LABOUR DAY 2016
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LABOUR DAY 2016
A BETTER WORLD CAROL T ODD
A lot has changed since the first union was formed in Canada, but the impact of unions on all Canadians continues to be felt today. Labour Day is a time to celebrate the important contributions that all working people make to the economy. At the same time, Canadians can also celebrate the numerous rights and protections that have been the result of union advocacy — benefits that apply to all workers, not just union members. It was the need for a shorter work day that led to the formation of Canada’s first union and the first Labour Day. Back in the 1800s, workers toiled for a lot more than the eight hours a day North Americans are now accustomed to. Workers’ movements had begun to develop in Canada as early as the 1850s, but it was that specific need that brought them together. The Canadian Labour Union was formed in 1872 from groups that had promoted the Nine Hours Movement. While that movement was unsuccessful at the time, it did spark numerous changes, the most important being the legalization of unions in 1872. Dr. Stephanie Ross, an associate professor in the School of Labour
Studies at McMaster University, says Canadians don’t fully realize the impact that union actions have had on everyone’s lives, including those who do not belong to a union. “People may think that the activities of unions don’t touch peoples’ lives, but it’s not true. The labour movement has always fought for
Labour Day is a time to celebrate the important contributions that all working people make to the economy. the interests of working people beyond their members,” she says. Ross, along with Larry Savage, Errol Black and Jim Silver, has published Building a Better World: An Introduction to the Labour Movement in Canada, which, among other information, details all the contributions the labour movement has made that go beyond the workplace and collective agreements. She cites numerous examples, such as the
minimum wage, overtime pay, health and safety, human rights and pay equity legislation, and most recently, enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan. These are all benefits that affect all working Canadians, whether they are unionized or not. Currently, almost 29 per cent of Canada’s 18 million workers belong to a union, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a decline from the almost 38 per cent recorded in 1981 when Stats Can first began measuring unionization, with the largest drops in the 1980s and ‘90s, levelling off in the 2000s. There has also been a decline in the number of male union members. From their outset, unions were predominately a male domain and remained so until the 1960s, according to Stats Can. The federal statistics agency also notes that, these days, a union member is slightly more likely to be a woman and working in an office, school or hospital, while factory workers, miners and other blue collar trades have seen their union membership fall over the past quarter century. Ross says the changing economics of today’s world have contributed to the overall decline in union membership. “Workplaces are restructuring. There are more temporary and contract workers.
And, technological innovations are replacing people in the workplace,” she says, adding that all those changes mean workers need more protection, not less. “People need to have a say [in their workplace] and, without a union, workers don’t have a say,” Ross says, “Not enough people are in unions. Everybody should have a union.” Having that “say” is important, but Ross adds that people also need to be part of something greater than themselves. “When unions are engaged, they give people the capacity to fight together for improvements in their lives. It’s not just about the outcome. It’s
GET T Y IMAGES
not about winning a better wage or benefits. The process of struggling together is really transformative and gives people the sense that they’re not alone, that they have some power in this world and, so they feel they can actually change their lives,” she says. As the world, and the workplace, continue to change, Labour Day gives Canadians the opportunity to celebrate the many advantages Canadian workers enjoy, and acknowledge how many of those were won by the collective action of people working to change their lives, and the lives of all Canadians, through their unions.
Dr. Stephanie Ross SUP P LIED P HOT O
2016 WorkSafe Safe Worker Winner – Lanny Storey AREVA Resources Canada Inc.
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LABOUR DAY 2016 A N D R EW L I V I N G S T O N E
Saskatchewan’s labour unions pride themselves on improving social conditions even beyond the challenges faced by their individual members, creating change that has reverberated throughout the culture. Addressing the needs of youth who have not had a chance to join a union is a natural extension of that desire to transform society for the better, and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) has developed several programs and events to give young people both an understanding of labour values and skills with which they can improve their own communities. SFL president Larry Hubich emphasizes the positive effect of organized labour on everyone in the province, regardless of whether they have ever held a union card. “The labour movement has played an important role in the development of society that benefits everyone, and part of that is engaging young workers and students who aren’t yet in unions, sometimes who aren’t yet in the workforce, about the important contributions that unions make,” he said.
LABOUR DAY 2016
S A S K AT O O N S TA R P H O E N I X
SFL REACHES OUT TO SASKATCHEWAN YOUTH the Y, and church camps, but there isn’t a camp that’s put on and sponsored by unions, who have brought so many great things to our society,” said Hubich. “We’ve improved minimum wage, the Canada Pension Plan, medicare — we were key in the development of medicare — unemployment insurance and occupational safety legislation. “Kids don’t really get an education about where this stuff came from, so maybe we just need to have a camp that talks about some of these really important things and allows that to happen in a setting where kids are having lots of fun doing camp things like floating around on a lake in a tube or canoeing.” Although recreational activities are the substance of the camp, union values shape the framework. “Our first day is usually dedicated to what we call ‘antiism awareness,’ and we deal with issues of racism, and sexism, and homophobia, and bullying and all those kinds of things to say why it’s important that people are treated fairly and equally and why equality is so important and why there’s no place for that kind of behaviour,” Hubich said. With those ideas firmly established, the camp decision-making process becomes an illustration
The labour movement has played an important role in the development of society that benefits everyone. READY FOR WORK
When teenagers advance into late high school, they transition from summer camps to summer jobs, so the SFL must reach out to them in the classroom to educate them about their rights as workers. To that end, the SFL and its partners provide the Ready for Work program throughout the province, an occupational health and safety module for students primarily in Grades 11 and 12. “For a quarter of a century, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Worker’s Compensation, we have developed this modular program that we deliver in schools, which makes sure that workplaces are safe,” said Hubich. “We have a group of facilita-
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour works with Saskatchewan’s youth to help them be better-prepared to join the workforce. Above, young leaders take part in the Youth Action Summit, which covers topics such as workers’ rights, climate justice, mental health and indigenous movements.
the right to know about dangerous hazards in the workplace, the right to participate in identification of those hazards and how to deal with them, and the right to refuse any dangerous work that they don’t feel confident to do, or, if they feel that it poses a danger to themselves or coworkers,” Hubich said. The intention of the one- to twohour sessions is to provide a role model to educate young workers at a crucial age, making safety a greater priority for a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to workplace injury. YOUTH ACTION SUMMIT AND YOUNG WORKERS’ CONFERENCE
In addition to fun, recreational activities, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Kids’ Summer Camp includes sessions that cover topics such as learning about different forms of discrimination and what to do about them, expressing yourself through music and poetry, how to work safely as young people, and how to follow your passions in life. SFL SUMMER CAMP
One way that the federation passes its values on to the next generation is through the SFL Summer Camp. First held in the summer of 1989, the annual event runs for a week in mid-August and provides 13- to 16-year-olds with both fun and fundamentals. Hubich has not missed a day of the camp in the 27 years since it began, and he is assisted in facilitating it by other SFL staff and returning campers who have aged out of the program but wish to remain involved in the excitement. The camp was the brainchild of Hubich and then SFL president Barb Byers. Both had enjoyed youth camp experiences in their childhood, and they sought to reproduce those fond memories within a framework that educated youth about social and labour issues. “We thought, ‘There are social clubs, and organizations like
of labour relations. “Part of the camp is that we negotiate a collective agreement with the campers so that they take some ownership in how the terms and conditions of camp are actually established. Through negotiating with counsellors what time they have to go to bed at night, what time their sessions are and what the consequences are if they’re not following the rules.”
tors — working men and women from various occupations and locations around the province of Saskatchewan — who go to schools on invitation from the teaching staff there to educate young workers on matters relation to occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and the three rights that workers have with respect to occupational health and safety:
Once young workers are educated and have begun to experience the workforce for themselves, they are better equipped to identify the issues that are particular to their workplace. That is when the SFL can go from preparing them for future challenges to helping them to make changes in their professions and communities, so the federation has held an annual Youth Action Summit every spring for the past three years to teach them how to do just that. The summit brings young workers and university students, regardless of their union status, together for a one-day symposium featuring numerous speakers and countless opportunities to network with other youths who share a similar interest in social activism. “For years, we’ve had programs that are available for young workers and young students — like our Summer Camp and Ready for Work — and there’s also a transitional education, which is what the Youth Action Summit is,” said Hubich. “It’s an educational weekend and summit around workers’ rights, working in coalition with other community groups like aboriginal groups and students’ unions and a host of organizations.” This year, the same weekend became a two-day event through the addition of the Young Workers’
It’s an educational weekend and summit around workers’ rights, working in coalition with other community groups like aboriginal groups and students’ unions and a host of organizations. Conference, which gathered 30 union members from across the province to exchange ideas and learn about issues that directly affect young workers. Topics of discussion included common union concerns, like reaching collective agreements and what to do in the event of a workplace injury, but there was also an interest in developing more general leadership tools, such as communication skills and campaign management. Hubich said that, through these events and others like them, the labour movement has lessons to teach young people that will benefit more than just unions and their members. “I think it benefits everyone in society,” he said. “Of course unions want to be responsive to the needs of their members, and their members have kids, just like everybody else. What we desire for ourselves, we wish for everyone.”
RWDSU
RETAIL WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT STORE UNION RET
Regina 1233 Winnipeg Street S4R 1K1 Phone: 306-569-9311 Fax: 306-569-9521 E-mail: canderson@rwdsu.sk.ca Toll Free: 1-877-747-9378 Saskatoon 2154 Airport Drive S7L 6M6 Phone: 306-384-9885 Fax: 306-384-1006 E-mail: sfraser@rwdsu.sk.ca Toll Free: 1-877-717-9378
LABOUR DAY EDITOR
Larry Hubich, President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
WENDY LIVINGSTONE
WRITERS TOBIE HAINSTOCK ANDREW LIVINGSTONE CAROL TODD DESIGN
Fairness in the workplace UNION MEMBERSHIP PAYS HIGH DIVIDENDS
LORRAINE CHARTIER
Such Things as:
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• Higher Wages
• Good Pension
• Job Security
• Fair Treatment
• Proper Scheduling
• Democratic Decision Making
• Sick Leave
• Better Health and Safety Procedures
• Family Dental Plan
• Proper Grievance Procedures
• Improved Vacation
• Experienced Staff Working for You
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LABOUR DAY 2016
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INVESTING IN QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS COULD MEAN HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE TOBIE HAINSTOCK
It has been an issue in Saskatchewan for a while. The state of our health care has, both nationally and provincially, been a topic of conversation in homes, coffee shops, election campaigns and more. Across the country Canadians are feeling effects of a shortage in health care staff. The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions says that approximately 19.4 million hours of paid and unpaid overtime is being worked by nurses every year. The problem of short staffing doesn’t just relate to nurses. This problem exists throughout the health care industry. There is a vast shortage of frontline health care workers such as dieticians, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, addictions counsellors, mental health workers and more throughout the province. According to Karen Wasylenko, president of Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS), the shortage of front line health care staff has health regions around the province “vacancy managing” rather than filling positions and serving the needs of those requiring health care professionals. What does this mean for Saskatchewan residents? Putting it simply, the needs of those requiring service are not being met. This lack of services is frustrating for members of the HSAS and the public alike. Not only does this situation affect the clients or patients directly, it also has a huge impact on their family members as it increases their stress levels and burdens. Wasylenko points out that in rural areas, some essential health care positions, such as dietician, physical therapist and long term care worker, are basically nonexistent. She adds that, by having these services available in the rural areas, hospital stays can be shorter, which will lighten the bur-
dens of health care professionals. “In order to get healthy communities, you need healthy individuals and that comes from preventative healthcare services,” says Wasylenko. Having vacant positions in our health care system impacts those (such as nurses) who have to pick up the slack. This means that other workers are required to carry an extra load, which diminishes the quality of services. It also limits the number or type of services that are available. Many believe that this causes a vicious circle. As workers are feeling more stressed, they are more likely to need sick leave and time off. This, in turn, results in a decline in professional services adding more stress to an already exhausted system. “Someone always ends up losing in the end,” says Wasylenko. She puts a lot of faith in preventative care, saying that it’s a cost-saving way to help enhance a client’s quality of life. Because the health regions are having to channel their efforts towards
Karen Wasylenko, President of Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan SU PPL I ED PH OTO
functioning in a state of vacancy management, they are unable to focus on providing preventative care. Being in a reactive state can be costly for the health region. By educating people about their condition and having qualified health care professionals assist them in matters such as diet, exercise, how to take their medication properly and much more, people
can live a more independent lifestyle much longer. This adds quality and dignity to their lives, which means less time in doctors’ offices and shorter stays – if any – in hospital. Wasylenko points out that shifting money from administration to frontline workers would mean a larger investment in qualified professionals. Such an investment could end up saving money and increasing efficiency. One example of this is in the area of mental health. In her spring 2016 President’s Message, which is posted on the website www.hsas.ca, Wasylenko talks about the importance of preventative service. “We need to deal with identified issues in a common sense manner and provide the services needed, before they lead to such events [as the school shooting at La Loche]. Prevention and ongoing quality services in mental health and addictions need to be enhanced, and this is something HSAS has been saying for many years now and bringing to the attention of health regions. Loss of life is a high price to pay for system inadequacy.”
In order to get healthy communities, you need healthy individuals and that comes from preventative healthcare services. What steps are being taken to enhance the quality of health care services that are provided to Saskatchewan residents? In their budget this spring, the government called for “transitional change.” Wasylenko says that she’s not clear yet about what the government means by that but that the HSAS, along with other organizations and members of the public, will continue to lobby and push for changes in the status quo.
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Labour Day Message from Minister Don Morgan
DON MORGAN, Q.C. Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety SUP P LIED P HOT O
This weekend is Labour Day weekend. The weekend in which the Saskatchewan Roughriders will play their last Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium. And the weekend when we celebrate and recognize Saskatchewan workers for their hard work. Labour Day allows us to spend time with family and friends. It allows us to share our stories and recollect on the past year’s accomplishments. It is also a great time to remind everyone that safety, at home and in the workplace, needs to be top of mind at all times. Our Government values and respects the contributions of our workers. Saskatchewan workers are our most valuable resource. Safe workers build Saskatchewan and help drive our economic growth. We, like you, want to ensure everyone is treated fairly and returns home safely each night. We must work together to ensure this happens. Last year, Saskatchewan’s injury rate decreased by more than nine per cent. We are no longer second worst in Canada. We are making progress and we are doing it faster than any other province. Through our WorkSafe partnership, we will keep building on this success. The Government of Saskatchewan believes in Mission: Zero. Zero injuries. Zero fatalities. Zero suffering. Eighty-seven per cent of Saskatchewan employers are already accomplishing this. It is possible. It is the only acceptable goal. WorkSafe will continue creating safer workplaces through further initiatives, awareness and prevention tools and training. The Government of Saskatchewan is also working on other initiatives to help keep workers safe. This past year, we held consultations on proposed changes
to the Mines Regulations. These proposed changes will reflect the current work environment and enhance the health and safety of workers. The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Committee of Review also finished their consultations with individuals and organizations on the WCB Act, regulations and administration of the Act and regulations. These consultations provided a forum for individuals and organizations to recount their experiences with the workers’ compensation program and make suggestion for improvement. I would like to thank the members of the Committee of Review for all of their hard work and look forward to their recommendation report. Upholding Saskatchewan’s minimum standards is also a priority for Government. We are here to help employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities. Last September, we launched a new online, interactive Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course. This is a mandatory, job-readiness course for 14 and 15 year olds preparing them for the workforce. We will be increasing the minimum wage on October 1, 2016 to $10.72. The increase came from a yearly review of our minimum wage using an indexation formula. Our economy is continuing to grow, and it only makes sense to increase the minimum wage as well. This increase will directly impact more than 23,000 minimum wage earners in Saskatchewan; half of these earners being under the age of 25. However you choose to spend your Labour Day Weekend, I encourage you to keep safety on the top of your mind at all times. Our province requires a strong, healthy and safe workforce in order to continue its successes. On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, thank you to all the province’s workers for your hard work and dedication. Have a safe and fun-filled Labour Day weekend. D O N M O R G A N, Q.C. Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
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LABOUR DAY 2016
LABOUR DAY 2016
S A S K AT O O N S TA R P H O E N I X
CELEBRATE LABOUR DAY 2016 IN SASKATCHEWAN Labour Day is a time to gather with family and friends, as well as to celebrate the important contributions of unions to our communities. Here are some of the Labour Day events taking place across the province this year:
MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT UNIONS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 First annual CUPE SK Labour Day Ride for Respect
- Presented by CUPE Saskatchewan The Ride for Respect is dedicated to promote respect for workers and their rights. Participating motorcycle riders will travel between Labour Day celebrations hosted by unions in Regina and Saskatoon. No entry fee required. Registration: 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m., Sept. 5. Meet at the Legislative Lawns, Wascana Park, Regina Kickstands Up: 8:00 a.m. Route: Regina to Saskatoon, via Highway 11 Optional refuelling stop at the Davidson Shell service gas station Destination #1: Labour Day event in Saskatoon at Victoria Park by Riversdale Pool Destination #2: Labour Day event in Regina, Wascana Park, across from the steps of the Legislative Building For more information or to register, go to http://sk.cupe.ca/event/labour-dayride-for-respect-on-sept-5-2016/
Labour Day Family Picnic, Regina - Presented by Regina Trade Unions
Celebrate with your family and friends. Free food and beverages. Special entertainment for the children, including dino bouncers, face painting and free play dough. Look for the CUPE Saskatchewan tent. COPE Local 397 will have also have a booth set up. Time: 12 noon to 3:30 p.m., Sept. 5. Location: Elizabeth II West Lawn, Wascana Park, Regina For more information, visit www.reginadlc.com.
Myth
Myth
We don’t need unions anymore — working conditions are fine and everybody makes good money.
Unions only care about themselves and don’t mind inconveniencing everyone else by going on strike.
Fact
Since workers first banded together to demand fair wages and working conditions, unions have been setting the standards that benefit us all. Before unions, most people worked 12-hour days, six or seven days a week. Children did the most dangerous work in factories and nobody got paid when they were sick. Yes, things are better today. Everyone enjoys benefits — such as maternity leave, vacation pay, and protection from discrimination — that unions fought for and won. But not everything is rosy. Employers keep people in part-time jobs to avoid contributing to government benefits. Young people work without pay as interns without the protections paid employees enjoy. The government allows companies to pay temporary foreign workers less than Canadian workers. Unions still have an important role to play in building and maintaining a fair and equitable Canadian workplace.
- Presented by the Saskatoon & District Labour Council Celebrate the achievements of working people and recognize the contributions unions make to the well-being of our communities. Enjoy food, entertainment, children’s activities and lots of fun! Admission is free; everyone is welcome. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 5. Location: Victoria Park, by Riversdale Pool, Saskatoon For more information, visit www.saskatoondlc.ca.
Labour Day Barbecue, Moose Jaw - Hosted Moose Jaw district Labour Council Celebrate with your family and friends. Free food and beverages. Special entertainment for the children. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sept. 5. Location: 1402 Caribou St. West (in the park), Moose Jaw For more information, visit http://canadianlabour.ca/event-calendar
Non-union construction workers make the same money as union workers — and they don’t pay dues.
People who don’t want unions are often forced to join and pay dues.
Fact
Strikes make headlines and can be inconvenient, but the truth is that today about 95 per cent of labour agreements are successfully negotiated without strikes. No union wants a strike, and no one is more inconvenienced by a strike than workers themselves — think of picketing in a snowstorm or trying to keep up with your bills without a regular paycheque! Strikes happen when the two sides cannot agree and workers believe that the issues at stake are important enough to justify the sacrifice. Far from caring only for themselves, unions have always worked to make gains that would benefit the whole community. The labour movement fought for public health care and education, minimum wages, pay equity, sick pay and pensions.
Myth
18th annual Labour Day Barbecue, Saskatoon
Myth
Myth
?
With a high demand for construction workers in Canada today, employers are paying high hourly wages. But recent studies show that union workers still earn about $5 an hour more. And that’s not the whole story. Workers who don’t belong to unions are often expected to work long shifts for weeks at a time without earning overtime. They rarely have benefits such as dental insurance, extended health care coverage and legal insurance. Pensions are almost non-existent.
When the majority of employees at a workplace vote in favour of unionization, those who are opposed do not have to join the union. They do, however, have to pay union dues. That may seem unfair, but the fact is unions negotiate contracts on behalf of all the employees, not just those who voted for them. And everyone benefits when wages increase or benefits improve. Taxes may seem unfair, too, especially if you didn’t vote for the party that forms the government. But we all benefit from the laws and services governments provide and we all have to pay for them. The same holds true in a unionized workplace.
Myth
Unions make companies less efficient and profitable.
Unions make it impossible for employers to fire incompetent workers.
Fact
Fact
$$
Fact
Fact
Actually, anyone who can be hired can be fired. No contract requires an employer to keep workers who are lazy, incompetent or chronically absent. Unions do try to make sure that employers have just cause for dismissing employees. They also try to ensure that people are treated fairly regardless of their race, gender, physical ability or sexual orientation.
Unions know very well that there are no good jobs without successful, profitable companies. Workers have a stake in their companies remaining competitive, and unions play an important role in developing cutting-edge training and ensuring that people work in a safe environment. These are important factors that contribute to efficient, profitable, highly competitive companies.
Labour Day Barbecue, Prince Albert - Presented by CUPE Saskatchewan Celebrate with your family and friends. Free food and beverages. Special entertainment for the children. Look for the CUPE Saskatchewan tent. Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sept. 5. Location: Prince Albert Union Hall, Prince Albert For more information, visit http://canadianlabour.ca/event-calendar
Afternoon in the Park, Humboldt
- Presented by the Humboldt & District Labour Council, Grain & General Services, SGEU, UFCW 1400, SEIU West, Unifor 649, CUPE 2359 This family-friendly event in the park features bouncy castle and music. Free hotdogs and beverage. Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Sept. 5. 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Sept. 6. Location: Civic Park, Humboldt For more information, visit http://canadianlabour.ca/event-calendar
Article courtesy of Canada’s Building Trades Unions
TEAMSTERS Local Union No. 395 LABOUR DAY
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Monday, September 5, 2016 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Victoria Park (near Riversdale Pool)
Everyone Welcome!
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LABOUR DAY 2016
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LOSING THE STIGMA: INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE TOBIE HAINSTOCK
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of such dedicated activists as Clara Hughes, Michael Landsburg, Margaret Trudeau and others, awareness and understanding of mental illness is growing. However, there is still a long way to go. Mental health issues affect every one of us every day in some way. In Canada, 6.7 million people have mental health issues. That’s more than those suffering from heart disease and type 2 diabetes combined. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2020, depression will become the second most prevalent cause of disability in the world. This has a detrimental effect on our workplace that will not get any better unless steps are taken to finding some solutions. According to the Canadian Policy Research Networks, stress-related absences Linda Osachoff, CEO of Crossroads Credit Union in Canora, Sask. (right) meets with Leanne Woloshyn (left) and cost Canadian employers about Deena Cherewyk at a Strategic Advisory Committee meeting on Staff Communication that was held January. $3.5 billion each year. Research by Chrysalis Performance Ltd. shows that stress in a business contrib- • Good collaboration across units should also have top level sponsor- that affect them doesn’t cost monutes to 19 per cent of absenteeism ship, commitment and engaged ey. Yet these sorts of approaches participation. The collection of can make significant changes to costs and of 30 per cent of short- • Appropriate amount of decision making to do one’s job well and long-term disability costs. data while building a baseline will the workplace environment.” The cost of lost productivity due give management a clearer picture These are positive, common sense to mental illness in Canadian busi- • Senior management interest in of issues and strengths — having a steps that make an ideal starting employee’s well-being ness comes to about $11.1 billion strong knowledge of things such point for any business. per year. as absenteeism, staff turnover, The implementation of prodisability and more. Once these grams such as these has proven What can be done to combat • Reputation of the organization factors are looked at, it’s impor- to produce positive results. The this issue? Linda Osachoff, CEO of Crossroads Credit Union in • Input into organizational change tant to review the levels of items Canadian Institute of Stress states Canora, Sask., encourages a numsuch as civility and respect; growth that utilizing programs that work ber of positive actions and talks Osachoff says that Crossroads and development; recognition and to improve the workplace environabout their benefits. Osachoff says has recognized the need for a reward; workload management; ment can result in a number factors that a healthy workplace needs to healthy work environment and has and protection from violence and including an 18 per cent reduction include the following: taken steps to increase employee bullying. The identification of in absences, 52 per cent reduction involvement. The desired outcome objectives and the implementa- in disability time; seven per cent • Connection to the big picture is to empower staff and provide tion of the strategy is the next step. improvement in productivity and more job autonomy. “We’re doing Remember, the key to the success a 13 per cent improvement in • Recognition and appreciation, this through the establishment of the strategy is active support service quality. Happy, healthy of strategic advisory committees; from the business’s executive man- employees result in increased • Role clarity cross-functional teams who advise agement team. productivity and customer satismanagement around the developFor smaller businesses or busi- faction. This means cost savings • Meaningful work ment and implementation of our nesses working on a smaller bud- within the business sector. three-year, 19-objective strategic get, Osachoff points out that there The government of Canada has are ways to encourage a construc- also taken an interest in mental • Reasonable work demand plan.” The implementation of such pro- tive environment spending money health in the workplace. In 2013, • Opportunities to learn and develop grams should begin by providing that can be extremely effective. a new National Standard for Psynew skills a comprehensive framework. In “Showing respect for workers chological Health and Safety in the order for it to have the success nec- doesn’t cost money. Asking for Workplace was implemented. This • Input into decision making essary to be effective, the program input from employees on problems voluntary standard is the first of
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Showing respect for workers doesn’t cost money. Asking for input from employees on problems that affect them doesn’t cost money. Yet these sorts of approaches can make significant changes to the workplace environment. L I N DA O S AC H O F F, C E O o f C ro ss ro a d s C re d i t U n i o n
its kind in the world and is poised to form the basis of corporate and social policies directed towards the protection of employee mental health. Resources are available at www.mentalhealthcommission. ca. While steps are being taken to increase awareness of mental health issues, there’s still a stigma and a lot of work to be done. “We need to keep the conversation going,” says Osachoff, “Employees need to know that their employers will accommodate them. As employers, we need to be informed, discreet and trustworthy.” As tolerance and acceptance become more prevalent in the workplace, employees will experience more fulfilling and productive careers.
WINNING STRONGER PUBLIC PENSIONS
Labour Day … and every day We deliver the public services that help make life in Saskatchewan great SGEU members deliver the public services your family relies on to stay healthy and safe. Those services will help keep our communities strong for generations to come.
Strong public services. A caring and prosperous Saskatchewan.
MAKING WORKPLACES & PUBLIC SPACES SAFER
MAKING JOBS BETTER FOR EVERYONE
FOR CANADA’S UNIONS,
IT’S A LABOUR OF LOVE. Find out how Canada’s unions are making a difference:
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LABOUR DAY 2016
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UNION WELCOMES CPP EXPANSION LABOUR DAY 2016 CAROL T ODD
Our mothers always told us that good things come to those who wait. It’s been a long time coming, but Canadians will soon see changes to the Canada Pension Plan. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is celebrating the June announcement of an expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). “Too many Canadians today are struggling in retirement and change is long overdue. Even though we had asked that the CPP be doubled, we appreciate that this will be the first increase in the plan’s history, and one that will benefit all Canadians,” says Hassan Yussuff, president of the CLC. The CPP provides a monthly benefit to retired Canadians, and nearly everyone who works in Young workers will be the biggest benefactors of Canada Pension Plan revisions. Retirement incomes are set to increase from one quarter to one third of Canada and their employers are pensionable earnings. GE T TY I M AG E S required to contribute to it. Currently the maximum retirement for more than 50 years and have reduced benefits. By contrast, the benefit one can receive from the been actively campaigning on this CPP follows workers from job to CPP is $1,092.50 per month. On issue since 2009. The CLC rep- job, keeps up with the cost of livaverage, Canadian retirees receive resents more than three million ing, and pays out benefits for life, $550 a month through the plan. Canadian workers through their regardless of how the stock market The changes, starting January 1, unions, provincial and territorial performs. 2019, will increase income replace- federations of labour and commuYussuff says the CLC is also ment from one quarter to one third nity-based labour councils. pleased with changes announced of pensionable earnings, meaning “I can’t tell you how important in the spring federal budget that the maximum CPP yearly benefit [the expansion to CPP] is. It’s more included an increase to the GuarC A N A D A P E N S I O N P L A N FA S T FA C T S will be about $17,478 instead of than 60 years that the plan has anteed Income Supplement (GIS) about $13,000, and increasing to been in place and this is a signifi- and a roll-back of eligibility for $82,700 the maximum amount of cant move in the right direction,” both the GIS and Old Age Secuincome subject to CPP. In addi- Yussuff says. “We’ve been at this rity (OAS) to 65 from 67. The GIS tion, the federal Working Income for over eight years, advocating for provides a monthly non-taxable Tax Benefit will be enhanced and expansion of the CPP, so we can’t benefit to low income seniors and 1. Many Canadians are finding it difficult to put money OAS is a pension paid to most aside for retirement and are fearful for their future. Canadians age 65 and older. “These three changes are going to make a significant difference 2. Almost two-thirds of Canadian workers don’t have a on retirement income for the pension plan through work. whole country. And all of us can feel delighted with these changes, because every one of them is going 3. Approximately 600,000 Canadian seniors are living with to impact on the lives of every a low income, with single seniors at highest risk of living working Canadian,” Yussuff says. below the poverty line. And, he points out that most of the increases will likely go right back into the community. “It is going 4. An expansion of the CPP would increase future benefits to make a significant difference in in a way that’s affordable for everyone. their income and all that money goes back into the community for rent and groceries and other 5. Currently, the average benefit a retired worker receives is necessities,” he says. $550 per month, the maximum is $1,200 per month. The CLC and its members have been pushing for changes to CPP for years and Yussuff is obviously 6. Virtually all Canadian employees, and all self-employed Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress delighted with the enhancements. Canadians, are part of the Canada Pension Plan. SU PPLI ED PHO T O “We’re extremely pleased; we’ve been working for this for a long time,” he says while thanking the 7. The CPP is portable, meaning it follows workers from jobcurrent federal government and to-job anywhere in the country. We’ve been at this for over eight years, the provinces for their support of the changes. “[Saskatchewan] expansion of the CPP, so we can’t begin played an important part in that 8. The CPP is safe, secure and protected against the ups and I thank them for their leaderand downs of the stock markets. to tell you how pleased we were. ship,” he says. H A S S A N Y U S S U F F, At the same time, Yussuff C a n a d i a n L a b o u r C o n g ress P res i d e n t believes there is more to be done. 9. CPP funds are accessible as early as age 60 (although “Canadian unions believe we all monthly cheques are 36 per cent less), or as late as age a tax deduction, instead of a credit, begin to tell you how pleased we have a responsibility to work to 70 (allowing one to receive around 42 per cent more per will be applied to offset increased were,” he says. end seniors’ poverty. We know that month). premiums. The premiums paid by The CLC believes that enhanc- pensions are crucially important, both employees and employers ing the CPP is important for both not just to the well-being of workwill rise, the first time in 20 years. union and non-union workers, ers and their families, but to the 10. For about the cost of a cup of coffee and a donut a day, “It is a balanced approach,” says because even those employees economic health and vitality of our the average worker could double their CPP benefits at Yussuff, calling the increase in pre- with a workplace pension plan or cities and communities,” he says. retirement. miums a “good investment in the alternate savings are vulnerable The changes to CPP and the fedfuture.” The premium increases to financial insecurity in retire- eral supports for pensioners will will be phased in over seven years. ment. Fewer employers are offer- make a big difference to thousands The CLC and its member unions ing workplace pensions, and more of Canadians — now if only we SUPPLIED BY THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS (CLC). have supported an expanded CPP workplace pensions are seeing didn’t have to wait for retirement.
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The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation strives to assist its member in a variety of ways. Professional development seminars provide learning strategies and classroom management techniques that can facilitate teaching large classrooms and those that include students with intensive needs. G E T TY I M AGE S
TEACHERS COPE WITH BUDGET CUTS A N D R EW L I V I N G S T O N E
Instead of the increases that they had hoped for in the 2016 budget, Saskatchewan school boards received funding reductions, and that development has left the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation concerned as to how its members will cope with the loss of support. Patrick Maze, president of the STF, acknowledges that provincial finances are tight, but says that education needs to remain a priority. “We need to, as a society, do what’s right for our students and make sure that all of the supports that students require are funded appropriately,” said Maze. “Sometimes, it requires a bit of backwards thinking that, instead of just saying, ‘We have a tight budget and we have to tighten the strings,’ how about start with, ‘What are our priorities?’ “If education and our youth, who are the future of the province, are important, then we need to fund that accordingly.” Teachers, says Maze, are intimately familiar with the realities of education, and their voices must be heard when a budget is formulated. “We would encourage that teachers, who are basically the frontline workers in education, are consulted early and often in the discussions and deliberations, and government has indicated a willingness to do that with us, so
that’s a positive,” Maze said. “We’re open to changes — teachers have always been open to change — but, of course, we want to make sure that supports for our students are kept in place, because our students’ education has to be a priority for society.” Despite the reduction in funding, the government asserts that education will not suffer. “We’ve had some assurance from the education minister that cuts won’t affect the classroom, and that they’re looking for more administrative, governance and transportation savings — efficiencies through those areas,” said Maze. “That being said, if there are cuts in the classroom, then we would have concerns, and want to ensure that all supports are still delivered to students.” That concern is understandable, given that teachers and administrators believe that they are already delivering the highest possible value for the funding that they receive. “Ultimately, education does run very efficiently on the dollars that it receives, so administrative changes — those positions that affect administration — often trickle down to the classroom,” Maze said. “There’s reasons why you have consultants, and there’s reasons why you have different positions in the education system, and, if positions are realigned, or cut or streamlined,
then, ultimately, a concern for us is that there will be some trickledown effect into the classroom.” Ensuring that reductions in funding do not affect students is a difficult task. “We’re assuming that government is going to keep its word on that and yet recognizing the fact that government releases budgets but they don’t really have a say in the decisions that schoolboard associations make,” said Maze. With fewer nonessential positions in the educational system, teachers must stretch themselves to play more varied roles. “The education system has lots of challenges, and teachers are responding to the challenges,” Maze said. “With inclusionary practices, basically all students are educated in the classroom now. There are not different pullout groups for our students. They’re all educated in the classroom, and they have diverse needs, and they require specific supports, and some of those can be handled in the classroom.” As a result, it is teachers who must work around both new and ongoing social complications in order to educate their students. For example, teaching students who speak English as an additional language, such as Syrian refugees, requires simultaneously teaching them to speak English and teaching them the same curriculum as their native-speaking peers.
Patrick Maze, President of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation S U PPLI ED PHOT O
If education and our youth, who are the future of the province, are important, then we need to fund that accordingly. PAT R I C K M A Z E , P res i d e n t o f t h e S a s ka tch e w a n Te a ch e rs’ Fe d e ra t i o n
“Research shows that it takes three to five years for newcomers to master conversational English and five to seven years to master academic or scholastic English, so those students start at a deficit, and we need to invest in them to bring them up to the standards that we expect in Canada for students to receive,” said Maze. “At the same time, you look at the needs of indigenous students, and First Nations and Metis students require some supports as well.” For its part, the STF strives to assist its members in several ways. “We have a wide variety of supports that we provide to our members who are maybe finding situations a bit complicated or challenging or overwhelming,” Maze said. For example, a health plan provides medical aid to bolster a teacher’s wellbeing, and professional development seminars provide learning strategies and classroom management techniques that can facilitate teaching large classrooms and students with intensive needs. Maze said that teachers are determined to deliver the best possible education to their students, but that they need adequate support from the province and their schoolboards in order to do so. “Teachers get that resources are tight in the province right now,” he said, “but our students and their learning, of course, always have to be a priority.”
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This Sept. 19 and 20, members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) will meet at the organization’s Regina office for its 11th Equity Conference. A biennial event, the gathering is expected to bring 50 SGEU representatives together to experience a day of educational seminars, followed by a day of elections. The theme of this year’s conference is “Overcoming adversity: your struggle is our struggle,” and it speaks to the SGEU’s desire to attract the support and participation of groups who feel alienated or
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OVERCOMING ADVERSITY THROUGH THE SGEU EQUITY CONFERENCE excluded by the mainstream. In order to explore this theme, the first day of the Equity Conference will involve seminars and a workshop by four lecturers, each of whom will discuss issues related to social justice. “To bring awareness to different human rights issues to the SGEU members, we bring in different speakers that will touch on a wide variety of topics,” said Sheena Yew, co-chair of the conference. “Basically, the intent is to bring awareness to the different people’s different struggles,” Yew said. “The goal of the union and people in general is to work together and come together to help people overcome struggles and have a support system.” On the second day, elections will be held to place representatives of
The goal of the union and people in general is to work together and come together to help people overcome struggles and have a support system. S H E E NA Y EW, C o - c h a i r o f t h e S a s k a tc h e w a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d G e n e ra l E m p l o y e es’ U n i o n E q u i t y C o n fe re n c e .
designated equity groups into special seats within the committees that organize events and processes within the union. “That would be where people run for various committees within SGEU,” said Yew. “So, there’s so many different standing committees, and then we elect an equity person to those committees.” For the purposes of the con-
LLER
ference, the demographics considered to be equity groups are women, people with disabilities, aboriginals, people of colour, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered or queer people, and young people 29 years of age and under. Said Yew, “Someone just has to self-identify as fitting into one of those groups, and then they would run to sit on that particular committee.”
PLUMBER WELDER
The conference itself was jointly organized by two of the SGEU’s internal committees, the Human Rights/Equity Committee and FAIR (Fostering Acceptance of Indigenous Rights). Yew said that the conference is a good way to entice SGEU members who are not engaged in the other aspects and activities of the organization: “It helps members get involved. [There isn’t] always an opportunity for our members to get involved, and this is kind of a more informal way for people to get involved: they can come to a conference and just get some information. “There’s no huge commitment behind it, and it gets the members from all over the province meeting each other, so there’s that connection to people.”
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