THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LOCALS 175 & 633 UFCW CANADA VOLUME XIV NO. 4
AUGUST 2005
Locals 175 & 633 making a difference PAGES
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CONTENTS
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary-Treasurer’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UFCW LOCAL 175 President Wayne Hanley Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Clifford Recorder Betty Pardy Executive Assistants Shawn Haggerty, Jim Hastings, Teresa Magee
LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FUNDRAISING REPORT Locals 175 & 633 Contribution totals $250,000 for 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . Ted on the roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fundraising Walks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ninety-two golfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UFCW LOCAL 633 President Dan Bondy Secretary-Treasurer Marylou Mallett Recorder Neil Hotchkiss
PROVINCIAL OFFICE 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329 Fax 905-821-7144
HEALTH & SAFETY Locals 175 & 633 – making a difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits Representatives Sherree Backus, Emmanuelle Lopez-Tambasco Benefits Intake Representative Brenda Simmons
CONFERENCES 2005 Staff Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Communnications Representatives Cheryl Mumford, Jennifer Tunney Health & Safety Representative Janice Klenot
NEGOTIATIONS Offer affecting 30,000 UFCW retail members rejected . . . . . . . . . New agreement for food workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Car rental workers win first contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First agreement at Super C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Canada Safeway workers in North West Ontario ratify new contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New contract for members at Southampton Flour Milling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Members at North American Lumber unanimously ratify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New agreement at McDaniel’s YIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eight hundred poultry workers secure new contracts . . TRAINING & EDUCATION Members and Stewards Course Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Senior Legal Counsel Georgina Watts Legal Counsel Michael Hancock, Naveen Mehta, Rebecca Woodrow Legal Representative Fernando Reis Organizing Representatives Steve Robinson, Kevin Shimmin Pay Equity Michael Duden
Graphic design - ARTiFACT graphic design
CENTRAL EAST REGION Director Luc Lacelle Union Representatives Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, Tim Deelstra, John DiFalco, Paul Jokhu, Anthony DiMaio, Rob Nicholas CENTRAL WEST REGION 412 Rennie Street Hamilton L8H 3P5 905-545-8354 Toll free: 1-800-567-2125 Fax: 905-545-8355 Director Harry Sutton Union Representatives Joe DeMelo, John DiNardo, Linval Dixon, Rick Hogue, Fernando Reis, Dan Serbin, Kelly Tosato cep Local 571
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, Angela Mattioli, 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 Victor Carrozzino Education Representatives Georgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Kelly Provost-Nicholas, Ashleigh Vink, Dave White
President’s Message
Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926
Plan now for Fall events
I
t’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. Labour Day Weekend is fast approaching, as is the planning for this year’s many festivities. It was inspiring to see so many of our members turn out for last year’s parades and events. The “We will organize Wal-Mart” signs were very successful and garnered a lot of interest from other unionized workers and the public. Supporting Labour Day activities is important because it sends a strong message – that Ontario’s hardworking men and women are a significant element of society and a force to be reckoned with.
WAYNE HANLEY
I hope to see even more members out this year so please check with your regional office or district Labour Council for events in your area. I want to thank everyone who came out to leukemia fundraising activities over the summer. The staff and I are always impressed with the generosity and dedication of the members and we appreciate your continued support. After Labour Day, of course, is the beginning of school. For college and university students, the start of a new school year often brings stress over exorbitant tuition fees. In the Secretary-Treasurer’s column, Jerry Clifford discusses the poorly-funded education system in Ontario and the students burdened with the cost. To help mitigate high costs, the Local offers several means of furthering your education. In the past year, the Training & Education Centre continued its impressive work by establishing High School Credit courses online and dramatically increasing the number of other online courses available. Last year, 4,447 members participated in courses offered through the local union. In the first six months of 2005 alone, more than 3,760 members took part in courses and we hope to see more every year. In March, Mohawk College and the local union reaffirmed our mutual commitment to labour education and the Locals’ Labour Studies Certificate Program. During 2004, more than 3,300 members attained college credits by taking courses through the Local. I believe that offering these college credit courses is helpful to members who want to attend a post-secondary institution. It can lower tuition costs by reducing the number of credits you need to satisfy your diploma requirements and it gives you a head start on Labour Studies.
THE STAFF AND I ARE
For those pursuing college or university, the Local awards 56 scholarships every year to members or their family members. Each year it is inspiring to receive your applications and know that so many people are pursuing their educational goals. I encourage you and your co-workers to take advantage of any courses that interest you. Also remember that your immediate family members can take these courses free of charge as well.
ALWAYS IMPRESSED
WITH THE GENEROSITY AND DEDICATION OF THE MEMBERS AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AUGUST 2005
Secretary-Treasurer’s Message
O
ntario post-secondary students pay the second highest tuition in Canada. A university student in the 1990-91 school year paid $1,680 for a full year’s tuition. For the school year ending in 2005, students shelled out an average of $4,960 for just one year.
JERRY CLIFFORD
Many take out loans and work part-time jobs to afford their schooling. Mid to low income families face increasing difficulty in sending their children to school because their income does not increase at anywhere near the same rate (295 per cent since 1990) as tuition fees.
And these statistics only represent the people who attend college or university. There is an enormous number of potential students who, because of finances, simply cannot attend. It is estimated that of children from low-income families, who live beyond commuting distance to a university, only 3 per cent will end up attending a post-secondary educational institution. Post-secondary education is becoming accessible only to those with money. The Ontario government must do more to assist and educate anyone who wants to pursue post-secondary education. Though a two-year tuition freeze was instituted last year, it is not enough. In Quebec, college is free for residents. University tuition fees average only about $1,890 per year, as a tuition freeze has been in place for 15 of the last 20 years. Nor does the student loan system work. The level of debt accrued by Ontario students is unacceptable and often a difficult burden after graduation. Debt
levels for graduating students are out of hand. The average Canadian student debt is $25,000 for a fouryear program. That’s a 300 per cent increase from 1990. Compare the fact that in 1982, female undergrads had a debt equivalent to 17 per cent of their average first-year (post-grad) earnings. In 1995, their debt rose to 51 per cent of that same income. As long as the government continues to reduce funding for post-secondary education, the students will be the ones shouldering those costs. I encourage those of you attending, or planning to attend, college or university to apply for one of the UFCW scholarships. The UFCW National scholarship deadline is September 30. You can download forms for this scholarships online from www.ufcw175.com or ask your Union Representative. Information on the 2006 UFCW International Scholarship will be available later in the fall. Source: Statistics Canada
I ENCOURAGE THOSE OF YOU ATTENDING, OR PLANNING TO ATTEND, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO APPLY FOR ONE OF THE UFCW SCHOLARSHIPS
Are you moving? If you are moving or planning to move, please let us know so we can continue to send you Locals 175 & 633 publications, such as Checkout, as well as important documents relating to your union membership. Please mail your new address to us at Locals 175 & 633 UFCW Canada, 2200 Argentia Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2K7, or call us at 905-821-8329 or 1-800-565-8329. If you prefer, e-mail: membership@ufcw175.com If you participate in pension or other benefit plans, through your collective agreement, you should also notify these offices of your address change. As various workplaces have different administrators for pension and benefit plans, you will need to speak to your workplace benefits administrator to find out the contact information for these plans.
Mr. Jehan Ahmed Mr. Anthony DiMaio Mississauga Provincial Office
I am writing on behalf of the Labour Fair Committee, the students of the college and our staff to thank you for your talk at George Brown.
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Attention: Dan Lacroix Regional Director
Dear Sir: On behalf of myself and my parents, Phillip and Heather Alguire, I would like to thank you and the union for one of the ten Locals 175 & 633 Mattie Mckay/Pat Thompson/Julius Hoebink/Clarence Gibson Scholarships awarded in the Eastern Region. These funds were used in my education at Brock University. I also would like to thank the union for the wonderful meal and permitting me to stay at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston before returning to St. Catharines. My parents also appreciated the invitation to the meal and spending some time with myself and sister, as I do not get home very often. It was wonderful to hear at the presentation that this union believes in pursuing higher educational goals. Thank you. Sincerely Brandon Alguire (son of Phillip Alguire, who formerly worked at A&P in Cornwall)
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Ms. Julie Johnston South West Regional Office
Dear Ms. Johnston: I would like to personally thank you for presenting me with the UFCW Canada Beggs, Dowling and Mathieu Scholarship 2005. I would also like to thank your efficient, amicable and professional staff for all their assistance over the past few months. Most of my family have been union members, and I am very proud to hold a scholarship in that name. It is a great honour to be presented with such an award and I only hope that I can live up to its standards. I will do my absolute best to represent the union well and live as an example of what solidarity and unity can accomplish. Once again, thank you and best wishes in all your endeavours. Sincerely John F. Cappucci Formerly of Zellers store #1339 in Windsor
This year, in over 80 classroom sessions, we had a brilliant and substantial roster of unionists and community-based activists who not only showed solidarity with working people but also brought crucial learning to our students. Your perspective is one that we want to ensure our students get a chance to hear during their program. And, thanks to you, our 13th annual Labour Fair was also our biggest ever. As I sat in on many of the classes, I kept being struck by what excellent role models that union speakers are for our students – committed, eloquent and passionate about your work, and impressively expert on so many aspects of our working lives. I saw students ask interesting questions, perhaps question their negative stereotypes about unions a little more deeply and engage with some tough issues. But most of all, I saw many of them expand their awareness and accept the importance of unions for working people. In the class that you did for Sam Lampropoulous, Sam took a quick census before the Labour Fair, and only 3 of the 35 students felt that unions are useful. But Sam assures me that he is certain many more students are much clearer and more accepting of unions than before they heard your talk. We were really impressed that you and Anthony took the time to design some interactive work – it really challenged and engaged the students. The evaluations that the students wrote were very positive, and as one student said about your session: “It was smooth sailing!” We really appreciate your generosity in taking time from your incredibly busy schedule and your other pressing duties to shine a labour light on occupational and social justice issues for our students. We hope your experience with George Brown was an excellent one for you too, and I am enclosing an evaluation form that will help us improve the Labour Fair next year. I hope you will take this opportunity to jot down a few suggestions or comments on it for our planning for next year’s Labour Fair. Thank you again for your contributions, and please le me know if there is anything the School of Labour can do for you or your union. You can call me at 416.415.5000. In solidarity Maureen Hynes Co-ordinator, School of Labour, George Brown College
AUGUST 2005
LETTERS
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FUNDRAISING
Fundraising
To purchase a HOPE beach towel, contact your Union Steward or Union Rep. All proceeds go directly to the LLSC.
Locals 175 & 633 contribution totals $250,000 for 2005 Again this year, our local union members contributed an astounding amount – $250,000 to fund research to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The 2005 total for UFCW members across Canada was $908,000. Locals 175 & 633 members contributed the $250,000 through payroll deduction programs, as well as other fundraising activities.
Thank you to everyone who donated! All funds are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) which was formerly the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada. The LLSC is a registered Canadian charity, which allocates money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.
Ted on the Roof
TED DAWES, a Local 175 member at MINUTE MAID in PETERBOROUGH, spent the May long weekend on the roof of MORELLO’S YOUR INDEPENDENT GROCER (YIG). This is the 4th annual Ted on the Roof event and this year Ted raised $10,500 for leukemia research.
The community support was unprecedented as Spike and numerous friends came out to support the event.
Ted climbed on to the roof – with the help of local firefighters – on Friday, May 20 at 4 p.m. and came down on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. The Peterborough Fire Department was on hand for Ted’s stint on the roof and when he climbed back down.
The fundraising for this event included an extensive campaign of radio interviews, posters, newspaper coverage and TV interviews. This year, Ted and his many generous supporters raised $10,500 – the largest amount ever. The last three years raised $17,500.
AUGUST 2005
HEALTH FUNDRAISING & SAFETY
report
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising Walks
Volunteers & participants made the OSHAWA walk an overwhelming success.
OSHAWA walkers registered at the UFCW tent. Every year, Locals 175 & 633 members and their families participate in the LLSC’s annual walks to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. The walks take place across the country, and have traditionally been held on the first Sunday in June. Through donations and sponsorships, the walkers raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.
This year, for the first time, an evening walk called “Light the Night” was held in Oshawa on Wednesday, June 1, 2005. It attracted more than 500 participants and raised an astounding $68,000. It was the 10th annual Local 175 fundraising event held in Oshawa.
PAUL MEUNIER, who works at Coke, and his wife LYSE, were two of the participants in the THUNDER BAY walk. It was held on June 5, 2005 and raised $2,028.
Union Rep JUDITH BURCH coordinated the OSHAWA walk on behalf of Locals 175 & 633.
Ninety-two golfers Ninety-two golfers participated in a tournament at the Tyandaga Municipal Golf Course, on May 29, 2005. It was organized by the Central West Region and raised $12,000. Numerous trophies and prizes were awarded including low gross winner to Jim Bradshaw and ladies low gross to Lynda Clifford. Next year’s tournament is May 28, 2006.
Foursomes at the Central West tournament included MAPLE LEAF PORK members LIONEL MACEACHERN, ARCHIE ALTERBERG, ANDREW RESTON and JAKE GUITAR. . .
. . . as well as FOOD BASICS members MATT MERK, FRANK DEFELICE, TODD SETTEL, and MITCH STORE.
AUGUST 2005
FUNDRAISING
On June 12, 2005, 55 walkers participated in the LONDON walk, raising $16,368.99. The walkers who raised the most money were RUTH BANCROFT, $1,710 and SARAH KELLY, A&P #112, $1,601. Below, a dozen walkers supported by family, friends and volunteers, raised $1,400 in HAMILTON.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health & Safety Update:
Locals 175 & 633 – making a difference Increases in pensions for injured workers For decades, our local unions have been demanding fairer pension payments for injured workers. Finally, on June 1, 2005, at ceremonies to honour injured workers, the Ontario government announced improvements.
Volunteers at the Cargill BBQ included, from left: Albert Romita, Mike DeMarco, Monica Kaczala, Union Reps Anthony DiMaio and Jehan Ahamed, and Rakesh Sharma. Back row: Pat DeMarco.
Cargill members building a safer workplace Meat packing plants are notoriously dangerous places to work because of cold temperatures, slippery floors, sharp knives and whirring machines. The safety record at Cargill Foods in Rexdale, however, is very good and much of it is due to the hard work of the dedicated Health & Safety Committee. Mike DeMarco has been the workers co-chair on the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) for almost 12 years now. He is certified by the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) as both a worker H&S member and a fork lift truck instructor. In the latter role he is responsible for teaching all new employees, and those returning after layoffs of six months or more, the safe handling of lift and low Ryder trucks. To keep his skills & knowledge current, he takes re-certification training every two years. Other worker members on the Cargill JHSC, as of June 2005, are: Anton Cercic, Jack Palomaki, Magnola Richardson, Dave Tapan and Randy Valdez. JHSC’s are required, by Ontario law, to meet once every three months. Most union committees meet monthly. The Cargill committee actually meets every two weeks to ensure they’re in control of every potential problem, and their hard work has been rewarded. “We’re proud of the fact that workers come to us as soon as there’s a problem,” Mike says. “Management listens to us and workers know the issue will be resolved right away.” In addition to making the plant a safer & healthier place to work, Mike also cooks burgers & sausages at the annual Cargill BBQ. This year the event raised $1,250 to fund research to find a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers.
The changes, retroactive to January 1, 2004, will result in increased payments for 3,000 of Ontario’s injured workers and their survivors. Formerly, a pension from the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board was reduced by $1 for every $1 received from the Canada Pension Plan.
At last – safer working conditions for ag workers Ontario’s agricultural workers have suffered innumerable injuries and deaths because their workplace, which is inherently dangerous, has never been covered by health or safety legislation. At last, thanks to continuing pressure from the UFCW, the Ontario government plans to include agricultural workers in the Occupational Health & Safety Act. These workers still won’t have the right to form a union and bargain before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, but at least they’ll have more protection now that the employer is required to provide more than “voluntary” health & safety protections. The legislation will also extend to migrant workers, who can be particularly vulnerable to abuses by unscrupulous employers.
CONFERENCES
2005 Staff Conference The agenda for the annual conference was packed with numerous educational and informational sessions to enable staff to better serve the membership. Sheridan College instructors Leslie Butler and Kathryn Hughes conducted interactive sessions on running more effective meetings. Naveen Mehta and Fernando Reis, both of the Local 175 legal department, explained best strategies and practices related to grievances and the Hospital Labour Dispute Arbitration Act (HLDAA). Organizing department reps Kevin Shimmin and Steve Robinson discussed the value and methods of organizing unorganized workers in Local 175 or 633 workplaces. South Central Director Sharon Gall presented a quiz on the intricacies of the A&P contract language and Central West Director Harry Sutton updated staff on issues relating to the Pharma Plus collective agreement. President Wayne Hanley reported on recent initiatives within the local unions, which include improved servicing standards and a Youth Scholarship program. Herb MacDonald, who retired on July 7, 2005, was recognized for his dedication at a retirement presentation. “Brother MacDonald has worked tirelessly from the time he joined the
Benefits Department,” says President Wayne Hanley. “Because of his dedication, many members have received
benefit payments that they would have been denied without Herb’s intervention.”
Bylaw & Policy Conference Update The changes to the policies and bylaws, which were passed by the delegates at the biennial conference on April 23, 2005, were approved at the regular membership meetings held across the province in June 2005. The members of both Locals 175 & 633 voted, more than 98 per cent, in favour of accepting the amended bylaws and policies.
AUGUST 2005
NEGOTIATIONS
For all the most recent UFCW news, including negotiations, visit our
30,000 UFCW retail members enter into early bargaining In a series of meetings held in early 2005, Locals 175 & 633 members at Zehrs, Loblaws, Fortinos & Real Canadian Superstores (RCSS) voted, as individual bargaining units, to commence early negotiations. Members of UFCW Locals 1977 and 1000A also voted in favour. The result was that that the four major UFCW Local Unions in Ontario, representing 30,000 retail workers, joined together – for the first time in retail history – to face this common employer. The strategy of opening negotiations in 2005, well in advance of the various contract expiry dates, offered an opportunity to see what the employer would offer, without the threat of a strike or lockout. It also had the potential for improving the current collective agreements, without giving up any of the things already negotiated into those contracts. The 70-member Union negotiating team and the employer held meetings for 12 days in May and early June. The offer put forward by the employer was unacceptable to the negotiating committee members in every respect. They voted, unanimously, on June 1, 2005, not to take the offer back to the membership for a vote. Information meetings concerning the employer’s offer were held throughout the province in mid June and the current collective agreements remain in force until their expiry dates in 2006 (2007 for Fortinos).
President Wayne Hanley (back row) joins the Locals 175 & 633 Zehrs/RCSS team consisting of Lisa Courtemanche, Executive Board VP, Carolyn Levesque, Denis Kendall, Union Rep Julie Johnston, Joe Fields, Mike Milkens, Pat Vanderprit, Robert Hamilton, Dave Balsam, and Executive Assistant to the President, Teresa Magee. Absent from photo: Maureen Street.
“The unity with which the Local Unions approached these negotiations and the unanimous decision that the employer’s offer was not sufficient, sends a strong message to the company – we will not accept an inadequate settlement for our members,” says President Wayne Hanley.
Union Rep Sylvia Groom, President Wayne Hanley, and South Central Regional Director, Sharon Gall (right) join Fortinos members John Walsh, Nancy Melcore, Andre Morano, Mary McCabe, Paul Braga, Pamela Clarke, Justin Pace, and Gabe Stanziani.
Eastern Regional Director, Dan Lacroix and President Wayne Hanley along with Madeleine Devereaux, Bob Gagnon, Lou Butler and Vivian Dunse represented Ottawa-area Loblaws members on the negotiating team.
New agreement for food workers
Car rental workers win first contract
First agreement at Super C
After turning down a previous offer from the company, approximately 257 workers at Cornwall’s Prince Foods facility secured a new four-year contract on May 28, 2005. Contract highlights include:
Approximately 50 recently-unionized workers at Aviscar in Ottawa ratified their first collective agreement on May 16, 2005. The threeyear contract includes:
On May 15, 2005, approximately 55 members in Rockland secured their first contract. Highlights include:
• Entry level hourly wage increases ranging between $1 and $2.70 plus hourly shift premium increases to $1 per hour for hours worked on Saturday and Sunday, plus workers employed as of March 18, 2005, receive a $200 signing bonus upon ratification and a $400 bonus on the third anniversary of the agreement. • Evening and night shift premiums increase by 5 cents per hour each year. • Employer contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 20 per cent. • Improvements in safety boot & tool allowances, vacation entitlement and language. Union Negotiating Committee: Mary Brisbois, John O’Keefe, Gilles Grenier and Union Rep Daniel Mercier.
• Wage increases for workers at the end rate of their progression grid totalling 11.25 per cent plus significant increases to all progression rates. • Inclusion of the workers’ health and welfare coverage in the collective agreement. • Important grievance language gives workers the ability to fight for their rights in the workplace and seniority language recognizes length of service for job postings, vacation selection and layoffs/recall. • Clauses covering hours of work and overtime. • Important “No Harassment/Abuse” language protects workers and ensures each is treated with dignity and respect. Union Negotiating Committee: Said Roble, Omar Salad and Union Rep Simon Baker.
Canada Safeway workers in North West Ontario ratify new contract More than 300 members at three stores secured a new four-year collective agreement at ratification meetings held June 5, 6 and 7, 2005. The new contract covers bargaining unit members in Dryden, Fort Frances and Kenora. Highlights include: • Lump sum payments, based on hours worked, ranging between $200 and $750. • All bargaining unit members who are over scaled Tier 1 workers receive an increase of 25 cents per hour on their Tier 1 rate of pay in the first, second and fourth year of the agreement. • Night Stocking shift premium increases to 75 cents per hour, up from 50 cents. • The company will contribute to CCWIPP and the UFCW Dental Plan. • Improved language covers seniority, Tier 1 and Tier 2 hours, uniforms and job classifications as well as general clarifications throughout. Union Negotiating Committee: Dan Belluz (Fort Frances), Lisa Leef (Kenora), Brian Livingston (Dryden), Jillian Lowe (Kenora), Michelene McKinnon (Fort Frances), Donna Pihulak (Dryden), Union Rep David Noonan and North West Regional Director (and Executive Assistant) Shawn Haggerty.
• Wage increases of up to $2.20 per hour over the term of the agreement. • Additional shift premiums of 75 cents for lead hands and 95 cents for the night shift. • Workers scheduled to relieve a higher rated position receive a $40 weekly premium or $60 to relieve the Department Manager. • Health and Welfare coverage includes dental, paid sick leave, life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), short and long-term disability (full-time only), extended health care and an employee assistance program. • The company agrees to contribute to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) starting May 8, 2008. • Contract language establishes seniority, hours of work, overtime, vacation entitlement, leaves of absence and provides a grievance and arbitration process. Union Negotiating Committee: Denis Proulx, Kim Trites, Union Rep Daniel Mercier and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.
Former member now minister of Labour Former Local 175 A&P member, Steve Peters was appointed Minister of Labour in June 2005. He was a St. Thomas, Ontario alderman and still working at A&P in 1991 when he was elected mayor – the youngest in Canadian history. Subsequently, in 1999, he was elected to the Ontario legislature, later becoming the disabilities critic and then Minister of Agriculture.
AUGUST 2005
NEGOTIATIONS
Web site: www.ufcw175.com.
NEGOTIATIONS
New contract for Members at North American Lumber Members at Southampton unanimously ratify Flour Milling Lumber workers in Fort Frances voted in • A new Safety boot allowance of $75 for Workers at the facility voted in favour of a new three-year agreement on May 25, 2005, which provides: • Annual ATB hourly wage increases of 35 cents plus increases in company contributions to the pension and dental plans. • Additional increases in the Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and prescription drug coverage. Union Negotiating Committee: Lloyd Ens and Union Rep Angus Locke.
New agreement at McDaniel’s YIG Approximately 100 members in Ottawa ratified a new collective agreement on June 5, 2005. The contract, which is retroactive to June 1, 2004, includes the following highlights: • Full-time wage adjustments totalling $1,250. • A wage increase of 50 cents per hour to part-time end rates, plus an additional adjustment of $150-$575. • The night crew and Front End Coordinator hourly shift premiums increase to 90 cents and 75 cents respectively. • The boot allowance increases to $100 for full-time workers and $45 for part-time. • Improved contract language covers time limit extensions, bereavement leave, job classification, guaranteed employment for 12 full-time workers and voluntary recognition of the collective agreement should the existing store close and a new YIG opens in Nepean. Union Negotiating Committee: Danny Ewing, Frank Lepore, Union Rep Paul Hardwick and Central East Regional Director Luc Lacelle.
favour of a new two-year contract on May 15, 2005, which includes: • ATB wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, retroactive to April 1, 2005, and 2 per cent in the second. • Dental plan contribution increases to 30 cents by the final year. • Company will contribute up to 4 per cent toward the workers’ RRSP pension.
all employees. • The addition of one floater holiday for full-time workers with 24 months continuous service and three floating holidays for full-time workers with 10 years of service. Union Negotiating Committee: Tracy Groves, Lisa Peake and Union Rep Colby Flank.
Eight hundred poultry workers secure new contracts More than 700 members working at Sun Valley Foods in London ratified a four-year contract on May 15, 2005. Highlights include: • Wage increases totalling $1.65 per hour. • Maintenance workers receive an additional increase of 50 cents per hour in the first year of the agreement. • A 30-cent increase to CCWIPP contributions. • All workers with five or more years seniority receive one additional floater day for a total of three per year. • Life Insurance for a worker’s spouse increases to $10,000 and to $5,000 for dependants. • Company contributions of 1 cent per hour per worker to the Local’s Training & Education Fund. • Improved bereavement leave language providing three days leave. • Cross training language for both regular and overtime work, and many more changes. Union Negotiating Committee: Edward Amaral, Larry Douglas, Mark Ennett, Vicki Kelly, Paul Manning, Local 175 Recorder Betty Pardy, Mike Tielemans and Union Rep Kevin Dowling.
Three weeks later, on June 4, 2005, approximately 100 workers at Cuddy Foods, also in London secured a new four-year collective agreement, which provides: • Wage increases of $1.30 per hour for Groups 1, 2 & 3 over the term of the agreement with the first raise retroactive to June 2, 2005, and $1.70 per hour for Groups 4 & 5, with the first raise retroactive to June 2, 2005. • Increased starting rate. • Pension contribution improvements. • Increased Life Insurance and AD&D coverage to $50,000 per worker. • Spousal life insurance increases to $7,500 and workers’ children are now covered for $5,000. • Bereavement leave entitlement increases to three days in the event a sister- or brother-in-law or son- or daughter-inlaw dies. • Improved language regarding negotiating and health and safety committees, steward representation, grievance filing, hours of work and overtime, seniority, layoffs & recall, and job postings. Union Negotiating Committee: Bob Geromette, Gord Gripp, John Keys, Gary Wightman and Union Rep Kevin Dowling.
These one-week programs are held at the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Centre in Mississauga. The course costs, materials and instruction plus lost wages, per diems, transportation and accommodation are all part of the program. Member Scholarships is an introductory course for new computer users and ran from June 12-17, 2005. It also has a very good introduction to union history and structure including the role and basics of stewardship. Steward Scholarships, which ran June 19-24, includes union history and activities, arbitrations and current issues in the Labour Movement. It also covers training in the new technology – such as e-mail and the Internet – that stewards may use to fulfill their responsibilities. If you’d like to apply for the next courses, which will be repeated again in the fall, contact the Training Centre for information about applications and deadlines.
Participants in the 2005 Spring Members Scholarship program were, front row, from left: Mike Racaniello, Food Basics #871; Debbie Ross, Food Basics Pharmacy #959; Lorraine Forbes, A&P #424; Gerald Stevason, Horizon Plastics; Back row: Jason Wilson, Conagra Foods; Joan Gibson-Sills, Maplewood Nursing Home; Frank McNutt, Pharma Plus; Sophia Verrydt, Pharma Plus #1263; Grace Patsy Rocheleau, Season’s Restaurant; John Bennardo, Pepsi Cola Thunder Bay; Gualberto Rodriguez, Maple Lodge Farms; Sylvia Muste, Pinty’s; Dave White, Local 175 Instructor.
Upcoming Stewards Conferences 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 West Region, in Niagara Falls
Participants in the 2005 Spring Stewards Scholarship program were front row, from left: Gordon Gripp, Cuddy Foods; Steve Hands, North American Lumber: Antonio Nigro, Cargill Foods; and Ahmed Hussein, Hertz; Back row: Kelly Provost-Nicholas, Local 175 Instructor; John Caldeira, Quality Meats; Shirley Jones, Fortinos #59; Jamie Hickman, Horizon Plastics; Elizabeth Lougheed, The Richmond Retirement Residence; Anne Quigley, A&P #179; Dan Goulet, Coca-Cola; Tim Lacasse, Silverstein’s; Eric Mann, Dresden Industrial; Donald Culliton, Maple Leaf Pork; Steve Robinson, A&P #83; Gordon Kennedy, P&H Foods; Brian Courchaine, YIG; Larry Fisher, Worker-Advocate & Instructor.
AUGUST 2005
TRAINING & EDUCATION
Members and Stewards Course Awards
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2005
Your Home... Your Course... Your Pace...
Course content is available 24/7 for you to access from your place, to work at your own pace.
SEPTEMBER 6 – OCTOBER 4, 2005
NOVEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 1, 2005
E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E
E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E
ABCs of Computing Internet 101 Microsoft Excel - Part II Microsoft Word - Part II Health & Safety in the Food & Retail Sector Heat & Cold Stress Labour History - Part II Machine Guarding Microsoft Outlook Reducing Injuries - Patient Handling - Part II Violence in the Workplace WHMIS Hand Tools NEW Confined Spaces NEW Pesticides NEW Office Layout & Design NEW
E E E E E E E E
Metal Working Fluids Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Reducing Injuries - Patient Handling - Part I Stress in the Workplace Work Organization NEW Dyes and Fabric Treatments NEW Man-Made Mineral Fibres NEW Flammables & Combustibles NEW
ABCs of Computing Internet 101 Microsoft Access - Part I Microsoft Windows Web Design - Making a Web Page Health & Safety - Part I Hours of Work Hazards of Mould Infectious Diseases Intro to the Food & Retail Sector Intro to the Union & Stewardship Safe Food Handling WHMIS Biological Hazards NEW Dusts & Fibres NEW Emergency Preparedness NEW Personal Protective Equipment NEW
NEW
OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 2, 2005 E E E E E E E
Microsoft Access - Part II Microsoft Excel - Part I Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word - Part I Aids Awareness Health & Safety - Part II Intro to Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) E Labour History - Part I All courses are credited through Mohawk College.
NEW
We strongly recommend that “beginners” take the Internet 101 and ABCs of Computing courses first.
For course descriptions and to self-register for courses, please go to http://campus.ufcw175.ca and click on sign up. To speak to someone for more information or to sign up call 1-800-728-8902 ext. 221
LOCALS 175 & 633 are the pioneers of distance education for the labour movement in Canada. We are continuously improving and expanding our courses. Join us!!!
Return postage will be paid by: UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS Locals 175 & 633 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2K7
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