Directions Newsletter Vol. III No. 12

NDP makes point on new PM with satirical site

Political change has been particularly strong in Canada in 2003, both in numerous provincial and municipal elections (see Directions 3.11), and especially at the federal level. First, New Democrats elected Jack Layton as their new federal leader, a step towards broader inclusion and a stronger public image. Even though he doesn't yet have a seat in Parliament, Brother Layton and his team have generated great public recognition – often, Jack has been the only voice heard in opposition on issues of great public importance (see "NDP makes point …" on page 4), including the only federal anglophone voice standing up for the rights of workers in opposition to the Québec "Liberal" government of former federal Tory minister Jean Charest. Part of the reason for that, of course, has been the continuing divisiveness on the other end of the political spectrum. In recent weeks, we have witnessed what seemed impossible just a few years ago, the merger of the Alliance and Progressive Conservatives into a new Conservative Party. While this should position the right to mount a strengthened opposition to the governing Liberals, it remains to be seen whether these parties of exclusion (particularly on the part of the former Alliance/Reform activists) can become a party of inclusion. Certainly, the new party's leadership campaign coming early in the new year will provide a strong indication of what is to come. It appears that Canada's new prime minister, Paul Martin, will seek a mandate for his revamped government sooner rather than later, probably by April. The early days of his government and his cabinet selections have demonstrated Martin's desire for change in his party, but many changes will not be favourable to working Canadians. Many indications show an expected lean to the right for the federal Liberals – which could benefit New Democrats and further erode the popularity of the new Conservatives. In all of this, including in changes wrought by provincial elections – especially in Québec and Ontario – regional issues are taking a back seat to the need for repairing damage to the economy and, more so, our health care system. The coming federal election will set a new course for Canada, and our hard work is needed to ensure that course supports working Canadians. In solidarity, Michael J. Fraser National Director

Strikes end at Coca-Cola, Maple Lodge

Two strikes involving members of UFCW Canada Local 175 in Ontario have successfully concluded, with more than 1,000 members returning to work at Maple Lodge Farms in Brampton and Coca-Cola in Cobourg. More than 1,100 members at poultry-processor Maple Lodge Farms returned to work in November after nearly three weeks on strike, winning wage increases in each year of the new agreement, increased dental and optical coverage, and increased employer contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP). "Members wanted access to better benefits and wages," says Local 175's regional director Harry Sutton. "Improvements achieved in this contract are a direct result of our members' resolve to secure a reliable income and provide a better lifestyle for their families both in the short- and long-term." In Cobourg, meanwhile, about 50 members at the Coca-Cola bottling plant were on strike for more than a month, and returned to work in early December. Regional director Dan Lacroix credits a strong mobilization of the local community in the successful conclusion. "The community really responded. Consumers refused to buy Coca-Cola products and retailers removed them from their shelves. The workers want to thank the public for their tremendous support." The new one-year agreement includes substantial wage increases, improved shift premiums, a uniform allowance, and enhanced language pertaining to temporary workers. There is also a detailed letter of understanding regarding a planned plant closure, guaranteeing a generous severance package for all full- and part-time workers who are terminated as a result of closure. Certain employees who accept transfers to other Coca-Cola facilities would be excluded from the severance benefits. More: Cheryl Mumford, UFCW Canada Local 175

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New Maritimes members have class

Some of UFCW Canada's newest members in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island recently took part in a series of educational workshops conducted by UFCW Canada national educator Cam Sherk. Seen above in Souris, P.E.I. are (top) members of joint health-and-safety committees from two Polar Seafood facilities in the province; below, Local 864 members from three hotels in Halifax (The Lord Nelson, Delta Halifax, and Westin; see Our Union 21.01), along with members from Super Valu in Sydney, Sproule Lumber in Truro, and the Lawtons Drugs warehouse take part in another health-and-safety program. "This series of courses was really highly successful," says UFCW Canada national education coordinator Bryan Neath. "There is nothing like education programs to both mobilize members and give them the tools they need to be good union members in the workplace." Classes were also held for UFCW Canada Local 864 members in the Kentville and Yarmouth, N.S. areas, in both stewards training and health and safety. More: Bryan Neath, UFCW Canada

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Canadian Linen workers win contract

The 78 UFCW Canada Local 832 members who work at Canadian Linen in Winnipeg recently ratified a new collective agreement that will see wages rise by $1.05 per hour over the life of the contract, and see pension benefits improved by more than 13%. Members will receive wage increases of 35¢ per hour in each year of the three-year agreement, while the company will boost pension contributions by as much as 73¢ per hour worked by members of the bargaining unit. Members will also see improvements in contract language with respect to job postings and bereavement leave, the formation of a labour-management relations committee, and an increase to the vision care benefit. More: Grant Warren, UFCW Canada Local 832

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Strike averted at Securitas

Member of UFCW Canada Local 1400 who work for Securitas security in Saskatoon have ratified a new collective agreement after serving strike notice. Members ratified the new three-year agreement in October after a long, drawn-out set of negotiations that saw the union filing bargaining-in-bad-faith charges against the employer. Included in the agreement are wage increases ranging from 12.6-to-17.5% for guards working at regular-pay sites. At special-pay locations, wages will increase by 10% during the life of the agreement. More: Paul Meinema, UFCW Canada Local 1400

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UFCW Canada honoured by ILCA

The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) recognized UFCW Canada's information services at its annual convention in Florida in November with three journalism awards. A television commercial produced by UFCW Canada – featuring national director Michael Fraser and highlighting the plight of agriculture workers in Ontario in their quest to join a union – was given a second-place award in its category. The cover of the Fall-Winter 2002 edition of Our Union magazine – also featuring the issue of agriculture workers and preserving the family farm – was recognized with a third-place award in the Best Cartoon or Illustration category. The cartoon was prepared for UFCW Canada by Guelph, Ont.-based illustrator Debbie Wilson. Finally, UFCW Canada publications coordinator Mike Freeman's feature story in the same magazine on the firefighters of Leamington ("Where there's fire, there's a union", Our Union 20.02) won an honourable mention in the Best Feature division.

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New contract at Grimms'

UFCW Canada Local 247 members at Grimms' Fine Foods, a sausage-processing plant in Richmond, B.C., ratified their collective agreement earlier this year. With the new contract, the approximately 200 members see their wages increase by $1.75 per hour over the life of the agreement. Members will also see employer pension contributions increase from 69¢ per hour worked to 81¢. Other improvements include an increase in vision care benefits, an increase in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment benefits to $50,000 (from $40,000), and the establishment of an LTD plan. More: Gib Whitlock, UFCW Canada Local 247

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About 240 workers at Midtown Meats – a ham-processing operation in Belleville, Ont. – have voted overwhelmingly to join UFCW Canada, and hope to welcome more workers from a second plant operated by the company in nearby Trenton. "This organizing success is a big step forward," says national organizing coordinator Shane Dawson. "Not only is it a boost for the UFCW Canada organizers working on campaigns everywhere, but it is sure to be a giant leap for the workers at Midtown who can now work towards bringing themselves into line with the rest of the industry." UFCW Canada organizers congratulated members at the gates of the facility following the vote. Seen in the photos are (top, l-r) organizer Roy Etling, John Stevens, Steve Robinson, Barb Bradshaw, Jason Pede, Richard Pollock, and Anna Liu. Brothers Etling, Robinson, and Pollock, and Sister Liu represent the UFCW Canada national office. In second photo, members from above are joined by Richard Jeffreys and Pam Hogue, and below right by Dennis Marlow. "Everyone involved in this campaign – from those who worked for months building support, to some who came in in the final days before the vote to lend a hand – are to be congratulated," Shane says. "Most of all, the workers at Midtown are the ones who did the real work, in standing up and demanding a say in their future."

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Coalition celebrates

UFCW Canada was represented at the recent UFCW Minority Coalition Ball in Washington, D.C. by Linval Dixon (left), a staff representative with Ontario Local 175, and Winston Gordon from the UFCW Canada national staff. They are seen with UFCW international vice-president Mary Finger. Also in attendance from UFCW Canada was Local 175 legal representative Naveen Mehta.

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Candidates for youth program sought

UFCW Canada will once again run its highly-succesful Youth Internship Program in 2004. Since 2000, the program has had 52 participants who have brought their educational experiences back to their local unions. Local union presidents are asked to submit the names of rank-and-file UFCW Canada members between the ages of 19 and 28, no later than Friday, January 23, 2004. As usual, it is expected that the successful candidates will reflect the diversity of our union. For more information or to obtain a detailed description of the program, please contact the national director's office.

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Quoted

In the pages of the most recent issue of Inside Track Motorsport News, editor Greg Macpherson writes: "Thomson a class act … "Goodyear Belts & Hoses presented [2003 CASCAR champion] Don Thomson with $2,000.00 for winning their ‘Fastest Lap of the Race' Award for 2003. "Goodyear also gave Thomson a matching cheque so that he could direct $2,000.00 to the charity of is choice. Without hesitation, Thomson turned the money over to Micks Motorsports and their UFCW Canada ‘Racing for a Cure' program, which raises funds for the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada. The UFCW contributes over half-a-million dollars annually to this worthy cause." UFCW Canada driver Kerry Micks finished second to Thomson in the CASCAR Canadian stock car racing championship.

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NDP makes point on new PM with satirical site

"If you think a prime minister should be proud to fly our flag, you're not alone." That's the headline on the NDP's tongue-in-cheek flyourflag.ca website, taking a poke at new prime minister Paul Martin while elaborating on a number of his central policies. The site is based on Martin's erstwhile ownership of Canada Steamship Lines (CSL), the transportation giant with a fleet of ships that sail around the world. Although Martin supposedly ended his involvement in the corporation before becoming PM (after the issue was raised by NDP leader Jack Layton), for years he has been at the helm of CSL and its ships flying flags of convenience – none of them Canadian. Flying foreign flags allows ships to operate under the standards of that flag, lowering environmental rules and the wages paid to crews, while at the same time avoiding Canadian taxes. The site explains the "benefits" of registering ships in countries such as Liberia, Cyprus, and Vanuatu, challenging Martin to become a responsible corporate citizen by flying the maple leaf. In addition, Martin's policies on numerous other issues are exposed on the site, clearly and concisely. Have a favourite site you would like to share? Please e-mail [email protected].

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