Published By AMERICAN INCOME LIFE & NATIONAL INCOME LIFE LETTER canada LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD SEPTEMBER 2015 Vol. 16 No. 5

NEWS FROM THE government to invest in infrastructure, cre- in June, 42,000 full-time jobs, mostly in ate apprenticeships, and address income British Columbia and Alberta. “It’s good CLC, FEDERATIONS inequality. We’ll be actively engaged in the to see more full-time work created, but the & NATIONAL upcoming federal election this October, overall economic picture is still grim,” said UNIONS asking all political parties to endorse our CLC president Hassan Yussuff. “Canadi- plan,” said the CBT. ans need a new government that will take The website for “Let’s Build us in a new direction that creates enough The presidents of Canada’s full-time, secure jobs to make up for years Canada”, the new coalition formed to en- provincial and territorial labour federations of labour market stagnation.” He said the gage union members leading up to the hosted parallel meetings last month while nation needs a “new government” that will 2015 Federal Election, is up and running. Premiers gathered for their annual Coun- work with provinces and the territories to The coalition was announced at the Cana- cil of the Federation meeting in St. John’s, develop a “solid manufacturing strategy” to dian Building Trades (CBT) Legislative Newfoundland and Labrador. Jobs and the spur growth. Conference in May. The website provides economy topped labour’s agenda as officials information on where each party stands called on Premiers “to provide the balance on issues important to the careers of union and leadership” the Harper government has INTERNATIONAL workers, explained the CBT. Flyers and failed to deliver. They called on the prov- LABOUR NEWS posters are available to all Local Unions, inces and territories to lay out the building Business Managers, and PAC’s for down- blocks for a “caring society.” Union lead- United Kingdom’s UNISON loading and printing, along with other ers called for a $15/hour minimum wage public service union warned that govern- important information that is readily avail- across the country; doubling of the Canada ment plans to restrict trade union rights able. “Our Coalition calls for the federal Pension Plan; creation of an affordable na- are “a strikebreaker’s charter,” which would tional childcare program; the revival of the undermine the basic civil rights of work- Canada Health Accord; comprehensive ing people. UK’s conservative government immigration strategy with a pathway to recently announced what is called the big- citizenship; and establishment of a Green gest crackdown on trade union rights for 30 Jobs agenda for Canada. years. The government plans to criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike- Recent job figures released by breaking agency staff and choke off the Statistics Canada support worries that flow of union funds to the Labour party. Canada’s economy has fallen into a reces- “This is a real attack on people’s basic hu- sion, declared the Canadian Labour Con- man rights,” said General Secretary Dave gress. According to Statistics Canada, job Prentis. “And this from the party which creation has slowed to 33,000 in the sec- is trying to rebrand itself as the workers’ ond quarter compared to 66,000 jobs cre- party.” He pledged that UNISON would ated in the first quarter 2015. The labour work with other trade unions but also with group pointed out that private sector hir- community groups and other civil liberties One of the sharable images available online at ing fell. Public sector employment ac- campaigns in the broadest-based alliance www.letsbuildcanada.ca. counted for most of the full-time job gains to fight the proposals. The campaign will

TERRY O'SULLIVAN, President - Laborers International Union of North America, Chairman - AIL Labour Advisory Board VICTOR KAMBER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Executive Director - AIL Labour Advisory Board ROGER SMITH, President & Chief Executive Officer - American Income Life Insurance Company, President - AIL Labour Advisory Board DENISE BOWYER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Secretary - AIL Labour Advisory Board DAVE BARRETT, Former Premier of Province of British Columbia, Honorary Member - AIL Labour Advisory Board Pg 2 LABOUR LETTER build towards a national demonstration contract settlement averts a strike for a several meetings with Alpine Health re- in Manchester during Conservative Party second consecutive year. According to the vealed that a cut in federal funding is at the Conference on October 4 and a mass lobby union spokesman, GM Korea has agreed core of its proposal to restructure the ser- of Parliament on November 2. to make next-generation Chevrolet Malibu vice. “I’m also very grateful the local Mem- sedans on the second production line at ber Cathy McGowan has raised our con- Myanmar’s upscale Bagan its Bupyeong plant. Labour costs have in- cerns at a federal level because, of course, Hotel River View, operated by KMA Ho- creased nearly 50 per cent for GM over the Alpine Health like every other facility in tels Group, is the target of a worldwide past five years as workers have demanded a the state isn’t just reliant on state funding, campaign for human and union rights vio- greater share of the company’s record prof- it’s also reliant on Federal Government lations. Management on March 7 termi- its. The Detroit carmaker has four plants in funding, so I’m hopeful that the Federal nated the jobs of five union supporters in an South Korea, three assembling vehicles and Government will back down in relation to attempt to crush the legally registered trade one building transmissions. Together, they its reduction in funding,” said Fitzpatrick. union and later refused to reinstate them account for nearly one-fifth of GM’s global after decisions issued in April and May by output. The company faced pressure from arbitration councils. While the company workers who refused to work overtime and NATIONAL & appeals the rulings, job applicants are being staged a partial strike over pay prior to POLITICAL EVENTS screened about their union sympathies and the final deal. pressured to discourage employees from The economic record of the joining the union, and senior workers have A cut in funding by Australia’s Conservative government is the worst been pressured to retire and only allowed to federal government threatens the jobs of since the end of the Second World War, continue their employment after obtaining 17 nurses at three Alpine Health hospitals said a new report by Unifor. In the report, a doctor’s certificate. The company has up in north-east Victoria, charged the nurses’ Rhetoric and Reality: Evaluating Canada’s to two years to appeal the decisions. union, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Economic Record Under the Harper Gov- Federation. The union said the Victorian ernment, Unifor economists Jim Stanford South Korean General Motors government has boosted Alpine Health’s and Jordan Brennan tracked government workers approved a wage deal that will funding by $396,000, to almost $14 million performance from 1946 to 2014. They raise the basic monthly wage by 83,000 and called on the federal government to at concluded that Prime Minister Stephen won ($71) and pay each worker 10.5 mil- least match the increase in state spending. Harper’s government ranks dead last. “The lion won in bonuses and incentives. The According to the union’s Lisa Fitzpatrick, Harper government ranks last among the

The Chevrolet Spark built by GM Korea. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from InSapphoWeTrust. LABOUR LETTER Pg 3

Participants at a Toronto Election Preperation Conference. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from OFL Communications Department. nine postwar governments, and by a wide prime minister called for the election on margin — falling well behind the second- August 2 and dissolved Parliament. He said worst government, which was the (Brian) the group will engage members in “vulner- Mulroney government of 1984 to 1993,” able” ridings across the province where the the union said. The report noted that Can- races are expected to be close. With third ada and its governments experienced 10 re- party ad spending severely limited, the cessions since 1946, but the recovery from Conservatives hold a significant financial the most recent 2008 downturn has been edge over the two major parties. According the weakest than those prior. The current to an analysis by The Canadian Press of the government placed last or second to last in parties’ financial resources, Conservatives 13 of 16 key economic indicators among coffers are almost equal to those combined all postwar Prime Ministers, according of the NDP and the Liberals. to the union. Prior to the closing of Parlia- Canadians are in the midst of ment, Tory senators forced a vote on a an 11-week federal election campaign, lon- controversial anti-union Bill C-377 that gest in recent history, with campaign spend- requires unions to publicly disclose a ing by all parties expected to top more than wide range of financial information in- $50 million. Ontario Federation of Labour cluding salaries and expenses. The private head Sid Ryan said Canada’s largest pro- member’s bill, introduced by Conservative Ontario Federation of Labour head Sid Ryan. vincial labour group launched its “Dump MP Russ Hiebert but backed strongly by Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons Harper” campaign immediately when the the Prime Minister’s Office, forces labour from OFL Communications Department. Pg 4 LABOUR LETTER

USW Ontario director Marty Warren. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from United Steelworkers.

response has been to consolidate some sin- gle officer posts, while leaving large areas like Revelstoke without a local conserva- tion officer.” Smith said there are currently nine single officer posts and 15 conserva- tion officer vacancies in the service. United Steelworkers Local Education workers rally. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from OFL Communications Department. 4610 recently ratified two new contracts in Cambridge, Ontario, for nearly 550 work- unions to publicly disclose how they spend without a contract since September 2014… ers at Frito Lay that will improve wages, their money at an exorbitant administra- And our members are not prepared to go pensions and benefits. Job security and ap- tive cost to them. Union leaders reacted another school year without a deal.” The prenticeship programs also were highlights angrily to what they called “railroading union represents 55,000 education work- of the agreements, according to the union. Bill C-377 into law.” Bill C-377 shows ers across the province which includes early The contracts will run from January 3, 2016, “the profound contempt Stephen Harper’s childhood educators, education assistants, to January 2, 2021. Five hundred workers Conservative government” has for labour, instructors, custodians, school office staff, are employed in the plant where chips and said Richard Perron, President of Que- administrative staff, library and computer snacks are made while 43 are transportation bec Union of Public Employees (SPGQ). technicians and trades people. They work workers. “It’s very forward-looking of our Ontario Federation of Labour President in all four of Ontario’s school board sys- members at Frito Lay,” said USW Ontario Sid Ryan pledged labour will “redouble ef- tems, including French, English, public and director Marty Warren. “They initiated early forts” to defeat Stephen Harper’s Conser- separate school boards. According to media bargaining recognizing the potential for sig- vatives in October’s federal elections. Both reports, several teachers’ union are now in nificant capital investment by the company in the NDP and Liberal Parties have vowed legal strike positions and the province could its Cambridge operations in the near future.” to repeal the measure should they form see increased work-to-rule campaigns when Plant workers gained improvements to their the next government. classes begin in September. pension and benefit plans as well as wage increases of 10.75 per cent over five years. B.C. Government and Service Transportation workers gained a pension LOCAL NEWS Employees’ Union (BCGEU) recently increase exceeding 10 per cent over five years. FROM CANADA’S cited two reports pointing to understaff- UNIONS ing among conservation officers which has resulted in dangerous working conditions. LABOUR LETTER A conciliator from the Ministry The union said legislative changes have provided through of Labour recently was requested by the Ca- broadened a conservation officer’s duties nadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) but without any corresponding increase in its central negotiations with Ontario to staffing levels. “The B.C. government school boards. “It’s clear we are going to has known since 2011 that understaffing require assistance to get these talks mov- has created an unsafe work environment ing,” said Terri Preston, chair of the union’s for conservation officers,” said Stephanie Protecting Working Families central bargaining committee. “We’ve been Smith, president of the BCGEU. “Their www.ailife.com AGENDAcanada SEPTEMBER 2015

Bill Daniels International Vice President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers THIS FALL – PUT DOWN THE REMOTE AND VOTE

Enough with the excuses folks; exercise your right to vote and play a role in shaping our future. This fall – and throughout the year – we are all busy with work, or maybe the golf course is calling or your daughter has a soccer game. Why should you make voting a priority? While that is a question everyone has to answer for themselves, consider this: if Visit www.LetsBuildCanada.ca to stay informed on the upcoming federal election. you care about your future, about what your future holds for your family and friends, one members bills – like Bill C-377 and C-525 Regardless of your political stripe, our of the most important factors is what kind – all the while being directed by the Prime country is at a crossroads for many reasons. of Canada we live in, what kind of country Minister’s Office. If the Conservatives ob- You should have a say. Get informed. Get we create. tain a majority government in the upcom- out and vote. Whatever the outcome the Will there be work? An affordable ing election, we can expect, with certainty, morning after election day, rest assured it place to live? Safe streets, clean air and wa- more of these types of attacks. will affect you. People around the world ter? Will there be daycare and schools for all The IBEW is non-partisan and we stage uprisings and go to war in order to of our kids? Will there be affordable access strive to work with all political parties, re- maintain or gain the right to vote. People to doctors, nurses, drugs and hospitals when gardless of their stripe. However, these at- like having a say and democracy allows this we need them? Will we be able to retire in tacks on the labour movement have pro- to happen. dignity, after working for a lifetime? Will voked us to take action. Our intention is not So regardless of where your politi- we be able to take care of the most vulnera- to tell our members how to vote, but to en- cal views lie, democracy and exercising ble in our society? Will we fight to improve courage them – and all Canadians – to vote your right to vote is something every- the quality of life in Canada and keep the for a candidate who will best represent their one should do on October 19th. Become Canada that I grew up in? interests as members of the IBEW, and help educated on the different parties and These are all things we can’t achieve on protect their values as a skilled worker and what they stand for. No party or candi- our own. We need a functioning govern- union member. date will fit perfectly with everything ment, and the choice of who runs the gov- Engaging people in politics is a diffi- you believe, but there will be one that is ernment matters. cult task. Many people are politically apa- the best fit for you overall. Your vote can The current federal government has led thetic. In the majority of provincial and fed- make a difference. an onslaught of attacks against the labour eral elections, nearly 40 per cent of eligible To get the tools you need to make an movement through various forms of back- voters do not vote, while between 60-70 per informed decision and to learn about where to-work legislation, trampling worker’s cent of eligible voters do not cast a ballot the parties stand on key federal election is- rights, and watering down health and safety in municipal elections. Shockingly, in some sues, check out www.LetsBuildCanada.ca measures. These attacks have been hidden in areas, the number of those who vote can be or check out our www.IBEWCanada.ca omnibus budget bills or disguised as private as low as 5-10 per cent. website for updates. Pg 2 AGENDA

LAB Welcomes New Member

Saskatchewan Golf Charity Fund-Raiser Saskatchewan Government Employees Union members turned out in support of the Saskatchewan Building Trades golf charity event and were joined by AIL’s Debbie Boles (left). Shown (from left) are Shawna North (next to Boles), Bonnie Bond, Glen Billingsley and SGEU President Bob Bymoen. Christopher Shelton was elected President of the Communications Workers of America on June 8, 2015.

Since 2005, he has been Vice President of CWA District 1, representing 160,000 members in more than 300 CWA locals in New Jersey, New York and New England.

Prior to his election as Vice President, Shelton was assistant to the District 1 Vice President.

He served as the Verizon Regional Minimum Wage Bumper Sticker Bargaining Chair in 2000 and 2003, and overall Chair of CWA District 1, AIL is an active supporter of raising Canada’s minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. In the photo, a union District 2-13, IBEW New Jersey and member proudly displays on a North American union-built Ford truck an AIL-sponsored bumper sticker calling New England in 2008 and 2011. for a minimum wage hike. Shelton started his union career when he went to work for New York Telephone in 1968 as an outside technician. He was elected a CWA Local 1101 shop steward in 1968 and served Local 1101 in various positions until December 1988 when he joined the CWA national staff.

He is a native of the Bronx, NY.

Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour Meeting PR Randy Stockley (left, with umbrella) and PR Director Laurie Onasch (second row, right), with the Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour leaders attending the meeting in Newfoundland.