKEMIA FUNDRAISING June is leukemia awareness month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secretary-Treasurer
Marylou Mallett Recorder
Neil Hotchkiss
LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONFERENCES Winter 2005 Stewards Conferences are successful events . . . . . . . . . . . YAP’s ready for BROADWAY!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROVINCIAL OFFICE 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329 Fax 905-821-7144
Benefits Coordinator
Herb MacDonald Benefits Representatives
TRAINING & EDUCATION Free courses: Members earn high school credits – online and in classrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sherree Backus, Emmanuelle Lopez-Tambasco Benefits Intake Representative
Brenda Simmons
Health & Safety Representative
Janice Klenot Senior Legal Counsel
NEGOTIATIONS
Georgina Watts
Pharma Plus workers across Ontario reach new deal . . . . . New contract for retirement residence workers . . . . . . . . . . . . Better Beef workers secure wage and pension improvements in new contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Union achieves good new contract for soy workers . . . . . . . Nursing home workers win improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New contract for food processing workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retirement home workers ratify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legal Counsel
Michael Hancock, Naveen Mehta, Rebecca Woodrow
GRIEVANCE & ARBITRATIONS NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luc Lacelle
Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, Tim Deelstra, John DiFalco, Paul Jokhu, Anthony DiMaio, Rob Nicholas
Legal Representative
Fernando Reis
Organizing Representatives
Michael Duden, Steve Robinson, Kevin Shimmin
CENTRAL EAST REGION Director Union Representatives
HEALTH & SAFETY Day of Mourning poster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nine ways to ensure a safer workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Your employer must provide you with a safe work environment . . . . . . The role of your Health & Safety Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preventing workplace injuries & illnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CENTRAL WEST REGION 412 Rennie Street Hamilton L8H 3P5 905-545-8354 Toll free: 1-800-567-2125 Fax: 905-545-8355
HOUSING
Director
Julius Court provides affordable housing . . . .
Harry Sutton
Union Representatives
Joe DeMelo, John DiNardo, Linval Dixon, Rick Hogue, Fernando Reis, Dan Serbin, Kelly Tosato
38099 April Checkout.indd 2
Graphic design - ARTiFACT graphic design
cep Local 571
3/23/05 8:06:56 AM
CHECKOUT is an official publication of Locals 175 & 633 of the United Food & Commercial Workers. Web site: www.ufcw175.com E-mail: membership@ufcw175.com SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Director
Sharon Gall Union Representatives
Judith Burch, Matt Davenport, Sylvia Groom, Roy Reed EASTERN REGION 20 Hamilton Avenue North Ottawa K1Y 1B6 613-725-2154 Toll free 1-800-267-5295 Fax 613-725-2328 Director
Dan Lacroix Union Representatives
Simon Baker, Chris Fuller, Paul Hardwick, Marilyn Lang, Daniel Mercier, Jacques Niquet NORTH WEST REGION Room 21, Lakehead Labour Centre 929 Fort William Road Thunder Bay P7B 3A6 807-346-4227 Toll free 1-800-465-6932 Fax 807-346-4055 Director
Shawn Haggerty Union Representatives
Colby Flank, David Noonan SOUTH WEST REGION 124 Sydney Street South Kitchener N2G 3V2 519-744-5231 Toll free 1-800-265-6345 Fax 519-744-8357 Director
Ray Bromley Union Representatives
Wendy Absolom, Kevin Dowling, Angus Locke, Julie Johnston, Rick Wauhkonen TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRE Suite 700, 1450 Meyerside Drive Mississauga L5T 2N5 905-564-2500 Toll Free 1-800-728-8902 Fax 905-564-2898 Director of Education & Communications
Victor Carrozzino Education & Communication Reps
Georgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Cheryl Mumford, Kelly Provost, Jennifer Tunney, Ashleigh Vink, Dave White
President’s Message
Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926
Health & Safety is always a top priority
N
o one should ever be killed or maimed because they iare trying to earn a living.
But it happens far too often. In 2003, in Ontario, 552 workers lost their lives, one third in work accidents and the other two thirds because of work-related disease. Another 359,353 workers suffered because of job-related injures or occupational disease. And it is not getting better. In 2004, in the first eleven months of the year, 542 workers died and 328,968 endured jobrelated injuries and disease. Tragically, many of these deaths and injuries are preventable.
WAYNE HANLEY
Your Union is doing everything it can to eliminate work-related accidents and diseases. Working together, we are implementing an extensive program of health & safety courses so that everyone – from health & safety activists, to stewards, to individual members – can be educated about safe work practices. This is an essential first step in preventing accidents and disease. We offer these courses – and will continue to increase the selection – to protect the health & safety and overall welfare of each member of the Local. Workplace-specific health & safety training can also be arranged when appropriate. We believe that an informed membership is a healthy membership and an educated membership is a safe membership. For more information on these courses, please call the Training & Education Centre or visit the Web site: www.UFCW175.com. In addition to these training programs, the workplace health & safety committees are an essential link in creating safer working environments. Our Local Unions are committed to supporting these committees and providing members with the resources and expertise to facilitate needed changes. One new resource is a series of posters and other educational materials, which we mail to workplace health & safety representatives, on a regular basis. A list of topics is included at the bottom of page 18. The focus of the Local Union’s Health & Safety program is on making specific recommendations to reduce workplace hazards. We do this through education and collective action as well as through good contract IN 2003, IN ONTARIO, language that provides job rotations, rest breaks, ergonomic workstations and safe work environments. 552 WORKERS LOST “No violence” and “no harassment” clauses are also written into the Local’s collective agreements so that THEIR LIVES, ONE everyone can feel safe and be protected at work. Local 175 also participates in the International Day of Mourning on April 28. It is a time to pause and remember those who suffered workplace injury, illness and death – and to fight for the living. For Day of Mourning events, visit our Web site www.UFCW175. com – or call your regional Union office or District Labour Council. For other actions you can take to make your workplace safer, please see “Nine ways to create a safer workplace” on page 18.
THIRD IN WORK ACCIDENTS AND THE OTHER TWO THIRDS BECAUSE OF WORKRELATED DISEASE. APRIL 2005
38099 April Checkout.indd 3
3/23/05 8:07:34 AM
Secretary-Treasurer’s Message
Wal-Mart fined $500,000 for multiple Workplace Safety and Insurance Act violations
JERRY CLIFFORD
Every employer has a legal responsibility to provide workers with a safe and healthy workplace, and to ensure they are compensated if injured at work.
The Workmen’s Compensation Board, which later became the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), was established in 1915 through an Act of the Ontario Legislature. It is an insurance system requiring employers to pay premiums, which are used to fund compensation for injured workers. Like any insurance system, those who have the worst claims record pay the most in premiums. Unfortunately, many employers, both large and small, often do not report, or delay in reporting accidents, to avoid escalating premiums. When this happens, workers may not receive the compensation to which they are entitled because the accident or injury has not been reported on a timely basis. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart Canada pleaded guilty to 25 charges of failing to notify the WSIB, within the required time frame, of injuries to its workers. The company was found to be in violation of Section 152(3) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The WSIB wants to clamp down on employers who don’t respect the law. It has an anonymous Action Line: 1-888-745-3237. Any worker who is concerned about workplace safety issues and/or violations can and should contact the WSIB for assistance. Workers in non-union workplaces are especially vulnerable to employer intimidation, so if you have friends or relatives, who are without a union, encourage them to contact Local 175’s organizing department and also call the WSIB in the meantime. Locals 175 & 633 will take every action necessary to ensure a member’s right to a safe and healthy workplace and the right to receive compensation if injured on the job. If you have concerns about safety in your workplace, speak to your union steward or representative. If you think an accident, injury or illness, or onset of pain, is work-related, report it to your employer and inform a witness or co-worker as well. You should also seek medical attention and tell your doctor that the injury is work-related so there is documentation if you need to file a claim. You have the legal right to file a claim for injuries sustained on the job. More information is available at www.ufcw175.com/HTML/ health.htm on the left side, by clicking on WSIB Claims. If you prefer, you may call your regional union office (listed on page 2 and 3) and ask for a copy of the brochure entitled: The WSIB Claim Process.
CHANGES On February 15, 2005, the Local 175 Executive Board voted, unanimously, to elect Brother Jerry Clifford to Secretary-Treasurer following the recent retirement of Brother Jim Andress. “Jerry has done an outstanding job of servicing the membership over the last 16 years, including serving as Central East Director for the past four years,” says President Wayne Hanley. “I know his dedication, exceptional negotiating skills and unfailing attention to detail will contribute substantially to the Local Union’s leadership team.” Before coming on staff Jerry worked for 25 years, as a meat cutter and later meat manager, with A&P stores in Orillia, Midland and Barrie. During that time he was an elected steward, executive board vice-president and also participated in five sets of provincewide A&P negotiations. After so many years – 25 as a rank and file member, 12 as a union representative and four as a regional director – Jerry has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and skills in negotiating union contracts and solving the many problems that members regularly experience in the workplace. “I am very much looking forward to my new responsibilities as Secretary-Treasurer of Local 175,” he says. “Working people today need all the help they can get to gain and even maintain what their parents fought so hard to achieve. Our new Executive Leadership team and staff will do all we can to fight for the rights of Locals 175 & 633 members.”
38099 April Checkout.indd 4
3/21/05 9:43:02 AM
PEOPLE
President Hanley announces changes in Executive Leadership team Brother Shawn Haggerty and Sister Teresa Magee will become Executive Assistants to the President with Brother Jim Hastings continuing to serve in that capacity. “Given the size of the Local Union, which now has in excess of 50,000 members, it’s important to have a strong leadership team to provide the necessary expertise and resources to support the needs of the membership all across the province,” says President Hanley. Brother Haggerty, who has more than a decade of experience negotiating for the rights of UFCW members, has been the North West Region Director since 2003. He will now carry a dual role, as both North West Region Director and Executive Assistant to the President. Shawn gained his first exposure to unions working as an electrician in the maintenance department at Robin Hood Multi-Foods in Port Colborne. He was the President of UFCW Local 416P and also the Secretary-Treasurer for UFCW Local 617P until the merger with Local 175 in 2000. Shawn has made substantial contributions to Local 175, first as part of a hard-working team of union representatives in the Hamilton Region and currently as a regional director based in Thunder Bay. He also participates on numerous volunteer committees, including the Small Policy Committee for the National Defence Fund – a strike fund program that supplements lost wages of workers on strike. Sister Magee, who joined UFCW Local 175 in 1990 as a union representative in the Central Region, has also been appointed Executive Assistant to the President. Previously she worked at the mortgage centre of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) where she was the
SHAWN HAGGERTY
TERESA MAGEE
elected union chairperson for 350 workers. In that role, with the Union of Bank Employees, she gained a great deal of skill, knowledge and experience advocating for workers. She also became a volunteer instructor and organizer with the Canadian Labour Congress. Teresa spent many evenings, weekends and summer vacations working in grocery stores, while she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at York University, and also during her high school years. Her union and retail experience were both put to good use as a new Local 175 representative. She was responsible for servicing numerous retail stores such as A&P, Miracle Mart and Pharma Plus as well as several large industrial units, including Cargill and Maple Lodge Farms.
In 2001 she was promoted to become Director of the South West Region. There she worked with six union reps and three clerical staff to ensure that the Kitchener office delivered a high level of membership service. “Sister Magee is an exceptional negotiator and communicator. She always puts the members first and has the experience and skills to get the job done – no matter how great the challenge,” says President Hanley. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve the membership in this new role and look forward to working more closely with President Hanley and the Local 175 leadership team,” she says.
Changes in responsibilities Organizing Rep Mona Bailey has moved to Central East Region as a Union Rep. Union Rep Chris Fuller has moved from the Central West Region to the Eastern Region and Union Rep John DiNardo moves from the South Central Region to Central West.
MONA BAILEY
CHRIS FULLER
JOHN DINARDO
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 5
3/21/05 9:43:05 AM
PEOPLE
CHANGES
continues
Two new regional directors appointed As a result of the leadership changes on page 4 and 5, Director vacancies were created in two of the regions. President Hanley has appointed Brother Ray Bromley as the new South West Region Director and Brother Luc Lacelle as the new Central East Director. “I know these two very experienced union reps will ensure the best possible membership service in the two regions,” says President Hanley. Brother Bromley, as a meat cutter at Dominion Stores, served as shop steward, chairperson and executive board member. He was also an advocate within his Peterborough community and a member of Amnesty International and The South African Congress of Trade Unions in the struggle for human rights and dignity. Ray joined Local 175 as an Organizer in November 1993. “Organizing has always been my passion,” he says. “It is through the organizing process that we all, as unionized workers, enjoy the many benefits and rights we currently have.” After five years as an organizer, Ray became a union rep in the Eastern Region in 1998. He has serviced a wide range of workplaces in both retail and industrial and has gained extensive experience in negotiating and strike issues. Brother Lacelle has worked as a union rep in both the Eastern and North West Regions since 1989. Previously he was hired part-time at A&P in Hawkesbury in 1974, then reclassified to full-time produce clerk in 1976 and then reclassified to produce manager shortly after. Luc was an elected shop steward for most of the time that he worked at A&P. “It is very important to me to ensure that people are treated with justice and dignity,” he says.
“We always had excellent union reps to work with to ensure this happened.” As a union rep himself Luc has gained considerable expertise in servicing and negotiating in a wide range of industries, as well as in providing strike support. He played a key role in bolstering picket lines during the Miracle Mart strike of 1993-94. Luc was also asked to assist UFCW Local 1518 in British
RAY BROMLEY
LUC LACELLE
Columbia and to help Local 401 in Alberta to prepare and co-ordinate strike action against Canada Safeway.
New Representatives join Local 175 Staff David Noonan, who has been working as a union rep on a temporary basis in the South West and Central West regions, has joined the staff as a rep in the North West Region. Previously he worked at Zehrs Markets and was the NDP candidate for Brant County, in the last provincial election. He is an elected VicePresident representing youth at the Ontario Federation of Labour. Steve Robinson, who has been on loan from the UFCW National Office, has been hired as an Organizing Representative. He worked with Local 175 staff as part of the Special Union Project Representative (SPUR) program for the last 12 months and has been successful in gaining certification for a number of workplaces, including Wellington Meats. Previously he was a member of UFCW Local 1288P and elected steward at Hub Meat Packers in Moncton, New Brunswick. He has extensive organizing experience, both in New Brunswick and Ontario.
DAVID NOONAN
BRENDA SIMMONS
Brenda Simmons, who formerly worked at the Barn store on Fairview Street in Burlington, was appointed Benefits Intake Representative in January 2005. STEVE ROBINSON She served as the Locals 175 & 633 Action Centre Coordinator in 2002 after A&P closed four of the original Barn stores, resulting in the layoff of more than 400 members. When the Action Centre closed its doors, only 13 of the workers had not been successful in moving on to other endeavours. Brenda was then hired as the Mississauga office receptionist before moving to a secretarial position in the Benefits Department.
38099 April Checkout.indd 6
3/21/05 9:43:11 AM
“These were the best 11 years of my life,” says Union Rep Mike Brennan who retired on February 24, 2005. He confesses to being a hippie in the ‘60s and says he enjoyed sharing, helping, doing what “was right” and protecting his co-workers from the establishment. He has always worked union jobs,
including at a number of food stores. Prior to joining Local 175 he was a steward at several Miracle Food Marts and provided much needed picket support for as many as 40 lines during the strike of ’93-’94.
MIKE BRENNAN
After so many years of lending a hand wherever it was needed, including leukemia fundraising, he’s looking forward to taking it easy for awhile. “Who knows,” he says. “I may even grow back my long hair.”
HEALTH & SAFETY PEOPLE
RETIREMENTS
STEWARD PROFILES Charito Drinkwalter became a UFCW member in 1985 when she started work as a dietary aide at Birchwood Terrace in Kenora. Her current position/classification is Assistant Dietary Supervisor (Cook). Charito also serves as co-chair of the Joint Health & Safety Committee in her unit. She has been an active shop steward for almost two decades, a labour council delegate, sat on the executive of the Kenora and District Labour council as Treasurer (1999-2005) and, for the last two years, has also served as the chair of the Kenora leukemia fundraising walk. Recently she was elected to the Ontario New Democratic Party Executive. “I told them I was willing and able to learn, and work with the new executive members for the betterment of the party and that I’m eager to represent party members in Northern Ontario and have lots of energy.” Although she’s been active in her riding for the last 10 years she was pleasantly surprised to win the vote, which involved several northern ridings. As a shop steward, Charito credits her strong communication skills for helping her to resolve issues with management, usually without the necessity of filing a formal grievance. She enjoys helping others and learning about the union contract. She has served
on the last four negotiating committees for her workplace. The only disappointing aspect to serving as a steward, she CHARITO DRINKWALTER says, is when management takes a “that’s the rule and were sticking to it” stance. Otherwise, she says being a steward is very rewarding. “I would urge everyone to get involved with the union,” she says. “It’s a fantastic learning experience. You have a wonderful sense of accomplishment from knowing your efforts are building a better workplace and future for members.” Charito has also been very involved in the Toastmasters Communication & Leadership volunteer program for the last few years. Her communication skills and experience have undoubtedly helped in her many roles. She recently joined the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Corporation for the city of Kenora. In the last municipal election she fell just short of being elected to city council and is already planning her campaign for 2006. Members at Colonial Cookies in Kitchener are lucky to have a dedicated chief steward like Joanne Ford on
their side. She has worked at Colonial Cookies for more than 15 years and been a union steward for the last thirteen. Joanne does a great job of balancing her home life, including caring for two sons ages seven and eight, with her responsibilities at work. Additionally, she has taken many courses offered by the Local. These include WSIB Appeals & Resolutions, both Level I and II, Return to Work and Medical Orientation. She is the Human Rights Liaison for her workplace, helps with the Leukemia Walk-A-Thon and also participated in the last set of contract negotiations. “Joanne is a dedicated steward and knows what members need and want out of their union membership,” says Union Rep Angus Locke.
JOANNE FORD
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 7
3/21/05 9:43:16 AM
PEOPLE HEALTH & SAFETY
UFCW International Scholarship Winner CONGRATULATIONS to Local 175 member, HEATHER MILES. She was one of seven students – and the only Canadian winner – chosen from more than 5,000 international applicants, based on academic and extra-curricular activities. As a student at Stamford Collegiate in NIAGARA FALLS, she maintained an outstanding gradepoint average, of 99, while participating in choir, drama, musicals, basketball and founding the school’s mathematics club. She is now majoring in Environmental Studies at the University of Guelph. These scholarships, which provide $4,000 paid in four equal installments over a fouryear university term, are awarded annually to UFCW members, or their children, who are first-year students.
For information on these two scholarships, e-mail the UFCW Canada National office, ufcw@ufcw.ca or call 416.675.1104 or contact the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Centre.
When she’s at home in Niagara Falls, Heather still works at the PHARMA PLUS STORE #1800.
2004 Winners of the Canada National Council $500 Beggs, Dowling, Mathieu Scholarships were John F. Cappucci who formerly worked at Zellers #1339 in Windsor; Chris Ryan Glazier who works at Food Basics Store #632 in Goderich; Christa Irene Lewicki who works at Zellers #1263 in Oshawa, Jessica Medeiros who works at Dominion #46 in Mississauga and Thomas W. Moran who works at Loblaws #1050 in Ottawa. CHRISTA LEWICKI with Union Rep MIKE BRENNAN.
JESSICA MEDEIROS with Union Rep MATT DAVENPORT.
George Chuvalo: Still standing . . . and fighting back against substance abuse Locals 175 & 633 sponsored the Oakville stop on George Chuvalo’s Fight Against Drugs Tour. “As a Union Local, we’re committed to improving the lives of working people . . . not just in the workplace, but also at home and in the community,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. “That’s why we agreed to sponsor a segment of George’s tour. We know he has a very important message for youth that needs to be disseminated as widely as possible. We hope that other organizations will also help to augment George’s efforts and facilitate the spread of this vital message.”
After the death of his sons Jesse and George Lee, and the subsequent suicide of his wife Lynn, George decided to travel across Canada to talk to youth about the horror that drugs cause. He was awarded an Order of Canada in October 1998 in recognition of his hard work and dedication to helping youth. His mission in life has evolved from being one of Canada’s foremost athletes to being Canada’s premier crusader against drug and substance abuse. To read more about George’s message to the Oakville students, visit www.ufcw175. com or Fight Against Drugs Tour at www. fightagainstdrugs.ca/home.htm or his life at http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-41-907/ sports/chuvalo/
George demonstrates for his audience (using his hand on the right) how drug dealers will open their fists, showing white powder in a clear bag, to tempt users. He holds white tissue paper as a speech prop.
38099 April Checkout.indd 8
3/21/05 9:43:21 AM
FUNDRAISING Leukemia Fundraising June is leukemia awareness month
In many areas of Ontario, the UFCW Locals 175 & 633 WalkFor-A-Cure has traditionally taken place on the first Sunday in June. Members, staff and their families have organized and participated in walks in places such as Durham, London, Sarnia, Havelock and Hamilton – although not always on the same date – to raise funds for leukemia research. For the first time this year, new evening walks, called Light the Night®, are planned for the Oshawa Memorial Park on Wednesday June 1, 2005 and a Mississauga location on Friday, June 10. To find out more about these events, or activities in other areas, call your regional office, talk to your union rep or visit our Web site at www.ufcw175.com. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) is the UFCW’s official charity.
J
Dan Lacroix Director Eastern Region Wayne Hanley President, Local 175 UFCW Canada
Gail Forbes, former Executive Director of the LLSC’s Eastern Ontario Region, assisted by leukemia-fighter mascot, Spike, presents a print to the Ontario Power Generator (OPG) firefighters at the 2004 Durham Walk. The OPG firefighters have attended this event for the past several years.
Dear Mr. Lacroix and Mr. Hanley: My name is Susana Baeza. I was a recipient of one of the 2002 Mattie Mckay/Pat Thompson/ Julius Hoebink/Clarence Gibson Scholarships. I would like to thank you for making these scholarships available to the children of your union members of the Eastern Region. The price of textbooks and tuition fees these days are so high, that every dollar gets put to good use. The $750 which I received was put towards the purchase of three text books. I have since graduated, and I will never be able to show you enough gratitude for having given me tools that were used to further my education. Sincerely, Susana Baeza (Daughter of Ana Baeza, Canadian Linen Supply, Ottawa) Editor’s note: The amount of the Mattie Mckay/Pat Thompson/Julius Hoebink/Clarence Gibson Scholarship was increased to $1,000 in 2003.
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 9
3/21/05 9:43:31 AM
CONFERENCES
Winter 2005 Stewards Conferences are successful events
President Wayne Hanley addresses stewards at the London seminar … More than 400 stewards, including numerous “first-timers,” participated in the Locals 175 & 633 annual steward conferences held in London and Toronto. The London conference for stewards in the South West Region, which normally takes place in the Fall, was postponed to January 8 & 9, 2005 due to scheduling conflicts. The Toronto conference was February 5 & 6. At both conferences, stewards attended several hours of training to better prepare them to assist co-workers. Subjects included core courses on Stewardship, Health & Safety, Collective Bargaining and Arbitration,
as well as newer courses such as Action Team Training. The London conference raised $8,150 for leukemia research. The money was generated primarily through selling tickets for a draw of donated prizes, which included a 20-inch super flatscreen TV, plus numerous other electronic items, including home entertainment systems and DVD players as well as clothing, cash and gift cards. The Toronto conference contributed more than $5,000 towards finding a cure. The fundraising prize draw included two motorized scooters, as well as flat screen TVs, plus other electronic and clothing items.
… and chats with Kuldip Singh Heera, who works at Norseman Plastics, at the Toronto seminar.
OTHER STEWARDS CONFERENCES SCHEDULED FOR 2005 September 10-11: North West Region, in Thunder Bay October 15-16: South West Region in London November 5-6: Eastern Region, in Kingston November 26-27: Central Region, in Niagara Falls
38099 April Checkout.indd 10
3/23/05 10:29:36 AM
… and participated in classroom sessions.
CONFERENCES
Stewards at both conferences attended an opening plenary session …
The classroom sessions provided a wealth of useful information …
… and were facilitated by Local 175 staff.
Stewards and staff sold tickets to raise money for leukemia research …
“Action Team training is one of the best courses I’ve taken,” says Pam Caston (right) of Zellers #339 in Windsor.
The evening dinner dances are, traditionally, a family affair.
… and prizes were awarded to the winning tickets.
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 11
3/23/05 10:34:13 AM
CONFERENCES
YAP’s ready for BROADWAY! The Youth Arts Project (YAP) travelled to the various stewards’ conferences during the Fall of 2004 and Winter 2005. Nine Local 175 members have performed five different skits – and now they’re ready for Broadway! All of the skits performed were based on actual stories of Local 175 youth. YAP incorporates the element of popular theatre to express youth views to the steward body, in a new and exciting way. The goal of this project is to present the fresh perspective of young members, showing how they will get involved with workplace issues and defend their rights through union involvement. Through these skits the YAP performers send the message that young members want to, and can, be involved in their union. As more young members get involved in their workplace, it will make all of us and our union stronger.
Jen Worotny, Food Basics, Lauzon Windsor, Training & Education Centre (TEC) Instructor Ashleigh Vink and Mike Rozic, Port Colbourne Poultry, portray injustices perpetrated on young food service workers in the Chicken Shack sketch.
Marco Pitino, a member from Dominion Ellesmere, acts a skit with TEC Instructor Ashleigh Vink. Darren Mullin, Fortinos Ancaster and Mark Stockton, Food Basics Harwood, perform “The Produce Department” showing problems often encountered by young food retail workers whose bosses think they can take advantage of them due to their “inexperience.”
What were President Hanley’s thoughts? “It’s education in a whole new light ... leave it up to our young members to come up with it. Outstanding!!!”
And here’s what Local 175 “performers” are saying about the project: “I had a great time with YAP. It was a fabulous experience. I would love to get involved again and I hope this gets out to the youth in the union, that they realize and learn what the union can do for them and for their future.”
Marco Pitino Dominion Ellesmere.
“I had a great time, and good experiences right from the beginning when we first started this two years ago. I’d recommend to other youth to get involved. The more the merrier; it’s a good social thing, but also a good educational thing. The Youth Arts Project teaches what the union is there for and what can happen in non-unionized workplaces.”
Darren Mullin, Fortinos, Ancaster.
38099 April Checkout.indd 12
3/21/05 9:44:39 AM
President Hanley participates in a group photo …
TRAINING & EDUCATION
Free Courses: members earn high school credits – online and in classrooms
Going back to school just got easier now that members and their families can access high school courses online, through the local unions’ training centre – for free. This opportunity is unprecedented in labour education. Locals 175 & 633 were also the first local unions in Canada to offer health and safety and labour education courses online to members, starting in 2003. “The addition of high school courses will allow those with unrealized educational goals to return to school from the comfort of their own home,” says President Wayne Hanley. “High school online allows members, no matter what their location or job status, to have access to educational improvement. I hope this inspires members and their families to pursue further education and take advantage of all the courses the union has to offer,” says President Hanley. For those with no Internet access, the union continues to partner with boards of education across the province to bring these opportunities to as many members as possible. One such partnership involved former Brown Shoe workers who were honoured at a
… and accepts a plaque of appreciation from T.R. Leger Principal, Brenda King,
high school graduation ceremony on February 17, 2005. Local 175, which represented the workers, organized and funded the high school credit courses in conjunction with the Upper Canada District School Board and T.R. Leger School of Continuing Education. Twenty-one students and their guests attended the reception. Of the 85 laid-off workers, 11 completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), 15 continue to work toward their OSSD and 59 returned to school to upgrade their skills and education. In addition, students took CPR, first aid training and skills upgrading through the union’s education centre. “It’s difficult to find work these days. Having a high school diploma is
and congratulates scholarship winner, Terri Jordan.
a must in most situations,” says President Hanley. “The hard work and dedication of these individuals makes me proud to be able to provide these kinds of opportunities through the Union.” President Hanley, members of the union staff and representatives from the Upper Canada District School Board and T.R. Leger School were also on hand for the diploma presentation ceremony at Farrell Hall (Knights of Columbus). “I hope the community supports their neighbours and friends in this difficult transitional period,” says President Hanley. “It’s one thing to have the necessary knowledge and training. But to have the support of your family and friends can mean a world of difference when looking for a new job.”
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 13
3/21/05 9:44:53 AM
NEGOTIATIONS
For all the most recent UFCW news, including negotiations, visit our
Pharma Plus workers across Ontario reach new deal New contract for retirement residence workers Members at the Innisfil Beach Gardens Retirement Residence ratified a new agreement on December 8, 2004 which provides:
More than 1,500 full and part-time workers at 152 Pharma Plus locations across Ontario secured a new three-year collective agreement at ratification votes held February 6-7, 2005. Highlights include: • Wage increases between 90 cents and $2.08 cents per hour, plus workers assigned to relieve a store manager for one day or more receive a $2 hourly premium. • Workers designated as ‘in charge’ receive a $1 hourly premium for the first three hours for store openings and the last four hours of work for store closings. • Full-time workers receive an additional 25 cents per hour for every hour worked after 6 p.m. • Employer contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) increase by 20 cents per hour. • Effective the date of ratification, the company will cover the cost of eye examinations – one in each 24-month period – for each person covered by the plan. • Company contributions to the dental plan increase in each year of the agreement. • New “No Violence in the workplace” clause provides every worker with a safe work environment.
• Improved language covering dues reporting, schedule posting and scheduling. Union Negotiating Committee: Julie Flynn, Paula King, Dianne MacInnes, Frank McNutt, Sue Schouten, Sophia Verrydt, Lynn Willis, Union Rep David Noonan and Central West Regional Director Harry Sutton.
• Wage improvements totalling 7 per cent, increases in number of paid sick days and also in company contributions to the CCWIPP. • Member contributions to the UFCW Benefit Plan decrease to 2 per cent of their gross insured weekly earnings, while company contributions rise to 8 per cent. • Plus improved call-in language and grievance resolution. Union Negotiating Committee: Kathleen Baptist, Pam Sewell and Union Rep Dan Serbin.
Better Beef workers secure wage and pension improvements in new contract On February 6, 2005, approximately 1,100 workers members at Better Beef in Guelph secured a new three-year collective agreement. • Highlights include wage improvements of 25 cents per hour in each year, plus a $2,800 signing bonus and an additional seniority bonus of $1,000 for each year of service. • Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan also increase to $22 per week upon ratification, $23 per week in 2006 and $24 per week in 2007. • Dental plan coverage improves with the addition of denture care at 60 per cent coverage, with a $1,000 lifetime maximum per family member.
• Vision care coverage increases to $700 per family, or $300 per single, per 24month period. • In addition, the company will cover eye exams, which are no longer covered by OHIP, on the basis of one per 24-month period for each family member. • The company will now pay for lift truck training for those workers requiring it and also compensate them for the time spent at the course. • Improved contract language applies to seniority, bereavement leave, hours of work, overtime and layoffs. Union Negotiating Committee: Peter A Bortolon, Barb Courchesne, Louise Croft, Bryan Denise, Rudy Gwinner, Jim Keller, Bob Munro, Scott O’Donnell, Chris Watson and Union Rep Angus Locke.
38099 April Checkout.indd 14
3/21/05 9:45:13 AM
W
Web site: www.ufcw175.com.
Union achieves good new contract for soy workers Members at Bunge Canada (formerly CanAmera Foods) in Hamilton ratified a new agreement on December 14, 2004. Highlights include: • Wage increases of 3.25 per cent, retroactive to November 2, 2004, plus 3 per cent November 2, 2005, and 3 per cent on November 2, 2006. • Increases in night shift premiums (to 70 cents per hour), company contributions to the workers’ pension plan, sick pay, pager-duty pay, tool, meal and safety boot allowances. • Improved language applies to temporary transfers, expedited grievance procedure, discipline meetings, termination and retirement notification, unpaid leave, vacation bookings and seniority applicable to layoffs and recalls. • Three additional relief operator positions have been added. • The maximum supplementary health expense benefit increases
to $7,000 in every three consecutive years, dental plan coverage increases to $1,300 per employee and dependant, per year and effective every March 1, payments rise to match the current year’s Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide. • Additionally if an Edible Oil Refinery is built adjacent to the Hamilton crush plant, the company will recognize the existing Union as the exclusive bargaining agent for the plant and post all new bargaining unit jobs. The Hamilton facility is a seed-crushing plant, which produces soy meal and soy vegetable oil. Union Negotiating Committee: Steve Adkins, Dennis Packham, Chuck Smith, Union Rep Kelly Tosato and Central West Regional Director Harry Sutton.
Nursing home workers win improvements Members at the Trent Valley Lodge in Trenton voted in favour of a new threeyear collective agreement on November 15, 2004. Highlights include:
coverage and uniform allowance, as well as language regarding call-ins, extended sick leave, anti-harassment and a no-violence or abuse policy.
• Wage increases of $1.65 for Registered Union Negotiating Committee: Peggy Fellows, Angela Quinn, Bette Read and Union Rep Staff and $1.39 for all others. • Improvements to vacation, vision care Marilyn Lang.
• Wage increases of 30 cents in the first year, retroactive to November 1, 2004, plus an additional 30 cents in both the second and third years. • Hourly-paid members, scheduled Sunday to Thursday, earn time and a half (exclusive of shift premiums) for overtime worked on Friday and double time for Saturday overtime work. • Workers temporarily assigned to a higher-rated classification, for two hours or more, are paid the higher rate, while members temporarily assigned to a lower-rated classification retain their current rate.
Retirement home workers ratify Members at Caressant Care Retirement Home in Listowel ratified a new three-year contract on December 16, 2004, which includes:
Workers at Pinty’s Premium Foods produce chicken items such as boneless cuts, fingers, fillets and burgers.
• Wage increases of 2 per cent in December 2004, 2.5 per cent in December 2005 and 2.5 per cent in December 2006, plus an extra $1 per hour for Registered Practical Nurses. • Company contributions to the CCWIPP, for retirement benefits, jump from 41 cents per hour currently to 60 cents per hour, with additional increases of 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2006 and another 2.5 per cent on January 2007. • Employer contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 29 cents in 2004, 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2006 and another 2.5 per cent on January 1, 2007. • Vacation entitlement improves, as does the statutory holiday pay calculation, which means members could receive about twice as much stat holiday pay as previously. • Vision care coverage increases to $175 and the monthly uniform allowance to $6.25.
Union Negotiating Committee: Ron Bautista, Missy Christie, Brian Hughes, Lorrie Raynard, Kathy Stafford and Union Rep Kelly Tosato.
Union Negotiating Committee: Donna Bartlett, Mary Vanderyk and Union Rep Wendy Absolom.
New contract for food processing workers Members at Pinty’s Premium Foods in St. Catharines ratified a new three-year contract on December 23, 2004. Highlights include:
NEGOTIATIONS
r
• Company contributions to the CCWIPP, for retirement benefits, increase by 5 cents per hour in each year of the agreement, plus an additional 10 cents per hour in the final year. • Workers will participate in the UFCW Trusteed Dental Fund, for the first time, with the employer contributing 26 cents for all straight-time hours paid to fulland part-time members. • Vision care coverage and the boot allowance each increase by $5 in each year of the contract.
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 15
3/23/05 8:08:10 AM
GRIEVANCES
GRIEVANCE & ARBITRATION
NEWS
At the Holiday Inn Select in Windsor, a member was terminated for alleged theft of time and company resources because he had used the company’s outbound phone line to hook up his personal computer to the Internet, for more than 2,000 minutes, in a period of about two months. The Union argued there was no evidence that the grievor was not performing his job, even while logged onto the Internet for downloading data, and that there was no dishonest intent. The arbitrator agreed. He rescinded the termination and replaced it with a five-day unpaid suspension instead. The suspension was based on the arbitrator’s judgment that the grievor should have sought the employer’s permission to use the phone line as he did. The arbitrator also ordered the employer to reinstate the grievor with no loss of seniority and with compensation for financial loss.
At Cancoil Thermal Corporation in Kingston, the union filed a grievance because of the employer’s refusal to make dental plan contributions for three workers, each of whom was covered under his spouse’s plan with another employer. The employer denied any obligation to contribute for members covered by a spousal plan. It contended that the purpose of these contributions was to fund benefits and concluded that it was not required to contribute for members who do not require the benefits. The arbitrator, however, agreed with the union and required the employer to make contributions for these three members, both in future and retroactively over the period sought in the Union’s grievance. This is an important win for members, ensuring they maintain benefits through both their own plan and that of their spouse. Also, having coverage in two plans may result in greater benefit reimbursement for these members, as one plan may cover what the other does not, due to differences in listed services, deductible amounts or annual limits.
A member at Good Humor-Breyers in Simcoe, who had been terminated from his job, was reinstated without loss of benefits after the Union intervened. The worker had been absent due to a back injury, and had advised the company that he was unable to work, but the company discharged him nevertheless. It cited the member’s “unauthorized” absence and the alteration of his medical note as just cause for dismissal. The arbitrator said the grievor had abused the company’s trust by having the note altered and continuing to deceive the company about his absence. There was no evidence, however, that the member was not ill. Therefore the arbitrator, noting that the grievor was a long service employee with no prior discipline on record, required the company to substitute an unpaid employment suspension in lieu of discharge.
Former members at the Price Chopper on Creditview recently won severance payments in excess of $110,000 after Local 175 filed unfair labour practices and bargaining-inbad-faith charges at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. When the owner of the store, which is franchised by Sobeys, announced the lease expiration and closure, he said he would not pay severance. The franchisee had not raised the issue of closure during negotiations which took place in the summer and early autumn of 2004, and had, in fact, made misrepresentation that there was a lease in place. In late November, however, workers received letters stating that the store would close on December 31, 2004. The store, which employed approximately 50 people including managers and the franchise owner, did close in December. Workers with five or more years of service received severance payments ranging from $200 for part-time workers with minimal work hours to $24,000 for long-service, full-timers. “This severance will assist these workers to leave with some dignity and give them a few more options,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. “The money won’t fully compensate them for the loss of their jobs and the time they’ve invested with this employer, but it will help them to adjust to the changes a little more easily.”
38099 April Checkout.indd 16
3/21/05 9:45:18 AM
HEALTH & SAFETY APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 17
3/21/05 9:45:24 AM
HEALTH & SAFETY
Nine ways to ensure a safer workplace 1. Before you start a new job or task, if you are unsure of how to perform it safely – or have a concern – notify the employer and certified health & safety rep, or committee member, immediately. 2. Support your health & safety members and representatives. They volunteer their time and efforts to create a safer workplace for you and your co-workers. 3. Report all accidents, injuries and “near-misses” to your workplace health & safety representative. If a number of your co-workers have similar health problems, also report them to the rep. The complaints may be job-related. 4. Volunteer to be a member of your workplace health & safety committee. Under Ontario law, workers have a “right to participate.” The Joint Health & Safety Committees (JHSC), which include both worker and employer representatives, MUST include a specified minimum number of worker representatives, in all workplaces with more than 20 employees.
5. Sign up for health & safety courses so you can learn to recognize workplace hazards and how to correct them. 6. Attend events on April 28, to mark the International Day of Mourning – and encourage others to join you. A JHSC will often recommend, to the employer, that committee members be permitted to attend these events, without losing pay. 7. Ask your employer and public institutions to lower flags to half-mast on April 28, in remembrance of all workers injured and killed on the job. 8. Invite faith communities and social justice groups to recognize and join the observance of the International Day of Mourning. 9. Lobby your local politicians to recognize the International Day of Mourning, through proclamation, so that the entire community becomes aware of the need for safer workplaces.
Your employer must provide you with a safe work environment Section 25(2)(h) of the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act requires the “employer to take every precaution reasonable for the health & safety of the worker” and your employer has a legal obligation to ensure all workers are properly trained in safety issues. This includes, but is not limited to, training pertaining to: - the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), including any new chemicals introduced into the workplace - potentially dangerous equipment such as knives, cutting tools, lift trucks and other devices used to move heavy boxes - “Lock-out” or the safe shut-off of electrical power sources when cleaning or servicing equipment - working in confined spaces, where lack of oxygen or gas build-ups create danger
- emergency evacuation of your working area - safe work practices, in general. Additionally, employers are required to inform workers of every hazard present in the workplace. This includes: - any of 12 chemicals designated as particularly hazardous, such as asbestos or benzene, or chemicals that are dangerous when mixed together, such as toilet bowl cleaner and chlorine - ergonomic hazards that may cause injury through repeated or awkward movements - moving equipment, such as lift trucks - potentially violent acts by irate or intoxicated customers, shoplifters or robbers. Every worker has the “right to know” about workplace hazards.
The Role of your Health & Safety Committee Your workplace committee is a tremendously important resource to keep you safe and healthy at work. It conducts monthly safety inspections, reviews of workplace procedure meetings and other actions to reduce hazards. It also provides educational information about safe work practices and changes in government legislation. IF YOU HAVE NOT seen Locals 175 & 633 informational posters or brochures in your workplace on subjects such as: Workplace Health & Safety Committee, Workplace Inspections, WHMIS, Ontario Fire Code and Repetitive Strain Injury, please ask your workplace Health & Safety Representative to request copies of these, as well as Health & Safety newsletters, and ensure that his or her mailing address is current. Contact Janice Klenot at the Mississauga office or e-mail Janice. Klenot@ufcw175.com. More topics will be mailed out later this year.
38099 April Checkout.indd 18
3/21/05 9:45:25 AM
The number one injury that Locals 175 & 633 members experience is soft tissue damage, which is usually caused by repetitive motions, awkward movements or posture and subjecting the body to unnatural force. These injuries, which are referred to as repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), affect bones, muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments. They are so prevalent that they now account for more than 50 per cent of all claims reported to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). But it is only in recent years, because of Union activism, that the WSIB has recognized soft tissue injury claims. And even though these injuries have reached epidemic proportions, The Occupational Health & Safety Act does not contain regulations to reduce or eliminate ergonomic hazards. Even Section 25(2)(h) requiring the employer to take “every reasonable precaution” can not be applied for ergonomic concerns. Please refer to copies of the brochure and poster (shown below) to learn more about RSI and how to bet-
ter recognize the symptoms. Work with your JHSC to reduce or eliminate the work situations that cause the problems. Good training and awareness, as well as effective health & safety committees, perform a vital role in reducing hazards, accidents and injuries. Many of the Locals’ collective agreements have language providing extended health benefits and also provision for job-specific, employer-paid training so that workers are assured of receiving the help they need. As a result of the work that Local 175 does, in conjunction with others in the labour movement, legislative and other changes are being made to protect you from soft tissue injuries and other workplace dangers, including unsafe equipment, noise and carcinogens. Governments and other organizations are becoming more responsive to workplace safety. Recent changes include: - As of March 31, 2004, Bill C-45 enabled criminal charges to be laid against an organization, employer or worker, who is responsible for an injury to a person.
- As of January 15, 2005, for the first time in industrial workplaces, Ontario Ministry of Labour Inspectors have the authority to issue tickets related to 81 different health & safety violations. The fines range from $200 to $300. - The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has introduced new and stricter manufacturing standards for lift trucks.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Preventing workplace injuries & illnesses
- Additionally, during 2004, five Local 175 members made presentations calling for reinstatement of the WSIB Occupational Disease Panel to ensure there is a committee of specialists assisting with work-related claims decisions. All of these changes are not enough – but they are, mostly, a step in the right direction. If you are a worker in a supervisory position, and have concerns about Bill C-45, speak to your Union rep. For a complete listing of health & safety courses, please call the Training & Education Centre, 905.564.2500 or 1.800.728.8902 or visit www.ufcw175.com.
After the closure of the Beta Brands plant in Hamilton, Local 175 accessed special government-funding to conduct a “safe” lift-truck training program for the laid-off workers. Shown, from left, are: Lloyd Welch, Joe Caputo, Garry Wilson, Lynda Mogridge, Lisa Dowell, Earl Tarbutt and WH&SC Instructor Don McMillan, with Mike Safranykos on the truck. Joe Caputo, who works at Conagra Foods, participated to better prepare him for teaching lift-truck courses in the workplace.
APRIL 2005 38099 April Checkout.indd 19
3/21/05 9:45:29 AM
Julius Court provides affordable housing
Local 175 supports affordable housing through its involvement in Julius Court, a 70-unit housing complex in St. Catharines. “Originally, Julius Court was conceived as a way to assist UFCW members,” says Union Rep Kelly Tosato, who serves on its board of directors. “Unfortunately, due to changes in government regulations, the Board can no longer give preference to members – but anyone is welcome to apply and have his or her name added to a waiting list. Eighty per cent of the units are designated as rent-geared-to-income.” The housing complex is named after Julius Hoebink who was President of UFCW Local 550A during the period when Bob Rae’s NDP governed Ontario. That government encouraged not-for-profit groups to build more affordable housing. Julius convinced the members of Local 550A, who worked at the Motts plant in St. Catharines, to submit an application, seeking government funding for the project. The application was accepted and Julius Court officially opened in 1994.
Julius, along with Sharon Secord and Norm Turcott who are former members from Motts, along with retired Local 175 Director Larry Fisher, were part of the original governing board. They continued their involvement after the Motts plant closed and UFCW Local 617P took on responsibility for servicing the remaining Local 550A membership. Local 175 has been overseeing the complex since Local 617P merged with it in 2000. To obtain an application, contact Kelly Tosato at the Locals 175 & 633 Hamilton office 905.545.8354 or 1.800.567.2125.
Return postage will be paid by: UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS Locals 175 & 633 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2K7
Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671
38099 April Checkout.indd 20
3/21/05 9:45:34 AM