Checkout Fall 2002 by UFCW Locals 175 & 633

THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF UFCW CANADA LOCALS 175 & 633 VOLUME XI NO. 2

AUTUMN 2002

Fortinos Workers Back on the Job 

Locals 175 & 633 Delegates Take Major Role at Convention 

New Agreements at Five Ottawa-area Loeb Stores Mean More Full-Time Jobs! 

Training & Education Centre Schedule

Leukemia Fund-raising

Labour Day

CONTENTS

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Secretary-Treasurer’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PEOPLE Staff Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

UFCW LOCAL 175   

LEUKEMIA FUND-RAISING Hockey Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Annual Golf Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Up on the Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  London Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Leukemia Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  LABOUR DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Published three times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926

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President

Wayne Hanley

Secretary-Treasurer

Jim Andress

Recorder

Betty Pardy

Executive Assistants

John Fuller, Jim Hastings

UFCW LOCAL 633 President

Dan Bondy

Secretary-Treasurer

Roy Reed

Recorder

Neil Hotchkiss CENTRAL EAST REGION

Director

Jerry Clifford Union Reps

CONFERENCES Locals 175 & 633 Delegates Take Major Role at Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Join G8 Protestors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PEI Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Larry Bain, Mike Brennan, John DiFalco, Anthony DiMaio, Archie Duckworth, Rob Nicholas, Dan Serbin

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CENTRAL WEST REGION

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Harry Sutton

Director

Union Reps

ORGANIZING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

STRIKES Fortinos Workers Back on the Job

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Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, Chris Fuller, Shawn Haggerty, Paul Jokhu, Fernando Reis, Kelly Tosato SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

Director

Sharon Gall Union Reps

Judith Burch, Matt Davenport, John DiNardo, Kevin Dowling, Sylvia Groom

NEGOTIATIONS Horizon Plastics Workers Celebrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Local Continues Support for Former Safeway Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  New Agreement at Strudex Fibres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Kraft Canada Plants reach new agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  CFB Workers in Ottawa and Trenton ratify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  New Agreements at Five Ottawa-area Loeb Stores Mean More Full-Time Jobs! . . . . . . . . Burlington Price Chopper Workers Ratify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  TRAINING & EDUCATION Local Presents Additional Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Training & Education Centre Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Design - ARTiFACT graphic design

HAMILTON OFFICE 412 Rennie Street Hamilton L8H 3P5 905-545-8354 Toll free: 1-800-567-2125 Fax: 905-545-8355 Legal Department Director

Larry Fisher Legal Counsel

Naveen Mehta, Georgina Watts

Benefits Coordinator

Herb MacDonald

Benefits Representatives

Sheree Backus, Karl Goennemann

TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRE Suite 700, 1450 Meyerside Drive Mississauga L5T 2N5 905-564-2500 Toll Free 1-800-728-8902 Fax 905-564-2898

PROVINCIAL OFFICES 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329 Fax 905-821-7144 Communications Representative

Cheryl Mumford

Organizing Coordinator

Mark Flannigan Organizing Reps

Michael Duden, Kevin Shimmin 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, Reg Baughan, Ray Bromley, Luc Lacelle, Marilyn Lang NORTHERN 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

Sharon Gall Union Representatives

Colby Flank, Bill Kalka SOUTH WEST REGION 124 Sydney Street South Kitchener N2G 3V2 519-744-5231 Toll free 1-800-265-6345 Fax 519-744-8357 Director

Teresa Magee Union Representatives

Kip Connolly, Wendy Absolom, Susan Bayne, Angus Locke, Julie Marentette, Rick Wauhkonen

Training & Education Coordinator

Victor Carrozzino

Training Representatives

President’s Message

CHECKOUT is an official publication of UFCW Canada (the United Food & Commercial Workers) Locals 175 & 633. Website: www.ufcw175.com

this issue of Checkout you’ll see lots of evidence of the union spirit.

You will find union members who work unselfishly with others to organize fund-raising events and raise thousands of dollars to help find a cure for leukemia. Most of the events are annual ones and many of the same volunteers give of their time and talents, again and again, to help this important cause. Often many months of meetings, organizing and sponsor solicitations go into preparations for a one-day event.

WAYNE HANLEY

You’ll also see UFCW Locals 175 & 633 members marching proudly in labour day parades. To many union families Labour Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of the past and to remember that these hard-won achievements must never be taken for granted. According to history published in the Canadian Labour Congress magazine when the first Ontario labour day parade took place, in Toronto on April 15, 1872, it was a crime to be a member of a union in Canada. The parade was organized by the Toronto Trades Assembly, thought to be the original central labour body in Canada, and was believed to be the first North American “workingman’s demonstration” of any significance. Its purpose was to secure the freedom of 24 imprisoned leaders of the Toronto Typographical Union, on strike to secure the nine-hour working day. On September 3 of that same year, members of seven unions in Ottawa organized a parade that was more than a mile long. They marched to the home of Prime Minister John A. MacDonald, hoisted him into a carriage and drew him to Ottawa City Hall, by torchlight. He promised the marchers that his party would “sweep away all such barbarous laws from the statute books.” And so the offending conspiracy laws were repealed by the Canadian government later in 1872 and labour day parades became a North American tradition not too many years later. Union spirit and solidarity were also demonstrated by Local 175 members who went on strike against 18 Fortinos supermarkets in Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Waterdown, Brampton, Toronto, Woodbridge and Vaughan. You can see by the photos in this issue that the union spirit was strongly in evidence. The vast majority of workers were on the lines, every day, for the duration of the strike, picketing with their co-workers and urging Fortinos customers to turn away from the stores. And they did. Business at some stores was reported to drop substantially. Due to the support of the general public and the dedication of so many selfless members, stewards, picket captains – and union reps too – we were able to bring about a successful conclusion of this dispute. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard for the benefit of everyone. CONT. ON PAGE 4

Serge Castonguay, Kelly Provost, Dave White

AUTUMN 2002 

Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

ormally about 98% of all UFCW collective agreements in Canada are negotiated without a strike or lockout.

JIM ANDRESS

Unfortunately this has been a contentious year, especially for Local 175. On October 1, 2001 more than 400 Local 175 members at three stores in Thunder Bay walked off the job after Canada Safeway refused to bargain a fair settlement for them.

In April, Local 175 began difficult negotiations with Fortinos supermarkets. Meanwhile Local 175 was able to negotiate good new contracts for several bargaining units, including 400 workers at three northern Ontario Safeway stores in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Francis. Safeway, however, had already announced the closure of the three Thunder Bay stores on June 6 and adamantly refused to reconsider the closure or to offer the workers in Thunder Bay the same contract as it had negotiated with workers in the other northern Ontario stores. Later in the summer, 4,200 workers at all 18 Fortinos supermarkets were forced onto the picket line after that conglomerate too refused to address or even acknowledge the concerns of its workforce.

President’s Message

Fortunately, thanks to the large membership – about 50,000 – of Locals 175 & 633, the Locals are able and willing to support any of its bargaining units, for as long as it takes, to secure a good collective agreement. The Locals seek all reasonable alternatives to avoiding the hardship that strikes and lockouts entail – but when it’s obvious that there is no alternative they will encourage and support the members in their struggle to obtain a fair collective agreement. We’re there for you. All we ask is that you make an informed decision and honour the wishes of the majority of your co-workers. Support your negotiating committee, attend proposal and ratification meetings, and if there is a majority strike vote – stand with your co-workers for as long as it takes to obtain an acceptable agreement. The rights that we, as union members, enjoy in Ontario today were not bestowed on us by overlygenerous employers or governments. They were hard won through the blood, sweat and tears of the union members that preceded us. Let’s honour their efforts by working together to ensure an even better future for our children and the generations of workers who will follow.

CONT. FROM PAGE 3

All through the year many members give unselfishly of their time and energy, serving as stewards and committee members, to improve conditions in their workplaces. They also forgo leisure time to attend conferences and seminars to gain the knowledge that will help them to better express and represent the interests of UFCW members. There are numerous dedicated members working in this capacity and we owe all of them a huge debt of gratitude for their efforts, patience, and

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Strikes and lockouts don’t just affect the employer. They represent a financial – and often emotional – hardship for members too. And of course they have a negative impact on the Locals’ finances as well. Strike pay and various other forms of striker support, especially when a strike or lockout involves large numbers of members or continues for a prolonged period – can grow into a huge financial liability.

accomplishments. There’s still an enormous amount of work that can and needs to be done in the community and in the workplace and a great deal of personal satisfaction to be gained by helping out. If you’d like to be more involved in some of these projects, please speak to your union steward or rep about volunteering some of your own time and talents. I’m sure you’ll find it to be time well spent!

RON CATRINA was hired as a full-time Information Technology Specialist effective May 13, 2002. He has extensive experience as a network/ database administrator including expertise in many types of system analysis and design. He will be responsible for all information-related system requirements at the Locals including design, user support, troubleshooting, equipment purchase and maintenance. He is a certified Microsoft Database Administrator and Systems Engineer who graduated from Navigation Computer Training & Consulting in Kitchener. Prior to immigrating to Canada he worked as an Electronics Engineering Technologist and taught at a military academy in Bucharest, Romania. MATT DAVENPORT began work as a Union Rep in the South Central Region on August 5, 2002. He is responsible for servicing A&P, The Barn, Food Basics and Fortinos stores in Burlington, Georgetown, Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville. He became a UFCW member in 1992 when he started working, as a student, at the Miracle Food Mart in Oakville, later becoming a Union Steward. He is a youth activist who participated in the 2000 UFCW Canada National Youth Internship Program, served on UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Youth Task Force and has represented the Locals and the UFCW in many other Youth Initiatives. He was Co-chair of the Ontario Federation of Labour Youth Committee from 1999-2002 and has also worked as a Special Union Project Representative (SPUR) on a number of organizing campaigns. Matt has a B.A. Honours Degree in Sociology & Psychology from the University of Guelph.

AG SHERMAN retired from his position of Union Rep, SouthWestern Region, on September 28, 2002. AG began working in retail food in the early ‘60s as a parttimer, while still a student, at the Steinberg’s store in Galt (which is now Cambridge). He later enrolled in a meat cutter apprenticeship course becoming a journeyman, qualified meat cutter and later the meat department manager. Shortly after starting at Steinbergs AG worked with UFCW Local 633 President Victor Pathé (who later became Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Labour) to organize the part-timers into the union in both the Galt & Guelph stores. He says the part-timers needed a union badly because management ruled by fear and intimidation. Their strategy was to “fire one employee per week – just to motivate the others.” Management wanted to keep the workers on the run and ready to hop to its dictates. Workers could be scheduled to finish a shift at 5 p.m. but – if the big bosses were coming for a visit – they were often required to work until 1 a.m., just to make sure the store was in tip top shape. It was because of management’s abuse of workers that AG and others decided it was time to form a union and create some positive changes in their workplace. Over the years AG worked hard for the union and its members. He was President of UFCW Local 633 for 10 years and also served many years as an Executive Board Member, Area Rep and Area VP. He says it was tough spending so much time on union business while working as a meat department manager and raising a young family. But he always knew how important the union was to protect the dignity and lifestyle of working people. Before there was a union in the Galt store AG remembers watching a father with three small children break down and beg for his job after he was fired for no good reason. “That couldn’t happen once there was a union,” he says. AG says the good union contract he enjoyed, along with excellent wages and overtime CONT. ON PAGE 6

AUTUMN 2002 

PEOPLE

STAFF CHANGES

PEOPLE

CONT. FROM PAGE 5

pay, allowed him to provide his family with a nice home and comfortable lifestyle. He says the great standard of living was totally different from that of non-unionized meat cutters he knew of who worked in a slaughter house and were just barely getting by. He says the expectation of the membership was for better and better contracts and they were willing and able to hold out, together, to make sure they got them. The contracts were so good he says, that there was always a certain amount of jealousy from other workers who weren’t doing so well. AG remembers hearing a disgruntled non-union man saying “How the hell can you have a cashier making $16 an hour!” AG says he always wanted to be a Union Rep and once his kids were grown he took on that responsibility, becoming a full-time rep with Locals 175 & 633 in April 1989. He says he loves “the adrenalin rush while negotiating great contracts.” He likes “setting the standard” and takes great pride in knowing that UFCW Canada is number one in terms of securing good wages, benefits and pensions for workers. He’ll miss working as a Union Rep and says “if it wasn’t for the hours, I’d still be doing it.”

MILESTONES

Bea Forbes, a Union Steward at the Brant Street Price Chopper in Burlington, is congratulated for 30 years of service by Central West Region Director Harry Sutton.

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RETIREMENTS WALLY LUMSDEN retired from UFCW Local 175 on September 1, 2002 from a career of dedicated service that spanned over four decades. He first became a member of Local 381 of the United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drink and Distillery Workers (BFCSD) in 1963 as a Coca-Cola worker in Hamilton. After working as a Plant Steward and Local President he became Chair of the Soft Drink Workers Joint Local Executive Board of Ontario and then began working fulltime for the board in 1970 as its Executive Secretary. In 1980 he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the BFCSD and was successfully re-elected to that position until the union’s merger with UFCW Canada in 1986. After a distinguished career of more than 12 years with the national office of UFCW Canada, Wally left his position as Executive Assistant to the Canadian Director to become Director of Training and Education for Locals 175 & 633.

PEOPLE

“The Locals were extremely fortunate to have a man of Wally’s calibre on staff,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. Wayne credits Wally with implementing many positive changes in the Locals’ Training & Education programs. These included new programs to provide members with Grade XII upgrading, English-as-aSecond Language, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and Distance Education. Wally in turn, who has always been supportive of his staff, credits them – especially Training Coordinator Victor Carrozzino – with the success of the Training Centre. While at the Locals, in addition to the Training Centre responsibilities, Wally continued his involvement as UFCW Canada’s National Coordinator for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC) and JobStart. The latter is an organization that assists people – such as immigrants, youth, older workers and people with disabilities – who face barriers to employment – to find work. Wally has also worked on several other significant initiatives while at the UFCW Canada national office. He served on an advisory panel to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, various federal and provincial committees

President Wayne Hanley recognizes Wally Lumsden’s many years of dedicated service to the UFCW membership. involving beverage packaging, wet-waste management, the environment as well as Canadian Tourism and the Ontario Labour Relations Act reform. He was President of UFCW Canada Local 1993, which was formed to represent Canadian Agricultural Workers and was instrumental in initiating the successful Supreme Court Challenge against the Government of Ontario after the Harris Government stripped the workers of their hard-won right to bargain collectively for better and safer working conditions. One of the highlights of his career was being chosen for the honour of representing Canadian workers as a participant in His Royal Highness (HRH) the Duke of Edinburgh’s Seventh Commonwealth Study Conference at Oxford University in England. “I’ve been very fortunate,” says Wally of his career with the UFCW. “I wouldn’t change a thing…well maybe just a couple,” he adds. Ever the diplomat he declines to elaborate on just what those couple of things might be.

Eastern Region Rep Marilyn Lang (left) awards retirement watches from Local 175 to Marilyn Sayers of Westlake Terrace Nursing Home in Picton (left) and (above) Carol Cole of A&P #155 in Belleville.

His retirement plans include continuing to offer his assistance to the LRFC and JobStart as well as to other community-based, non-profit organizations. He’s especially looking forward to travelling with his wife Jo-Ann and spending more time with his five grandchildren, aged four to 13. He’s also looking forward to having the time, at last, to complete a model railway in his basement.

AUTUMN 2002 

FUND-RAISING

Leukemia Fund-rai

Oshawa-area members walked, ran, bicycled, roller-bladed and scootered along in the five-kilometre Durham Walk on June 9 which raised $23,000 to fund a cure. As walkers registered, a UFCW balloon was tied to their wrists in honour of a loved one or friend for whom the individual walked.

Hockey Tournament Raises $12,000 L ocals 175 & 633’s annual hockey tournament, dedicated to raising money to find a cure for childhood leukemia, collected the most money ever at this year’s tournament. The event, which took place May 3-4 at IceSports Oakville, raised more than $12,000 through sponsorships and raffle tickets. A total of 16 teams participated in the event repre-

senting various UFCW locals and bargaining units. The Locals 175 & 633 team won 2 of its 3 games and lacked just a goal or two of advancing to the finals. For information on next year’s tournament – at Oakville IceSports, scheduled for May 2-3, 2003 – contact Harry Sutton in the Mississauga Provincial Office. Teams participating in the 2002 tournament were Horizon Plastics, Cobourg; Maple Leaf, Shopsy’s Division; Maple Leaf Poultry, Brampton; Axis Logistics, a Division of Sobeys; UFCW Western Canada; UFCW Locals 175 & 633; UFCW Canada National Office; UFCW Local 500R, Montreal; Zehrs; Dominion Stores; Bunzl Canada, Oakville; Maple Leaf Pork, Burlington; Coca-Cola, Brampton; Pepsi Cola, Hamilton; Good Humor, Simcoe.

Claude Robert, UFCW Local 500R Director (left, in red jersey), along with Local 500R Rep Jean Pierre LaVoie, Local 175 Organizer Mike Duden, Local 500R President François Lauzon, and Local 175 Rep Joe DeMelo, admire a souvenir poster gifted to President Lauzon, who for the first time this year, brought a Montréal team to the tournament.

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for leukemia – UFCW Locals 175 & 633 members and staff have probably thought of it…and made money doing it! In the last year UFCW Canada raised $580,000 to benefit the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC). The Locals 175 & 633 fundraising effort made them the second largest UFCW contributor, donating $175,000 for the cause. The money was raised through events such as walk-a-thons, BBQs, hockey, softball and golf tournaments, raffles, merchandise sales, and even a canoe-a-thon.

Annual Golf Tournament Raises $1080 O n Sunday August 18, 2002 Locals 175 & 633 held their annual golf tournament at the Woodlands Golf & Country Club in Brampton. Winner of the Bill Hanley Commemorative Trophy was Ron Junta with a fine round of 67. Ladies low gross honours went to Carol Deacon with a 94. Low net honours went to Garth Miller who carded a 72.

Jerry Clifford (left) awards Bill Hanley Commemorative Trophy to Ron Junta.

A putting contest and a prize draw raised $1080 for leukemia research. A total of 94 golfers participated in the event which was a very enjoyable day of golf and fun enhanced by perfect weather and good camaraderie.

Dennis Sexton (left) awards Dennis Sexton Commemorative Trophy to Garth Miller.

AUTUMN 2002 

FUND-RAISING

sing

f there’s a way to raise money to find a cure

FUND-RAISING

Up on the Roof

Local 175 member Ted Dawes (left), who works at Minute Maid in Peterborough is “rescued” by the local fire department after spending a weekend on the roof of Morello’s Your Independent Grocer on Lansdowne Street (from 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31 until 2 p.m. on Sunday June 2) to raise more than $6000 to fund a cure.

Eastern Region Rep Ray Bromley (holding cheque), who did a great job organizing the fund-raising event, is shown with Morello’s Unit Chair Paul Hardwick, Ted, and Store Owner Dave Morello. “Without the enthusiastic support of Dave Morello this event wouldn’t have happened,” says Ray, “and we’re looking forward to holding an even bigger and better event next year!”

London Walk Raises $10,300 South Western Region Union Rep Angus Locke (centre) assists Walk Chairperson Carrie Palmer to register walkers.

Participants in the London Leukemia Walk, which was held on June 9, 2002, raised $10,300.

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n June 21, 2002 more than 700 people gathered at the Sheraton Centre Hotel for the 13th annual UFCW Canada Leukemia Gala to celebrate the union’s contribution to research to find a cure. The gala was attended by UFCW members and their family and friends as well as UFCW employers. Burton Cummings provided entertainment, along with the Chris Smith Band and Gemini award-winning comic Russel Peters. Radio personality Joe Bowen was master of ceremonies for the event.

Ted Dawes presents the Locals 175 & 633 cheque, for more than $175,000, at UFCW Canada’s annual leukemia gala as Local 175 President Wayne Hanley, National Leukemia Coordinator Wally Lumsden and Canadian Council President Bernard Christophe look on.

The grand total raised by UFCW members in 2002 was $580,000. In the last 13 years UFCW members in Canada have raised almost $6-million to fund a cure and have donated all net proceeds to the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC). The UFCW is the largest single contributor to the LRFC.

Elena Rotilio recruited 60 walkers for the Durham Walk to honour a relative who is undergoing treatment in Princess Margaret Hospital. Spike has lots of friends at the walk.

UFCW members Michele Ellis and Sharon Haines did an incredible job of organizing a walk-for-the-cure in Havelock. The final total raised was more than $18,000.

AUTUMN 2002 

FUND-RAISING

Leukemia Gala

LABOUR DAY

Labour Day

Hamilton Labour Day Parade

President Wayne Hanley and UFCW Local 175 members assembled at the beginning of the parade.

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Monday September 2, 2002 was a historic day for UFCW Local 175 when it was honoured with the lead float position in the Hamilton Labour Day Parade. Approximately 5,000 union members, from more than 50 local unions who are affiliated with the Hamilton and District Labour Council, participated in this year’s parade.

The 280-member strong UFCW delegation, marched behind the Ontario Provincial Council banner.

oronto: A Proud Union City – was evident from the turnout of an estimated 35,000 marching union members. UFCW Colour Guard leads the UFCW delegation.

Cargill Foods Steward Adebayo Mufutau and family enjoy parade festivities.

Sarnia Labour Day Parade

Local 175 Union Reps Judith Burch and Anthony DiMaio cook burgers and hot dogs.

All across the province, hundreds of UFCW members marched in their local labour day parades.

AUTUMN 2002 

LABOUR DAY

Toronto Labour Day Parade T

CONFERENCES

Canadian Council Convention: Locals 175 & 633 Delegates Take Major Role

n June 4, 5 and 6 almost 300 UFCW delegates from across Canada convened in Vancouver B.C. for the UFCW’s triennial Canadian Council Convention. Delegates from Locals 175 & 633, representing the largest group – almost 50,000 – of UFCW members, played an active role in the proceedings.

UFCW Local 1518 President Brooke Sundin, along with President Hanley, were two of the participants on the Servicing of the Membership panel. Gary Moore, a steward at Maple Leaf Pork Processing in Burlington, said helping members resolve problems in the workplace provides him with a very good feeling.

Fay Boucher, who represented Canada Safeway members from Thunder Bay, spoke about the importance of ensuring dignity and pride in the workplace.

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President Wayne Hanley participated in a panel on servicing the membership. “There are many challenges which confront us,” he said. “We make sure we focus on key issues to deliver the services which the members want and need.” President Hanley said the Locals are strongly committed to ensuring that both staff and stewards have the tools and training they need to negotiate good agreements and to enforce them.

Convention delegates marched to a rally at a nearby Safeway store to show their support for the striking Thunder Bay workers.

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Join G8 Protestors M embers of UFCW Canada Locals 175 & 633 joined thousands of union members and community activists in Calgary for demonstrations against the G-8 meeting in Kananaskis which took place from June 23-27, 2002. The protests were timed to coincide with the meeting of presidents and prime ministers from the world’s eight richest nations. Unions, human rights groups, environmentalists and humanitarian organizations have been critical of the G-8 meeting for its undemocratic, big business-driven agenda. “The fact that the meeting was held under extremely tight security in Kananaskis, in an essentially inaccessible area for protestors, illustrated once again how determined the world leaders are to ignore the voices of working people,” says UFCW Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. The Locals 175 & 633 Youth Committee had a particularly strong presence at the Calgary protests. On June 23rd, they joined the G-6B – an alternative conference on behalf of the world’s 6-billion people.

G-8 protestors march in Calgary in June 2002 to protest global injustices and undemocratic meetings held by world leaders.

The conference brought together trade unionists, community leaders and women’s groups from around the world. Later that same day, the locals joined some 3,000 protestors for the Peace March. The G-6B conference continued through the week and ended with a mass march through the streets of Calgary. Residents of Calgary – and the large number of police officers who were assigned to security duty – commended the protestors for being focused on their message and peaceful in their actions. “It is important for our members to stand up for their rights on a global scale,” says UFCW Canada Locals 175 & 633 Youth Committee Representative Matthew Davenport. “The G-8 leaders are making decisions that will affect our jobs, our families and our communities. But they chose to lock themselves away behind closed doors in Kananaskis, without any representatives of the people. We are here in Calgary united and strong to tell the world that this severe lack of democracy is totally unacceptable.”

UFCW delegates, Frank Curnew (on left) and Nora Butz participated in the Calgary G-8 protests.

AUTUMN 2002 

CONFERENCES

Participants in UFCW Canada’s 2002 Youth Internship Program stand to be introduced to the convention as Youth Representative Debora De Angelis (seated) applauds. Patrick Groom (left), who works at Dominion Store #401 in Toronto, is UFCW Local 175’s delegate to the program.

CONFERENCES

Staff Conference UFCW Local 175 Executive Staff and Reps attended a staff conference from June 24-28. In addition to many informal discussions on how to better serve the membership, everyone participated in a fiveday workshop entitled “Enhanced Negotiation Skills Workshop”.

Staff members work hard to prepare for an exercise in negotiations

PEI Conference

…and later relax at a group photo session.

UFCW

Locals 175 & 633 delegates attended the regular meetings of the UFCW Canada red meat industry local unions, poultry and flour-milling locals, and the National Defence Fund (NDF) which took place together for the first time in Roseneath P.E.l. in July 2002. “The new format benefits everyone,” said UFCW Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. “There is so much we learn from one another, and so much valuable information we are able to take back to each local union.”

Local 175 delegates listen attentively... … as Local 175 Union Rep Shawn Haggerty makes a local union report to the meeting.

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n June 17, 2002, 73 workers at Ready Bake in Mississauga voted 53-10 in favour of joining Local 175. The workers, who make bread products and baked goods for grocery stores and restaurants, wanted a union to ensure a fairer and more orderly workplace. “There were a number of problems with issues such as scheduling and pay irregularities,” says union organizer Kevin Shimmin. “Workers are looking forward to having a collective agreement that will spell out the employer’s obligations to them.” Negotiations on a first collective agreement commenced on July 9. Four workers at the Military Resource Centre in London Ontario, who provide counselling and other support programs to military personnel at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) London, became Local 175 members on July 5, 2002. The workers are seeking wage and benefit improvements in line with other UFCW civilian members who work on military bases. Ten Switchboard Operators at Homewood Health Care in Guelph voted on August 7, 2002, to join their co-workers who have belonged to UFCW Local 175 for a number of years. The operators want to ensure more dignity and respect in their workplace. Unions are not like vending machines. You can’t just put your money in and get the goodies. A union is more like an exercise machine It’s hard to get strong without it, but it takes you to run it. Reprinted courtesy of USC/CALM

An Open Letter to All Residents of Burlington

You know how our Prime Minister says Canada is the best country in the world to live in? Well I’ve always considered Burlington the best city to live in but now for me this is no longer; the dream is shattered and reality has taken over. I am an employee at Fortinos and I’m proud to be so. All of us value each and every customer who comes through Fortino’s doors. Please, please wake up Burlington! We are in a legal strike and YES we are fighting for all of the usual things. There’s no shame in that, we ALL want these things. But shame, shame to the Burlington residents who have crossed our picket lines, shame to those who gave us the finger, shame to those who would almost run us over, shame to those who yelled obscenities.

who turned around and went to shop someplace else, hurrah for those who gave us the thumbs up! Thank you to the kind lady who brought us cartons of fruit punch, thank you to the person who donated $10 for cold water.

Please citizens of Burlington the fewer people who go across our picket lines, the faster this obscene strike will be over.

So once again citizens of Burlington I implore you to be patient with us and slow down and listen and think. Do not get frustrated; we the workers at Fortinos only want a small fraction of what this huge company makes in a year. So slow down BMWs, slow down Mercedes, slow down Jaguars, we need everyone’s support, we want to return to work, we want to make a decent wage, and I want to be able to say: “Burlington is the Best City to live in!”

I would like to applaud the good people of Burlington, the ones who care. Hurrah for those who honked car and truck horns, hurrah for those

Helena Boisvert Fortinos Store #56 Appleby Line & New Street Burlington

No Free Lunch …

KEEP IN TOUCH

ORGANIZING O

our UFCW Canada membership does entitle you, however, to $1500 in Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance from AIL Canada. What’s the catch? When you send in the card to designate a beneficiary, you will be contacted by an insurance agent who will attempt to assess your insurance needs and may try to sell you other types of insurance products. You are under no obligation to meet with a salesperson or purchase additional insurance. If you do experience any problems with an AIL representative, please give your Union Rep information about the incident and agent’s name.

Locals 175 & 633 are in no way promoting the sale of this insurance. It is always the choice of the member to determine what, if any, services he or she may wish to opt for from AIL or other businesses with which the Locals negotiate special benefits for members.

AUTUMN 2002 

STRIKES

triking Fortinos workers from all 18 stores in the Toronto and Hamilton areas started returning to work on Tuesday September 3 after a majority who attended union meetings on September 1 voted in favour of accepting the company’s most recent offer.

Fortinos Workers Back on the Job

The offer, which contains improvements in wages and benefits for both full-time and part-time workers, was accepted by a strong majority – almost 70% of the membership. “The hard-work by so many dedicated and determined picketers, and the support of the general public enabled us to resolve this strike,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. The union was forced to take strike action after members rejected the company’s proposals, by a majority vote, at meetings on June 16 and August 11. “We started meeting on April 17, 2002,” says Sharon Gall, Chief Negotiator for the union, “but there was little real progress from the members’ perspective.” The membership responded to Fortinos first proposal by voting overwhelming – 96.4% on June 16 – in favour of strike action to seek contract improvements. On August 11 a majority of the membership again rejected the company’s offer which was presented by the union negotiating committee. The strike was delayed until later that week, pending talks with a provincially-appointed mediator on August 13 and the possibility of the company making an improved offer. Unfortunately no improved offer was tabled by the company and so informational pickets were established late in the evening on August 14 at dis-

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At Store #57 – Guelph Line in Burlington – Union Rep Matt Davenport (second from right) joins group of picketers on truck-delay duty.

At Store #49 – Upper James & Rymal Road – a strong team, with tented sun protection and other essentials, stands on guard at the south entrance to the mall . . . tribution centres in Hamilton and Cambridge. On August 15 workers began picketing at the retail stores. The strike was the first experienced by Fortinos supermarkets.

…while Assistant Grocery Manager Matt Merla steps forward to leaflet an incoming car, assisted by his co-workers, at the north entrance to the mall.

STRIKES

At Store #48 – Mall Road in Hamilton – Meat Cutter Ivan Kulas, Floral Clerk Michelle Ferridge and Meat Wrapper Theresa Russell are singing – and dancing – in the rain. Their pickets were reinforced by delegates from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

At Store #57 – Guelph Line in Burlington – Cashier Cathy Olsen does not let her modified-duty status interfere with picket support. Co-worker Teebe Tesfatsion, with daughter Sarah, keep her company.

At Fortinos Store #60, at Highways 20 & 53 – Rymal and Upper Centennial Parkway – Service Clerk Daniel Head is shown against the background of an empty store lot …

...meanwhile Deli Clerk Darlene Bubas (left) along with Cashiers Betty Johnston and Rani Ganagarajah thank customers for supporting the strike.

At Store #53 – Plains Road in Burlington – Cashier Cindy Towlson and Meat Cutter Mike Baric chat with a driver…

Deli Clerk Carmelina Biundo (left) and Mary Miscio proclaim Store #60 “closed”.

…while a group of determined picketers stands guard at the mall entrance.

AUTUMN 2002 

NEGOTIATIONS

Horizon Plastics Workers Celebrate PLANT WORKERS, some of whom are still wearing their safety glasses, celebrate a good new agreement at Horizon Plastics. They are, from back row, left: Terri Belfry, Rob Drake, Jack Hill, Rob Nicholas, Jeff Aldworth, Ann Simpson, Dave Bray and Tony Tullio. Front row: Craig Griffin, Tina Davey and Rob Francis. The agreement, which was ratified on December 16, 2001, provides a $2.20 per hour increase, improvements in pensions, benefits, vacations and

boot allowance as well as new posting language. New Letters of Understanding related to technological change and Training & Development will provide better security for the workers. “This is a very good contract,” says Chief Negotiator Ray Bromley, “and an important one for this plant which has expanded from 70 employees to more than 350 in just a few years.” Negotiating Committee: Jeff Aldworth, Doug Rock, Union Reps Ray Bromley and Rob Nicholas.

Local Continues Support for Former Safeway Workers Canada Safeway’s announcement on June 6, 2002 that it intended to proceed with the closure of three Thunder Bay stores, where 400 plus UFCW Canada Local 175 members have been on strike since October 4, 2001, came as no surprise to members and union negotiators. “During negotiations, mediation, conciliation, and the nine-month strike, Safeway has made it clear that it has no interest in achieving a fair new collective agreement with its workers,” says Chief Union Negotiator Sharon Gall.

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The Local is continuing to fund picket pay for laid-off workers who choose to continue doing picket duty. In anticipation of store closures the union had begun an action plan earlier in the spring. It included contacting other retail food operators – with which it has good relations – about purchasing the stores and re-employing the workers. Local 175 has also commenced a store closure program which will help members to access additional training or other employment. As well the union is assisting workers in securing vacation pay and investigating

eligibility for employment insurance and severance pay. “Local 175 is proud of our courageous members in Thunder Bay who stood up to Safeway,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley. “The UFCW Canadian Council, as well as the national union in Canada, and the International in the United States, continues to make financial donations to help the adjustment of these workers. Our own Local will continue to do everything possible to help them through this difficult time.”

Kraft Canada Plants reach new agreements

CFB Workers in Ottawa and Trenton ratify

Approximately 130 workers at Strudex Fibres in Waterloo ratified a new agreement in April 2002. The workers, who produce yarns for carpets, were “very satisfied” with the agreement says Union Rep Angus Locke. It provides improvements in wages and benefits as well as other contract enhancements.

A memorandum of agreement was reached on May 12, 2002 for the Exeter Nabisco plant, which is located about 30 kilometres north of London and employs approximately 150 workers who process canned corn and soups. The agreement, which Union Rep Angus Locke refers to as “significant”, was ratified on May 17.

About 55 workers at the Ottawa Canadian Forces Base, who work in grounds and building maintenance as well as staffing the golf and curling clubs, marina, junior ranks mess, Colonel By mini gym and CANEX – the convenience-type retail store – ratified a new agreement on May 30, 2002.

Wage increases for most members are 40¢ per hour, retroactive to March 2, 2002, plus 45¢ per hour on March 2, 2003 and 50¢ on March 2, 2004. Increases for Schedule B, Skilled Trades, as well as for the Stationary Engineer and Electrician are greater. Additionally some job classifications will move up on the wage scale and employer contributions to the pension plan will be bumped up. Increases will also apply to 12-hour shift overtime premiums, other shift, tool and safety glass allowances and the yearly dental maximum.

The three-year agreement provides regularly scheduled increases for the eight classifications of workers over a 48-month progression. By the end of the agreement, the highest-paid workers will be earning $21.80 per hour. There are numerous necessary language updates in the agreement.

In addition to receiving an 80¢ per hour retroactive, across-the-board, “maintenance” increase, workers’ wages will also be augmented by 30¢ per hour, retroactive to March 1, 2002 and then increase again by 35¢ on March 1, 2003 and 35¢ on March 1, 2004. The employer contributions to the trusteed benefit plan will increase by 10¢ per hour on ratification plus 3¢ in each of the second and third years of the contract. Pension contribution increases will be 3¢, 3¢ and 4¢. Wage increases for maintenance are higher. Dental contributions will also increase. Language improvements include increases in lay-off notices, as well as in termination, tool, shoe, and bereavement allowances. Statutory holiday pay increases to 12 hours, from eight, for members on 12-hour shifts. An extra break will be provided during heat waves and workers will also be paid, to a maximum of 15 minutes per shift, for time spent on union committees or meeting with union stewards. Training which is required, outside a worker’s shift, will be paid at time and a half. Workers will also be able to buy Canada Savings Bonds through an employeradministered payroll deduction plan, if they so choose. “Our members at Strudex are very satisfied with the new agreement, “says UFCW Canada Local 175 Union Rep Angus Locke, “There are across-the-board increases for all our members and better language that makes the workplace safer and our union presence stronger.” Union Negotiators: Gerry Clark, Maria Ferreira, Steve Garland, Rhoney Pryce, and Union Rep Angus Locke.

Union Negotiators: John Bierling, Mike Blois, Don Hartman, and Union Rep Angus Locke. On July 9, 2002, workers at the Kraft plant and office in St. Davids, about 25 kilometers east of St. Catharines, ratified a new agreement. The plant, which employs 62 regular full-time workers and 113 seasonal employees, primarily processes canned peaches and pears. The new agreement provides the workers with wage increases of 2.7% retroactive to March 2, 2002, plus 2.3% on March 2, 2003 and 2.2% on March 2, 2004. There are additional increases for skilled trades as well as significant pension increases. Improvements have been made in the life insurance and vision care plans as well as in the tool and safety glass allowances.

At the Trenton base, where 50-60 workers perform job functions similar to those on the Ottawa base, a new agreement was ratified in April 2002. It provides a new wage grid with major increases in most classifications and a 36-month wage progression. Workers at the Trenton base golf course, who previously depended on donations of used gear from the Trenton fire department will now be provided with proper working apparel to keep them dry while irrigating the course. On both bases, the employer will contribute $500 per year to the Training & Education fund and maternity benefits have been improved to provide 93% of gross earnings for a period of 15 weeks. Ottawa Union Negotiators: Michel Lemieux, John Macko and Union Rep Luc Lacelle. Trenton Union Negotiators: Robert Kasunich, Gloria Wheeler, Union Reps Marilyn Laing and Luc Lacelle.

Union Negotiators: Kevin Fedorchuk, Bill May, Linda Munn, Andy Spruyt plus Union Reps Kelly Tosato and Shawn Haggerty.

AUTUMN 2002 

NEGOTIATIONS

New Agreement at Strudex Fibres

NEGOTIATIONS

New Agreements at Five Ottawa-area Loeb Stores Mean More Full-Time Jobs!

pproximately 500 workers at five Ottawa-area Loeb stores ratified new collective agreements in April, May and June 2002. The stores, which are located in the Beechwood, Elmvale Acres, Greenbank, Ogilvie and Southgate Communities, have similar agreements with variances in wages and letters of agreement to reflect local-area issues. Because of the difficulties of attracting and retaining part-time employees, the company agreed to allocate 45% of all hours to full-time positions, providing 40 hours of work per week. This will result in the creation of more than 30 full-time jobs in the five stores.

In addition to regularly scheduled wage increases, the company will also increase its contribution to the CCWIPP to 65¢ per hour and the lead-hand premium from 50¢ to 75¢. There are increases in the premiums paid to assistant department managers as well as in those paid for night and relief work. Improvements have been made in the Health and Welfare plan and there are new anti-discrimination clauses to prevent any form of harassment as well as discrimination based on sexual orientation. “Our members at the Ottawa-area Loeb stores are proud to negotiate these strong collective agreements that will contribute more unionized full-time jobs to our communities,” says UFCW Canada Local

Burlington Price Chopper Workers Ratify

Price Chopper lockers Al Costiglino, Kirti Sarguit, Donna Hill, Georgette Saliba, Mary Ann Morris and Bea Forbes protest being locked out of their jobs.

orkers at the Brant Street store were locked out on August 28 after they voted in favour of strike action. On September 10 the 40 members elected,

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175 Director Dan Lacroix, “Our Union is pushing companies like Loeb to create more secure full-time positions. Non-union workers in the grocery sector simply do not enjoy this major advantage.” Union Negotiators: Eastern Region Director Dan Lacroix, with the following committees: Loeb Beechwood - Luc Renaud, Roger St. Germain, and Union Rep Luc Lacelle Loeb Elmvale - Allen Lehtonen, Jean Sauvé and Union Rep Simon Baker Loeb Greenbank - Chris Czyzeski, Joanne Lee and Union Rep Reg Baughan Loeb Ogilvie - Gerry Crabtree, Betty-Ann Mallette and Union Rep Luc Lacelle Loeb Southgate - Greg Casselman, Cathy Redout and Union Rep Reg Baughan.

Picket Captain Donna Hill leads workers in a lockout picket.

by a narrow margin, to accept the company’s proposal in a government-supervised final offer vote. The store was closed during the lockout.

Members and staff participate in educational sessions.

Mississauga Training and Education Centre Desktop Publishing ABC’s of Computers Word Processing Windows ABC’s of Computers Making a Web Page Excel Internet

Saturdays Sundays Tuesdays Wednesdays Wednesdays Mondays Mondays Saturdays

Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Dec.

16 17 19 20 20 25 25 7

Nov. 30 Dec. 8 Dec. 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 23 Dec. 23 Dec. 21

9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. 9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. 9 a.m.- 12 noon 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. 9 a.m.- 12 noon 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. 9 a.m.- 12 noon

Hamilton Training and Education Centre ABC’s of Computers Excel Excel Internet Word Processing Internet

Mon. & Wed. Tue. & Thu. Sundays Mon. & Wed. Tue. & Thu. Saturdays

Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov.

4 5 17 20 21 23

Nov. 18 Nov. 19 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 7

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9 p.m. 9 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 9 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

First Aid and CPR Classes November 9, 2002 Mississauga Training and Education Centre

orkers in the Beverage and Snack Sectors, who work for companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Minute Maid, participated in an educational session at the Local 175 Training & Education Centre on September 10 & 11. Approximately 20 participants, including Union Reps, attended sessions presented by the Local’s Benefits Coordinator Herb MacDonald, the Workers Safety Insurance Board’s (WSIB) Director of the Beverage and Food Sector, as well as the Local’s legal department advocate Larry Fisher and counsel Naveen Mehta. Larry, who is the Director of the Legal Department, presented a session on preparation for arbitration. Naveen conducted an introductory workshop on applying the Human Rights Code (HRC) to the workplace. The interactive session included real life workplace scenarios such as how to differentiate between personality conflicts and actual violations or acts of discrimination under the HRC.

Mobile Calendar ABCs Nov. 4 - Nov. 7 ABCs Nov. 25 - Nov. 28 ABCs Nov. 25 - Nov. 28

Cornwall Cobourg Sault Ste. Marie ABCs Dec. 2 - Dec. 5 Ottawa ABCs Dec. 2 - Dec. 5 Peterborough Nadine 1-800-728-8902 Steward Seminars Kingston November 2 - 3, 2002 Ambassador Resort Hotel & Conference Centre Hamilton November 16 - 17, 2002 Sheraton Hotel Toronto February 8 - 9, 2003 Travelodge, Keele & 401

AUTUMN 2002 

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Local Presents Additional Courses

Return postage will be paid by: UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS Locals 175 and 633 2200 Argentia Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2K7 Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671