THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LOCALS 175 & 633 UFCW CANADA VOLUME XVI NO. 4 AUGUST
2007
Fundraising Report: Everyone came out to raise money for leukemia research ..................Page 9
Supreme Court ruling paves way for better working conditions ..............Page 3
CONTENTS
President’s Message.............................................................................. 3 Secretary-Treasurer’s Message............................................................... 4 Accommodation: Injured worker is back on the job............................... 5 EVENTS Members demand justice for injured workers................. 6 Members rally for jobs....... 7
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
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UFCW CANADA RAISES $1,400,000 FOR LEUKEMIA RESEARCH 9
LETTERS
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ARBITRATIONS & GRIEVANCES
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COMMUNITY Children’s Art Contest............................ Staff participate at conference................ Local 175 sponors cricket....................... Did you work in Italy?............................
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CONFERENCES Local 175 Staff increase knowledge....... 15
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
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LOCAL 175 President Wayne Hanley Secretary-Treasurer Shawn Haggerty Recorder Betty Pardy Executive Assistants Jim Hastings, Teresa Magee 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 Benefits Representatives Sherree Backus, Emmanuelle Lopez Benefits Intake Representative Orsola Augurusa Benefits Legal Counsel Victoria Shen Communications Representatives Cheryl Mumford, Jennifer Tunney Servicing Representative Lien Huynh Health & Safety Representative Janice Klenot Senior Legal Counsel Naveen Mehta Legal Counsel Marcia Barry, Michael Hancock, Rebecca Woodrow, Natalie Wiley Legal Representative Fernando Reis Organizing Coordinator & Pay Equity Mike Duden Organizing Representatives Steve Robinson, Kevin Shimmin CENTRAL EAST REGION Director Luc Lacelle Union Representatives Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, Judith Burch, Tim Deelstra, John DiFalco, Anthony DiMaio, John DiNardo, Paul Jokhu, Rob Nicholas SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Union Representatives Sylvia Groom Servicing Representatives Angela Mattioli, Brenda Simmons, Mark Stockton, Mario Tardelli TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRE 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329 Fax 905-821-7144 cep Local 571
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 Matt Davenport, Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, Rick Hogue, Fernando Reis, Dan Serbin, Kelly Tosato Servicing Representative Sam Caetano 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 Servicing Representative Jacques Niquet 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, Julie Johnston, Angus Locke, Roy Reed, Rick Wauhkonen NORTH WEST REGION Lakehead Labour Centre 21-929 Fort William Road Thunder Bay P7B 3A6 807-346-4227 Toll free 1-800-465-6932 Fax 807-346-4055 Union Representatives Colby Flank, David Noonan
Director of Education Victor Carrozzino Education Representatives Georgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Kelly Nicholas, Ashleigh Vink, Dave White
President’s Message
Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926 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
Landmark Supreme Court ruling paves way for fairer & better working conditions On June 8, 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada announced a landmark decision for Canadian workers. As a result, the campaign to allow Ontario farm workers to form unions for the purposes of collective bargaining has been given a huge boost. This recent decision handed down by the Supreme Court upholds collective bargaining as an inherent constitutional right under the Freedom of Association provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Specifically, the ruling upheld an appeal by the unions representing health services workers in the province of British Columbia. UFCW made a representation at the appeal due to its own precedent-setting case involving Ontario farm workers. This most recent win has major impact for all working people and the Unions that fight for their rights in the workplace. In the B.C. case, the health care workers’ rights to collective bargaining were undermined by the B.C. government in 2002 when the province passed legislation voiding certain provisions of their contracts. The B.C. unions supported their argument with the precedentsetting decision known as Dunmore v. Ontario (Attorney General). It was a 2001 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of UFCW Canada’s challenge that the Ontario Conservative government of Mike Harris violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by excluding agricultural workers from the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA).
WAYNE HANLEY
I have called on the Ontario government to resolve this matter as soon as possible and require employers to act and bargain in good faith
In upholding the B.C. health workers’ appeal, this latest decision by the Supreme Court stated, “Freedom of Association guaranteed by section 2(d) of the Charter includes a procedural right to collective bargaining . . . the protection of collective bargaining under section 2(d) is consistent with and supportive of the values underlying the Charter and the purposes of the Charter as a whole. Recognizing that workers have the right to bargain collectively as part of their freedom to associate reaffirms the values of dignity, personal autonomy, equality and democracy that are inherent in the Charter.” The ruling is good news for B.C. health care workers but also for Ontario agricultural . . . continues on next page
AUGUST 2007
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Secretary-Treasurer’s Message
Accommodation of ill and injured workers is a complex issue Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination because of handicap or perceived handicap. This includes people suffering from an illness or injury. Persons with disabilities have the right to accessible workplaces and employers have a “duty to accommodate” them. In practice, accommodation means the employer may be required to provide modifications to the workplace to enable a person with a disability to continue working. Accommodating a person with a disability may also require the company to adjust work duties or schedules. SHAWN HAGGERTY
Employers are required to accommodate people with disabilities to the point that the accommodation causes “undue hardship.” The employer may have to incur costs in order to accommodate a worker. Only if these costs are very high will they be considered to be undue hardship. Any accommodation must also consider the seniority rights of others in the workplace.
Your Union is committed to ensuring that employers treat all workers with justice, dignity and fairness. If you have concerns about your workplace, please speak to your Union steward or representative.
SPresident’s Message
. . . continued from previous page
workers, who in spite of the Dunmore ruling in 2001, continue to be prohibited from collective bargaining under Ontario’s Agricultural Employees Protection Act (AEPA), which was introduced in 2003. Under the AEPA workers can only form associations, not unions. They can take their concerns to their employer but the employer is not obliged to respond at all, or to bargain in good faith. Because of these restrictions, UFCW Canada launched a new Charter challenge in 2003 citing the AEPA’s exclusion of collective bargaining rights as unconstitutional. This Supreme Court ruling would appear to support our challenge.
In the wake of this latest Supreme Court ruling, I have called on the Ontario government to resolve this matter as soon as possible. This ruling by the Supreme Court makes it very clear that Freedom of Association absolutely includes the right to collective bargaining, and the obligation for employers to bargain in good faith. Agricultural and other workers can no longer be discriminated against and the time to acknowledge their rights is now.
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 related to your Union membership. Please mail your new address to us at Locals 175 & 633 UFCW Canada, 2200 Argentia Road, Mississauga ON L5N 2K7, or call us at 905-821-8329 or 1-800-565-8329. If you prefer, e-mail membership@ufcw175.com Would you like to receive E-news bulletins, as well as e-mails related to your workplace or sector? We are gathering e-mail addresses from members to build lists that are workplace specific, so that we can send out notifications for ratification votes, proposal meetings and other important information. Just go to www.ufcw175.com and click on “Sign up for e-mail” to register for this free service.
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Frank Dollo won’t forget the day of September 16, 2003. It was the day he hurt his back at his workplace, Byng Price Chopper store #7931 in Oshawa. He had been working to clear 15 or 16 skids with boxes of produce. But before he could finish the last skid, he felt a “really sharp” pain in his back. He told his supervisor that he wasn’t able to work or finish his shift, and went home. Later he learned that he had severely damaged two of his lower vertebrae, causing them to pinch nerves, resulting in excruciating pain and, at times, complete paralysis.
more than 30 years of experience on the job. But when he called to return, he was always told that he’d have to wait a couple of weeks. Every time he called, he got the same answer, until finally they told him that they wouldn’t ever have anything for him. So Frank gave up on the employer and the WSIB, and he called his Union, and that’s when things finally started to happen. “My Union rep, Mona Bailey, really fought tooth and nail for me,” he says. “She never gave up. I just can’t say enough about her dedication and determination.”
Frank tried everything that was recommended: rest, therapy and even a number of Botox injections. But nothing brought any significant relief or improvement. Finally he was referred to a surgeon and subsequently had an operation to repair his back in January 2006. By May 2006, he was able and eager to return to work on modified hours. The owner of the store had repeatedly assured him he could return when he was ready. After all, Frank was a long-term employee with
Frank’s employer wasn’t prepared to give an inch. It tried to buy him out and buy him off. But Frank just wanted his job back. And at last, in May 2007, thanks to Mona’s persistence, Frank succeeded in returning to his old job. Because of Local 175’s intervention, Frank’s employer and the WSIB were forced to provide the support he needed to go back to work, retaining his seniority, income and benefits. “Mona was a godsend,” Frank says. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have a job today.”
Staff changes Staff legal counsel Marcia Barry, who has been working in the Benefits Department, has moved to the Legal Department. Her responsibilities for assisting members in Benefits-related matters – such as WSIB, CPP and EI claims and appeals – will be handled by new staff member, Victoria Shen.
Victoria Shen joined the Benefits Department as legal counsel on July 3, 2007. Previously she articled with a well-known Union-side labour & human rights law firm. Victoria has a law degree from McGill University. She has experience with Mayworks and Solidarity Works and also as a CLC/OFL Organizer.
Earlier this year Natalie Wiley joined the Legal Department. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor law school and the York University Labour Studies program. Natalie has worked with the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Union and UNITE (formerly the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees).
AUGUST 2007
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ACCOMMODATION
Injured worker is back on the job, thanks to Local 175’s intervention
EVENTS
Members demand justice for injured workers A large delegation of UFCW Locals 175 & 633 members travelled to the Queen’s Park legislative building on June 1, 2007, to mark Injured Workers Day. Rally organizers thanked Local 175 for its ongoing dedication and efforts on behalf of injured workers. At this year’s rally, a play “Easy Money” was presented to dramatize the plight of injured workers and the unfairness that is inherent in the “deeming” process. Currently workers’ benefits are reduced or eliminated if they are “deemed” to be employable and “able” to restore their earnings, even when they don’t have a job and are unable to find one. Several speakers encouraged the WSIB to review the issue. Removing deeming would force the WSIB to look realistically at the job market and the actual jobs that are available. For a number of years now, workers – who had the misfortune to be injured on the job – have had to go “cap in hand” to beg the government for additional help. Each year, on the first of June, they and their supporters rally to demand justice and dignity for all injured workers. They are struggling to feed themselves and their families because WSIB benefits have been eroded over the last several years. Meanwhile, as speakers at the rally noted, politicians voted themselves a 25 per cent increase in pay. Injured workers in Ontario, however, received only a paltry 2.5 per cent increase in their benefits payments.
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EVENTS
Members rally for good-paying jobs On May 30, 2007, Locals 175 & 633 members from the Eastern Region joined thousands of other trade unionists and social activists in Ottawa to demand government action on the job crisis in the manufacturing sector. The crisis has been caused by the disappearance of thousands of good-paying jobs. Each lost job costs the affected working family an estimated $10,000 annually or about $2.5 billion in lost earnings across Canada every year. “We must hold our politicians accountable and demand stronger trade and labour laws to enable working people to earn a living wage,” says President Wayne Hanley. “Our federal and provincial governments can and must do more to protect good-paying manufacturing jobs. Workers need to know they can depend on a good job to support their families. Young people need to know that there will be good jobs for many decades into the future, so that they too can start and support a family.” He is urging everyone to speak to, call, write, fax or e-mail their provincial and federal members of parliament and leaders to demand both a strategy and implementation of a “Made in Canada” jobs strategy. “Canada cannot afford the continuing erosion of our manufacturing sector jobs,” he says.
Union Representatives Paul Hardwick and Simon Baker, along with members Kathy Baird and Liam Wall, attended the Jobs Rally on Parliament Hill.
Labour Day Mark your calendar to participate in events in your community on Monday, September 3. Many Locals 175 & 633 members march in parades and join numerous festivities in Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston, Cornwall, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and other locations throughout the province. The photo on the right was taken at last year’s Toronto Labour Day Parade.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Local 175 member ’s daughter wins $8,000 award Congratulations to Pasoua “Jessie” Xiong who is one of seven UFCW International Scholarship winners for 2007. The award is for outstanding academic achievement and community involement. It is valued at U.S. $8,000 and provided in four equal installments over a four-year university term.
China. Many Hmong have migrated to other Asian countries. Following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975, a large number of Hmong sought refuge in Western countries. “There are just a few of us in the Kitchener area,” Jessie says. “So we organize events to create awareness about our language and culture.”
Jessie is the daughter of Bong Yang who works at A&M Cookies in Kitchener. Mrs. Yang has been a member for the past six and a half years, after immigrating with her family from Laos. Jessie has maintained an 80-plus average in her studies at Forest Heights Secondary School in Kitchener and is planning to go to the University of Waterloo and then on to study law. She volunteers at church – teaching Sunday school – and for the Mental Health Institute where she mentors younger students. Jessie also organizes events at her school and in the community. She is particularly active with the Hmong community. It is an ethnic minority, originally from the mountainous regions of southern
Jessie was so busy with her school and extracurricular activities that she kept putting off applying for the scholarship, which required her to write an essay. “Fortunately my mom kept after me,” she says, so she was able to complete the application and essay on time. Check our Web site for the deadline for next year’s International Scholarship, which is expected to be about March 15, 2008. It is open to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents, who will be entering their first year of study in 2008. For information on this and other scholarships visit www.ufcw175.com or call your regional office.
Locals 175 members: Making a difference
Below right: Prince Foods members Anita Oeschger & Carol Menard.
Every year, the members, staff and leadership of Locals 175 & 633 make a huge commitment – in time, money and effort – to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). But they don’t just stop there. They also raise money for numerous other charities and causes in their communities and workplaces. Some are listed below.
Bottom photo: Pharma Plus members & friends, front row from left: Union Representative Jacques Niquet, Trevor Boudreau, Sarah Boudreau. Back row: Maria Kendrick, Pauline Wilson, Linda St. Michael, Margaret Villeneuve, Brianne Maguire, Cathy Wyatt, Carole Mainville, Barry Wyatt & Lorne Wilson.
On April 28, 2007, members from Prince Foods/Olymel’s “Fun Club” held their first ever Rock ‘N Bowl at the Nativity Hall in Cornwall. Thanks to the organizers, participants and prize donors, more than $500 was raised for the members’ children’s annual Christmas party. On June 1, 2007, the town of Petawawa held a Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research. A total of 141 teams joined together to fundraise for various types of cancer. The members of Local 175 from Pharma Plus, and friends, made up the UFCW team to fight skin cancer. For this important cause they walked all through the night – until 7 a.m. the following morning – and raised $1,500. UFCW Local 175 is proud to be able to help members and other organizations in their quest for a cure for cancer.
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FUNDRAISING
UFCW Canada raises more than $1,400,000 for leukemia research
Locals 175 & 633 raise $375,000 “Congratulations on raising $1,423,949.39,” UFCW International President Joe Hansen told guests at the 18th annual UFCW Leukemia Gala. “Your Canadian membership of 230,000 members raised more money than we did in the U.S., with a membership of more than one million. That’s an amazing achievement!” Locals 175 & 633 raised an astounding $375,000. The fundraising efforts of members and staff, which included walk-a-thons, golf tournaments, BBQs, merchandise sales, payroll deductions and many other events – including “Ted on the Roof” – fund Canadian research to find a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers. Thanks to the efforts of UFCW members, children and adults who are diagnosed with leukemia are living longer and subjected to less painful treatments to save their lives.
Te d o n t h e Ro o f For the sixth year in a row, Ted Dawes of Minute Maid spent the long weekend on the roof of Morello’s YIG in Peterborough to raise money for leukemia research.
In the last six years, Ted’s annual “adventure” has resulted in donations of almost $57,000 to the LLSC. This year’s total was $15,500. In recognition of the efforts and dedication of Ted and his team, the city of Peterborough has proclaimed the date as Leukemia Awareness Weekend.
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FUNDRAISING
First summer fundraising events raise $ In Thunder Bay (photo on right), the day of June 3, 2007, started out overcast . . . but then the clouds parted for the walk and the sun poked through. It turned out to be a lovely day for the Thunder Bay Leukemia Walk-A-Thon with a scenic walk around Boulevard Lake. The walkers finished their five-kilometre walk refreshed and ready for hot dogs and pop. They enjoyed good conversation and an opportunity to relax for a while, celebrating the fact that the 22 walkers raised $2,005.35. The staff of the Thunder Bay Office thanks everyone who came out and helped with the fundraising effort and hopes to see everyone next year and we invite you to bring along another friend to join in with us. London Walk
About 30 participants joined the London Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, June 10, 2007. Due to the commitment of the participants and sponsors, they raised an astounding $12,209.91 for leukemia research. Special thanks to Sarah Kelly (retired from A&P store #112) for raising $20,300 in the past 18 years and Ruth Bancroft (Casco, London) for raising $19,172.50 in the last 16 years. On Thursday, June 14, 2007, members from Cargill organized a fundraising BBQ. They raised $1,185 for leukemia research, thanks to a 50/50 draw and merchandise sales. The company donated the food and drinks.
Cargill BBQ
Cargill stewards Tony Nigro, Pat Demarco, Rod Figueroa, Ampeh Ohmeng, Tejinder Bola and Adebayo Mufutau served food, from 11 a.m. for the early shift until 2 p.m. when the afternoon shift finished their meal breaks. On June 17, 2007, Sue Douglas, from A&P store #143 in Port Hope organized a Bake Sale & Book Fair in the store’s parking lot. She was assisted by Pat Newell and supported by the store’s members and customers. Numerous people donated baked goods and books. In total, $535 in donations was collected for leukemia research.
A&P Bake Sale
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The Central West Region held its annual tournament on Sunday, May 27 at the Tyandaga Golf Club in Burlington. The group of 92 golfers enjoyed a fine day
FUNDRAISING
e $45,641 for leukemia research
of fresh air, camaraderie and good food. Their enthusiasm was only slightly dampened by late afternoon cloudbursts that interrupted some of the games. Thanks to the golfers and tournament sponsors, the region succeeded in raising $12,500. On Saturday, June 9, 2007, members and customers at Loblaws Gloucester enjoyed a fundraising BBQ organized by Union Rep Daniel Mercier. It raised $606 for the LLSC. For the second year in a row, stewards from Loeb March Road in Ottawa organized a BBQ in conjunction with an Ontario Slo-Pitch Tournament in Kanata. Headed up by longtime Steward Chris Collins, the group was successful in rallying local businesses to help with donations of prizes and product. This year’s event took on a very personal touch with the BBQ being held in memory of Alexander “Sandy” McGregor, whose brother Jim McGregor is also a steward at the Loeb store. Jim’s brother, Sandy, was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2006 and sadly passed away at the age of 35 in January 2007. Jim and his family were at the BBQ, which raised $1,100. Thanks to all the volunteers who came out to make this event such a success.
Pat Carson and François Talbot, both of Pepsi-Cola Hamilton, supported the Central West golf tournament. Below far left: Kathy Grubb provided Angel Card readings at the Port Hope A&P Bake Sale & Book Fair. Middle: At the Loblaws Gloucester store, Stewards Sandy Proulx and Lisa Lucano, along with her son Hunter Smith, served hot dogs and hamburgers. Below: Steward Jim McGregor (second from right), surrounded by family members (from left) James, Johnathan, Betty, Joey, Matthew and Krista, organized the BBQ in memory of his brother “Sandy.”
AUGUST 2007
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LETTERS
UFCW Local 175 Eastern Region Attn: Dan Lacroix & Daniel Mercier To: Jehan Ahamed, Local 175, United Food and Commercial Workers Dear Jehan Ahamed: I am writing on behalf of the Labour Fair Committee, the students of the college and our staff to thank you for presenting at George Brown earlier this year. The teacher, Sam Lampropoulos, sent me a fantastic evaluation, saying your presentation and example were excellent and that you linked the union perspective to that of management really well. He will definitely want you back for the Labour Fair next year! This year, in over 70 classroom sessions, we had a brilliant and substantial roster of trade unionists and community-based activists. They showed solidarity with working people and 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. As I sat in on many of the classes, I realized what excellent role models the union speakers are for our students. They are committed, eloquent, passionate about their work and impressively expert on so many aspects of our working lives. I saw students ask interesting questions – perhaps even questioning their own sometimes negative stereotypes about unions – and consider some complex issues. But most of all, I saw many of them expand their awareness and acceptance regarding the importance of unions for working people. 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. Please let me know if there is anything the School of Labour can do for you or your Union. In solidarity, Maureen Hynes Coordinator, School of Labour George Brown College
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It is with regret that I must resign my position as a Union steward of Local 175 due to retirement. I enjoyed my tenure as a representative of this very fine active organization. Of my 34 years with Loblaws Ltd., my most memorable and rewarding were the last five years in which I became a Union steward in the Eastern Region. Madeleine Devereaux Within that time frame, I was actively involved in many different aspects of this position. From filing grievances, sitting on major sets of negotiations, attending appeal hearings and so much more. I was proud to represent UFCW in other aspects as well, such as Leukemia Drives, Labour Day Picnics and so on.
The past five years were the most informative and I do regret not becoming more involved much earlier in my career. I am – and will always be – an enthusiastic spokesperson of UFCW, whether it be to friends, former co-workers or anyone else who is considering becoming involved in some capacity. You will find no better organization when it comes to caring about members or other causes. To all my Union Brothers and Sisters, it was a pleasure knowing and working with you. Luc Lacelle, Teresa Magee . . . unforgettable people. Dan Lacroix and Daniel Mercier. Thank you for your wisdom and support. I hold you close to my heart. Good luck and much success to all my Brothers and Sisters who I met along my journey, through both the easy and the tough times. Just remember that I am only a phone call away if you ever need my assistance as a volunteer, or in any capacity. In solidarity, Madeleine Devereaux Former member & Union steward, Loblaws store #1052 in Ottawa.
After completing my first week of the Youth Internship Program, I would like to take the time to thank you for the opportunty. This experience gave me the chance to learn so much about my Union, and the legion of hard working people who comprise it. Listening to the facilitators speak on the merits of the Union, the politicians who Lee Johnson-Koehn lend their support to the labour movement and the labour movement as a whole only strengthened my resolve to empower the labour force. Talking to other program participants gave me a sense of unity, a community of peers that I look forward to meeting and working with in again in the future. Even after our inclass sessions were over, I continued to learn from my peers through their stories and union experiences about the struggle that youths face in the workplace. I know that many youths are stereotyped as lazy workers who don’t care about their co-workers or the labour movement at all. These people are proof that the stereotype is untrue, and hopefully I’ll meet more young people of this calibre in future with my local union. As my summer continues on, I look forward to joining together with other youths to once again disprove this stereotype and challenge ourselves to lead the next generation of working people. In Solidarity, Lee Johnson-Koehn Fortinos store # 59 in Hamilton
GRIEVANCES
Dear President Wayne Hanley:
ARBITRATIONS & GRIEVANCE RESOLUTIONS In the Eastern Region, the Union was successful in getting a member in Kingston reinstated to his job after being unjustly terminated. The member was absent from work due to illness for three days. When he returned to work, the company requested a doctor’s note, but also demanded that the note be dated for just one day’s absence. The language in the Collective Agreement is clear. It says: “Upon request, the employee must bring a note.” The arbitrator ruled that it was unreasonable for the company to request a note after he had returned, dated for just one of the days he was absent. The arbitrator went on to say that if the employer wanted the note dated before the employee’s return, the company must request the note before he returns. The member was reinstated without loss of seniority and all lost wages and benefits were reimbursed. At a Step #3 Grievance in the same region, a member in Kingston was promoted to a higher rated position and paid lost wages because he had not been paid at the proper rate. The Collective Agreement stipulates a training period of one month with an assessment done at the end of the month. The employee, if successful in the assessment, then receives the new rate of pay. If not successful, the training period may be extended by two more months. The employer failed to do the assessment until it was grieved by the member, approximately three months after he was awarded the new job. The grievance resolve saw the member retroactively paid the rate of his new position, going back to when the assessment should have taken place.
AUGUST 2007
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COMMUNITY
Announcing the Locals 175 & 633 Children’s Art Contest For the first time this year, your Local Union is planning to produce a multicultural calendar. The theme is “My cultural heritage.” Children of members are encouraged to submit their depiction of a religious or cultural celebration, an event or a family pastime. All drawings must be submitted on an 8.5 x 11 inch (216 mm x 279 mm) piece of paper and should use colour, such as crayon, coloured pencil, markers, paint, etc. The deadline has been extended to September 1, 2007. To be eligible for inclusion in the calendar, all submissions must be received at the Mississauga Provincial Office prior to 5 p.m.
Local 175 sponsors Cricket Festival Once again this year, Local 175 sponsored the annual Canada Day Weekend Sri Lankan Cricket Festival. The matches, which ran from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2007, provided lots of opportunities to play, be entertained, eat, drink and socialize with family and friends. This year’s event attracted more than 180 players and 1,500 spectators, including fourteen men’s and two women’s teams. The Local arranged live entertainment by the Skylines as well as food for the tournament’s players. Next year’s event takes place again on the Canada Day weekend at the Maple Cricket Grounds in King City. Locals 175 & 633 are hoping to enter their own team. If you’d like to participate, please contact Union Rep Jehan Ahamed.
Did you work in Italy? Members or their family members who have worked in Italy may be entitled to a government pension. For assistance in finding out (there is no charge) contact the Instituo Nationale Assistenza Sociale (INAS). Its offices assist with pensions, social agreements and state insurance. Call INAS in Toronto (416) 240-1844, Woodbridge (905) 837-2822, Mississauga (905) 507-3189, Hamilton (905) 529-8989 or Guelph (905) 837-2822.
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Staff participate at conference On May 12, 2007, Local 175 Union Reps Jehan Ahamed, Linval Dixon and Paul Jokhu attended the 5th annual Workers of Colour/Aboriginal Workers Conference. It was sponsored by the Toronto & York Region Labour Council. Local 175 Senior Legal Counsel Naveen Mehta, who is an elected delegate on the labour council’s Equity Committee, facilitated a workshop. He said: “Conferences such as these bring together those in the trade union movement who are working towards greater dignity and respect in the workplace. The workshops provide a solid understanding of how diversity and equity play a substantial role on our shop floors and within our Union. Moreover, they provide real strategies that participants can implement at work.”
In June 2007, Local 175 staff participated in their annual conference to increase their knowledge about better ways to serve the membership. They had a packed agenda, which included informative presentations by Legal and Benefits Department staff detailing some of the most recent decisions and policies related to: Contracting Out of Bargaining Unit Work; Severance Pay and Hours of Work; Accommodation for Religious Holidays; Bankruptcies & Closures; Harassment; Violence in the Workplace; Early & Safe Return to Work; Mediation, Accommodation & Ergonomics in the Workplace; Disability & the Duty to Accommodate.
Naveen said there will be more younger workers and members of visible minority communities in the workplace of the future. “For every 100 visible minority persons old enough to leave the labour force (age 55-64) there will be 142 old enough (15-24) to start working,” he said. “For the rest of the population, however, there will only be an estimated 75 potential entries for every 100 who leave.”
Naveen said: “It is a matter of survival for Unions to include and involve everyone who will work in these increasingly diverse workplaces.”
Additionally, Senior Legal Counsel Naveen Mehta, provided staff with projections on the changes in workplace demographics anticipated over the next decade.
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CONFERENCES
Local 175 Staff increase knowledge
The 2007 deadline is extended to August 31 for the Locals 175 & 633 scholarships. The deadline for the UFCW Canada National Council scholarships is September 30. Return postage will be paid by: United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 175 and 633 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga ON L5N 2K7
Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671
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