CHECKOUT The Newsmagazine for Members of UFCW Locals 175 and 633 Volume X, No. 2 Summer 2001
Say No to W al-Mart page 4 Negotiations Update pages 6 to 10 Leukemia Update pages 7,14,16 Scholarship W inners page 11 Organizing Victories page 11 By-Law and Policy Conference page 13 Youth News page 15
Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 1501380
Buy UFCW UFCW Canada Members Make These Products: A&W, Adams Antique, Alberta Premium, Allen’s, Beatrice, Bianca Collection, Bick’s, Bittner, Black & Decker, Black Velvet, Blue Water Seafoods, Bon-EE-Best, Brie Extra, Budweiser, Buoy-O-Boy, Burnett’s London Dry, Butterball, Cadbury, Calvin Klein, Canada Dry, Captain Morgan, Cara, Carnation, Catelli, Cavendish Farms, Chef Boyardee, Clearwater, Club Monaco, Coca-Cola, Coorsh, Dack’s, Delisle, Dockers, Dutch Mill, Everfresh, Everready, Five Roses, Fleishmann’s, Gilbey’s, London Dry, Great Western Beers, Habitant, Hartt, Heinz, Hellmann’s, Hires, J&B, Janes Family Favorites, Jell-O, Kodiak, Kool-Aid, Kraft, Labatt, Laura Secord, Lawrey’s, Levi’s, Life Savers, Lilydale, Lipton, Lucerne, Maple Leaf, Maxwell House, McCain, Melitta, Minute Maid, MMMuffins, Molson, Monarch, Montclair, Moosehead, Nabisco, Nabob, National Sea Products, Naturalizer, Naya, Nestea, Northern Reflections, O’Keefe, Old Dutch, Olymel, Omstead, OXO, Pam, Parma, Pepsi, Piller’s, Pillsbury, President’s Choice Tomato Clam Cocktail, Primo, Prospector, Ralph Lauren, Red Rose, Robin Hood, Roots, Rubbermaid, Salada, Schenley, Schneiders, Seagrams, Sealy, 7-Up, Shopsy’s, Silverstein’s, Smirnoff, Sprite, StHubert, Star Brand, Sunrise, Swift, Swiss Chalet, Taillefer, Tan Jay, Tenderflake, Thrifty’s, Town Club, U-Bake, Vachon, Weetabix, Welch’s, York Farms and many more... UFCW Canada Members Also Work for These Employers: A&P, Abex Friction, Amity Goodwill, Apex Security, Aradco, Avis, B.C. Fruit Packers, Bata, The Bay, Beaver Lumber, Best Western, Bilopage, Bitove, Bolands, Brewers Retail, Brown Shoes, Budget, C.S. Brooks, Canada Malting, Canada Safeway, Canadian Forces Bases, Canadian Linen, Canadian Tire, Canam Steel, Cargill, Carriere Foods, Central Park Lodge, Charlesburg Consumers Co-Op, Charlevoix Casino, Charterways Transportation, Comfort Inn, Conpak Seafoods, Co-Op Atlantic, Cott, Cuddy Food, Days Inn, Delta Hotel, Dominion Tanners, Ensign Security, F.B.I. Brands, Federated Co-Op, Fletcher’s, Flin Flon Hospital, Food Basics, Fortino’s, Four Seasons Hotel, G.U.S. Canada, Galco Foods, Group 4 C.P.S., Gulf Seafoods, Hertz Canada, Holiday Inn, Home Depot, Homewood Hospital, Howard Johnson, Hub Meat Packers, Hudon & Deudelin, IGA, Inner-Tec, J.S. McMillan Fisheries, James Doyle, Jean Coutu, Kraft Canada, Lewisporte Wholesalers, Lilydale, Loblaws, Loeb, Long Range Seafoods, Manoir Richelieu, Maple Lodge Farms, Maxi, Metro, Metropol Security, Miracle Food Mart, Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods, National Grocers, No Frills, Nova Scotia Textiles, Oland Brewery, Olymel, Omstead Foods, Oshawa Foods, Overwaitea Food Group, P&H Foods, Paragon, Protection, Peak Manufacturing, Pharma Plus, Provigo, Quality Meat Packers, Radisson, Ramada Inn, Real Canadian Superstores, Sheraton, Shoppers Drug Mart, Springhill Farms, St. Boniface Hospital, Sunrise Poultry, Super C Stores, Super Fresh Food Markets, Sweet Ripe Drinks, Tilden, Venice Bakery, Versa, Viking Seafoods, Wackenhut, Western Glove, Western Grocers, Westin, Weston Bakeries, William Neilson, Wink Industries, XL Beef, Y.I.G., Zehrs, Zellers and many more...
On The Cover The newest unit of Local 175 - Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay. Locals 175 and 633 Organizing Coordinator Mark Flannigan and Union Rep Serge Castonguay recently unionized 81 employees at the hotel. 2
President’s Message For most people Labour Day is day of transition from the days of summer as we begin to prepare for the hectic pace of the fall. Vacations are over, kids are back in school and work that piled up during our time off now has to be tackled. The fall season is also a busy period for the staff and stewards of Locals 175 and 633. In addition to their regular workplace duties, the fall is a time for stewards and staff to attend weekend educational seminars held throughout the province. The fall steward seminars held during September, October and November are important for all members of our Locals for they provide an opportunity for our stewards to take courses which will allow them to perform their job more effectively. Steward training, health and safety, public speaking, computer, and dealing with management courses, better prepare our stewards to deal with management in negotiations and serve our members in their workplaces.
The seminars also provide stewards in their respective regions a chance to meet and discuss matters which are affecting their workplaces. Officers and staff of the union are provided with feedback on issues which are important to our members and it gives us an opportunity to learn what is important to the membership and confirm what they want and expect from our union. It also allows us the opportunity to update stewards on UFCW activities. The fall also provides stewards from across the provinces the opportunity to apply to attend the stewards scholarship program at Locals 175 and 633 Training and Education centre in Mississauga. This week long intensive course not only provides stewards with an opportunity to gain more knowledge on the role of the steward but also gives them insight into their union and the labour movement in Canada. At times being a steward may seem like a thankless job but stewards are the cornerstones of our union.
Wayne Hanley They are our eyes and ears in the workplace and by attending the seminars they acquire the skills and tools necessary to be an effective steward. An effective steward means better workplace representation for the membership and in turn means better contract enforcement. By knowing their contract and fighting grievances stewards are better prepared to make proposals which will improve their contracts in future negotiations. I encourage all stewards new and experienced, to attend the steward seminars in their regions so that we may continue to build our union and provide our membership with the representation they so justly and richly deserve. To find out more about the fall stewards seminars or the stewards scholarship program, please contact you union representative or your local union office. 3
WHY IS WAL-MART SO CHEAP? Because it costs your job, your union and your community Wal-Mart is currently the most profitable corporation in the world. It is also one of the most anti-union employers in North America and one of the biggest human rights abusers on the planet. The reason why their products seem so cheap is because Wal-Mart refuses to recognize the right to a fair wage, safe working conditions or the right to join a union. Wal-Mart products are cheap for consumers because WalMart employees in Canada and around the world are treated like slaves. Don't believe it? Read on‌ The vast majority of Wal-Mart products are manufactured under sweatshop conditions in Latin America and Asia. In these factories, child labour is rampant, unionization is prohibited, wages are below the poverty level, and sexual harassment of workers is commonplace. Wal-Mart contracts out production to the lowest bidders internationally - many of which are military dictatorships and drug traffickers. These contractors set up sweatshops in what are called "free trade zones," where unions are illegal, the pay is terrible, conditions are extremely dangerous and workers are routinely threatened with violence and imprisonment. 4
Wal-Mart is fully aware of this situation - in fact they wouldn't have it any other way. And when Wal-Mart is questioned on their horrible human rights record, the company consistently lies. For example, WalMart continues to get many of its products from sweatshops controlled by military dictators and drug lords in Burma, even though the company publicly states that it does not do business in Burma. The vast majority of workers in these factories are teenage girls, who are subjected to discrimination, violence and sexual assault in the workplace. And in China, Wal-Mart contracts out production to sweatshops where workers are held under 'indentured servitude' -a modern term for slavery. Wal-Mart is also one of the most anti-union employers here in Canada. Each and every time Locals 175 and 633 have tried to help Wal-Mart employees unionize, the company has used threats, intimidation and store closures to scare and misinform workers. And when Wal-Mart employees are subjected to unfair treatment or dangerous working conditions, the company's response is to discipline or terminate the victim. Many Wal-Mart employees must endure a total of eight
anti-union videos as soon as they are hired and any worker who favors unionization is quickly fired. The UFCW has filed more than 250 charges against Wal-Mart for unfair labour practices in the United States alone. Wal-Mart doesn't just bully its own employees - Wal-Mart is a threat to all unionized workers, small businesses and local communities everywhere. Every time Wal-Mart opens a new store, unionized workers and their communities come under serious threat. Why? Because the very heart of WalMart's strategy is to undermine local businesses, unionized workers and small communities. By selling products at or below cost, Wal-Mart forces small businesses and unionized workers into a competitive race to the bottom. Instead of high-quality, unionized products, Wal-Mart sells merchandise that is manufactured in the Third World under extremely repressive conditions. And when it comes to your community, Wal-Mart openly supports backwards measures such as privatized education and environmental de-regulation. So how can unionized workers and neighborhood businesses compete with Wal-Mart? The contd. next page
short and simple answer is they can't. That's why unions and communities are banding together to stop Wal-Mart once and for all. The UFCW has been very successful in some instances, especially in British Columbia, in actually stopping Wal-Mart from opening up shop in their towns. UFCW Local 1518 has organized Community Coalitions Against Wal-Mart in B.C., bringing together labour, churches, young people, environmental groups and social service organizations to fight Wal-Mart's encroachment on local communities. The Union's strategy is to pressure municipal politicians to stop industrial re-zoning of land purchased by Wal-Mart, thereby blocking the company from building their infamous 'Big Box' stores. But the most important way to stop Wal-Mart's abuse of workers and communities starts with you. If members of Locals 175 and 633 simply take their hard-earned dollars elsewhere, Wal-Mart would feel the heat over night. Think about it - do you want quality, union-made goods or do you want cheap, low-quality products that were made and sold on the backs of slave labour? The answer is clear - remember‌
Buy Union, Buy UFCW, and definitely DON'T shop at Wal-Mart!
To President Wayne Hanley UFCW Local 175 Dear Brother Hanley, As Chief Steward and a member of the negotiating committee, I once again have the pleasure to tell you that Local 175 is alive and doing very well in Perth, Ontario. We at Hendricks’ YIG in Perth have just ratified a new 3-year collective agreement, which afforded the members many new standards plus substantial wage increases. Luc Lacelle is our Union Rep and also our negotiator at the bargaining table. With a strike mandate of 93%, Luc was able to obtain a collective agreement far beyond our membership expectations. After five days of negotiations, we had reached a standstill on Friday, June 15th. At 3pm, Luc in his wisdom made a bold move and gave the company the ultimatum and by 6pm we had an agreement that was
acceptable. The new agreement contained letters of agreement, formation of a labour-management committee, plus new and stronger language. Luc also eliminated the bagger classification in the pay scale. This gave one employee a $2.90 per hour pay raise. Luc exemplified trade unionism to its highest height and has shown that UFCW Local 175 will represent its membership to the fullest possible extent. As Chief Steward, I am proud and lucky to have Luc as our Union Rep and I feel that the UFCW has the best representation of any union in Perth. Don Portwine, Chief Steward PS - A special thanks to Terry in our Ottawa office. She always fulfills my requests, of which there are many. Thanks, Terry. contd. next page 5
Neg gotiations UP PDATE Local 175 members at the Huntsville District Nursing Home ratified a new collective agreement in June with significant wage increases, a pay equity plan and stronger job security and grievance clauses. Highlights of the new agreement include an across the board pay increase of 2.5% in the first year, 2.5% in the second, 3% in the third and 10¢ per hour in the fourth year. There are very strong clauses covering Personal Education Leave, Pay Equity and grievance arbitration. Employer contributions to the dental and pension plans have also increased. Negotiating the agreement for the members at the Nursing Home were Joyce Vicaire, Pam Langford, Bettyann Haslehurst, Sandra Ezeard, Irene McKay and Union Rep Archie Duckworth. Members at St. Peter's Day Care Centre in Hamilton recently ratified a new collective agreement with increases in wages, employer contributions to membership education and a new pension plan. The new agreement includes an across the board pay increase of 2% in the first year and 1.75% in the second year. cont’d. next pg. 6
To President Wayne Hanley UFCW Local 175
To President Wayne Hanley UFCW Local 175
Dear Brother Hanley,
Dear President Hanley,
I have just about completed my participation in the Distance Education Evaluation Program (DEEP).
I am taking the course taught through UFCW Local 175 called ‘Internet and E-mail: A Brief Introduction.’ One of the assignments is to send you an e-mail and talk about the course.
Apart from the vast amount of information which I often needed to process before I could get started on a particular question, I found the course most useful and obviously very challenging. It not only demystified computer jargon and procedure, but opened a whole new window onto the world of labour with sites such as ‘Labour News.’ It was quite a thrill to send an attachment for the first time. It was also very easy to get sidetracked, for as one’s capabilities increased so did one’s boldness. I often spent hours searching the web rather than doing an assignment. I’d like to thank you and your colleagues for making this project available. I’d also like to convey a special thanks to Andrea for her patience and excellent way of making things easier to understand. I do hope the course will be offered on an ongoing basis however slowly participants complete the assignments. Thank you once again. Sincerely, Sister Jean Klee
This course has been an interesting venture for me. I actually think that a lot of the information that was presented to me in the course was stuff that I already knew. I felt that this course was too simplified for me. I think it was more designed for an individual that had little or no experience with the Internet and E-mail. I think it should be continued as a regular course, but I think that it should be advertised as a course for Beginners. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Ruth Eigenbrood
Current News on Locals 175 and 633 Web-Site Check out the new current messages at: www.ufcw175.com/news A new and current message each weekday covering everything from negotiations to politics to member services
Hamilton and Oshawa Walkathons Raise Money for Leukemia Research
Negotiations contd... The employer will also contribute to first aid and CPR courses for members. The company will now contribute to the CCWIPP pension plan at the rate of 65¢ per hour for every member. Negotiating the agreement for members at St. Peter's Day Care were Maria Thring, Paula Cercone and Central West Director Harry Sutton. Local 175 Members at Maple Leaf Poultry in Brampton ratified a new collective agreement in April with wage increases, better benefits and vacation entitlements, and stronger contract language.
Locals 175 and 633 members raised lots of money, got some exercise and had loads of fun in the Hamilton Walkathon on June 10th and the Oshawa Walkathon on June 17th, Father’s Day. There were barbeques, great prizes and Spike paid a visit to the delight of kids young and old. Congratulations to all our members for donating their time, sweat and money to the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada! Here are some pictures from the Walkathons.
Highlights of the new agreement include across the board pay increases each year of the three year contract. All members will be entitled to more vacations, dental and drug benefits. Job security and Union access to the workplace have also been improved. Negotiating the agreement for the members at Maple Leaf were ?. Members at Michel's Baguette in the Toronto Eaton Centre recently ratified a new collective agreement with wage increases for both fulltime and part-time members, stronger contract language and new employer contribucont’d. next pg. 7
Negotiations contd... tions to membership benefits. The agreement includes annual wage increases, lump sum payments and a higher starting rate. There is also a retroactive shift premium dating back to January 1st this year. The employer will also contribute $250 every year to the Local 175 Training and Education Fund. Negotiating the agreement for the members at Michel's Baguette were Errol James and Joe Fita and Union Reps Fernando Reis and Joe DeMelo. Local 175 members at the Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Home in Fergus ratified a new collective agreement last month with wage increases, stronger language and better holidays and benefits. Highlights of the new agreement include an across the board pay increase of 2% in the first year, 2% in the second and 1% in the third year. Members will also enjoy more holidays and increased employer contributions to benefit plans. Negotiating the agreement for the members at the Fergus Retirement Home were Brenda Montgomery, Shirley Goodwin and Union Reps Angus Locke and Rick Wauhkonen. cont’d. next pg. 8
Member Reinstated at Axis after Local 175 Wins Arbitration A member of Local 175 was recently reinstated following an arbitrator's ruling that Axis Logistics wrongfully dismissed the employee. The member has worked as a full-time receiver at Axis since 1996 and frequently volunteers for overtime. Management has described the employee as "a good worker" who "did a good job." But in August last year, the member was fired for simply voicing his concerns over new overtime rules. At a regular day shift meeting last summer, management introduced new rules covering overtime breaks. There were about 100 members at the meeting, including the grievor. A supervisor announced that employees were previously entitled to two 15-minute breaks during a 4-hour overtime shift, but that the company would now pay for only one break. Regular practice was for two paid breaks for every 4-hour overtime shift. As soon as the notice was made members began questioning the new rule, which amounted to pressuring employees to skip one of their breaks during overtime. Those who spoke pointed out that if an employee worked two 2-hour overtime shifts, they would get both paid breaks. Sensing disapproval from the members, the supervisor suddenly cut the meeting short and said the new rule would stick whether members
liked it or not. At that point, the grievor said that employees should not work overtime. The member did not raise his voice, stand up or make a speech, but simply said that no one should work the 4-hour overtime shift if breaks were not going to be paid for. But management viewed his concern as ‘incitement to illegally strike’ and soon after terminated the member. When Axis refused to reinstate the member, Local 175 took the matter to arbitration. In the ruling, the arbitrator agreed with all of the Union's arguments, especially that there was no evidence that the grievor either intended to incite a work stoppage or that he had any influence over his coworkers. The member was simply pointing out that the new rule would force employees taking overtime to work longer for less pay. In fact, the arbitrator concluded "he was exercising the right of free speech as part of what had been until a moment earlier an invited discussion with a senior supervisor." As a result, the member was reinstated with full retroactive pay and seniority. Locals 175 and 633 always fight hard to get members back to work who have been wrongly terminated. It is an important reason why your Union has one of the best membership service records in Canada.
Outstanding Members Recognized for their Contributions to Local 175
Local 175 recently recognized two outstanding members for their longtime dedication to the Union. Pictured above is Walter Krasnozon, a member at Maple Leaf Pork in Burlington for nine years, receiving his retirement gift from Central West Director Harry Sutton. On Sutton’s left is Plant Chairperson Steve Welch and on Brother Krasnozon’s right is Chief Steward Peter Popovich.
Jim Hough, another dedicated Local 175 member at Maple Leaf Pork, recently received his 20-year pin from Director Sutton. Brother Hough is the former President and Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 1227 and continues to assist Local 175 members as the WSIB Rep at Maple Leaf and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union’s Ontario Provincial Council.
Negotiations cont’d... A new collective agreement was recently ratified by members at Hendrick’s Y.I.G. in Perth with significant wage increases, strong contract language and enhanced benefits and vacation scheduling. The new agreement eliminates the bagger classification, thereby winning these members a $2.85 per hour pay increase. This is in addition to across the board wage increases of 30¢ per hour every year for part-time members and 20¢ per hour every year for full-timers. There are also lump sum payments for members of up to $150 every year. Language has been improved to make the joint labour-management committee and summer vacation scheduling more responsive to our members. Negotiating the agreement for our members at Hendrick's Y.I.G. were Don Portwine, Roy Carriere, Simon Baker and Union Rep Luc Lacelle. Local 175 members at Loeb Pembroke ratified a new collective agreement in May with a No Harassment policy, across the board wage increases and a new group insurance plan. The two-year agreement includes a 40¢ per hour pay increase for both part-time and full-time members and annual lump sum payments of cont’d. next pg. 9
Negotiations contd... up to $100. The No Harassment policy protects members from aggressive or violent behaviour from managers or other employees. Vacation entitlements have also been improved for both part-time and full-time members. A new group insurance plan has been introduced with extended medical coverage, life insurance, vision care and dental coverage. Negotiating the new agreement for members at Loeb Pembroke were Loyal Campbell, Duane Pastway, Union Rep Linval Dixon and Eastern Director Dan Lacroix. At the end of July, Local 175 members at Hurley Corporation at Pickering Town Centre ratified a new collective agreement with significant wage increases, better benefits and more vacations. Highlights of the new agreement include across the board wage increases and higher employer contributions to the Group Benefit plan. Members will also be entitled to more vacations under the new contract and there is stronger language on seniority and Union security. Negotiating for the members at Hurley were Craig Arneson and Union Rep Mike Brennan.
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Local 175 Wins Coordinated Benefits for Members at Better Beef Local 175 recently settled a policy grievance with Better Beef concerning coordinated benefits for married and common law members. The policy grievance stemmed from an individual grievance in which a member was not receiving their full payment of benefits because their spouse was also a member at Better Beef. Before the Union filed the grievance, Better Beef had been denying couples the chance to coordinate their individual benefits. When the employer refused to settle the grievance, the Union took the issue to arbitration. The employer was not allowing couples to coordinate benefits such as vision care and other health care benefits. The Union immediately pointed out that such practice was a violation of the collective agreement, as well as the Ontario Human Rights Code on the basis of marital status. The Union expanded the individual grievance into a policy grievance because they saw the opportunity to ensure comprehensive benefits for more than 100 couples working at Better Beef. As Locals 175 and 633 Legal Counsel Naveen Mehta explains, "This settlement will ensure that the employer pays full benefits to hundreds of our members who are couples in the same work-
place." Union Rep Angus Locke was very well prepared going into the hearing, thereby avoiding many days of costly arbitration. As the Union's case was solid, Better Beef settled, the appropriate benefits were paid retroactively to the grievor and a guarantee of equitable treatment for all our members was made. It is significant that an individual grievance has resulted in fair treatment for all our members at Better Beef. If not for the determination of one member and the strength of Local 175, the employer likely would have continued to violate the collective agreement and Ontario Human Rights Code. Our Union is winning fair and just treatment for our members every day and we set a precedent for upholding the human rights that everyone is entitled to in the workplace.
Locals 175 and 633 Using Our Strengths to Build Your Future
Scholarship Winners Left: Local 175 member Emily Gibb has won the 2001 UFCW Canada scholarship. She has worked as a cashier at Safeway in Fort Frances for the past three years. In addition to graduating with the highest academic average in her class, Gibb has traveled to many countries as the treasurer and French Horn player for the Fort Frances High School Band. She has been very active in drama, badminton, the yearbook committee, Ukrainian dancing and tutoring students in Math and Chemistry. On top of all this, Gibb also volunteers at her church as the Assistant Director of the junior choir. “I’m very excited about receiving this scholarship,” says Gibb, “In addition to being honored, I know that it will go a long way toward helping me achieve my educational goals.” Gibb will be starting an Engineering degree at Queen’s University in Kingston next month.
To Wayne Hanley, President, UFCW Local 175 Dear President Hanley, I would like to enthusiastically confirm my acceptance of the 2001 UFCW Canada scholarship. I know it will go a long way toward helping me achieve my educational goals. Sincerely, Emily Gibb
Right: Local 175 member Katie Costello is a recipient of the Union’s McKay-ThompsonHoebink-Gibson scholarship. Costello is a member at Pharma Plus Store #02105. Pictured here is a very happy Costello receiving the scholarship from Vice President Mona Bailey. 11
New Organizing Victories for Local 175 The Organizing Department of Locals 175 and 633 have been very busy organizing more than 350 new members across Ontario. The new units range from grocery stores to hotels to the health and beauty industry. Many of the new members are women and young people. Mark Flannigan, Organizing Coordinator for the Union, says that job security and wages have been the most important issues for the new members. In all cases, employees approached Local 175 to ask for assistance in unionizing their workplace and bargaining a first contract. Flannigan explains how most people who ask the Union to help them organize have heard great things about Local 175 from friends and family. Our Union has one of the best reputations in Canada for membership servicing
and strong collective agreements, and is a leader in the retail, food and commercial sectors. One of the most recent organizing victories was the Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay. Local 175 now has 81 new members in the hotel's bargaining unit. Racine Independent, a retail grocery store in Casselman, was successfully organized in June with 66 members. Members at Racine were particularly attracted to the Union because they needed fair treatment and real job security. Loeb Cumberland in Orleans was organized in February with a total of 128 new members who have already ratified their first contract. And employees at Spadoni Leasing in Thunder Bay and North American Lumber in Fort Francis also joined Local 175 earlier this year.
Union Rep Rick Wauhkonen organized 86 new members at Apollo Health and Beauty in Vaughan, the first Local 175 unit in the cosmetic industry. Employees at the facility, which makes bath soaps, were very concerned about job security following a number of wrongful dismissals. As a result, Waukhkonen says that the new members were very enthusiastic about joining Local 175, with more than 50 people signing Union cards in less than four days. Better wages and benefits were two more reasons why the members chose to join our Union. As you can see, Local 175 is expanding across many different industries and is continuously organizing new and diverse groups of members. Congratulations to all our new members and welcome to your Union!
Local 175 Members at Ball Packaging Keep Summer Cool With this summer’s recent heat wave, the 150 members of Local 175 who work at Ball Packaging in Whitby have been busy manufacturing beer and pop cans which hold the beverages that help keep us cool. Main production of the beverage cans are for Molson Breweries and Pepsi Cola and the members produce more than a million cans a day. The plant has recently undergone a major retooling which cost the company $10.5 million, to produce
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cans which are easier to drink from. This in turn should bring Ball Packaging more customers. Earlier this year, members re-elected their plant committee and ratified a new collective agreement. With the new agreement, Local 175 members at Ball Packaging have worked 18 consecutive years without a work stoppage. Pictured here, left to right, are Steve Lucchi, Ball Packaging Plant Chair and Dean McLaren, Vice Chair.
2001 By-Law and Policy Conference
Close to 300 Locals 175 and 633 Stewards and Staff participated in the very successful 2001 By-Law and Policy Conference, held at the Regal Constellation Hotel in Toronto from April 28-29. Local 175 President Wayne Hanley and the Union’s Staff and Executive reported on their progress throughout the past year to make Locals 175 and 633 even more effective in negotiations, membership servicing and organizing. All resolutions and by-laws were passed unanimously and delegates came together throughout the weekend to share experiences and forge bonds of solidarity. New initiatives were supported in the areas of human rights, youth empowerment and the fight to stop vio-
lence against women. All those in attendence participated in big fundraising activities to raise money for leukemia research, food banks and women’s shelters. Everyone also enjoyed some great entertainment by the band Legends, as well as charity casinos, raffles and dinners. “We are proud of our Union Stewards and Activists for working tirelessly to serve their brothers and sisters in the workplace and beyond,” says President Hanley, “Together, we can expand, become even stronger and reach out to the people who need our Union the most.”
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Leukemia Fundraising Across Ontario
Above: The Annual Locals 175 and 633 Hockey Tournament, on June 15th and 16th this year, raised $10,700 for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada! The UFCW West Team won the tournament this year. On the left, Central West Director Harry Sutton presents the trophy to Shane Dawson, Assistant to the Canadian Director. On the right, Union Rep Chris Fuller presents the trophy for best goalie to Brother Scott Dutcher, a steward at Pepsi, accepting on behalf of the Local 175 team.
Left: Ted Dawes, a Local 175 member at Minute Maid in Peterborough, recently raised $627 for leukemia research by shaving his head. Brother Dawes was out of town for the Union’s leukemia walkathons, but showed his dedication to the cause by getting members to sponsor his new haircut. Way to go, Ted! Right: Union Rep Teresa Magee serves hamburgers and hotdogs to Local 175 members at Cargill Meats in Toronto, during the Union’s Annual Leukemia BBQ on June 20th. 14
Youth News "Know your rights." That's what Local 175 Union Steward Timothy Deelstra at Nabisco has to say about working these days. "…For not only is it intimidating for young workers to confront management with problems at work, but often there are overwhelming stereotypes and myths about what can happen if you do enforce your rights". As a result, Timothy has become active in understanding his collective agreement and other laws in his workplace. At the age of 21 Tim is already a steward, a member of the Locals 175 & 633 Youth Committee, and a participant in the UFCW Canada Youth Internship Program. "The problem with young workers however, is that some just let stuff just roll over them. They argue that because they are part-time it doesn't really matter. They contend that if a manager tells you to do something, you just do it, regardless of whether it is unsafe, regardless if it is against your rights". In short, many young people do not understand that having a union ensures your rights, your safety, and your dignity. So…as Timothy says, "know your rights!" The following article is Timothy Deelstra's account of the 2001 UFCW Canada Youth Internship Program. 2001 UFCW Canada Youth Internship Recently, I attended the first portion of the Youth Internship Program, which was established by UFCW Canada. I first heard of the program as a result of my participation in the Locals 175 & 633 Youth Committee. The program had been explained to me as an educational and thought-provoking experience - a real hands on way to learn about the union and to communicate that knowledge to other members, especially younger ones. So far I've completed the first leg of the internship, a two-week training session at Locals 175 & 633 Training and Educational Centre in Mississauga, with a three-day field trip to Ottawa. We spent the first week in the "classroom," learning about and discussing the union and the role youth can take in it. On the second week we went to Ottawa where we visited the Canadian Labour
Congress and spent a day on Parliament Hill. While on the hill, we were joined by NDP Member of Parliament and UFCW Canada member, Bev Desjarlais. She took us around parliament and, as a result, we were able to sit in on the NDP caucus. We also took in question period in the House of Commons, an interesting look at the way our Government works. This internship program is a very important tool for UFCW Canada to get young members involved in their Union. It could not be more important to stress to the younger generations coming up that they need to be involved so that they can take an active hand in what happens to them, to have a voice and not passively allow employers to dictate what they will do and become. With more and more youth entering the workforce, this is increasingly necessary. That is why programs that educate and empower youth, like the Locals 175 & 633 Youth Committee and the Youth Internship Program, are so important. I've already picked up a real sense of purpose as well as the understanding that the union is a valuable institution, which we need to fight to maintain and expand. The UFCW is recognizing that youth are the future and I am proud to be a part of an organization that finally realizes the importance of youth involvement. Editor’s Note: The Youth Internship is funded by UFCW Local Unions across Canada and one of the big advantages is that Locals 175 and 633 employers contribute to the program.
Local 175 Union Steward Tim Deelstra 15
Locals 175 and 633 Members Donate $175,633 to Leukemia Research!
Members and Staff of Locals 175 and 633 presented a cheque for $175,633 to the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, during the 12th Annual UFCW Canada Leukemia Gala. The money was raised by Locals 175 and 633 members who organize walkathons, bowlathons, concerts, raffles, hockey, pool and golf tournaments for leukemia research every year. Locals 175 and 633 raised more money this year than any other UFCW Local Union in Canada! The June 22nd Gala was a huge success, with a special visit from former Canadian Heavyweight Champion George Chuvalo and a live concert by Canada’s Blue Rodeo. Congratulations to our members for their dedication to finding a cure for leukemia.
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Local 175 Wins Innovative Gains for Members at Danone Members of Local 175 at Danone Inc in Mississauga recently ratified a new collective agreement with substantial gains particularly for parttimers and sales people. In a very unique settlement, parttime wages will now increase to match full-time rates. And this is on top of an across the board wage increase of 2% in the second year, 2% in the third and immediate signing bonuses ranging from $300 to $500. In the food and retail industries, the matching of part-time and full-time wages is indeed an innovative victory for members of the Union. Employers often pay part-time workers much less than full-timers and limit their benefit entitlements. That's why the strength and power of Local 175 in negotiations is so important - to protect and fight for the rights of part-time workers and full-time
members alike. All the members at Danone will also be sharing substantial gains in insurance benefits, pensions and the Union's Training and Edu-cation Fund. Another unique part of the collective agreement at Danone is that it covers sales people, in addition to our members in the distribution centre. The vast majority of sales people in North America are not unionized and work under some of the most vulnerable conditions. They are rarely entitled to benefits and often work on commission, with no guarantee of an hourly wage. But this is not the case at Danone - our members include both sales personnel and warehouse employees. The new contract includes wage increases for our members in sales, as well as benefits, group insurance and a 13% increase in mileage expenses.
These are big gains for our members. "Our Union must prioritize the gaps that exist between full-time, part-time and extraordinary workers in collective bargaining," says Local 175 president Wayne Hanley, "These are the people who need Unions the most." Members of Locals 175 and 633 have proven once again that we are a Union that fights equally hard for all workers everywhere - part-time, fulltime and sales people alike. Negotiating this strong agreement for the members at Danone were Cliff Kostyniuk, John Toner and Cathy Smit, along with Union Rep Mike Duden. Congratu-lations to the negotiating committee and all our members at Danone for making Locals 175 and 633 a leader in the Canadian labour movement!
Local 175 to Start Retirees Chapter Local 175 retirees are organizing their own chapter to bring together seniors who have been active in the Union and their workplaces. The first meeting of the Local 175 Retirees Chapter will be on September 24th at 7:30pm, at the Union's Hamilton office on 412 Rennie Street. Jim Montgomery, former Local 175 Executive Board member and recent retiree, is organizing the meeting. He plans to start monthly social gatherings where Local 175 retirees can get to know one another and have some fun. Montgomery also hopes to start a retirees Travel Club where members can plan vacations together. "As the largest local union in Canada, I know there are many Local 175 retirees who want to continue socializing with their brothers and sisters in the years to come," explains Local 175 President Wayne Hanley, "After all, these are the people that have made Local 175 the strong and effective Union that it is today." If you are retiring or know of a Local 175 member who is retiring, contact the Union office at (905) 821-8329 or 1-800-565-8329. 17
Education News The Training and Education Department of Locals 175 and 633 has been busy offering courses for members across the province. Steward Scholarship programs, Labour College certificates and Grade 12 Equivalency courses have been very successful in attracting enthusiatic members. Local 175 members also played an important role in the 2001 UFCW Canada Youth Internship. “When it comes to membership education, our Union is one of the most active in Canada,” says Local 175 President Wayne Hanley, “We are proud to make educational development a reality for our members and their families - that way, we can all grow together.” Locals 175 & 633 Steward Scholarship Program June 3rd to June 8th Front Row (l-r): Diana Dignard, Barb Wilford, Valerie Ann Capitan, Heather Pinsonneault, Cynthia Pilon and Lisette Poirier. Middle Row (l-r): Richard McIntosh, Andrew Stephenson, Victor Carrozzino (Local 175 Training and Education Coordinator), Doug McQuillan, Shawn Knight, Nadine Lazzari (Local 175 Administrative Assistant) and Bob Drouin. Back Row (l-r): Dimas Botelho, Nigel Goddard, Robert Smith and Rose Marie Francis. 2001 UFCW Canada Youth Internship Program May 27th to June 2nd Front Row (l-r): Susan Taylor (Local 1252), Heather Poirier (Local 1288P) and Travis Vellacot (Local 401). Back Row (l-r): Dave Killham (UFCW Canada Training and Education Coordinator), Mark Hennesey (Local 248P), Tim Deelstra (Local 175), Trista Ross (Local 832), Charity Dawn Arsenault (Local 864), Danielle Burlock (Local 1000A), Elizabeth Rose Camp (Local 401) and Karma Pucyk (Local 401).
Change of Address? Don’t leave it up to your employer...advise us of your address change If you are moving or planning to move, please fill out the form below and mail it to us at UFCW Locals 175 and 633, 2200 Argentia Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 2K7. Or call us at 1-800-565-8329.
Name........................................................................... Unit Number............................ New Address.............................................................. ............................................................... .............................................................. Phone......................................................................... E-mail......................................................................... 18
Secretary Treasurer’s Message As you know, Labour Day is a time to celebrate the victories trade unions have fought for and won in Canada over the years, which have helped improve the standard of living for us all. It is a time to celebrate and demonstrate our strength and solidarity as union members across Canada and as members of Locals 175 and 633. Yet, the Ontario government recently announced that they are determined to rain on our festivities on September 3rd. Bill 147, new legislation that will dramatically change the Employment Standards Act and seriously threaten the lives of working families across the province, will be enacted on September 4th - the day after Labour Day. Bill 147 will allow employers to intimidate workers to work 60 hours a week without overtime pay and could limit vacations to one day at a time. This comes on the heels of other moves by the Harris govern-
ment to attack health and safety protections that are in place and limit our fundamental rights to join a union and participate in collective bargaining. In fact, the only protection a worker has in Ontario these days is a union and a strong collective agreement. But even this is in jeopardy because the upcoming changes to the Act will threaten the free and fair collective bargaining process and will make it more difficult for unions to organize new members. What Bill 147 amounts to is tilting the balance of power in favor of Big Business and rolling back our rights as unionized workers. This issue really is about you, your families and your communities. Even though you belong to a union, you probably have friends or family members who do not. Bill 147 means that non-union workers will have very little power to refuse unsafe work, to take a vacation or to get paid anything more than minimum wage. But this
Jim Andress legislation will go even further. Our democratic right to organize the unorganized, to fight for human dignity in the workplace and to bring home a living wage for you and your family, will be continuously attacked by the Harris government. So what can we do to stop this latest attack? The answer: Have the best Labour Day ever and prepare to take the progressive gains and accomplishments of our members even further. Our Local Union is the backbone of Canadian labour and we will not be intimidated by the government's refusal to listen to the voices of working families. Your Union is more than ready for the struggle ahead and we will fight to protect as many workers as possible in the workplace and in your communities. I hope all our members are enjoying a good summer and have a safe and happy Labour Day weekend!
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