Directions Newsletter Vol. III No. 8

Looking back at labour's past

A time for renewal The UFCW International convention, held every five years, has a rejuvenating effect on members. It is a shot in the arm for those who are elected by their brothers and sisters in the workplace to attend on their behalf, and it is also a tonic as activists bring what they have learned and experienced at convention back to the workplace. The 2003 convention, our union's fifth regular, was no exception (see centre-spread). Several hundred delegaes from UFCW Canada joined their U.S. counterparts in San Francisco for a week of constitutional debate and inspirational speeches from a wide variety of guests - from rank-and-file workers with stories of organizing and standing up for their rights, to high-power political allies who work daily on behalf of working people everywhere, to grass-roots activists like Erin Brockovich who demonstrate that a commitment to justice can truly make a difference. Notably at this convention, in addition to the unanimous re-election of the six Canadian vice-presidents by Canadian delegates, a number of constitutional changes were brought into place that further enshrine UFCW Canada's distinct identity as a national union within the international, and ensure UFCW Canada's ability to establish policies and practices in Canada independently and in the best interests of members in Canada. More than an opportunity for activists to gather and exchange experiences about how the union works for them and their co-workers, the convention provides both a time for reflection that renews our commitment to the traditions of the past, and a chance to explore new avenues for what we can accomplish in the future. We use it to reflect on our achievements to date, as well as to make firm plans for what we can achieve in future. The coming celebration of Labour Day - with parades, picnics, barbecues, and many other events - likewise provides an annual chance for renewal in the labour movement at large. I hope you have made plans to participate in celebrations in your community, and that the spirit of Labour Day will help carry the union message forward to union members and others. In solidarity, Michael J. Fraser National Director

Safeway update

As this issue of Directions went to press, negotiations were set to continue between UFCW Canada Local 1518 and Canada Safeway stores in British Columbia, following the rejection of the company's "final offer" by members in the lower mainland and Fraser Valley. For themost up-to-date information, please visit the local's website at www.ufcw1518.com.

Back to top

Wal-Mart hearings

The Manitoba Labour Board held thre days of hearings in Thompson August 11-13, holding in abeyance a count of the ballots cast by Wal-Mart workers there on June 27 for union representation. Issues brought before the board include the scope of the bargaining unit, as well as potential "interference" by the presence of a CBC news camera in the parking lot the day of the vote, as alleged by the company. The CBC's documentary on UFCW Canada organizing effors at Wal-Mart stores aired on The National on August 11. UFCW Canada Local 832 president Robert Ziegler says the union is hoping for a quick decision and count of the ballots. "We are confident the union has the support of the majority of Wal-Mart workers in Thompson," he says. Details: Grant Warren, UFCW Canada Local 832

Back to top

UFCW Canada intercedes on behalf of migrant worker's family

While UFCW Canada goes before the Supreme Court again - this time to seek equal health-and-safety rights for agricultural workers - the union's efforts on behalf of the family of Ned Livingstone Peart have paid off at Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Peart, a migrant farm worker from Jamaica, was killed in a work accident a year ago when a filn of tobacco fell onto him at his workplace in Simcoe county. While pressing for a Coroner's Inquest into the accident, UFCW Canada representatives also discovered that the Jamaican Liaison Service - the authority that is meant to represent the interests of workers from that country in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers program - had initiated a claim for death benefits with the WSIB, but there had been no substantial progress on the claim at that point. Acting with the family's approval, UFCW Canada made claims for Peart's six dependent children, ranging in age at the time of the accident from three months to 16 years. The WSIB initially rejected the claims on the basis of lack of proof of dependency, despite UFCW Canada having presented copies of birth certificates and sworn affadvits from each of the children's guardians to show they were dependent on Peart at the time of his death. "The WSIB was looking for bank statements, cheque transactions, court orders, and 'proof' of that nature," says UFCW Canada national director Michael Fraser. "We thought it was extraordinarily unfair for the WSIB to expect that these children, living in hard circumstances in a different country, and in a less modern culture than what the WSIB normally deals with, would have receipts to support their dependency on their father. We told them so, and apparently that argument held some weight." The six children were awarded a lump-sum payment totalling $61,032, to be divided equally. Each child is also entitled to a monthly pension of $254.78, retroactive to august 2002 when the accident occurred. Pension patments will continue to each child until they reach the age 10, or until age 25 if enrolled in an educational program. "It's worth noting that these monies are in Canadian dollars, which will translate into more money for these childen, who all reside in Jamaica," says UFCW Canada legal counsel John Evans. (At press time, $1.00 CAD = $42.64 JMD.) "Had UFCW Canada not become involved in this matter, I have no doubt that the children's claims would have been denied," Evans adds. "I think we can be proud that UFCW Canada was able to assist in this matter and obtain substantial benefits for these children."

Back to top

Celebrating our victories, planning our future
Thousands of delegates and their families made their way to San Francisco in July for the fifth regular convention of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. UFCW Canada delegates (seen in caucus, above) re-elected Canada's vice-presidents, four of whom are seen above right (l-r): Doug O'Halloran, Wayne Hanley, François Lauzon, and national director Micael Fraser. Joining them at the caucus meeting was brian Williamson, president of the UFCW Canada National Council. In his keynote address, international president Doug Dority (right) exhorted members to strive for greater things. "There is no limit to what we can do in North America," he said. "We have the hardest working, most productive workers in the world. We have strong communities. We are people of integrity and values. And we have one of the strongest, most progressive, most active worker organizations in the world. Our great union must become even stronger, and more active." Dority and international secretary-treasurer Joe Hansen were on stage, along with Local 175 president Wayne Hanley, when UFCW Canada national direction Micael Fraser welcomed members from	Canada Safeway stores in Thunder Bay, who stood up to the company in a 504-day strike, as part of his report on UFCW Canada (below left). Touching on the union's efforts in Canada on organizing Wal-Mart workers and workers in the agricultural sector, Fraser commended the Safeway workers, saying, "Our members told Safeway, 'You can threaten to cut our wages. You can close our stores. You can keep us on strike for 16 months. But you will never take away our dignity!'" UFCW Canada gusts at the vent included CASCAR driver Kerry Micks (with young fan, below), who, with his UFCW Canada race car the centrepiece in the convention exhibition hall, explained the Racing for a Cure program to delegates. Also on hand was former heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo, whose work against drug abuse has been both sponsored and honoured by UFCW Canada. George is seen with retired UFCW Canada director Tom Kukovica, and son Mitch Chuvalo.

Back to top

Always on opportunity for fundtraising!
UFCW Canada members took the San Francisco convention as an opportunity to give their American cousins some good-natured lessons in Canadiana, eh? With staff dressed as the legendary Bob and Doug Mackenzie (Archie Duckworth and Dave MacMillan) and Blacque Jacque Shellaque (Michel Robert), delegates were entertained with fundraising efforts including silent auctions for autographed celebrity items, and purchased Canadian-made goods as they walked the convention version of Canada's Walk of Fame. In all, UFCW Canada fundraising efforts at the convention raised more than US$30,000 for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, with an equal amount raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the U.S.

Back to top

Staff Spotlight - Michel Robert A former commercial fish truck driver, Michel became a steward in his workplace in 1976 as a member of what was to be UFCW Canada Local 501 in Montréal. He joined the union's national staff as an organizer in 1978, and has organized thousands of new members in his 25-year career.

Looking back at labour's past

With Labour Day around the corner, and school time quickly approaching, what would be more appropriate than a website that specializes in taking a scholarly approach to Canada's fascinating labour history? Run from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the website of the Canadian Comittee on Labour History (CCLH) is a jumping-off point for a wide range of articles and books on specific figures and subjects ranging from Ontario's Knights of Labour to Canadian involvement in the Spanish Civil War, and links about labour education and to other research sites. The largely bilingual site includes the constituion of the CCLH, which describes its structure and purpose as follows: "The Canadian Committee on Labour History is open to anybody interested in studying and promiting all aspects of working-class and labour history. The Committee defines working-class and labour history in the broadest terms and encourages study of working-class communities, culture, ethnicity, family life, gender, sexuality, migration, ideology, politics and organization... As well, it aims to encourage the inclusion of working-class history in school curricula, through institutions of public history, and within the educational programs of labour and community organizations." You can access the site at www.mun.ca/cclh/. Thanks to Grant Warren of UFCW Canada Local 832 for reminding us about this site. Have a favourite site you would like to share? Please email [email protected].