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. 6DECEMBER2007C H E C K O U T

Fundraising

ORGANIZING is a key theme for the 2007 & 2008 Series of Stewards’ Seminars .............North West and South West Region Seminars...

President’s Message: Union membership offers many tangible benefits, including support when you need it the most...................................................Secretary-Treasurer’s Message: You can help us bring Union benefits to unorganized workers.................................................................................

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Industry Update: Car Rental Sector.................................... More than 800 members at The Barn ratify new contract.... Other Negotiations..........................................................

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LOCAL 175President

Wayne HanleySecretary-Treasurer

Shawn HaggertyRecorder

Betty PardyExecutive Assistants

Jim Hastings, Teresa Magee

UFCW Local 633President

Dan BondySecretary-Treasurer

Marylou MallettRecorder

Neil Hotchkiss

Benefits RepresentativesSherree Backus, Roy Etling, Joanne Ford

Benefits Intake RepresentativeOrsola Augurusa

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 RepresentativesRick Hogue, Steve Robinson

CENTRAL EAST REGIONDirector

Luc LacelleUnion Representatives

Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, John DiFalco,Anthony DiMaio, John DiNardo, Paul Jokhu, Emmanuelle Lopez,

Rob Nicholas, Dave White

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONDirector

Sylvia GroomUnion Representative

Judith BurchServicing Representatives

Angela Mattioli, Brenda Simmons,Mark Stockton, Mario Tardelli

TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTREDirector of Education

Victor CarrozzinoEducation Representatives

Georgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Derek Jokhu,Kelly Nicholas, Ashleigh Vink

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CONTENTS

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Health & Safety

People

Workplace News

Negotiations

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Outstanding member achievement award recipients chosen for 2007.............. President Hanley announces staff appointments..............................................

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Workers at Maple Lodge Farms process 400,000 chickens every day.............. 12

Conferences

Youth

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Members raise evenmore money for leukemia researchat latest events....... 16

cep local 571

As we near a season of family get-togethers, giftexchanges and other festivities, I wanted to have aCheckout cover that reflected the many faces of Locals175 & 633. I hope it reminds us all to recognize theequality, and respect the cultural differences, of everymember of our great Local Union.

Whether we belong to Local 175 or 633, we all sharea common bond, which is that we are Union membersbecause someone had the courage to stand up for therights of the workers at your workplace.

Someone took it upon themselves to make things bet-ter. They invested their time and effort to fight for thewages they deserved and to gain better benefits andmore secure pension plans. These people are coura-geous. It’s no small feat to stand up to the managersat your place of employment and tell them that youwon’t put up with their lack of respect any longer. Ittakes real courage to tell these people that you’regoing to do something about it, even though you know you have to continue working for that employerwhether you win or lose the Union vote.

Union members and stewards are powerful allies when it comes to organizing newmembers. Stewards, especially, have extensive knowledge of the benefits of being amember of Locals 175 or 633. It’s one thing to hear how great Unions are fromsomeone who works for one. I think it means more to hear it from someone who par-ticipates in their Union, gains from their contract and in the case of the stewards andleaders in our units, enforce the provisions of those contracts every day.

It means more to know that the benefits of belonging to Locals 175 & 633 are tangi-ble. Not everyone needs all the resources we provide on a regular basis but manypeople’s minds have been changed once they do need those services. Some don’trecognize the good of the Union until they have a bad experience with the employer.Job security, seniority, wage increases, a pension plan, health benefits and grievanceand arbitration are just some of the benefits of belonging to a Union.

There are workers who don’t get regular wage increases; who don’t have health bene-fits to go to the dentist or get glasses if they need them. Many lack coverage for pre-scription medications and struggle to get by without either short or long-term disabilitybenefits. A large number of Ontario’s workers don’t even have a workplace pensionplan to provide an extra degree of security in their senior years.

Maybe you have friends or family who are concerned for their health and safety every-day they go to work. We all know someone who has been harassed or threatened bymanagement. Sometimes we try to let these things roll off our backs as though that

As a strong Union – builtfrom the drive and deter-mination of the many whopreceded us, it's our job tocontinue their fight and toreach out to non-unionizedworkers across theprovince

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DECEMBER 2007

Union membership offers manytangible benefits, including

support when you need it the most

CENTRAL WEST REGION412 Rennie StreetHamilton L8H 3P5905-545-8354Toll free 1-800-567-2125Fax 905-545-8355 DirectorHarry SuttonUnion RepresentativesMatt Davenport, Tim Deelstra, Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, 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, Paul Hardwick, 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, Mike Duden, 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 DirectorShawn Haggerty 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: membership@ufcw175.com

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Provincial Office 2200 Argentia RoadMississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329Fax 905-821-7144

Last year, Local 175President Wayne Hanleyannounced a new initia-tive to tackle UnionOrganizing across theprovince with a freshstrategy. This plan is wellunderway and I amproud to say we haveone of the most diverseteam of organizers in the

country. In the last year, we’ve organized a total of694 new members across the province.

Our organizing team reflects the diversity of ourmembership and that of Ontario’s workers. They areable to communicate in different languages andcome from Union backgrounds. They are knowledge-able and work very hard every day to ensure thatnon-unionized workers get the chance to vote andexercise the rights guaranteed to them underCanada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This organizing strategy will better help us grow ourmembership in the core sectors that make up Locals175 & 633, such as industrial manufacturing and dis-tribution, health care and retail grocery. It will alsohelp us better reach out and build our membership inour traditionally smaller sectors. We are always look-ing for ways to develop each and every sector of theUnion’s membership.

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Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

SHAWN HAGGERTY

You can help us bring Union benefitsto unorganized workers

As you speak to your friends and neighbours let themknow that there is a better way to go to work everyday. A way where workers can feel safe knowing theirjobs are protected, their wages are guaranteed andthat their rights, safety and health are respected. Itcan be a scary prospect to challenge an employer –and sometimes it’s not just a boss but a large, power-ful corporation. Workers can feel better, however,knowing that they are not alone in this difficult chal-lenge. The Union is here to support all workers andprovide necessary resources throughout the process.We guarantee that all conversations regarding theUnion drive are kept confidential and that we willfight to ensure employers do not break the law by try-ing to intimidate or harass workers.

Today workplace organizers must work even harderthan ever. In the last issue of Checkout we explainedwhy Local 175 is spearheading a campaign to bringback card-based certification for workers in Ontario,so that employers are less able to intimidate workersin the period leading up to a vote. We already havethousands of signatures – but we need more. If youhaven’t seen this petition at your workplace, pleaseprint a copy from our Web site and circulate it amongyour co-workers. By signing this petition you can helpthose who want to organize their workplaces do so ina much more democratic way than the current vote-based method. And the more unionized workers thereare, the better the standard of living will be for allworkers in our communities.

behaviour is harmless, but all that does is tell the employ-er that they can do it again the next time.

Ontario’s Employment Standards Act sets out minimumsfor many aspects of the employer-employee relationshipand yet far too many employers ignore these laws. Andthe problem is – many workers don’t know their rights orare afraid to challenge their employers. We all knowthese people. It’s our responsibility to talk to them –encourage them to learn more about our great Union

and the labour movement.

As a strong Union – built from the drive and determi-nation of the many who preceded us, it’s our job tocontinue their fight and to reach out to non-unionizedworkers across the province. Speak to your neigh-bours, your family and friends. Let them know theimprovements you’ve experienced in your own work-place and in your own life.

. . . continued from previous pageS President’s Message

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For all the most recent UFCW news, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.com

Industry Update: Car Rental Sector

The 61 unionized workers at the Dollar Thrifty Pearson Airport Terminal 1 facility endedtheir 11-week strike after ratifying a negotiated settlement on November 9, 2007.

Workers achieved more substantial wage increases and a number of other improvements overthe last company offer, which was turned down by a vote of 90 per cent, prior to beginning legalstrike action on September 2.

“These men and women were committed to this strike action,” says President Wayne Hanley.“Their perseverance won out. Their new contract better reflects their hard work and better protects their interests.”

Wages increase by between $2.50 and $3.10 per hour correlated to job classifications, whichinclude Rental Service Agents, Cleaners and Drivers. In addition, there is a new handheld premium of $1 per hour for workers assigned to carry an electronic check in/check out device.

Workers maintain the right to grieve with respect to the incentive plan – a right that the employ-er tried to take away previously – and benefit from strong language on drivers being asked toclean. The members also gain religious holiday rights with an extra floater holiday. Bereavementleave entitlement increases to five days, up from the previous three. There is new shift bid lan-guage and a new sunset clause removes discipline after 24 months.

Health and welfare benefits remain status quo as in the previous contract despite the employertrying to have workers pay for their own Long Term Disability premiums. Vision care coverage,however, improves to $175 per year, up from $100 every two years. Enhanced sick pay languageprovides workers with unused sick day pay out at a rate of up to 200 per cent.

Additionally, workers maintain their shoe allowance of $80 per year, which the employer wasalso trying to eliminate.

Local 175 welcomes additional car rental members

On September 19, 2007, counter agents at Dollar Thrifty Pearson Airport Terminal 3 votedto join Local 175. They are seeking the many benefits of Union membership and are hopeful ofgetting a first collective agreement shortly.

11-week strike ends with a new contract for Dollar Thrifty workers

observance of religious holidays not provided for under the Employment Standards Act, plus more employees can take vacation days at one time and workers are now able to switch their shifts, up to five times per month.

• Workers with 18 years of service gain a fifth week of vacation on their anniversary date.

• New language provides part-time workers with a shoe allowance of $48 and CSRs with a monthly dry cleaning allowance of $45, with

no receipt required. Job posting language now states that bargaining unit vacancies will be posted for a minimum of seven days. The company agrees to hire one new full-time “shuttler” in each of the next three years.

Union Negotiating Committee: Brian Grummett,Yonis Jama, Tony Lee, Haile Muhammad, UnionRepresentative Jehan Ahamed and Central EastDirector Luc Lacelle.

More than 175 unionized workers at fourAvis locations in Toronto, including PearsonAirport, secured a new three-year contract ata meeting held Wednesday, September 12,2007. Numerous improvements include:• Wage increases up to $1.55 per hour plus

a signing bonus of $150 for full-time and $75 for part-time and new 25-cent shift premium language.

• Two floater holidays per calendar year for

Avis workers gain good new agreement

NEGOTIATIONS

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For all the most recent UFCW news, including more up-to-date and detailed in

Industry Update: Car Rental Sector

• New language provides two annual floater holidays for religious holidays and up to five shift changes per month.

• A superior health and welfare plan, which is 80 per cent paid by the company. Workers with one year of service get 10 sick days per year with any unused days paid out at 150 per cent of their current wage rate. Vision care cover-age for prescription eyewear or contact lenses

is now $225 per family member per 24-month period.• Full-time eligible employees receive $80 per year

for safety footwear, part-time receive $48 plus each CSR and RRA receive a monthly dry cleaning allowance of $45, with no receipt necessary.

Union Negotiating Committee: Abdi Khayre,Shailendr Prasad, Union Rep Jehan Ahamed andCentral East Director Luc Lacelle.

The 35-member bargaining unit at twoBudgetcar locations at Pearson Airportachieved a new three-year agreement. Theworkers ratified the contract, which containswage and other improvements, at a meetingheld September 13, 2007. It includes:• Wage increases for Counter Service Reps

(CSR) and Rapid Return Agents (RRA) of $1.60 per hour.

Budgetcar workers ratify

National and Alamo Car Rental negotiationsThe current contract for 70 members who work in the service centre for the National and Alamo Car Rental company expired on November 30, 2007.Members attended a proposal meeting early in October. Negotiations were scheduled to begin in November.

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Cargill Foods workers vote for three-year deal

led information on negotiations, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.com

Workers at The Barn locations in Dundas,Hamilton and Oakville achieved a new four-year collective agreement at meetings heldSeptember 16, 2007. The negotiating committee,who met in nine bargaining sessions with thecompany over six months, secured the followingimprovements:• Full and part-time workers at the end rates

receive wage increases totalling $1.15 per hour, with the first increase retroactive to September 24, 2006.

• All full-time workers receive a signing bonus of $300 following ratification and an additional $200 in both the second and third year.

• Part-timers with three years of service receive a bonus based on regular hours worked dur-

ing the year prior to the bonus’ effective date.• Night shift workers receive a premium of $1

per hour. • Those assigned to be “in charge” for more

than four hours between 8 a.m. and midnight, receive a shift premium of $2 per hour and those part-time workers assigned to relieve the Head Cashier after 5 p.m. receive a premium of 50 cents per hour.

• Eligible part-time staff now have 100 per cent prescription drug coverage to an annual maxi-mum of $1,000.

• Eligible employees receive improved vision care coverage of $200, up from $125.

• In the event a store closes and is not replaced, full- and part-time members

receive severance pay of one week paid at two times the employee’s regular weekly rate for each year of service to a maxi-mum of 26 weeks.

• The company will contribute a lump sum payment of $300,000 toward the workers’ pension plan on each of October 1, 2007, January 1, 2008, January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bill Adair,Cindy Chick, Louise McGilton, NancyMcKay, South Central Regional DirectorSylvia Groom and Executive Assistant JimHastings.

More than 800 members at The Barn ratify

Members working at Hertz Canada locationsacross the GTA, including PearsonInternational Airport, ratified a new collectiveagreement on October 4, 2007. The 120-memberbargaining unit, which includes the service cen-tre, achieved a three-year contract that providesnumerous improvements, including:• Increases in wage rates for eligible CSRs,

Service Agents and Hand Held agents up to $1.55 per hour, retroactive to the date of the

previous contract’s expiry.• A signing bonus of $150 for full-time and $75

for part-time. • Language providing fixed dates for shift bids

and full recognition for overall company sen-iority, as well as provisions for emergency leave.

Union Negotiating Committee: Ahmed Hussein,Kapilan Savarimuthu, Ruddy Velupillai andUnion Rep Jehan Ahamed.

Hertz Canada members approve new contract

Following nine days of negotiations, the approxi-mately 690 members of Local 633 working atCargill Foods in Rexdale approved a new col-lective agreement. The contract, which was unani-mously recommended by the bargaining unit’snegotiating committee, included the following: • Wages increase between 20 cents and 55 cents

per hour correlated to the workers’ job level.• Workers performing Production Tote Off/Heavy

Lifting receive a new shift premium of 50 cents per hour.

• Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan improve.

• Short-Term Disability benefits increase by 22

per cent for non-maintenance workers and 50 per cent for maintenance employees.

• Members benefit from increases to the boot and meal allowances.

• Important new language provides assurance of full-time status for all full-time employees as of September 21, 2007. This assurance applies to all departments for the first time.

• Scheduling language now states that no employee, other than maintenance contin-ental shift workers, shall be scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday as part of their regular workweek.

• Additionally, no worker – other than the

maintenance continental shift workers – shall be scheduled to work more than 10 hours per day as part of their regular workday.

• Other language improvements address senior-ity, vacation requests, benefits, an increased number of plant stewards and also an increase in the number of negotiating commit-tee members.

Union Negotiating Committee: Olive Burke,Tapan Dave, Ralph Hogan, EugeneJurewicz, Adebayo Mufutau, Tony Nigro,Mireku Obeng and Union Rep AnthonyDiMaio.

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For all the most recent UFCW news, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.comNEGOTIATIONS

• The employer will increase its contributions to the health and welfare plan to reach $146 per month by the end of the contract, up from

$119 at the end of the previous agreement.• Workers benefit from a new second break.• The safety shoe allowance increases to $100,

up from $90.

Union Negotiating Committee: Kuldeep SinghHeera, Dhansukh Gandhi, Bharti Sharmaand Union Rep Paul Jokhu.

Approximately 160 members at the Norse-man Plastics facility in Etobicoke have anew collective agreement, which was ratifiedon July 8, 2007 and includes: • Hourly wage increases of 30 cents retro-

active to April 1, 2007, 35 cents in the sec-ond year and 40 cents in the third year.

• New language ensures steward represen-tation at disciplinary meetings.

• Company contributions to the Local 175 Training & Education Fund increase to $225 per month.

Members at Norseman Plastics vote for new deal

the duration of the contract.• Vacation entitlement improves effective May 1,

2009, to provide five weeks at 10 per cent pay for those with between 12 and 23 years of ser-vice and six weeks at 12 per cent for those with more than 23 years of service.

• Improved language covers grievance procedure and the contract contains new language providing four days of training per year for each of the union committee members.

• The company will make an annual contribu-tion to the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund of $400, up from the previous $300 per year.

Union Negotiating Committee (from left in photobelow): Pauline James, Shannon McCaigand Tammy Courvoisier. Absent from photo:Union Rep Rob Nicholas.

The approximately 60-member bargainingunit at Elmvale’s Sara Vista NursingHome achieved a new three-year collectiveagreement. The ratification vote, held August23, 2007, secured the following improve-ments for the staff and Registered Nurses atthe facility:• Wages increase by 2.5 per cent in each

year of the agreement, with the first increase retroactive to May 1, 2007.

• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive an additional wage adjustment of 50 cents per hour in each year of the contract.

• Company contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) improve by a total of 14 cents per hour over the course of the col-lective agreement.

• Employer contributions to the group insur-ance plan increase by a total of .5% over

Sara Vista staff vote in favour of new contract

Minute Maid members ratify Approximately 150 members inPeterborough secured a new three-year agreement on August 26, 2007,which includes: • Wage increases of $1.95 per hour for

all classifications. Journeymen receive an additional increase of $1 per hour and those Journeymen with a “B” license will have their $2 premium rolled into their wages.

• The pager-carrying premium increas- es to $25, up from $20.

• Dental coverage improves with an increased yearly cap of $3,000, up from $2,000, and orthodontic cover-age of $3,000, also up from $2,000.

• Company contributions to the workers’ pension plan increase by 20 cents.

• Workers benefit from an improved Short Term Disability (STD) weekly cap of $1,000, up from $500 and Long Term Disability (LTD) payouts of 66 2/3 per cent, increased from 50 per cent. Additionally, the employer agrees to pay premiums to maintain insurance coverage for those employ-ees on WSIB, STD or LTD leave.

• Vision care coverage increases to $300, up from $250.

• Temporary workers receive an addi-tional sick/personal day.

• Allowances increase for tools, $250 up from $200, freezer wear, $135 up from $125, and safety footwear, $135 up from $125.

• Additional language stipulates that the employer cannot mandate work-ers in any department with respect to overtime with the exception of the maintenance department, in which they can only mandate overtime to provide minimum coverage.

Union Negotiating Committee: MarcDuquette, Tom Hughes, DougMorris, Mike McCormick and UnionRep Chris Fuller.

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A t l a s t . . . O n ta r i o gov e rnm en t l eg i s la te s s a fe r w o rk i n g con d i t i ons f o r hea l th ca re w o rke r sThanks to the efforts of Local 175 – and other like-minded workplace safety advocates – health care workers will be better-protected from needlestickinjuries at work.

A new regulation under The Occupational Health and SafetyAct mandates safety-engineered hollow-bore needles, orneedle-less systems, in all hospitals as of September 1,2008. The government also said, in its August 23, 2007news release, that it would require the use of these devicesin long-term care homes, psychiatric facilities, laboratoriesand specimen collection centres in 2009 and other healthcare workplaces, such as home care, doctor’s offices andambulances in 2010.

Local 175 has already negotiated the use of safety-engi-neered sharps in some of its workplaces, far ahead of the2009 anticipated deadline. These include MaplewoodNursing Home in Brighton and Birchwood Terrace inKenora.

These legislative changes are expected to prevent more than33,000 injuries per year and save Ontario taxpayers, literal-ly, millions of dollars. Ontario currently spends some $66-million every year on workers who have suffered needlestickinjuries. This doesn’t include WSIB costs associated with lost-time claims or the emotional cost of the months of testingthat workers and their families must endure.

Former NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) ShelleyMartel, who originally introduced this legislation said:“Needles pose a danger to everyone who comes into con-tact with the instruments until they are safely destroyed orburied. That includes all hospital staff, refuse collection per-sonnel and even members of the public.” There are currentlyat least 33 known blood-borne pathogens that can be con-tracted from a used syringe. These include acquired immunedeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) as well as hepatitis A, B and C.

In addition to the legislation pertaining to needles, the gov-ernment has implemented other initiatives. These include:stockpiling 55 million better face masks, known as N95 res-pirators, to provide protection against potentially infectiousdisease such as SARS or Avian Flu, purchasing 19,000 bedlifts and hiring 200 new workplace health & safety inspectors.

Darlene Papst had alwaysdreamed of a career in geri-atric nursing – but thedream became a nightmareafter she punctured herhand with a dirty needle.

In the instant it happened,her life changed. As ahealth care worker, she immediately knew she wasat risk of contracting, and possibly dying of anynumber of diseases, including Hepatitis A, B or C,as well as AIDS and HIV. She fretted about herresponsibilities as a single parent, and the future ofher relationship with her fiancé. “We were all a bitcrazy, with worry,” she said. “Anyone would be.”

The dirty needle that punctured Darlene’s handshould have been safely disposed of before itcould do any damage. But an inexperienced,recently hired worker at the nursing home whereDarlene worked had made a serious error. Insteadof following the proper procedure, she had inexpli-cably recapped a dirty needle. So when Darlenepulled on the device to uncap what she thoughtwas an empty needle holder, the pressure caused itto jump back, puncturing her skin.

The result could have been tragic. Fortunately,however, Darlene survived the ordeal with herhealth, relationships and dream intact. Both herfamily and doctor were extremely supportive. Shewas given regular testing to monitor her health andthe resident’s family gave their permission to testthe resident for disease, so that Darlene and herdoctor would both know what they were upagainst.

Now Darlene, who already has a diploma inGerontology and a Registered Practical Nursingcertificate, is making plans to return to school. Shewants to continue her career with a Bachelor’sDegree in Nursing Science. After months of worryand uncertainty, her dream is back on track.

One member ’s story

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Cliff is a lead hand at the Dresdenplant, an automotive parts companythat makes gas and brake peddles. Hehas been an elected Union steward formost of the nine years that he’s workedthere and chief steward for six years.Cliff has also participated in two orthree sets of negotiations.

“Cliff is a wonderful steward and alwaysa supportive co-worker,” says SouthWest Union Representative AngusLocke. He notes that Cliff, who migrat-ed to Ontario from Newfoundland, hasan easy-going personality that putspeople at ease – but at the same time,he’s tenacious in getting to the root ofthe problem. When it comes to griev-ances and other concerns of members,Angus says Cliff’s impressive ability tolisten to all sides enables him to resolveissues before they create greater prob-lems in the workplace.

Angus says: “If his commitment andloyalty to his members and his Unioncould be viewed as a dart board,Brother Hounsell would certainly makehis mark as a direct bull’s-eye!”

Judith Moore ofPinty’s PremiumFoods in St.Catharines wasselected for herexceptional contribu-tion in the area ofHealth & Safety.

O u t s t a n d i n g m e m b e r a c h i e v e m e n t a w a r d r e c i p i e n t s c h o s e n f o r 2 0 0 7

Linda Brooksof Compass/Eurest inTiverton waschosen for heroutstandingcontribution toLeukemiaFundraising.

Linda is a steward at the BrucePower plant, working in food servicefor the past seven years. The formeremployer, Lewis Foods, did notallow its workers to accept tips sothe workers started a donation canfor leukemia research instead. Thetradition has continued, with all contributions from happy customersearmarked for leukemia.

Additionally, Linda has helpedorganize several 50/50 draws andsold merchandise to raise evengreater amounts of money. “Linda isamazing,” says South West UnionRep Roy Reed. “Every time I visit thecafeteria, she has a few more dol-lars – sometimes even several hun-dred more – to give me forleukemia. It’s all the more astound-ing when you consider that all thismoney is raised by a bargaining unitthat is only about 30 membersstrong.”

CharitoDrinkwalterofBirchwoodTerrace inKenora waschosen forher outstand-ing contribu-tion to the Community.

She has been a Union stewardat the Birchwood TerraceNursing Home for the past 19years and an active member ofthe Kenora & District LabourCouncil for about six years.Charito also volunteers hertime with the Kenora-RainyRiver New Democratic Party(NDP) Riding Association andis a Vice-President with theNDP Provincial RidingAssociation.

As a member of the KenoraToastmasters Club, shereceived both a CompetentCommunicator and CompetentLeader Designation from thewell-respected internationalorganization.

Charito was also instrumentalin the creation of the Recrea-tion Centre in Kenora, andwhen that was completed . . .she ran for local governmentand is now a city councillor.

“Charito is an outstandingmember and asset to our LocalUnion and the community,”says Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer and North WestRegional Director, ShawnHaggerty.

President Hanley has announcedthe winners of the second annualachievement awards. In recogni-tion, each recipient receives a$500 cheque, which is madeavailable through partnershipwith American Income Life (AIL)insurance. The 2007 winnersare: Linda Brooks, CharitoDrinkwalter, Cliff Hounsell andJudith Moore.

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Cliff Hounsell ofDresden Industrialin Stratford waschosen for his lead-ership and contribu-tion to the Ad-vancement of theUFCW.

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Judith has worked to improve Health &Safety in her workplace for the past 19years. She was a recipient of a 2005H&S Activist of the Year Award from theWorkers Health & Safety Centre andis also an H&S instructor with Local 175as well as for Mohawk College.

Darlene Lorrain, the co-worker whonominated her writes: “She’s been thevoice for many of us who were afraid tospeak up for ourselves. Helping usunderstand the Occupational Health &Safety Act is one of the many things shedoes so well. She’s always taking morecourses to better her knowledge to assistothers at work and in the community.”

One thing Judith says she’s learned asan instructor is always to “expect theunexpected,” as she found out the dayshe had to come to her daughter’sassistance and deliver her own grand-daughter.

President Hanleyannounces staff appointments

Union Represent-ative SylviaGroom becomesSouth CentralRegional Director.Sylvia has been aLocal 175 memberfor almost 30years, since she first started working as acashier at A&P in Dundas.

Sylvia had extensive experience as aUnion steward, negotiator, fundraiserand Executive Board member beforebecoming a staff rep in 1997. “Sylvia’sknowledge and experience, combinedwith her dedication and caring naturewill make an outstanding addition to ourLocal Union’s leadership team,” saysPresident Wayne Hanley.

EmmanuelleLopez, whohas been aLocal 175BenefitsRepresentativefor about fouryears, hasmoved to theCentral East Region as a UnionRepresentative.

Executive Assistant Teresa Mageesays, “We will certainly missEmmanuelle’s contribution to theBenefits Department. I am pleased,however, that she will now be takingon even greater responsibilities as aUnion representative – and ofcourse her Benefits expertise will cer-tainly be useful in her new role.”

Union Rep-resentativeJudith Burchhas movedfrom theCentral EastRegion, andnow returnedto the SouthCentral Region.

Roy Etling isnow a Local175 BenefitsRepresent-ative. He hasbeen assistingin the depart-ment for thepast 12 months, on loan from theUFCW Canada National Office.

Roy originally became a UFCWmember in 1979 when Local 452Pmerged with Locals 175 & 633. Hewas working at Archer DanielMidland Flour Milling (ADM) (for-merly Maple Leaf Mills) in PortColborne. As an injured worker, he

has first-hand experience with thecomplexities of the WorkplaceSafety & Insurance Board (WSIB).Roy certainly has the empathy andknowledge to advocate for injuredmembers.

JoanneFord alsojoins theBenefitsDepart-ment torepresentmembers athearingsand tribunals.

Joanne has almost 17 years expe-rience as a Local 175 steward atA&M Cookies in Kitchener andparticipated in three sets of nego-tiations. She also served as theWSIB liaison in her workplace,assisting with mediation andaccommodation of injured workers.

DerekJokhu isnow anEducationRepresent-ative withthe Local’sTraining &Education Centre.

He became a member in August2004 while working as a“Floater,” combining the dual roleof counter representative and carjockey with Budgetcar inMississauga and Brampton.

Derek is an experienced Unionsteward who has also participatedin various training courses, suchas Steward Level I and II, Health &Safety and the Youth InternshipProgram with both the LocalUnion and UFCW National Office.

PEOP

LE. . . Outstanding member achievement award recipients continued

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At Maple Lodge Farms in Bramp-ton, Local 175 members preparechickens for retail food stores andrestaurants. If you dine at SwissChalet, it’s likely that the chicken youenjoy will have been processed by aLocal 175 member from MapleLodge Farms, which is a primary sup-plier to Swiss Chalet. Additionally, youmay be served by a member ofUFCW Canada Local 206, which hasorganized the wait staff at more than60 locations of this chain.

Maple Lodge Farms is still run by theMay family, who started farming, inthe Norval area of what is nowBrampton, in 1834. During the GreatDepression of the 1930s, LawrenceMay began selling eggs door-to-doorin the city, from the back of his truck.By 1955, Maple Lodge Farms wasestablished as a company. Today it isa large, successful enterprise thatencompasses several buildings andoperations. It employs approximately2,200 people who ship, prepare andmarket quality chicken products forCanada and the world. The bargain-ing unit has about 1,200 memberswho pick up chickens from the farm,deliver them to the plant, ship the fin-ished products back out to customers,and perform just about every job inbetween. Brampton members, togeth-er with those in St. Francois, NewBrunswick, process 400,000 chickensevery day. They ship 2.5 million kilo-grams of poultry products each week.

Thanks to the dedicated members,Maple Lodge Farms continues tothrive and perpetuate Lawrence’svision of producing the best qualitychicken products at the best price.

Workers process 400,000 chickensevery day

Fern Reis,Union Rep

NelsonVidinha,Shunter –Backyard

If you dine at SwissChalet, it’s likely thatthe chicken you enjoy

will have beenprocessed by a

Local 175 member from Maple Lodge

Farms

FernandoDe Jesus,Driver –Live Haul

JohnCarvalho,LiveReceiving

JoseFarias &AlbertoCamacho,LiveReceiving

If you dine at SwissChalet, it’s likely thatthe chicken you enjoy

will have beenprocessed by a

Local 175 member from Maple Lodge

Farms

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Joe Pereira ,Chief Union Steward

GraceCabral,Cut 9

SharnjitKaur Brar,Cut 9

HelenaXavier,Eviscerating

Albano Pacheco, Tying & Union Steward

Luan Zhang,Coning

Jin Yun Lin,Coning

MichaelAkukwe, Coning

MariaRaposa, Coning

Mirjeta Abdulovska, Coning

GloriaDamaso, Coning

Maria Dias & Rita Melo, Breast Deboning

Alex Banaag,Retail Shipper

Huy Hua Luu,Shipper

Glen AvilaRetail Shipper &Union Steward

Ryan Muscat,Shipper &Union Steward

ORGANIZINGis a key themefor the 2007 &2008 Series ofS t e w a r d s ’Seminars

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Each year, Locals 175 & 633 recognize the vital contributions of ourUnion stewards, at a series of regional seminars. These importantmeetings cram several hours of education into two short days.

Topics range from basic “how to” for new stewards to more advancedcourses covering Arbitrations, Health & Safety, Collective Bargainingand WSIB Rights & Obligations. Between the classroom sessions andinformal networking over the weekend, stewards gain vast amounts ofknowledge and insight into how to better represent their co-workers.Union stewards are essential to upholding members’ rights in theirworkplace. This annual series of seminars provides the resources toenable them to do just that.

The importance of organizing new members is a key theme presentedby the leadership during the 2007-2008 series of seminars.

Photographs on these two pages are from the North West Stewards’Seminar, on September 22 & 23, 2007 in Thunder Bay, and theSouth West Stewards’ Seminar, in London, on October 13 & 14.Stewards and staff who attended these seminars raised an astounding$13,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. The dona-tions were generated through prize draws and merchandise sales atthese two seminars. The money is used to fund Canadian research tofind a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers.

Every year nearly 1,000 Stewards attendRegional Seminars, tolearn how to betterrepresent members inthe workplace

Shawn Haggerty, in his dual role as Secretary-Treasurer & North West RegionalDirector, addressed Stewards at both the London & Thunder Bay Seminars . . .

. . . while South West Regional Director Ray Bromley reported on that region at theLondon Stewards’ Seminar.

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South West Region

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WINDSOR GOLF NETS NEARLY $5,400On Saturday, August 18, Windsor-area members partici-pated in their 8th Annual Golf Tournament. The 70golfers raised $5,387 for the LLSC. Locals 175 & 633Executive Board members, in photo, from left: BryanBraithwaite, Tim Kelly, Dan Bondy, Jeff Aldworth andBrad Wigle, supported the event. Jeff drove approxi-mately six hours from his home in Brighton to participatein the tournament. The event was organized by NeilHotchkiss, A&P store # 341, Dan Bondy, A&P store#141 and Union Rep Julie Johnston.

THE WINTER HOLIDAY SEASON IS TRADITIONALLY A TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND GIVE TO OTHERS.

LOCALS 175 & 633 MEMBERS, STAFF, FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS DONATE THEIR TIME AND MONEY ALL THROUGH

THE YEAR TO HELP FUND RESEARCH FOR LEUKEMIA AND OTHER BLOOD-RELATED CANCERS. NET PROCEEDS FROM ALL EVENTS ARE

DONATED TO THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF CANADA (LLSC), WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY OF UFCW CANADA .LAST YEAR’S TOTAL COUNTRY-WIDE CONTRIBUTION WAS $1,424,000. THAT RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN MAKES THE UFCWCANADA MEMBERSHIP THE LARGEST ANNUAL SUPPORTER OF LLSC’S RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE . . . AND THANKS TO YOUR HELP,WE'RE GETTING CLOSER EVERY DAY. IN ADDITION TO THE LLSC, MEMBERS & STAFF GENEROUSLY DONATE TO OTHER CHARITIES.

BICKS MEMBERS

DONATE $1,030On August 23 and24, 2007, mem-bers at BicksPickles inDunnville enjoyeda fundraising BBQ,which raised$1,030 for leuk-emia research.TICKET SALES GENERATE MORE

THAN $2,000 Members across the provinceraised $2,300 for the LLSC bypurchasing draw tickets to win anautographed Jason Spezza hock-ey jersey.

The winner Gerald Longo (onleft) from Loeb St. Laurent inOttawa received the framedOttawa Senators’ jersey from thestore’s Union steward, GaetanQuesnel.

NURSING HOME MEMBERS COLLECT $400Earlier this year, Betty Berryhill and Bette Reed organized a leukemiafundraiser at Trent Valley Lodge, and collected $400 afterraffling off a gift basket.

The contents of the basket were donated by Local175 and won by Nancy Jessup, who is also amember at the home. A month later, afterNancy’s mother was diagnosed with cancer andlost her hair, Nancy and her family shaved theirheads as an expression of solidarity.

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HIT FOR A CURE CATCHES $1,543 IN

NEW DONATIONS FOR THE LLSCSaturday, September 1 was a beautiful day for the 4thAnnual Barrie Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament, which isnow held at Base Borden. With six teams comingfrom as far away as Brampton, Hamilton andWoodstock – the day proved to be a big success. Theprize table was full and the BBQ was fired up with thehelp of staff and volunteer members Angela McDon-nell and Renee Menard.

The “A” Champs (photo on right) proved to be MapleLodge Farms (MLF) in a close game over the “A”Runner-up team, Quality Inn. The MLF team was cap-tained by Joe Meszaros, a steward in the sanitationdepartment. The “B” Champs team was the Black Soxand Locals 175 & 633 was the “B” Runner-up team.Thanks to all who helped and we hope to see everyoneback next year. We have a tentative 2008 date ofAugust 23rd.

HOCKEY TOURNAMENT RAISES $20,100On September 7 and 8, 2007, members participat-ed in the 10th annual Locals 175 & 633 Skate For ACure in Oakville, which raised $20,100. Themoney was collected thanks to the involvement ofnumerous sponsors and volunteers as well as theapproximately 200 players who played for the 16teams participating in the weekend event. The win-ning team was The Hamilton Funeral Homes. Itwas victorious for the second time in the many yearsthat it has supported the tournament. The runner-uptrophy went to Bicks of Dunnville.

r l e u k e m i a r e s e a r c h a t l a t e s t e v e n t s

“TERRY FOX SHAVE-THE-HEAD WORKDAY” PULLS IN

$1,230Members from A&P Store #422 in Thunder Bayraised more than $1,200 from a “Head Shave.” Themoney is allocated for cancer research in the NorthWest Region. The members are, from left: RichardDolph, Derek Antoniszyn, Ron Brown, Larry Hyderand Connie Ilczyszyn, in front. Assistant manager,Colleen Swiderski (with razor in hand), provided theshaves. Absent from photo: Matt Kowalchuk.

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FUNDRAISING

For more photos and details, and all the latest fundraising news, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.com

GOLF EXTRAGANZA NETS MORE THAN $26,000

One hundred and forty-seven golfers teedit up at the 5th Annual Local 175 GolfExtravaganza held September 17, 2007,at the Innisbrook Golf & Country Club

in Barrie.

The goalwas to raise$25,000 for the LLSC. Former Local 175Secretary-Treasurer and TournamentOrganizer Jerry Clifford said: “When theday was finished, we surpassed our goaland reached an unbelievable $26,318.10!”

Avid golfers – and others too – should marktheir calendars for next year’s tournamentscheduled for September 13, 2008.

WALKERS COLLECT ALMOST

$30,000 TO SUPPORT

LEUKEMIA RESEARCHOn Sunday, September 16,nearly 50 walkers turned outat Confederation Park inOttawa for the First AnnualWalk of Hope to help raisemoney.

The event, organized by ourown Local Union, was particu-larly poignant because of theinvolvement of seven-year-oldShane Bernier. He was diag-nosed with Acute Lympho-blastic Leukemia (ALL) at theage of five and came out tosupport the day’s events.

Dan Lacroix, Local 175Eastern Regional Director,said: “It was encouraging tosee Shane here. He’s an inspi-ration to all of us and a verybig part of why we raisedalmost $30,000 today.”Funds raised by events like thisWalk of Hope fund muchneeded research and clinicaltrials to create more effectivetreatments and one day – acure.

Horizon Plastics member Dave Mooreenjoyed a golf day with friends,including Andrea Elliot

ZELLERS CORNWALL RAISES $1,600 FOR

CANCER RESEARCHFor the second year in a row, members atZellers store #006 participated in theRelay for Life at Farran’s Park in Cornwall.They organized two teams and raised$1,600.

John Aird (on immediate right), who works at MapleLeaf in Brantford, receives his graduation certificatefrom Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer Shawn Haggerty.John says: “The course was excellent. I learned a lotabout Health & Safety and how to handle difficult situations. I would definitely recommend eligible youthmembers to apply for the next year’s course.”

Kathleen Harper fromLoblaws in Gloucester heardabout the program throughher store’s Union steward.She says: “The course wasvery educational in thebroadest sense. I learned alot in many areas, such as Health & Safetyand the importance of Unions in our society. I was really impressed to learn about theUnion’s ability to train workers and their families and prepare them for better jobs.”

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Youth are enthusiastic about Local 175’s 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Development ProgramThirteen young people attended the 3rd annual Locals 175& 633 Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP). It ranfrom September 23 - 28 at the Training & Education Centre(TEC) in Mississauga.

The week-long course is designed to educate and involveyoung members in their Union. Content included Unioninformation – what, why, where & how – plus organizing,globalization, political awareness and youth activism. Parti-cipants were extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Watch for information on next year’s program, whichwill be distributed next August. Plan to apply if you’re amember who is 29 years of age or younger and wantto learn more about your Union. If you know youngmembers who you feel could benefit from this pro-gram, please encourage them to apply.

Front row, from left: Jeff Zuback, Aeroguard; Graeme Steele, Homewood Health Centre; Second row: Mark Stockton, Local 175 Instructor; Scott Switzer, Loblaws#1051; Nenard Leuko, Comfort Inn; Kathleen Harper, Loblaws #1051; Darley Alcine, Belfast Fruit; Back row: Phillip Johnson, Dresden Industrial; John Aird, MapleLeaf Poultry; Scott Molnar, Westin Hotel; Wayne Hanley, President Local 175; Meghan Tudor, Friendly Manor; Candice Widdifield, Loblaws #1050; Michael Mattioli,RCSS #2806; Jason Hanley, Local 175.

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