Checkout August 2007

T H E N E W S M A G A Z I N E F O R M E M B E R S O F L O C A L S 1 7 5 & 6 3 3 U F C W C A N A D AVOLUME XVINO. 4AUGUST 2007

Supreme Court ruling paves way for better working conditions

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Fundraising Report:Everyone came out toraise money for leukemiaresearch ..................Page 9

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President’s Message..............................................................................Secretary-Treasurer’s Message...............................................................Accommodation: Injured worker is back on the job...............................

Local 175 Staff increase knowledge....... 15

Members demand justice forinjured workers.................

Members rally for jobs.......

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SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES 16

Children’s Art Contest............................Staff participate at conference................Local 175 sponors cricket.......................Did you work in Italy?............................

LOCAL 175President

Wayne HanleySecretary-Treasurer

Shawn HaggertyRecorder

Betty PardyExecutive Assistants

Jim Hastings, Teresa Magee

UFCW Local 633President

Dan BondySecretary-Treasurer

Marylou MallettRecorder

Neil Hotchkiss

Provincial Office 2200 Argentia Road

Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329

Toll free 1-800-565-8329Fax 905-821-7144

Benefits RepresentativesSherree Backus, Emmanuelle Lopez

Benefits Intake RepresentativeOrsola Augurusa

Benefits Legal Counsel Victoria Shen

Communications RepresentativesCheryl Mumford, Jennifer Tunney

Servicing RepresentativeLien Huynh

Health & Safety RepresentativeJanice Klenot

Senior Legal CounselNaveen MehtaLegal Counsel

Marcia Barry, Michael Hancock, Rebecca Woodrow, Natalie Wiley

Legal RepresentativeFernando Reis

Organizing Coordinator & Pay EquityMike Duden

Organizing RepresentativesSteve Robinson, Kevin Shimmin

CENTRAL EAST REGIONDirector

Luc LacelleUnion Representatives

Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, Judith Burch, Tim Deelstra,

John DiFalco, Anthony DiMaio, John DiNardo, Paul Jokhu,

Rob Nicholas

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONUnion Representatives

Sylvia GroomServicing Representatives

Angela Mattioli, Brenda Simmons,Mark Stockton, Mario Tardelli

TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRE2200 Argentia Road

Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329

Toll free 1-800-565-8329Fax 905-821-7144

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EVENTS

ARBITRATIONS & GRIEVANCES

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UFCW CANADA RAISES $1,400,000 FOR LEUKEMIA RESEARCH 9

LETTERS 12

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COMMUNITY

CONFERENCES

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INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER 8

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On June 8, 2007, the Supreme Court of Canadaannounced a landmark decision for Canadian workers.

As a result, the campaign to allow Ontario farm work-ers to form unions for the purposes of collective bar-gaining has been given a huge boost. This recent deci-sion handed down by the Supreme Court upholds col-lective bargaining as an inherent constitutional right under the Freedom of Association provisions of theCharter of Rights and Freedoms. Specifically, the rulingupheld an appeal by the unions representing healthservices workers in the province of British Columbia.UFCW made a representation at the appeal due to itsown precedent-setting case involving Ontario farmworkers. This most recent win has major impact for allworking people and the Unions that fight for their rightsin the workplace.

In the B.C. case, the health care workers’ rights to col-lective bargaining were undermined by the B.C. gov-ernment in 2002 when the province passed legislationvoiding certain provisions of their contracts. The B.C.unions supported their argument with the precedent-setting decision known as Dunmore v. Ontario (AttorneyGeneral). It was a 2001 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of UFCW Canada’s challenge that theOntario Conservative government of Mike Harris violat-ed the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms byexcluding agricultural workers from the Ontario LabourRelations Act (OLRA).

In upholding the B.C. health workers’ appeal, this latestdecision by the Supreme Court stated, “Freedom ofAssociation guaranteed by section 2(d) of the Charter includes a procedural right tocollective bargaining . . . the protection of collective bargaining under section 2(d) isconsistent with and supportive of the values underlying the Charter and the purposesof the Charter as a whole. Recognizing that workers have the right to bargain collec-tively as part of their freedom to associate reaffirms the values of dignity, personalautonomy, equality and democracy that are inherent in the Charter.”

The ruling is good news for B.C. health care workers but also for Ontario agricultural

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AUGUST 2007

Landmark SupremeCourt ruling paves way

for fairer & better working conditionsCENTRAL WEST REGION

412 Rennie StreetHamilton L8H 3P5905-545-8354Toll free 1-800-567-2125Fax 905-545-8355 DirectorHarry SuttonUnion RepresentativesMatt Davenport, Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, Rick Hogue, Fernando Reis, Dan Serbin, Kelly TosatoServicing RepresentativeSam Caetano

EASTERN REGION20 Hamilton Avenue NorthOttawa K1Y 1B6613-725-2154Toll free 1-800-267-5295Fax 613-725-2328 DirectorDan LacroixUnion RepresentativesSimon Baker, Chris Fuller, PaulHardwick, Marilyn Lang, Daniel MercierServicing RepresentativeJacques Niquet

SOUTH WEST REGION124 Sydney Street SouthKitchener N2G 3V2519-744-5231Toll free 1-800-265-6345Fax 519-744-8357DirectorRay Bromley Union RepresentativesWendy Absolom, Kevin Dowling, Julie Johnston, Angus Locke,Roy Reed, Rick Wauhkonen

NORTH WEST REGIONLakehead Labour Centre21-929 Fort William RoadThunder Bay P7B 3A6 807-346-4227Toll free 1-800-465-6932Fax 807-346-4055 Union RepresentativesColby Flank, David Noonan

Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926CHECKOUT is an official publicationof Locals 175 & 633 of the United Food & Commercial Workers.Web site: www.ufcw175.comE-mail: [email protected]

Director of EducationVictor CarrozzinoEducation RepresentativesGeorgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Kelly Nicholas,Ashleigh Vink, Dave White

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WAYNE HANLEY

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I have called on the Ontario government toresolve this matter as soonas possible and requireemployers toact and bargain ingood faith

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Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination because of handicap or perceived handicap. This includes peoplesuffering from an illness or injury. Persons with disabilities have the right to accessi-ble workplaces and employers have a “duty to accommodate” them.

In practice, accommodation means the employer may be required to provide modifications to the workplace to enable a person with a disability to continueworking. Accommodating a person with a disability may also require the companyto adjust work duties or schedules.

Employers are required to accommodate people with disabilities to the point thatthe accommodation causes “undue hardship.” The employer may have to incurcosts in order to accommodate a worker. Only if these costs are very high will theybe considered to be undue hardship. Any accommodation must also consider theseniority rights of others in the workplace.

Your Union is committed to ensuring that employers treat all workers with justice, dignity and fairness. If you haveconcerns about your workplace, please speak to your Union steward or representative.

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Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

SHAWN HAGGERTY

Are you moving? If you are moving or planning to move, please let us know so we can continue to send you Locals 175 & 633publications, such as Checkout, as well as important documents related to your Union membership. Please mail your newaddress to us at Locals 175 & 633 UFCW Canada, 2200 Argentia Road, Mississauga ON L5N 2K7, or call us at 905-821-8329 or1-800-565-8329. If you prefer, e-mail [email protected]

Would you like to receive E-news bulletins, as well as e-mails related to your workplace or sector? We are gathering e-mail addresses from members to build lists that are workplace specific, so that we can send out notifications for ratificationvotes, proposal meetings and other important information. Just go to www.ufcw175.com and click on “Sign up for e-mail” toregister for this free service.

workers, who in spite of the Dunmore ruling in 2001,continue to be prohibited from collective bargainingunder Ontario’s Agricultural Employees Protection Act(AEPA), which was introduced in 2003. Under the AEPAworkers can only form associations, not unions. They cantake their concerns to their employer but the employer isnot obliged to respond at all, or to bargain in good faith.

Because of these restrictions, UFCW Canada launched anew Charter challenge in 2003 citing the AEPA’s exclu-sion of collective bargaining rights as unconstitutional.This Supreme Court ruling would appear to support ourchallenge.

In the wake of this latest Supreme Court ruling,I have called on the Ontario government to resolvethis matter as soon as possible.

This ruling by the Supreme Court makes it veryclear that Freedom of Association absolutelyincludes the right to collective bargaining, and theobligation for employers to bargain in good faith.Agricultural and other workers can no longer bediscriminated against and the time to acknowledgetheir rights is now.

. . . continued from previous pageSPresident’s Message

Accommodation of ill and injured workers is a complex issue

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Staff legal counselMarcia Barry, whohas been working inthe BenefitsDepartment, hasmoved to the LegalDepartment.

Her responsibilities for assistingmembers in Benefits-relatedmatters – such as WSIB, CPPand EI claims and appeals –will be handled by new staffmember, Victoria Shen.

Victoria Shenjoined the BenefitsDepartment aslegal counsel onJuly 3, 2007.

Previously she arti-cled with a well-known Union-sidelabour & human rights law firm.Victoria has a law degree fromMcGill University. She has experi-ence with Mayworks and SolidarityWorks and also as a CLC/OFLOrganizer.

Earlier this yearNatalie Wileyjoined the LegalDepartment.

She is a graduate ofthe University ofWindsor law school and the YorkUniversity Labour Studies program. Natalie has worked with the OntarioSheet Metal Workers Union andUNITE (formerly the Union ofNeedletrades, Industrial and TextileEmployees).

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Frank Dollo won’t forget the day of September 16,2003. It was the day he hurt his back at his workplace,Byng Price Chopper store #7931 in Oshawa.

He had been working to clear 15 or 16skids with boxes of produce. But beforehe could finish the last skid, he felt a“really sharp” pain in his back. He toldhis supervisor that he wasn’t able towork or finish his shift, and went home.Later he learned that he had severelydamaged two of his lower vertebrae,causing them to pinch nerves, resultingin excruciating pain and, at times, com-plete paralysis.

Frank tried everything that was recommended: rest,therapy and even a number of Botox injections. Butnothing brought any significant relief or improvement.Finally he was referred to a surgeon and subsequentlyhad an operation to repair his back in January 2006.By May 2006, he was able and eager to return towork on modified hours. The owner of the store hadrepeatedly assured him he could return when he wasready. After all, Frank was a long-term employee with

Injured worker is back on the job,thanks to Local 175’s intervention

more than 30 years of experience on the job. But whenhe called to return, he was always told that he’d have to wait a couple of weeks. Every time he called, he got

the same answer, until finally they toldhim that they wouldn’t ever have any-thing for him.

So Frank gave up on the employer andthe WSIB, and he called his Union, andthat’s when things finally started to hap-pen. “My Union rep, Mona Bailey, real-ly fought tooth and nail for me,” he says.“She never gave up. I just can’t sayenough about her dedication and determination.”

Frank’s employer wasn’t prepared to give an inch. Ittried to buy him out and buy him off. But Frank justwanted his job back. And at last, in May 2007, thanksto Mona’s persistence, Frank succeeded in returning tohis old job. Because of Local 175’s intervention, Frank’semployer and the WSIB were forced to provide the sup-port he needed to go back to work, retaining his seniori-ty, income and benefits. “Mona was a godsend,” Franksays. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have a job today.”

Staff changes

AUGUST 2007

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EVENTS

A large delegation of UFCW Locals 175 & 633members travelled to the Queen’s Park legislativebuilding on June 1, 2007, to mark InjuredWorkers Day. Rally organizers thanked Local 175for its ongoing dedication and efforts on behalf ofinjured workers.

At this year’s rally, a play “Easy Money” was pre-sented to dramatize the plight of injured workersand the unfairness that is inherent in the “deem-ing” process. Currently workers’ benefits arereduced or eliminated if they are “deemed” to beemployable and “able” to restore their earnings,even when they don’t have a job and are unableto find one. Several speakers encouraged theWSIB to review the issue. Removing deemingwould force the WSIB to look realistically at thejob market and the actual jobs that are available.

For a number of years now, workers – who hadthe misfortune to be injured on the job – havehad to go “cap in hand” to beg the governmentfor additional help. Each year, on the first of June,they and their supporters rally to demand justiceand dignity for all injured workers. They are strug-gling to feed themselves and their familiesbecause WSIB benefits have been eroded over thelast several years. Meanwhile, as speakers at therally noted, politicians voted themselves a 25 percent increase in pay. Injured workers in Ontario,however, received only a paltry 2.5 per centincrease in their benefits payments.

Members demand justice for injured workers

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AUGUST 2007 7

EVEN

TSMembers rally for good-paying jobsOn May 30, 2007, Locals 175 & 633 members from the EasternRegion joined thousands of other trade unionists and social activistsin Ottawa to demand government action on the job crisis in themanufacturing sector. The crisis has been caused by the disappear-ance of thousands of good-paying jobs. Each lost job costs the affect-ed working family an estimated $10,000 annually or about $2.5 bil-lion in lost earnings across Canada every year.

“We must hold our politicians accountable and demand strongertrade and labour laws to enable working people to earn a livingwage,” says President Wayne Hanley. “Our federal and provincialgovernments can and must do more to protect good-paying manu-facturing jobs. Workers need to know they can depend on a good jobto support their families. Young people need to know that there willbe good jobs for many decades into the future, so that they too canstart and support a family.”

He is urging everyone to speak to, call, write, fax or e-mail theirprovincial and federal members of parliament and leaders to demandboth a strategy and implementation of a “Made in Canada” jobsstrategy. “Canada cannot afford the continuing erosion of our manu-facturing sector jobs,” he says.

Union Representatives Paul Hardwick and Simon Baker,along with members Kathy Baird and Liam Wall, attendedthe Jobs Rally on Parliament Hill.

LabourDayMark your calendar to participate inevents in your community onMonday, September 3. Many Locals175 & 633 members march inparades and join numerous festivi-ties in Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston,Cornwall, Kenora, Thunder Bay,Sudbury and other locationsthroughout the province. The photoon the right was taken at last year’sToronto Labour Day Parade.

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China. Many Hmong have migrated to other Asiancountries. Following the communist takeover of Laosin 1975, a large number of Hmong sought refugein Western countries. “There are just a few of us inthe Kitchener area,” Jessie says. “So we organizeevents to create awareness about our language andculture.”

Jessie was so busy with her school andextracurricular activities that she kept put-ting off applying for the scholarship, whichrequired her to write an essay. “Fortunatelymy mom kept after me,” she says, so shewas able to complete the application andessay on time.

Check our Web site for the deadline fornext year’s International Scholarship, which isexpected to be about March 15, 2008. It is open toUFCW members or their unmarried dependents,who will be entering their first year of study in 2008.For information on this and other scholarships visitwww.ufcw175.com or call your regional office.

Congratulations to Pasoua “Jessie” Xiong who is oneof seven UFCW International Scholarship winners for2007. The award is for outstanding academic achieve-ment and community involement. It is valued at U.S.$8,000 and provided in four equal installments over afour-year university term.

Jessie is the daughter of Bong Yang whoworks at A&M Cookies in Kitchener. Mrs.Yang has been a member for the past six anda half years, after immigrating with her familyfrom Laos. Jessie has maintained an 80-plusaverage in her studies at Forest HeightsSecondary School in Kitchener and is planningto go to the University of Waterloo and thenon to study law.

She volunteers at church – teaching Sunday school –and for the Mental Health Institute where she mentorsyounger students. Jessie also organizes events at herschool and in the community. She is particularly activewith the Hmong community. It is an ethnic minority,originally from the mountainous regions of southern

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Local 175 member ’s daughter wins $8,000 award

Every year, the members, staff and leadership of Locals 175 & 633make a huge commitment – in time, money and effort – to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). But theydon’t just stop there. They also raise money for numerous other charitiesand causes in their communities and workplaces. Some are listed below.

On April 28, 2007, members from Prince Foods/Olymel’s “Fun Club”held their first ever Rock ‘N Bowl at the Nativity Hall in Cornwall. Thanksto the organizers, participants and prize donors, more than $500 wasraised for the members’ children’s annual Christmas party.

On June 1, 2007, the town of Petawawa held a Relay for Life to raisemoney for cancer research. A total of 141 teams joined together tofundraise for various types of cancer. The members of Local 175 fromPharma Plus, and friends, made up the UFCW team to fight skin cancer.For this important cause they walked all through the night – until 7 a.m. the following morning – and raised $1,500. UFCW Local 175 is proudto be able to help members and other organizations in their quest for acure for cancer.

Below right: Prince Foods members Anita Oeschger & CarolMenard.

Bottom photo: Pharma Plus members &friends, front row from left: UnionRepresentative Jacques Niquet, TrevorBoudreau, Sarah Boudreau. Back row:Maria Kendrick, Pauline Wilson, LindaSt. Michael, Margaret Villeneuve,Brianne Maguire, Cathy Wyatt, CaroleMainville, Barry Wyatt & Lorne Wilson.

Locals 175 members: Making a difference

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UFCW Canada raises more than$1,400,000 for leukemia research

Locals 175 & 633 raise $375,000 “Congratulations on raising $1,423,949.39,”UFCW International President Joe Hansen toldguests at the 18th annual UFCW LeukemiaGala. “Your Canadian membership of 230,000members raised more money than we did in theU.S., with a membership of more than one mil-lion. That’s an amazing achievement!”

Locals 175 & 633 raised an astounding$375,000. The fundraising efforts of membersand staff, which included walk-a-thons, golftournaments, BBQs, merchandise sales, payrolldeductions and many other events – including“Ted on the Roof” – fund Canadian research tofind a cure for leukemia and other blood-relat-ed cancers. Thanks to the efforts of UFCWmembers, children and adults who are diag-nosed with leukemia are living longer and sub-jected to less painful treatments to save theirlives.

For the sixth year in a row,Ted Dawes of MinuteMaid spent the longweekend on the roof ofMorello’s YIG inPeterborough to raisemoney for leukemiaresearch.

In the last six years, Ted’sannual “adventure” hasresulted in donations ofalmost $57,000 to theLLSC. This year’s total was$15,500. In recognition of the efforts and dedication of Tedand his team, the city of Peterborough has proclaimed the dateas Leukemia Awareness Weekend.

T e d o n t h e R o o f

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FUNDRAISING

In Thunder Bay (photo on right), the day of June 3,2007, started out overcast . . . but then the clouds partedfor the walk and the sun poked through.

It turned out to be a lovely day for the Thunder BayLeukemia Walk-A-Thon with a scenic walk aroundBoulevard Lake. The walkers finished their five-kilometrewalk refreshed and ready for hot dogs and pop. Theyenjoyed good conversation and an opportunity to relaxfor a while, celebrating the fact that the 22 walkers raised$2,005.35. The staff of the Thunder Bay Office thankseveryone who came out and helped with the fundraisingeffort and hopes to see everyone next year and we inviteyou to bring along another friend to join in with us.

About 30 participants joined the London Walk-A-Thonon Saturday, June 10, 2007. Due to the commitment ofthe participants and sponsors, they raised an astounding$12,209.91 for leukemia research. Special thanks toSarah Kelly (retired from A&P store #112) for raising$20,300 in the past 18 years and Ruth Bancroft(Casco, London) for raising $19,172.50 in the last 16years.

On Thursday, June 14, 2007, members from Cargillorganized a fundraising BBQ. They raised $1,185 forleukemia research, thanks to a 50/50 draw and mer-chandise sales. The company donated the food anddrinks.

Cargill stewards Tony Nigro, Pat Demarco, RodFigueroa, Ampeh Ohmeng, Tejinder Bola andAdebayo Mufutau served food, from 11 a.m. for theearly shift until 2 p.m. when the afternoon shift finishedtheir meal breaks.

On June 17, 2007, Sue Douglas, from A&P store#143 in Port Hope organized a Bake Sale & Book Fairin the store’s parking lot. She was assisted by Pat Newelland supported by the store’s members and customers.Numerous people donated baked goods and books. Intotal, $535 in donations was collected for leukemiaresearch.

The Central West Region held its annual tournament onSunday, May 27 at the Tyandaga Golf Club inBurlington. The group of 92 golfers enjoyed a fine day

First summer fundraising events raise $

London Walk

Cargill BBQ

A&P Bake Sale

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of fresh air, camaraderie and good food. Their enthusiasm wasonly slightly dampened by late afternoon cloudbursts that inter-rupted some of the games. Thanks to the golfers and tourna-ment sponsors, the region succeeded in raising $12,500.

On Saturday, June 9, 2007, members and customers atLoblaws Gloucester enjoyed a fundraising BBQ organized byUnion Rep Daniel Mercier. It raised $606 for the LLSC.

For the second year in a row, stewards from Loeb March Roadin Ottawa organized a BBQ in conjunction with an OntarioSlo-Pitch Tournament in Kanata. Headed up by longtimeSteward Chris Collins, the group was successful in rallyinglocal businesses to help with donations of prizes and product.This year’s event took on a very personal touch with the BBQbeing held in memory of Alexander “Sandy” McGregor,whose brother Jim McGregor is also a steward at the Loebstore. Jim’s brother, Sandy, was diagnosed with leukemia inFebruary 2006 and sadly passed away at the age of 35 inJanuary 2007. Jim and his family were at the BBQ, whichraised $1,100. Thanks to all the volunteers who came out tomake this event such a success.

Pat Carson and François Talbot, both of Pepsi-Cola Hamilton, support-ed the Central West golf tournament.

Below far left: Kathy Grubb provided Angel Card readings at the PortHope A&P Bake Sale & Book Fair.Middle: At the Loblaws Gloucester store, Stewards Sandy Proulx andLisa Lucano, along with her son Hunter Smith, served hot dogs and hamburgers.Below: Steward Jim McGregor (second from right), surrounded byfamily members (from left) James, Johnathan, Betty, Joey, Matthewand Krista, organized the BBQ in memory of his brother “Sandy.”

e $45,641 for leukemia research

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LETTERS UFCW Local 175 Eastern Region Attn: Dan Lacroix & Daniel Mercier

It is with regret that I mustresign my position as a Unionsteward of Local 175 due toretirement. I enjoyed my tenureas a representative of this veryfine active organization. Of my34 years with Loblaws Ltd.,my most memorable andrewarding were the last fiveyears in which I became aUnion steward in the EasternRegion.

Within that time frame, I wasactively involved in many different aspects of this position. From filing grievances, sitting on major sets of negotiations, attending appealhearings and so much more. I was proud to representUFCW in other aspects as well, such as Leukemia Drives,Labour Day Picnics and so on.

The past five years were the most informative and I doregret not becoming more involved much earlier in mycareer. I am – and will always be – an enthusiasticspokesperson of UFCW, whether it be to friends, formerco-workers or anyone else who is considering becominginvolved in some capacity. You will find no better organi-zation when it comes to caring about members or othercauses.

To all my Union Brothers and Sisters, it was a pleasureknowing and working with you. Luc Lacelle, TeresaMagee . . . unforgettable people. Dan Lacroix andDaniel Mercier. Thank you for your wisdom and support.I hold you close to my heart. Good luck and much suc-cess to all my Brothers and Sisters who I met along myjourney, through both the easy and the tough times.

Just remember that I am only a phone call away if youever need my assistance as a volunteer, or in any capacity.

In solidarity,Madeleine DevereauxFormer member & Union steward, Loblaws store #1052 in Ottawa.

To: Jehan Ahamed, Local 175, United Food and Commercial Workers

Dear Jehan Ahamed: I am writing on behalf of the Labour Fair Committee,the students of the college and our staff to thank youfor presenting at George Brown earlier this year. Theteacher, Sam Lampropoulos, sent me a fantasticevaluation, saying your presentation and examplewere excellent and that you linked the union perspec-tive to that of management really well. He will defi-nitely want you back for the Labour Fair next year!

This year, in over 70 classroom sessions, we had abrilliant and substantial roster of trade unionists andcommunity-based activists. They showed solidaritywith working people and also brought crucial learn-ing to our students. Your perspective is one that wewant to ensure our students get a chance to hear during their program.

As I sat in on many of the classes, I realized whatexcellent role models the union speakers are for ourstudents. They are committed, eloquent, passionateabout their work and impressively expert on so manyaspects of our working lives. I saw students ask inter-esting questions – perhaps even questioning their ownsometimes negative stereotypes about unions – andconsider some complex issues. But most of all, I sawmany of them expand their awareness and accept-ance regarding the importance of unions for workingpeople. We really appreciate your generosity in takingtime from your incredibly busy schedule and yourother pressing duties to shine a labour light on occu-pational and social justice issues for our students! Wehope your experience with George Brown was anexcellent one for you too. Please let me know if thereis anything the School of Labour can do for you oryour Union.

In solidarity, Maureen Hynes Coordinator, School of LabourGeorge Brown College

Madeleine Devereaux

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In the Eastern Region, theUnion was successful in get-ting a member in Kingstonreinstated to his job afterbeing unjustly terminated.

The member was absent fromwork due to illness for threedays. When he returned to work, the companyrequested a doctor’s note, but also demandedthat the note be dated for just one day’sabsence. The language in the CollectiveAgreement is clear. It says: “Upon request, theemployee must bring a note.” The arbitratorruled that it was unreasonable for the compa-ny to request a note after he had returned,dated for just one of the days he was absent.The arbitrator went on to say that if theemployer wanted the note dated before theemployee’s return, the company must requestthe note before he returns.

The member was reinstated without loss ofseniority and all lost wages and benefits werereimbursed.

At a Step #3 Grievance in the same region, amember in Kingston was promoted to a high-er rated position and paid lost wages becausehe had not been paid at the proper rate.

The Collective Agreement stipulates a trainingperiod of one month with an assessment doneat the end of the month. The employee, if suc-cessful in the assessment, then receives thenew rate of pay. If not successful, the trainingperiod may be extended by two more months.The employer failed to do the assessment untilit was grieved by the member, approximatelythree months after he was awarded the newjob.

The grievance resolve saw the memberretroactively paid the rate of his new position,going back to when the assessment shouldhave taken place.

ARBITRATIONS & GRIEVANCE RESOLUTIONSDear President Wayne Hanley:

After completing my firstweek of the Youth InternshipProgram, I would like to takethe time to thank you for theopportunty. This experiencegave me the chance to learnso much about my Union,and the legion of hard work-ing people who comprise it.

Listening to the facilitatorsspeak on the merits of theUnion, the politicians wholend their support to thelabour movement and thelabour movement as a whole only strengthened myresolve to empower the labour force. Talking to otherprogram participants gave me a sense of unity, a com-munity of peers that I look forward to meeting andworking with in again in the future. Even after our in-class sessions were over, I continued to learn from mypeers through their stories and union experiences aboutthe struggle that youths face in the workplace.

I know that many youths are stereotyped as lazy workerswho don’t care about their co-workers or the labourmovement at all. These people are proof that thestereotype is untrue, and hopefully I’ll meet more youngpeople of this calibre in future with my local union.

As my summer continues on, I look forward to joiningtogether with other youths to once again disprove thisstereotype and challenge ourselves to lead the nextgeneration of working people.

In Solidarity, Lee Johnson-Koehn Fortinos store # 59 in Hamilton

Lee Johnson-Koehn

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For the first time this year,your Local Union is planningto produce a multiculturalcalendar.

The theme is “My cultural heritage.” Children of mem-bers are encouraged to submit their depiction of areligious or cultural celebration, an event or a familypastime. All drawings must be submitted on an 8.5 x11 inch (216 mm x 279 mm) piece of paper andshould use colour, such as crayon, coloured pencil,markers, paint, etc.

The deadline has been extended to September 1,2007. To be eligible for inclusion in the calendar, allsubmissions must be received at the MississaugaProvincial Office prior to 5 p.m.

Announcing theLocals 175 & 633Children’s ArtContest

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Staff participate at conferenceOn May 12, 2007, Local 175 UnionReps Jehan Ahamed, Linval Dixonand Paul Jokhu attended the 5thannual Workers of Colour/Aborig-inal Workers Conference. It wassponsored by the Toronto & YorkRegion Labour Council.

Local 175 Senior Legal Counsel NaveenMehta, who is an elected delegate on thelabour council’s Equity Committee, facilitateda workshop. He said: “Conferences such asthese bring together those in the trade unionmovement who are working towards greaterdignity and respect in the workplace. Theworkshops provide a solid understanding ofhow diversity and equity play a substantial roleon our shop floors and within our Union.Moreover, they provide real strategies that participantscan implement at work.”

Did you work in Italy?Members or their family members who have worked in Italy may be entitledto a government pension. For assistance in finding out (there is no charge)contact the Instituo Nationale Assistenza Sociale (INAS). Its offices assistwith pensions, social agreements and state insurance. Call INAS in Toronto(416) 240-1844, Woodbridge (905) 837-2822, Mississauga (905) 507-3189,Hamilton (905) 529-8989 or Guelph (905) 837-2822.

Local 175 sponsors CricketFestivalOnce again this year, Local 175 sponsored the annu-al Canada Day Weekend Sri Lankan Cricket Festival.The matches, which ran from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. onMonday, July 2, 2007, provided lots of opportunitiesto play, be entertained, eat, drink and socialize withfamily and friends. This year’s event attracted morethan 180 players and 1,500 spectators, includingfourteen men’s and two women’s teams. The Localarranged live entertainment by the Skylines as well asfood for the tournament’s players.

Next year’s event takes place again on the CanadaDay weekend at the Maple Cricket Grounds in KingCity. Locals 175 & 633 are hoping to enter their ownteam. If you’d like to participate, please contactUnion Rep Jehan Ahamed.

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Local 175 Staffincrease knowledge

In June 2007, Local 175 staff partici-pated in their annual conference toincrease their knowledge about betterways to serve the membership.

They had a packed agenda, whichincluded informative presentations byLegal and Benefits Department staffdetailing some of the most recentdecisions and policies related to:Contracting Out of Bargaining UnitWork; Severance Pay and Hours ofWork; Accommodation for ReligiousHolidays; Bankruptcies & Closures;Harassment; Violence in the Work-place; Early & Safe Return to Work;Mediation, Accommodation & Ergo-nomics in the Workplace; Disability &the Duty to Accommodate.

Additionally, Senior Legal CounselNaveen Mehta, provided staff withprojections on the changes in work-place demographics anticipated overthe next decade.

Naveen said there will be moreyounger workers and members ofvisible minority communities in theworkplace of the future.

“For every 100 visible minoritypersons old enough to leave thelabour force (age 55-64) therewill be 142 old enough (15-24) tostart working,” he said. “For therest of the population, however,there will only be an estimated 75potential entries for every 100who leave.” Naveen said: “It is a matter of survival for

Unions to include and involve everyone who will work in these increasingly diverse workplaces.”

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Return postage will be paid by:

United Food and Commercial WorkersLocals 175 and 6332200 Argentia RoadMississauga ON L5N 2K7

Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671

The 2007 deadline is extended to August 31 for the Locals 175 & 633 scholarships.The deadline for the UFCW Canada National Council scholarships is September 30.

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Checkout August 2007

Documents

Transcript of Checkout August 2007