Labour Reporter Saskatchewan’s Voice of Labour
OCTOBER 2011
Know the issues, act on the facts
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In the October edition of the Labour Reporter you’ll find details about some of the things that we’ve been up to over the summer. You’ll have a chance to read about the recent SFL Summer Camp, the progress of Station 20 West, and the recent memorial for Nick Schaack. You’ll also find details about important issues including water, greenhouse gases, and other things to think about prior to the provincial election. As the next provincial election swiftly approaches, it is extremely important for those of us that live and work in Saskatchewan to consider the issues that are important to us, and important to our families. An election is an important opportunity to discuss ideas and to make decisions about what we want our province’s future to look like. There are some that say that in Saskatchewan unaccountable, unelected CEOs and their corporations should decide how our province is managed. Those same individuals believe that environmental standards aren’t as important as corporate profits, that regulations protecting working people’s safety aren’t as
important as dividends for shareholders, and that the widening gap between the rich and everyone else isn’t as important as the bottom line. There is another way, and it’s a proud part of our history in Saskatchewan. Instead of handing the keys to the province over to corporations, we can insist that our government keep our province in our own hands! We can insist that we decide what happens with our potash, our water, our conservation lands, and the rest of our beautiful province. The coming election is an opportunity for us to elect members of government that represent our shared values: cooperation, public ownership, and practical local solutions to complicated problems. In order to help inform people about just some of the issues facing the people of Saskatchewan today, the SFL has ramped up our Labour Issues Campaign. Our sixth Labour Issues booklet, which deals with issues of the environment and the economy, is now available. In the coming days it will be increasingly important to order Labour Issues booklets, to send members to training sessions, or to order presentations. On November 7th let’s demand, with one clear voice, a government that puts the interests of Saskatchewan people first! In solidarity,
It’s a fact:
n The richest 20 percent of the people in Saskatchewan account for 43.1 percent of the income in the province, while the poorest 20 percent account for only 5 percent! Source: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Index:
n p. 2-3: SFL summer camp a big hit n p. 3: Nick Schaack memorial unveiled n p. 4: Our water, our choice n p. 5: Our green house n p. 6: Grooming generation activist n p. 7: New booklets n p. 8: Prairie school success
Larry Hubich
Labour Reporter is published quarterly by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. Editor: Heath Smith, h.smith@sfl.sk.ca. Mailing address: 220-2445 13th Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan. Phone: 306-525-0197 Fax: 306-525-8960 Website: www.sfl.sk.ca Email: sfl@sfl.sk.ca. This newsletter is written and reproduced by members of CUPE 4828.
memorial unveiled
Nick Schaack Memorial
Another successful year at the SFL summer camp, but don’t take our word for it …
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2011 was my first year as a counsellor at the SFL summer camp. My idea of counselling was to help guide the kids in learning about social activism and unions. I very soon realized that we adults learn as much or more from the kids than they learn from us. It was amazing to see so much talent and brilliance from this group that continued to emerge all week. They showed us the perfect example of acceptance and inclusion all week that we as adults so desperately need to learn. If all the youth of today are like the youth that attend this camp every year, our world is in great hands! — Dawn Schewaga, CEP Local 649 There are tons of things that I can say about camp, and yet there are no words to describe it. Strangely enough, “magical” comes to mind. I’m not talking about your regular “knot-tying” kind of camp, either. At what other camp can you bargain with your counsellors to get a later bed time? Or attempt to eat with your hands tied to two other people? And what about when you go tubing, and the captain knows exactly where the most insane waves are? Where else, if not SFL camp? I’ve been a camper for four years, and have learned so much about the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, and what they do, what they strive for. But it isn’t a “sit and listen” kind of thing. In fact, it’s a hands-on experience. This is a place where you can learn and have fun, be relaxed and accepted for who you are. There isn’t one bad thing about this camp, and I think it’s safe to say that you fall in love with the camp, and the people. What better place to spend during a week in you summer, than surrounded by friends and family? — Alison Haarstad, 16 years old, 4th-year camper
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Camp. Man, I just can’t explain it. First years, like I was last year, just get accepted like the campers, YACs, and counsellors have known you for your whole life. You honestly become a family, so tight-wound and so emotionally attached that it hurts to say “good bye.” I know that a lot of people, if not all that walk into this camp even for just a day, change in some way. They change in a way that is positive. A way I never knew before I came to this camp. This camp lets campers learn hands-on, not just on a chalk board. You also will keep this knowledge for as long as you live because you receive tools to help you to cooperate, negotiate, understand, and how to stand up. But you’re not just a learner, you teach others even when you’re learning. I know counsellors and YACs learn just as much as the campers. I also know that each year you come you learn and change even more than the year before. — Megan Hannah, 14 years old, 2nd-year camper
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Labour Reporter
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Friday, July 1st marked the 76th anniversary of the Regina Riot, the passionate struggle for economic security on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan and all Canadians. To commemorate the life of Nick Schaack, who died as a result of injuries suffered during the riot, a memorial headstone was unveiled on July 1st at the Regina Cemetery. Nick gave his life attempting to win the economic security that many of us enjoy today and his efforts will never be forgotten. groundbreaking ceremony
Station 20 West: Worth the wait
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SFL Recording Secretary, Wanda Bartlett, was on hand in July for a sod-turning ceremony for Station 20 West. After the current government cut funding to the project putting its future in question, and after years of diligent fundraising, construction is set to begin on truly cuttingedge facilities. Soon Saskatoon’s inner city will boast a one-stop shop for people to go for quality nutritious food and healthcare all within an environmentally sustainable building. As the Station 20 West website (www. station20west.org) points out , “The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) have provided us with hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants as well as long term, interest free loans.” Thank you to all those that worked so hard to help ensure that this groundbreaking project goes ahead! October 2011
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Our water, our choice By Gary Schoenfeldt, Chair of the SFL Trade Committee & Darwin DeLorme, Chair of the SFL Aboriginal Committee
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Nobody thinks twice about using drinking water to flush a toilet. Election campaigns ignore people facing “Boil Water Advisories” and spring flooding. But Canadian water is up for grabs in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) being negotiated between Canada and the European Union. Last year Newfoundland and Labrador reasserted control over water at a defunct Abitibi-Bowater paper mill. The U.S. firm sued Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). At a closed – door hearing, Canada threw up its hands, agreeing to pay millions in damages! With that surrender came Mr. Harper’s proposed Bill S-11, which will privatize water on First Nations Reserves. To most Canadians clean water comes at the twist of a tap. Thousands of homes in remote communities don’t enjoy that “luxury” or access to sewage services. Yet, Canada plans to contract out to private for-profit companies what should be public infrastructure. Without public consultation we don’t know who will benefit or pay for this sell-off. The Aboriginal People’s Television Network recently reported that a former advisor to Mr. Harper may have illegally promoted contracting out filtration systems on First Nations Reserves. How will Treaty rights apply and how will farmers survive if water is diverted for industrial use? Will water bills increase? What standards will apply? Will toilets continue to flush or will the tap run dry? NAFTA, Bill S-11, and CETA: ask your Member of Parliament about how those three things will affect your community.
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Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams — they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do — they all contain truths. — Muhammad Ali 4
Labour Reporter
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This green house: Building fast action on climate change and green jobs
With municipal financing, homeowners can access loans that will be paid off with small annual payments on their property taxes.
By Charley Beresford, Executive Director, Columbia Institute Section only. Full article available at http://www.columbiainstitute.ca/
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These days, amid record high unemployment and increasing financial challenges for working people, we’ve become accustomed to hearing dire warnings about the threats and impacts of climate change. Enormous challenges without easy answers. We each want to be able to respond, but our time and bank accounts are already stretched, and we know that it’s going to require action from more than just us. Green jobs, good unionized jobs in fields that contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality, are quickly presenting themselves as an effective way to make this happen. And a new study by the Columbia Institute, This Green House: Building Fast Action on Climate Change and Green Jobs, outlines how local governments can take a leadership role. Energy use in buildings accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. And energyefficiency retrofits offer a fast and affordable way to cut GHG emissions, conserve energy, save you money on your utility bills, and increase the value of your home. Not only that but energy efficiency retro-
fits create jobs – 20 jobs for each $1 million invested. That’s significantly more than the 5.2 jobs created for each $1 million invested in the oil and gas industry. Workers, consumers, communities and the environment all benefit – it’s a win, win, win, win. The major barrier is that a typical retrofit - with changes like upgrading hot water tanks, home heating and cooling systems, and improving weatherization and insulation of homes - will cost a homeowner about $6000, and most people don’t have that kind of money sitting around. However at current energy prices that investment could double in return ($12,000) over 25 years, and with rising energy prices,
could save even more over time. Municipal leadership on retrofit financing presents a tremendous opportunity for Canadian municipalities to lead the way in creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gases, by making these retrofits feasible and affordable. With municipal financing, homeowners can access loans that will be paid off with small annual payments on their property taxes. Even better, loan payments can be made up with through energy bill savings. And because municipalities are giving loans – and not grants – to homeowners, there’s no net cost to municipalities and taxpayers. October 2011
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New SFL booklet focused on natural resource management Our government’s policies determine what our economy and environment look like. These policies in turn affect our daily lives and those of future generations, in the most fundamental of ways. do you support the government’s direction and choices? Saskatchewan does not belong to any politician, political party or government – it belongs to the people. if you don’t consent to the shift from public responsibility to private profiteering …
WhAT cAn yOu dO?
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Become part of the SFL Labour Issues campaign at www.labourissues.sfl.sk.ca Visit us on Facebook: SFL Labour Issues Campaign Follow us on Twitter: @SFLLabourIssues
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Talk to your co-workers, friends and family about the issues. Contact your MLA and share your concerns (www.legassembly.sk.ca/members/mla_list.htm). Book a presentation for your workplace, union or community group about this booklet, and on the other booklets in our campaign, including: • Labour Rights, Human Rights … What’s Happening in Saskatchewan? • Healthcare … What’s Happening in Saskatchewan? • Defending Our Crown Corporations & Public Services • Education … What’s Happening in Saskatchewan? • Act on the Facts (Anti-CLAC)
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Grooming Generation Activist
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Order and distribute the booklets; available through the SFL office or online at www.labourissues.sfl.sk.ca.
We can come for lunch meetings or evening meetings … no matter the size!
The SFL represents approximately 98,000 workers in Saskatchewan. 220 – 2445 13th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0W1 Phone (306) 525-0197 • Fax (306) 525-8960 Visit the SFL Labour Issues campaign website at www.labourissues.sfl.sk.ca or email sfl@sfl.sk.ca
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Environment & Economy: We Have a Choice is the latest installment in the Labour Issues Campaign series of booklets. In it you will find valuable information about the current state of the Saskatchewan economy and environment. Environment and Economy explains some practical decisions that the people of the province will face as corporations continue to push for greater control of our natural resources, our economy, and our environment.
CUPE 4828 September 2011
SFL Labour Issues Campaign Booklet order: Please indicate how many booklets of each issue you would like to order: Healthcare _____ Education _____ Crowns & Public Services _____ Anti-CLAC _____ Environment & Economy _____ Are you interested in hosting a presentation at your union local or community organization?_____ Yes _____ No Name:_________________________________________________________________
Operating on a shoe string budget and donated time, the program has already graduated over 100 trained organizers, most of whom are now engaged in leadership roles in grassroots groups and NGOs across Canada and abroad. Next Up Saskatchewan begins its 2011 program in October. Visit the website at www.nextup.ca/ index.php/network/ next-up-sask- 20102011 for more details.
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Labour Reporter
Union/Local:___________________________________________________________ By Tom Sandborn, 19 July 2011, TheTyee.ca Section only. View full article and comments: http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/07/19/GenActivist/
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A school for activists? Isn’t that a little establishment? Not according to the graduates of Next Up, a West Coast-based training program for young people with a mind to shake up the status quo. Sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Columbia Institute Centre for Civic Governance, and the Parkland Institute, Next Up has just completed its fourth year of training events for young activists between 18 and 32 in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon. The program, which is offered tuition free to its young participants, involves seven months of training events, meeting once a week for an evening class, and once a month for an all day weekend event. Participants are chosen because they have already begun some form of activism in their own community, and are offered training in activist, organizing, conflict resolution and communi-
cation skills. Operating on a shoe string budget of around $130,000 a year and donated time from older community activists who serve as mentors and advisors, the program has already graduated over 100 trained organizers, most of whom are now engaged in leadership roles in grassroots groups and NGOs across Canada and abroad. There are Next Up grads hard at work at the Wilderness Committee, the Pembina Institute, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, Shark Truth (an NGO founded by Next Up grad Claudia Li), the Carnegie Community Action Project, which fights gentrification in Vancouver’s Chinatown, and the Dusty Flowerpot Theatre, to name a few. Some grads are doing international social justice work in Uganda and the United States. For Taylor Yee in Saskatoon, the networking was the most important element of her Next Up experience. “I have only extreme respect for the people I’ve met through the program; they are just amazing,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from them, and they give me hope that this world can change for the better.”
Address _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________ ________________________ To help with costs, we ask that booklet be picked up when possible. We can also send them by mail or bus. Please indicate how you want to receive these copies: _____ I will pick them up _____ I need them to be delivered Return this completed form to: The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour #220 – 2445 13th Ave., Regina, Sk. S4P 0W1 Fax: 525-8960
Meet Tina Vuckovic
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For the next several months, Tina will serve as the Coordinator for the SFL’s Labour Issues Campaign. With a strong background in the trade union movement, as an active steward at SGEU since 2001, and with an excellent foundation in past Labour Issues Campaigns, having served as a mobilizer for the 2007 campaign, Tina brings a wealth of experience with her to the position. Whether you’re looking for details about the campaign, planning to order Labour Issues booklets, hoping to organize training sessions, or wanting at attend a training session, give Tina a call. You can reach her at t.vuckovic@sfl.sk.ca or call (306) 924-8571.
Call to action
Upcoming SFL training sessions
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Build the movement to: • reverse the growing gap • take back workers’ rights & human rights • advocate for a strong public sector • create a province where we all benefit from our resources The SFL Labour Issues Campaign and the Labour Councils invite you to attend a gathering in the following communities. Thanks to those who have already participated! Dates & locations: • NORTH BATTLEFORD: Sept. 7, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Don Ross Centre, 891 – 99th St. • YORKTON: Sept. 8, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Melrose Restaurant, 516 Broadway St. W. • WEYBURN: Sept 9, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Captain’s Hall, 122 – 4th St. NE • REGINA: Sept 10, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Radisson – Oak Room, 2125 Victoria Ave. • SWIFT CURRENT: Sept 14, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, SEIU West Office, 325 Central Ave. North • SASKATOON: Sept 17, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Heritage Inn at Airport Dr. & Circle Dr. • HUMBOLDT: Sept 21, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Humboldt Uniplex17th St & Centennial Park • Prince Albert: Sept. 28, 5:30 – 8:30pm, East End Community Centre Hall (corner of 2nd Street and 10 Ave. east). • MOOSE JAW: Oct 1, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Moose Jaw Union Centre, 1402 Caribou St. W. Everyone is welcome. Participation is FREE. Lunch/supper is provided. RSVP to saskaction@ gmail.com. Stay tuned for additional gatherings! October 2011
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Ask yourself: Who represents working people? Another successful prairie school
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The Prairie School for Union Women, in Waskesiu June 12-16, brought together over 140 women from across the prairies. It was a great opportunity for learning and sharing while making memorable connections and friendships. The 2011 Prairie School was another overwhelming success and we look forward to next year!
A message from the 95,000+ members of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. To learn more, go to sfl@sk.ca or visit our Facebook page. The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour • 220-2445 13th Ave., Regina, Sask. • 306-525-0197 • sfl@sfl.sk.ca
Sisters Together Sisters together from far and wide, Joining together with union pride. Our lives so different, yet so much the same We’d rather fight back than sit and complain. Some people don’t believe in what we do, Our goals, our dreams or what we pursue. Those disbelievers won’t stand in our way, For collectively strong together we’ll stay. We will learn and share and grow as one, Prairie union Sisters who share the same sun. --Melody Stark, UFCW 1400
Call for nominations for Bob Sass Award Nominations are now open for the Bob Sass Occupational Health and Safety Award. The award will be presented at Convention. Please submit your nominee to the SFL’s Debbie Lussier at d.lussier@sfl.sk.ca.
SFL convention reminders
Mark your calendar
Date Event Location
Sept. 11– 13 Oct. 19– 21 Dec. 1 Dec. 3 Dec. 6 Dec. 10
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SFL OH&S Conference Regina Convention Saskatoon World AIDS Day Int’l Day for Persons with Disabilities Nat’l Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women International Human Rights Day
Labour Reporter
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The 2011 SFL Convention is only weeks away! Please note the following deadlines: Resolutions: 12:00 PM (noon), Monday, Septermber 19th. Resolutions require two signatures. Special Needs Requirements and Child Care: Monday, September 19th. Early Bird Registration: Monday, September 19th. Registration requires two signatures and payment. Registrants will be required to pay an additional $25 ($250 instead of $225) after the 19th. Per Capita Payments: Must be paid to the end of August, 2011 in order to send delegates to convention. Convention Refunds: Sunday, October 9th, 2011.