Thetransmitter No

The Official Publication of February 2001 the Telecommunications Vol. )0E111 Workers Union TheTransmitter No. 1

BROADWAY Plffais2 PRINTERS Six Alberta Business Agents among 12 elected President re-elected Edmonton Business Agents

Convention Chair Rick Fleming swears in President Rod Hiebert LEN STAPARYK MARJORIE SHEWCHUK ALISON KUZYK Rod Hiebert has been re-elected convention delegates. All will to a three-year term as TWU Presi- serve two-year terms. dent. Hiebert was unopposed Five incumbent business agents Calgary Business Agents when nominations were entered at were re-elected for Burnaby: Tim convention January 15, and was Williams with 119 votes out of a declared elected by acclamation. total of 122, Jim Christensen (115 He has been a TWU officer since votes), June Lewis (122), Bill Sil- 1983, serving first as Business vester (122) and Karen Whitfield Agent, then Vice-President, and (118). Business Agent Mike Slade since 1991 President. did not seek re-election. The sixth Seven new Business Agents, in- Burnaby B.A. spot was won by cluding six from Alberta, will be Sherryl Anderson of Local 51, with joining an expanded Executive 79 votes. The unsuccessful candi- Council, as a result of voting by date was Local 51 delegate Cathie Young with 57 votes. MAILPOSTE Three Business Agents elected to Canada Post Corporation/Societe canadienne des pastes the Edmonton office were Len Postage paid Port paye Steparyk from Local 208 with 118 Publications Number votes, Marjorie Shewchuk, Local 1461214 207, (119 votes), and Alison Kuzyk, MICK SHIELS JOHN CARPENTER DAN LAKUSTA VANCOUVER, B.C. Local 207, (101 votes). Unsuccess- ful candidate Bobby Schneider, Lo- cal 207, received 28 votes. Burnaby Business Agents . Three new B.A.'s were also elected for Calgary: Mick Shiels, Local 204, with 117 votes; John Carpenter, Local 237 (92 votes), and Dan Lakusta, Local 203, (78 votes). Unsuccessful candidates Marcia Brumec and Sandi Mutter, both of Local 203, received 43 and 36 votes respectively. The number of Alternate Busi- ness Agents was increased to six from three, and five of the six elected were newcomers. In addition to incumbent Lori Ruggles, the five new Alternate BA's elected were Peggy Askin, Nancy Curley, Lesley Hammond, Brian Wolfe SHERRYL ANDERSON TIM WILLIAMS JUNE LEWIS and Laura Stewart. Incumbent Lila Newly-elected Hackett did not seek re-election as she is serving on the Bargaining Committee, and incumbent Rick Fleming was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election. Delegates also elected five members to each of three committees: Finance: Don Fehr, Doug Birrell, Denise Buchan, Randy Cairns, and Wayne Gutfriend. Constitution: Rod Giddens, Andy Bender, Cindy Orivolo, Gord McMullan and Don Jones. Education: Doug Jarrett, Bruce Kennedy, Tamara Marshall, Al Friesen and Rob Bieber. KAREN WHITFIELD JIM CHRISTENSEN BILL SILVESTER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR much your financial contribution was have been some calls, both within the appreciated by our campaign. For any have called lost causes. But their party and outside, for New Democrats Retirement thanks NDP thanks candidate, the democratic process re- fearlessness has won the admiration to end our close relationship with the Dear TWU: Dear TWU: lies on the labour, monetary support of their fellow Canadians and their labour movement. I believe that this I would like to thank the TWU for persistence in the face of obstacles A cheque from your Union arrived and votes of many people. Thank you would be the end of our party. Now the honorary life membership and the has produced great benefits for the the day after the election. Our candi- for being such a generous and vital part more than ever we need to re-affirm $1,000 retirement gift. Thanks to Busi- common people." date is burned out and broke from his of that exciting process. our partnership, and be very clear that ness Agent Bill Silvester for making a David Lewis, November 1957, 256 one-man effort against the Alliance. We are proud to have worked with we are the only party that speaks for wonderful and humorous presentation CCF celebration Our budget of $250 won't even pay Art Hildebrant to ensure that the fed- working people and labour. Our great- and to President Rod Hiebert and Vice- Yours in Solidarity, his telephone bill, let alone other ex- eral New Democratic message was est challenge today is the assault on President Neil Morrison for taking Dan Goy, penses. What a nice surprise from your presented. From the entire Surrey- democracy and workers from global time out of their busy schedule to at- Federal NDP Candidate, generous workers in solidarity with us North campaign team, please know corporate power and so-called "trade" tend my retirement function. Thank Surrey Central against the Corporate Grinch. Thanks that your donation and support was deals. We must work together for an you to Rod for the kind words you had to you people, one lone fighter will be greatly appreciated. alternative vision that puts people and to say. I was very pleased with the turn- Dear TWU: able to put a couple of tires on his van Sincerely and in solidarity, the environment before profits. I look out of many old friends including past Thank you for your financial contri- as he goes home to Edmonton tomor- Everyone on the Surrey-North forward to working with you in the President Bill Clark and Larry bution to Loretta Woodcock's NDP row. federal NDP campaign team coming Parliament. If I can ever be of Armstrong. Thanks also to Marilyn Quadra campaign. Thanks to your Sincerely, assistance on federal concerns, please Clark and Bob Connolly who were as- contribution, and others like it, we Larry MacKillop Dear TWU: do not hesitate to contact me. sisted by Lorraine Reglin and Gary were able to run an effective campaign Official Agent for Thank you so much for your finan- Thanks again for your support. I re- Marr for making the whole thing pos- — getting the important issues on the Dwayne Good Striker cial help to our federal campaign in ally made the difference. sible. table and debated. Federal NDP Candidate in Kelowna. Yours in solidarity, I want to wish all the members of Thanks again, Macleod It was a difficult one for us all. You Svend J. Robinson, MP the TWU the best of luck in the fu- helped provide for our campaign to Brian Woodcock, ture. It has been a great 29 years and I Official Agent, Quadra NDP Dear TWU: present a progressive left alternative. Dear TWU: feel honoured that I was lucky enough Thank you very much for your do- Thanks. I want to thank you for your help to represent and work for what I con- Dear TWU: nation to my campaign. It is very much John 0. Powell and support during the federal election. sider the best Union and the greatest Election 2000 served as a reminder appreciated. With your help we were If it were not for you, and others like group of members there is. This is also of how distinct the New Democrats are able to buy signs, print literature and Dear TWU: you, it would not be possible to mount an opportunity to say goodbye to the from the other national political par- do all the other things necessary to run Please permit me this opportunity to the kind of campaigns that we do. hundreds of friends that I have made ties. As the only national party that can a good election campaign. Again, thank all the sisters and brothers for I was proud and honoured to be the in my 15-plus years as a Convention honestly say it is not influenced by thank you. their most generous support and cam- candidate for Canada's New Demo- Delegate and 10 years as a Business corporate donations, the NDP offers Yours sincerely, paign contributions. I would not have crats in Nanaimo-Cowichan. Proud to Agent. All that I can wish for is that in Canadians a platform that serves the Pat O'Neill, NDP Candidate been able to be a candidate had it not represent the kind of policies and ide- some small way I did some things that interests of citizens and workers. Yet Saanich-Gulf Islands been for the TWU, and for that, I and als that define us as New Democrats made a difference and helped some our fourth place national standing the NDP are extremely grateful. and honoured to have had privilege of members. (third place in Kootenay — Boundary Dear TWU: "Throughout its history, the men working with many fine individuals. In solidarity, — Okanagan) in the election made it Another federal election has passed and women of the CCF have cham- We were not successful in electing a Alf Madsen clear that we still have a big job ahead and we want to let you know how pioned what cynical political pundits New Democrat to be our. Member of of us — to restore our credibility and to Dear TWU: Parliament but it is important to re- EDMONTON OFFICE CALGARY OFFICE educate the public. This task will take Thank you for the best wishes and member that our Leader, Alexa all the available time between elec- $1,000 cheque presented by Roy Olsen #103 - 10525-170 Street #255 - 525-28 St. S.E. McDonough, retained her seat and the tions. °rmy retirement November 30, 2000. Edmonton, Alta, T5P 4W2 Calgary, Alta, T2A 6W9 party still has status in the House. Although we had hoped for better It was very much appreciated. We may not have as many New Ph. 780-444-6945 Ph. 403-237-6990 election results, there are some posi- Sincerely, Democrats seats in Parliament, but Fax: 780-488-6911 Fax: 403-802-2381 tive indicators for the future. In our Keith Peacock, those that were successful will be fight- riding and nationally, the Alliance Prince George ing for ordinary Canadians and the Party has stalled. Liberal support in our things that are important to us. Things riding appears to .be soft, a parking Dear. TWU: like public health care, education place for voters who won't vote for I wish to express my pleasure in re- through to post secondary, jobs for all alliance. The issues will be preserving ceiving my life membership and retired who want work and protection for our TWU phone ...C604) 437-8601 our health care system, restoring the TWU member pin upon my retirement ever more fragile environment. Things environment as a national priority and November 30, 2000. The generous like social justice and child care. re-establishing control over energy cheque was received with pleasure. Things that define us as New Demo- costs — things New Democrats can I have enjoyed my years with BC crats and as Canadians. address much more effectively and TEL and Telus and wish you well in We must start today to get ready for TWU fax (604) 435-7760 credibly than any other national party. your negotiations in 2001. the next election. We must make sure At the moment our first priority must Sincerely, that the next federal election sees be to prepare for the provincial elec- Eleanor M. Henn, Nanaimo sending a new Democrat to tion to be called next spring, but after- Chilliwack represent us in Ottawa. wards I will be working on strategies I Thank you again for your support and helping to organize our activities Dear TWU: Pension Plan and your hard work. It was, and is, very leading up to the next federal election. As a new retiree, I would like to take much appreciated. office (604) 430.1317 I will do what I can to ensure we are this opportunity to say thank you to In solidarity, } up and running long before the writ is the TWU for the life membership and Garth Mirau dropped. $1,000 gift presented to me recently. Nanaimo At this time I would like to thank I would also like to thank you for all you for your union's generous finan- Local 3 thanks your support over my 36 years of em- TWU hotline ..(604) 435-2224 cial contribution. Help from support- ployment at BC TEL/Telus and wish Dear TWU: ers like you made all the differences you every success in the future. The executive and members of Lo- during the campaign and will be the In solidarity, cal 3 wish to thank all the Port Alberni Fred Mann, key to our future success. TWU members for their vigilance and Yours truly, Port Alberni, Local 3 TWU Websita addresses: dedication with regards to the contract- Donald Scarlett TWU Horne Page: http://www.twu-canada.ca ing out issue on Mount Blenam. Kaslo Dear TWU: TW Pension Plan: In Solidarity, Dear TWU: I recently retired after 25 years of http://www.twu-aanada.cattwpp/pptoc/htm Diana Bouwman After the toughest election battle I service and I'd like to thank you so TW Benefit Plan: Secretary-Treasurer, Local 3 much for the $1,000 cheque. I wish http://www.twu-oanada.ca/twpc/bphorreeibtm have been involved with since my first the TWU all the best in the future. TWU Email Address {Union Office): campaign in 1979, I am back as the twuOtwu-tends.ce MP for Burnaby-Douglas. It's great Scholarship Sincerely, TW Pension arid Benefit Plans: that Libby Davies was re-elected as Carol Skelton, twpiansfetwubc-OOM well in her riding of Vancouver East, thanks Coquitlam and while we lost seven colleagues, the Dear TWU: Dear TWU: party, still has party status in the House. I would like to extend much grati- Thanks for the $1,000 gift and As I said on the night of the election, tude for the extra Christmas present thanks for all those years fighting for we could not have won without the that was waiting upon my return to our members. Keep up the good work. strong support of our brothers and sis- residence at UBC. The scholarship TheTransmitter Peter Charly ters in the labour movement. I am writ- will continue to help my parents and ing to thank you for your generous me with the financial challenges of Member of Dear TWU: contribution in our campaign in university. I am beginning my second The Transmitter is the offi- Canadian I am sorry to be so late in sending Association Burnaby-Douglas. You will recall from term of my first year in the Faculty of cial publication of the of Labour my thank you for the life membership Telecommunications CALM Media election night that it was my tightest Arts and am hoping to pursue a spe- Association and cheque for $1,000 that I received Workers Union. margin, some 2000 votes, since my cialization in Honours History with In- d:nTP:x7:se when I retired from Telus. It was much AC PS syndicale first election in 1979. It is clear that ternational Relations. I also intend to appreciated. I have enjoyed my 30 without a strong team of dedicated pursue training in Education in my years as a TWU member and wish the Editor: Myron Johnson volunteers and significant financial later years. Thank you very much for President: Rod Hiebert TWU continued success in the future. support, the outcome could have been your generous help. Your organiza- Vice-Presidents: Neil Morrison & Bruce Bell Sincerely, different, with a right wing Alliance tion should be proud of its support of Sect.-Treasurer: Kathy Pearn Joan Dusanj 5261 Lane Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4A6 MP in the riding. post-secondary education. In the aftermath of the election, there Graham Chernoff TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 2

More Letters to the editor Six Alternate Business Agents elected Dear TWU: Dear TWU: I would like to thank the TWU for I would like to thank you for the your generous gift of $1,000 and the $1,000 gift, TWU pin, and Honourary Honourary Life Membership pre- Life Membership presented to me by sented to me by Roy Olsen at my re- Rick Fleming and Ernie Iwakow. tirement luncheon. It was great to see All the best to you in your future so many people turn out. I'm going to contract negotiations. miss the people I've worked with over Joe Churchill, the past 34-plus years. Wishing you Victoria much success in the upcoming negotiations, I'll be following them on the In appreciation web page regularly. Dear TWU: Ralph T. Vis My husband, John Finora, who had worked for BCTEL/TELUS since Dear TWU: 1979, passed away last October. I I would like to thank you for the would like to thank all the TELUS Honourary Life Membership, the people for their many offers of help TWU pin and the cheque for $1,000, LORI RUGGLES NANCY CURLEY LESLIE HAMMOND and for their friendship over the years. which were presented to me on my John always greatly enjoyed the friend- Local 18 Local 27 Local 30 retirement by Mike Foreman on behalf ship of the people he worked with. of the Union. Thank you as well to the TWU for the I would also like to express my very helpful cheque. thanks and gratitude for the hard work Thank you to all those who donated the TWU executive and staff put in to to the Cancer Society in his memory, make the TWU the best. Good luck to for the beautiful "Peace" Bear which all of you in the future. you gave to our daughter, and to those Sincerely, who were able to come to our Open Heikki Isomaa House — it helped us a lot to see so Local 2, Sidney many there. I would also like to thank everyone in the TELUS and TWU pension, ben- Dear TWU: efits and short and long-term disabil- I would like to express my sincere ity offices for their unfailingly cheer- appreciation for the Honourary Life ful help and assistance over the year Membership to the TWU and for the and a half of John's illness, and then cash retirement gift presented to me helping to cope with his death. You by Bill Zawaduk in the Kelowna OP all provide an invaluable service to PEGGY ASKIN BRIAN WOLFE LAURA STEWART Engineering office November 30, those TWU members who are ill, and Local 203 Local 28 Local 53 2000. somehow managed to help us in such Robert (Bob) Stein a way that we came away with better Kelowna feelings about our situation. We feel greatly enriched through knowing the people in a great union. Dear TWU: Thank you all so much for everything. Delegates endorse NDP support I accepted the ERIP and retired No- Sincerely, The New Democratic Party which prompted the review of made an impassioned plea for vember 30, 2000. Sally Finora can continue to look forward to the Union's policy of support for continued NDP support, con- My thanks to the TWU for the much Dear TWU: financial support from the TWU. cluding: "We have to be in- appreciated Honourary Life Member- Simple words cannot express my the NDP at convention. By a near-unanimous vote, del- ship and the generous retirement gift gratitude to all of the officers, delegates Several speakers including volved in politics or we lose the of $750 (for 15 years service at BC and staff at the convention in Edmon- egates to the January convention President Rod Hiebert and Vice- fight." TEL/Telus). ton for your kindness and overwhelm- in Edmonton endorsed the Un- President Neil Morrison spoke in A number of new delegates I wish all the officers and members ing generous support given to me in ion's policy of support for the favour of continuing the Union's from Alberta acknowledged that of the TWU all the best in the future the loss of my sister. Being away from NDP. support of the NDP. promoting support for the NDP and may you have continued success home made it difficult; the compassion An immediate consequence of Hiebert recounted numerous is "sometimes a hard sell in Al- with your newly-expanded member- shown helped me through a very dif- the vote is that New Democrat instances of NDP, federal MPs, berta", but pledged to redouble ship. ficult time. candidates in provincial elec- and NDP provincial govern- efforts to explain to members Dianna Caldwell, Sincerely, tions in B.C. and Alberta will why it is important for labour to New Westminster Marcel LaFond and family ments, going to bat for the TWU receive donations from the when the Union membership support a party sympathetic to TWU. Elections are expected in faced potential job losses, as well labour's aims and goals. both provinces this spring. The as favorable changes to the La- The resolution passed with only Union donated about $30,000 to bour Code by NDP governments. three or four dissenting votes. NDP candidates in the Novem- Morrison, a former Political The report of the Political Ac- TWU SCHOLARSHIPS ber federal election, a decision Action officer for the TWU, tion Committee is printed below. Any daughter or son of an active, retired or deceased TWU member (with at least 12 months continuous service) intending to attend any Political Action Committee report university, accredited regional college, or BCIT in British Columbia in 2001 is encouraged to apply for these scholarships: Following is the text of the report a reduction in activity. We would like of the Political Action Committee to to see the group expanded to include TWU THOMAS WARD STANLEY January 2001 convention. representatives from the various re- MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 There has always been debate within gions of Alberta and BC. To be effec- the TWU over political action. We tive the Committee must have a wide TWU J. DOUGLAS BOOTH work in a climate where government spectrum of participants and many ears MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 has defined our rights and where the to hear the wishes of the membership. Canada Labour Code and other laws The Committee will also encourage TELECOMMUNICATIONS WORKERS UNION affect the very right of our Union to locals to select Political Action Coor- SCHOLARSHIPS (3) each: $750 exist. Throughout its existence the dinators for their locals. Union movement has debated how best We have proposed a budget that will The TWU Thomas Ward Stanley Scholarship is an award made by the to be politically active if active at all. allow a committee of seven members There are many choices available. to meet twice for one day each time TWU in memory of business agent and first secretary-treasurer of 4111 We could work to create and support the TWU, Tom Stanley, who died in office in 1977. George Doubt, Brian Wolfe through this year. We believe that time a Labour Party of some sort. We could could be well used to develop action The TWU J. Douglas Booth Scholarship is in memory of business investigate the policies of each indi- many policies to direct action by the plans to implement the Union's poli- agent Doug Booth, who died in office in 1988. vidual candidate regardless of party Union and to encourage activity by our cies, to provide education to members and support those who would best sup- members. The policies clearly show and to lobby government. Application forms for these awards will be sent to all B.C. high port us. We could support labour- that the members of the TWU want The Committee would like to turn minded individuals who would run as schools in March, or may be requested anytime after March 1, 2001, more action beyond the donation of the political policies of the Union into by writing to: independents if they could show they money to election campaigns. The action. Our priority will be to edu- would best represent our interests in Committee is confident that the poli- cate, motivate and activate the mem- University of British Columbia government. We could spend all of cies lay the groundwork for a plan that bership to stand up and be heard at all our efforts lobbying the party in power. Awards and Financial Aid Dept. can give the members a voice loud levels of government. We could choose not to be active at all enough to be heard by the decision- Room 1036 - 1874 East Mall but to leave action to others. makers of government. Respectfully submitted, Vancouver, B.C. NT 1Z1 The TWU has long taken the posi- The Political Action Committee was TWU POLITICAL ACTION Phone 822-5111 tion that it is in the best interests of reduced in size some years ago to two COMMITTEE the members for the Union to be po- rank-and-file members and one Busi- Vicki Schoonbeek Applications must be returned to UBC no later than May 15, 2001. litically active. ness Agent, with the reduction in par- Brian Wolfe The TWU Convention has adopted ticipation there has necessarily come George Doubt, Business Agent TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 3 Vice-President Bruce Bell introduces Bargaining Committee to convention as Committee reports on status of bargaining with Telus. Bargaining broke for convention, but has resumed, MIKE SLADE with the parties meeting Tuesdays through Thursdays. Members are urged to attend local meet- COLLEEN did not seek re-election as Busi- ings and watch for bulletins on progress of negotiations. McFADDEN ness Agent due to personal reasons. Mike served as B.A. for 10 has been hired as TWU office years, servicing Locals in manager, effective Janaury 22. Nanaimo and Campbell River, Colleen will be working out of the and was responsible for Compas- Burnaby office but will be respon- sionate Transfers, development sible for the clerical operations in projects and operator service Burnaby, Calgary and Edmonton. back-up. Mike will return to the Colleen was formerly a Human Telus workforce but will remain Resources Assistant with Simon Human Rights Committee reporting to convention, Dianne Walkley, Larry Smallwood, B.A. June Lewis, active in Union affairs. Fraser Health Region. Cathie Young and Liisa Spoor

Human Rights Committee . Report . Following are excerpts from We would like to invite local hu- Workplace Harassment Policy. The the report of the Human Rights man rights liaisons to help us in this information for support of the Committee to January 2001 con- regard by sending us articles, ques- policy was sent to all upper level vention tions or issues you would like to managers by Judy Shuttleworth at The TWU Human Rights Com- see addressed. the time the training was rolled out. mittee met for two days, Novem- 2. Have more direct contact with The TWU has continued their sup- ber 9 and 10, at the Union office in human rights liaisons. Encourage port and readiness to deliver the Burnaby. This year there were no them to participate in CLC week- training. resolutions sent to the Human end courses at SFU, Harrison Win- There are issues to be discussed Rights Committee for consider- ter School courses or any other and resolved, for example; ation for our 2001 Convention. We courses on human rights. 1. changing the policy to cover Some of the Delegates to January convention would like to take this as an invi- 3. Monitor Company policies Alberta; tation to remind members of the and practices. 2. to have the training delivered importance of Human Rights is- 4. Continue anti-racism and anti- to BC and•Alberta; sues in the workplace, and that their hate group work. 3. to provide an expedited pro- support by an informed member is 5. Support the TWU Employ- cedure; and necessary to deal with the complex ment and Pay Equity aims. 4. to make this process equiva- issues of today's work life. Respectfully submitted, lent to the 4th stage grievance pro- The Committee has sent a letter TWU Human Rights Committee cedure to provide to all secretary-treasurers in Larry Smallwood 5. confidentiality to the process. Alberta to ask for liaisons in Liisa Spoor We are clearly at risk of losing Alberta. We must have a good Dianne Walkley the positive ground won as mem- avenue to send out information on Cathie Young bers view human rights as words Human Rights issues as the em- June Lewis, Business Agent with no action, without any com- ployer is trying to take more rights WORKPLACE HARASSMENT mitment from TELUS. The TWU away every day. COMMITTEE REPORT has deep concerns for the well-be- In reviewing last year's goals we The Workplace Harassment ing of our members. We will de- find we have fallen short of our ob- Committee has had a difficult time mand the restoration of this pro- President Rod Hiebert swears in newly-elected Business Agents and jectives. This does not mean that getting meetings together with the gram and the dignity of a respect- Alternate Business Agents at conclusion of convention we abandon our goals but only that Company for a number of reasons. ful workplace. we will strive harder to achieve The Union and Company came to- In solidarity, them in the coming year. gether in recognition of the impor- WORKPLACE HARASSMENT Globalization focus of UNI meet Our goals for the coming year tance of human rights and the need COMMITTEE are: to train all TELUS employees/ June Lewis In mid-July, 400 trade unionists from 1. Quarterly Transmitter articles. members through the Joint Marcel Lafond around the world converged on Edin- UNI is launching two major projects burgh for UNI's conference on the arising from Edinburgh -- an ambitious growing impact of globalization. plan to put all 900 affiliates on-line by Top of the agenda was the union September 2001 and to produce a glo- challenge to organize the new indus- bal report on organizing levels. AC&TWU and CEP set up tries of the new economy. "UNI on-line 2001" aims to hook up Speakers from around the world the half of affiliates still not on the outlined the issues and reported on Internet and e-mail in time for our first Bargaining Council in Atlantic their successes in tackling different World Congress in Berlin in Septem- sectors of the dot.com world. ber of next year. From: NACU News Bulletin, December 2000 Marisca Steur from FNV It's the internal contribution of UNI In response to the former Atlantic Telcos merging to form Aliant, CEP Locals 401, 410, 506 and 902 as Bondgenoten in the Netherlands re- to avoiding a digital gap between the well as AC&TWU Locals 201, 202 and 203 have overwhelmingly (95%) endorsed the creation of a Bar- ported on call centres and Morton Bahr rich and poor within countries and gaining Council called the Council of Atlantic Telecommunications Unions. from the Communications Workers of between the developed and develop- Under the Bargaining Council's Constitution, both unions will elect a 24 member Board of Governors America outlined developments in ing world. (AC&1WU —12 members) (CEP — 12 members) as well as Council Bargaining Committee comprised of 6 Silicon Valley. The UNI on-line plan has three Speakers from Africa and Latin AC&TWU and 6 CEP members. phases: America warned of the dangers of a Phase One: UNI regions will assess While the Unions' intention is now to ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to recognize the growing digital divide between those the needs. "Council" as their bargaining agent, Aliant has in the meantime applied to the CIRB, seeking recognition as with access to the new technology (and Phase Two: A fund-raising drive to a "common employer" for all existing bargaining unit employees. the better paid jobs this can bring) and help unions which do not, currently, In short, Aliant's application under section 18 of the Code seeks to force a run off vote between the those without. have the resources. Unions. UNI's aims are to ensure that work- Phase Three: An action plan to pro- Gary Grant, President of AC&TWU indicated that this was in exact opposition to what the Unions are ers in the new economy benefit from vide both hardware and software, as trying to do: "The employer's promises to work with the Unions and its call for building trust as we move union membership and that the digital well as training, to unions which need revolution doesn't create new divisions. forward has been shattered by this application. Our Unions have chosen to work together while the Com- assistance. This phase may also in- Uni-Europa telecom unions dis- volve building alliances with tel- pany wants to divide and conquer." cussed a major organizing campaign ephone companies and Internet Serv- A lengthy process may now await members in the Atlantic, as both unions will fight off this unwarranted aimed at the new, fast-growing mobile ice Providers (ISPs). attack on their member's clear wish to work together. telephone companies. From UNI Info TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 4 KEN GEORGETTI JIM SINCLAIR AUDREY CORMACK ALEX GRIMALDI MARIONLESKIW Canadian Labour Congress BC Federation of Labour Alberta Federation of Labour Edmonton Labour Council CSU 52 Labour leaders bring delegates message of solidarity

Prominent leaders of the labour the TWU's support for unionized tricity rates in the country. bour minister has promised a full ists every year. Grimaldi also movement in Canada, including the development projects through our Turning to politics, Sinclair said review of the Labour Code. "We noted the Labour Council is a Presidents of the B.C. and Alberta Pension Plan's involvement in unions must support parties and need a review, but not the kind the major supporter of the food Federations of Labour and the Ca- Concert Properties. leaders who are good for working Conservatives are considering," bank, participates in a big way nadian Labour Congress, ad- B.C. Federation of Labour Presi- people. which she said is being undertaken in the MayWeeks festival, and is dressed delegates to the TWU con- dent Jim Sinclair addressed the "Is Gordon Campbell good for because employers think the Code reaching out to exploited people vention in Edmonton. many issues which still remain to working people?" he asked rhetori- is too generous to workers, and who are not part of the labour CLC head Ken Georgetti spoke be dealt with in Canada through a cally. "Campbell has said Ralph because they want right-to-work movement, such as students. On on the impact of globalization in strong labour movement. Klein is his hero", which gives a legislation. the latter point, he said the La- Canada and around the world. "A million Canadians are still good idea of where he stands on She said the government has un- bour Council produced a leaflet Noting that globalization can re- unemployed, one in 13 Canadians the rights of workers. dertaken numerous initiatives on the labour rights of students, sult in "greed, exploitation and was injured on the job last year, If we stick together and all par- which are not in the interests of which was distributed through- misery", Georgetti stressed the women still earn only 80 cents for ticipate in the labour movement, working people, including attempts out the schools. need for labour solidarity on an every dollar earned by men, and we will be successful in our agenda to privatize the medicare system, CSU52 President Marion international basis. business still wants to use strike- which puts people first, Sinclair and one way they have been re- Leskiw spoke glowingly of the "Labour changed the world here breakers during labour disputes," concluded. strained and prevented from going TWU and President Rod Hiebert. (in Canada), and we must do so in Sinclair said. Audrey Cormack, President of even further is "through the soli- He spoke of the alliance the CSU the global world." In light of these and other ongo- the Alberta Federation of Labour, darity of the labour movement." formed with the TWU, and said the Georgetti spoke of the need to ing concerns and issues, Sinclair said Alberta is facing an election this Looking optimistically to the fu- two unions are very similar in phi- preserve public services in Canada, said labour's message is that "un- spring. She described the Conserva- ture, Cormack concluded that losophy and approach. and said moves toward privatiza- ions are good". tive government, which has been in while "governments come and go, "Having the TWU in Alberta is tion of health care, education, He said unions ensure good power for the past 30 years, as "care- the trade union movement is per- a great day not only for the. CSU safety and infrastructure should be wages, and those good wages less, out-of-touch, and arrogant." manent, and that's because we play but for all labour in Alberta," vigorously opposed. "Those serv- support local small businesses. She said electricity deregulation a crucial role for working people." Leskiw said. ices should not be put on the altar As well, labour has a fundamen- has proven to be a bad idea in Cali- Alex Grimaldi, head of the Ed- "We are only as good as the peo- of the profit motive, and we need tal role to play in the fight to save fornia, but the Alberta Tories are monton and District Labour ple we surround ourselves with, to build solidarity in the labour medicare and other public serv- so arrogant they refuse to look at Council, brought greetings to and Rod and I are surrounded by movement to protect them." ices. the consequences. She also noted delegates. He said the Labour good people and good friends in The CLC leader also reminded He noted deregulation has that in wealthy Alberta, "we can't Council is a major voice of la- our Unions. We battle for dignity delegates of the success of Union caused energy prices to rise, and keep open enough emergency beds bour in the city, holding an an- and respect for working people, ethical investing, and pointed to the that B.C. with its public power in our hospitals". nual school to provide labour and together we will win that bat- Working Opportunity Fund, and company has the cheapest elec- Cormack said the provincial la- education to hundreds of union- tle." Excerpts from'executive Council Report to convention

From Executive Council Report ues to drag its feet in implement- at bargaining, the new owners to negotiate, provided the neces- RTW wherein job descriptions to January 2001 convention ing the decision. And a third in- made an offer to the Union seek- sary protection could be provided along with frequency of physical volves Operating System loads — ing four concessions. That offer our members. demands are being listed in the WORK JURISDIC- loading systems onto new PC's, or was not taken to the membership. The first example involved in the form of a "mini" Job Demands HON COMMITTEE onto existing PC's. We have been Instead, the Union made our op- use of physiotherapists, where the Analysis (JDA). The only ac- able to maintain that work in BC. position to the offer plain to the Company believes they have the cepted form of a JDA was in re- The Work Jurisdiction Commit- We look forward to working to- employer. The Company returned right to determine a member's gards to the linework position tee has been affected by the gether to ensure that technicians to the bargaining table with a hired terms and choice of physiothera- which had been covered off in a TELUS merger in that TELUS are doing Bargaining Unit work consultant, and TWU bargaining pist. The Company has been given Letter of Agreement, which as- management is doing work in Al- that is correctly within our juris- with the Company and consultant copies of an arbitration which sured us that the information could berta which it cannot do in BC. diction in both provinces. is ongoing. clearly states they do not have that be used only for RTW purposes, We already have a ruling from With approximately 5,300 non- right. Despite this, TELUS at- and would remain confidential. the Umpire on the "National bargaining unit people in Alberta tempted to have a physiotherapist RETURN TO WORK If additional information is re- Build" that gives the Union the (there are approximately 2,700 in bill the Union for an appointment In our last report, our attempt to quired about a RTW situation, all right to make claims on the bar- BC) we have a huge job to do to TELUS had made in the name of a negotiate a Return-to-Work pro- members are advised to contact gaining unit work already done by protect our work from slipping to member. That action exemplifies gram with TELUS was broken off, their convention delegate. We management. management. how far off the mark TELUS has and the RTW Committee is no have, on occasion, found it appro- We are still rigorously guarding gone on the issue of Return-to- longer active. priate to have the member provide our rights to any work being done Work. CAMPBELL Business Agent Mike Slade re- their doctor with a job description in BC. Among them are the $26 The second major problem to arise ports that the initiative broke down to consider restrictions. million Royal Bank project, where GOODELL is over "new" forms TELUS is us- over three issues: Who would pay, The major problem with the job we are in a dispute with the Com- TRAYNOR ing to obtain medical information pany over jurisdiction over the de- whether the Union would have overview for RTW is that no agree- that is more than they require for a sign, configuration and set-up of BARGAINING equal representation in administer- ment around its use exists. In dis- RTW situation. We have previously the network. The TWU contract with ing the program, and confidential- cussions about the JDA's, the Com- asked members to ignore the sup- Another disputed issue involves Campbell Goodell Traynor expired ity of records and forms used in the pany's stated intent was to estab- Customer Systems Engineering June 30, 2000. The parties ex- process. plemental doctor's report form, as lish physical requirements which Specialists, whose work involves changed proposals in April 2000. A new concern that has arisen in- it is our experience that the sole pur- might very easily have led to pre- accompanying sales people. The The company has three new own- volves TELUS' attempt to unilat- pose of the supplemental form is to requisites for the job posting proc- Umpire has ruled that the work is ers. After many meetings over sev- erally impose some of the condi- refuse benefits to members. ess and exclusionary tests for our members', but TELUS contin- eral months with the new owners tions that the Union was prepared There is a new job overview for physical standards. TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 5 Working for a living can be hazardous to your health By JUDITH McCORMACK CALM THERE IS no doubt that working for a living is hazardous to your health. The stagger- ing number of workplace injuries, diseases an even deaths each year in Canada confirm this over and over. And these figures don't even include more invisible risks, such as the stress from speed ups, managerial abuse or deadening repetition. We now know this kind of stress can cause or contribute to high blood pressure, ulcers, heart disease, strokes and other serious or fatal conditions. As one comedian said, it's no longer a question of staying healthy; it's a question of finding a disease you like. In fact, if we measured the health risks of work the way we look at new drugs or food additives, work would probably have to be banned. For obvious safety hazards, the law does provide some protection. Across Canada, workers have the right to refuse work that is dangerous to their health and safety. There are some variations in these rights, depending on the province in which you live. In British Columbia, Alberta and New Foundland, for example, workers are actually pro- hibited from performing dangerous work. In these provinces, refusing unsafe work is not TWU delegates to BC Federation of Labour convention in late November just a right — it's a legal obligation as well. In Alberta and New Foundland, the danger must be "imminent" before a worker can pass up the assignment, while in Saskatchewan and the North West Territories, the work must be unusually dangerous before this right comes into play. There are a number of exception as well. For federal workers and those in Alberta, Edmonton credit union Nova Scotia, Quebec, the Yukon and certain occupations in Ontario, work can't be re- jected if the danger is inherent in the work itself. This means that window washers can't knock off the job simply because they might fall. serves TWU members However, they may be able to refuse to work if their safety equipment is inadequate or their scaffold is unsafe. In Nova Scotia, Quebec, the Yukon and certain occupations in Ontario, workers are also By Dave Munro, activity is centred on RRSPs, we not entitled to refuse if it would put someone else's safety in danger. Most provinces also General Manager concentrate quite heavily on this provide a specific procedure that must be followed for work refusals. Edmonton Civic Employees particular set of products. We have What happens if workers are disciplined or discharge for refusing unsafe work? Legis- Credit Union a number of members, including lation across Canada also bars employers from retaliating against workers who just say Edmonton Civic Employees Credit Telus employees, who participate in no, as long as the workers are acting within their rights. This kind of punitive action can Union is, as the name suggests, a the RRSP program by way of usually be grieved under collective agreements as well, on the basis that the just cause credit union formed to serve em- monthly deductions throughout the provisions have been violated. ployees of the City of Edmonton. year, and then "Top Up" their con- Of course, the bottom line may not be legal at all. In hazardous situations, self-preser- We have just completed our 56' suc- tributions at year end. vation is likely to come first. After all, it's better to be off the job than in the hospital. Or cessful year of operations. We are a On the lending side, we specialize pushing up daisies. in personal lending, with approxi- ++1111++++ one-branch credit union, with two ATMs, have complete electronic mately 55% of our loans in con- THE RIGHTS of union members received a welcome boost recently, when a court access, including ATM, and Internet sumer type loans, and the balance ruled that arbitrators setting wages and working conditions must be unbiased. service. While our thrust initially in personal mortgages. Our deposit The case of CUPE and SEIU v. The Minister of Labour for Ontario dealt with an at- was exclusively directed at City of accounts are supported by pre-ap- tempt by the Ontario government to manipulate the interest arbitration process. This is an Edmonton employees, as transitions proved Lines—of-Credit, and of arbitration system often used to set wages and working conditions for workers who are have occurred in the workplace, we course, Mastercard. We are con- not allowed to strike, for example, in the health care sector. have amended our Bond of Associa- nected to the Marketplace via the The idea is that if a union and employer cannot reach a negotiated settlement of their tion to ensure that we can continue Debit Card, which also functions as collective agreement, the outstanding items will be decided by an arbitrator instead of a to serve our members, despite a our ATM access card. We take ex- strike or lockout. For many years in Ontario, these arbitrators were appointed from a change in their employment. Spe- treme pride in serving our members roster of arbitrators who had been approved by a committee of union and employer repre- cifically as regards telephone em- well — they are our primary reason sentatives. ployees, as one of the City Depart- for being. Enter the current ultra-right government. First, it tried to set up a new tribunal to decide ments (Ed Tel) went through a tran- Over the years, we have become collective agreements in certain situations. However, unions mounted a vigorous cam- sition to AGT, then to Telus, then to very adept at serving our mem- paign against the new tribunal, and the government backed down. The minister of labour BC Telus, we amended the defini- bers from a distance. The major- told unions that it would go back to the way things had been previously. tion of our bond to allow us to con- ity of our lending is done over the Too good to be true? Sure enough, the government promptly reneged on its commit- tinue to deal with employees of the phone, as is much of the deposit ments. Instead of appointing arbitrators from the roster, it started assigning handpicked newest organization. At latest business, after the initial set-up of retired judges who had no background in labour matters. count, we currently have approxi- the account. We also try and set up CUPE and SEIU took the minister to court, challenging these appointments. The first mately 1,000 employees of Telus, our loans for repayment via payroll level of court dismissed the case, but the Ontario Court of Appeal decided the unions deduction, making it a relatively pain- were right. who are members of our credit unless process for the members. The Court said the retired judges not only lacked the expertise of the previous arbitra- ion. We would like to continue to The credit union can be reached tors, they were also not independent. Mincing no words, the Court found that the minister service their needs, and to retain through our main number, which is of labour had attempted to seize control of the bargaining process and to replace mutually their membership. 780-496-3482. After the initial con- acceptable arbitrators with a group of people seen to be adverse to the interests of labour. As a credit union, our assets, as at tact is made, direct phone lines are In the circumstances, said the Court, the government's actions gave rise to a reasonable year end were approximately $38 made available, depending on the concern that the retired judges were biased. million, with $30 million in loans. The Court went further, finding the government had violated the principles of fairness We are a full service credit union, department the member wants to contact. and natural justice by reneging on its commitment to go back to the previous system of offering a complete range of serv- appointing arbitrators. The Court said the minister's actions could be regarded as pro- ices, including full electronic bank- The credit union takes direction vocative and defiant. ing. We are currently in the proc- from an elected Board of Directors, After this unusual dressing down, the Court ordered the minister to stop appointing ess of setting up a financial planning consisting of ten members, all of people who were not on the previously established roster of arbitrators. function, which should be up a run- whom are either current, or retired Of course, the Ontario government's war against unions is not over. But at least for now, ning within three months. In the City Employees. We at the moment unions can enjoy the sweet smell of victory. meantime, we offer the full range of have representation on the Board by • Judith McCormack is a former chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board who RRSP services, including invest- six union members, two manage- now practises labour law with the firm of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell, which represented ments in Ethical Funds. As this is ment members, and two retired CUPE and SEIU on this case. the time of the year when a lot of members.

TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 6 COTC Report to Convention Great Financial Plans

bond fund or some term deposits for your fixed-income component), you can begin to consider "sector-specific" investments such as: health sciences, biotechnology, oil and gas, precious metals, science and technology, specific countries, and/or telecommunications. These sector COTC Committee reporting to convention, from left, Hope Cumming, Rod Giddens, investments should represent 5 to 20 Bruce Bell and Betty Carrasco per cent of your overall portfolio. The point of concern for many Following is the report of the Contracting Out and Technological Change TELUS employees is that their Committee to January 2001 convention. share purchase positions (in a single company in the Canadian tel- INTRODUCTION ecommunications sector) often rep- The year 2000 was a very busy year for the COTC Committee. The Committee resent 50 to 100 per cent of their has had a number of difficult issues to work through, and we would like to thank By BILL BILES, CFP investment portfolios. Although all of you for your assistance in dealing with them. As we noted last year, we still Financial Planner TELUS shares may represent an require you to file grievances and collect information and documentation through Van Tel Credit Union excellent choice for this particular the grievance procedure. Just about every day I see a sector, the theory of diversification We should also note that over the past year we have had several presentations in TELUS employee about reviewing says too much of any one invest- front of the COTC Chair on new technologies and technology change. his or her investment portfolio. ment may be imprudent! Just ask Most have a few term deposits and anyone who held a large position in CLOSURE OF 6969 —10 AVENUE FACILITY IN BURNABY some mutual funds or other growth Nortel shares (or many other high In November 1999 TELUS announced the sale and subsequent closure of the investments. The most frequent tech companies) throughout the property and buildings at 6969 — 10 Avenue in Burnaby, resulting in the reloca- stock positions I see, without fail, course of last year. A 100,000 tion of various departments and functions. The Company attempted to seize the are the IELUS shares purchased via Nortel nest egg valued at its peak opportunity to contract out some of the work that was being done at the facility. the Employee Share Purchase Plan. last summer is now worth about The Union challenged the Company's right to contract out and early in 2000 the Most of you working for TELUS are $40,000. issue went to a hearing in front of Chair Stephen Kelleher. On March 20, Kelleher familiar with the Plan wherein you When I travel by plane these days, ruled in the Union's favour. He ruled the sale of the building did not constitute purchase TELUS shares with up to I'm always happier to see four en- unusual circumstances within the meaning of the Collective Agreement and there- six per cent of your gross earnings gines than one. Then, if one of the fore the Company could not contract out the work proposed: body work on vehi- and TELUS matches your invest- engines has trouble, the other three cles, van equipping, and sorting, counting and rolling of coins from pay phones. ment on a two-for-five basis — you can still get me where I'm going. The Company has appealed the ruling and the matter is to go to court January 8. buy five shares and TELUS buys Why not apply the same thinking you two more shares. A 40 per cent to your portfolios and spread your SALE OF BURNABY HEADQUARTERS (BOOT) return on your investment even if risk over a number of investments Later in the year, the Company announced the sale of the Boot, the headquarters the market doesn't move a point (al- instead of relying heavily on one or building in Burnaby. Along with that, they announced plans to contract out work though the share bonus is a taxable two? of Building Service, Building Maintenance and Building Equipment Engineers, benefit, it's still a great deal!). To offset the risk of owning too as well as some electrical work. The Union is challenging the proposed contract- Some investors are concerned much of one investment, continue ing out, and as this is written, a hearing has been set for late December. We can with creating more income, some purchasing your TELUS shares update Delegates at Convention. more growth, but everyone is con- through the Employee Share Pur- cerned about reducing risk in their chase Plan (to take advantage of the MOVEMENT OF WORK portfolios. Most know that the two 40 per cent bonus), and then con- There are a number of issues on the agenda relating to movement of work from factors that help offset risk are time sider diversifying your portfolio BC to Alberta, as well as work relating to the "National Build". Action on these and diversification. Those of you once the shares are bought. You issues is pending, as we await a CIRB ruling on jurisdictional issues. who have stayed with the market could dedicate all of your other in- through a 10-year cycle know that vestment resources to other invest- SAP returns are greater in market investment classes and/or sell some of the Due to the work associated with the merger the SAP project was not pursued ments than in deposit investments. TELUS shares and reinvest the pro- with vigour. We will be evaluating our next steps with this project as more infor- Within a five-year time frame, it is ceeds in the other investments. You mation is now available from Alberta. difficult to assure positive (never can even take advantage of this mind high) returns from the mar- strategy when rolling the shares into CONCLUSION kets, but it is virtually impossible your RRSP. There have been several discussions at the Committee level about the proce- to find a decent market fund that has There may be tax implications to dures and workings of the Committee. It is clear we still need the help of mem- a negative return over any 10-year the diversification process, so get- bers to provide information and assistance in pursuing contracting out issues. period. ting some professional advice Respectfully submitted, Diversification also makes sense should be part of your strategy. CONTRACTING OUT AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COMMITTEE to most of us. Who hasn't heard the Describing these implications and Rod Giddens admonition, "Don't put all your others is part of the service I pro- Bruce Bell, Vice-President eggs in one basket"? Those of you vide free of charge, and Van Tel Betty Carrasco, Business Agent who have visited me for investment Credit Union has a broad selection Hope Cumming, Business Agent advice know I like to diversify not of investment options to help with only between fixed income and the diversification of your portfo- growth assets, but I also like you to lio. COTC Chair rules sale of 'Boot' consider diversifying your growth Remember, invest for the long assets geographically — some in term, diversify, and have a nice not a contracting out matter Canada, some in the U.S., and some flight! in the rest of the world. Owning You can call Bill Biles at 604-656- The Contracting Out and Technological Change Committee is unhappy one or two quality "core" funds that to report that COTC Chair Stephen Kelleher has ruled that the sale of the 6289, reach him by e-mail at "Boot", the Telus headquarters building at 3777 Kingsway in Burnaby, is emulate each of these three markets [email protected] or contact a Van not a Contracting Out matter. is a great foundation for the growth Tel Financial Service Representative The decision which came down January 12 flows out of a hearing held in portion of your portfolio. at 604-430-3221 or toll free at 1-800- front of Kelleher just before Christmas. Once you have the four core in- 663-1557. You can visit Van Tel's The Union is assessing the ruling and reviewing its options. vestments covered (including a website at TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 7 Health and Safety Committee report to convention added reliability and safety of the of Agreement and are therefore re- man-made rails. We are still argu- luctant to enter into new ones as this ing over the 250-pound versus 350 is being written. pound load limit for the wooden lad- In short, we have a good program ders but we intend to put the load written and accepted, the next step limit for wooden ladders back to the is to put it into action. 250 pounds it always was. Workers who need a ladder capable of heavier LOCAL HEALTH AND loads will be encouraged to use, the SAFETY COMMITTEES fiberglass version. Following are excerpts from the deflected from the tire of a passing term guerrilla war we have become AllRight Ladders had agreed to in- Each member of the Committee is report of the Health and Safety vehicle. What we have learned is that used to. The issue was presented at stall machinery in their plant to test assigned as a contact person for sev- Committee to January 2001 con- we have no policy to deal with a situ- the June 1999 meeting. There were the lumber before manufacturing the eral of the local Health and Safety vention. ation of this nature. no meetings in July or August, and side rails. This was the MSR ma- Committees. As a contact person, In April 2000, Randall Cairns (co- so it was discussed again in Septem- chinery we told you about last year. By far, the most important event the Committee member acts as a re- chair #36), Leigh Baker (Corporate ber. The merry-go-round began. They have since decided that the in the last year, from the standpoint source to the local committee and as Safety) and Robin Lyman (Central At the November meeting, Dennis machinery is too expensive and do of Health and Safety, was the pas an interface between the local com- Safety and Health) set out to estab- Baker from the Construction Depart- not intend to do it. It wasn't an issue sage by the House of Commons of lish a plan of action; should an event ment was at the meeting. Half way for us anyway, so we made no committee and the Central Health and Bill C-12. On October 1, it became of this nature occur again at any of through the discussion of this issue, ment. We were primarily interested Safety Committee. To fulfill our law. The changes are profound and our buildings. This plan is now he woke up suddenly, demanding to in developing a field test to detect obligations, it is important that we we are pleased with them. known as the "Projectile Incident know if these trucks were actually weak ladders by measuring their establish and maintain contact with Of course, the changes brought to Procedure" and has been endorsed not even LEGAL on the road! Re- deflection under load. This test is Health and Safety by the merger are the local committees. by the Central Safety and Health luctantly, the Corporate Safety and now in the final stages of develop- of huge interest as well. At the time As we said last year and the year Committee. It is currently in the Fleet, underlings admitted that they ment and will be rolled out shortly. of writing this report, however, we before, we believe it is important that hands of the Company awaiting fi- were not. It was one of Mr. Baker's The test involves measuring the were unable to pin down much of nal approval. first meetings and he sat there with amount a ladder bends when one we visit each of the committees at value to tell you. There are twenty- his mouth open. At the next meet- hundred pounds of weights are hung least once each year and that these five viable and fully functional lo- FIRST AID TRAINING ing, in February 2000, the entire from its centre rung. If the ladder visits are integral to our responsibili- cal Health and Safety Committees problem had been dealt with. The bends more than the allowable ties to support the local committees. in Alberta. They remain in force at FOR OPERATOR SERV- trucks with the braking problem amount, it fails and has to be junked. this time. They are the responsibil- Management deals with all our com- ICES AND CLERICAL were off the road. The overloaded This deflection figure will be deter- ity of the Alberta TWU locals now, mittees in a manner that is consist- With more and more offices func- trucks were no longer overloaded. mined on the date of manufacture but their members continue without ent and informed while the union tioning on a regular basis without The message was out among the and stamped on the side rail. If it change through the transition. When management, it has become more small-fly in Corporate Safety. changes significantly, the ladder will members of the committees tend to new members need to be appointed necessary than ever to ensure that also be junked. operate in isolation, except for their to these committees, they will be ap- there are individuals present to We are pleased with the results of contact with us. pointed by the union locals respon- render first aid whenever necessary. LADDERS our efforts, but they won't accom- Now, the local committees have a sible for their locations. The maxi- The Company may not rely solely on Two years ago, we reported to you plish much unless our people join mum term stipulated in the Code is Terms of Reference document that security personnel to provide first that BCTEL was experiencing a us in our determination to prevent two years but a member can be ap- gives them the specific right to in- aid and instead must train more of problem with the two-piece, thirty any more serious ladder failures. We pointed for more than one term. The vite us to their meetings. Manage- their employees. At this time, the foot ladders used by construction continue to join with management Senior Council that approximated ment is denied the right to interfere Code states that a first aid attendant and a few I&R forces. We knew that in an urgent appeal to all workers to our Central Committee has been must be readily available when there some of these ladders had broken, follow the testing and inspection with this invitation. The committee supplanted by the Central Commit- are 15 or more employees working one causing the permanent disabling guidelines before climbing any lad- intends to establish this presence as tee. When Alberta members are ap- at any time. The Code also states that of a brother from Vancouver Island. der — EVERY SINGLE TIME! firmly as possible, in the next year. pointed to our Committee, we cer- at least one employee shall be trained Two had broken on the same day, on tainly have plenty of work for them As the representatives from Alberta and capable of providing artificial Vancouver Island. There were re- to do! CO-CHAIR SEMINAR come onto the Committee, they will respiration and other life saving first ports of many more but we did not During the past year, as a result of As we did the previous year, Com- be assigned Alberta Local Commit- aid when there are 4 to 14 employ- have much solid information. The behind-the-scenes negotiating and mittee met with the TWU Co-Chairs tees to work with and they will be ees working. We are working at mak- Company wasn't forthcoming with some pressure tactics, a group of for two days at Westminster Quay, ing sure that all offices have an ad- details and they blamed every inci- encouraged to get fully involved high level managers has moved onto in June. A presentation on a pro- equate or better number of people dent on the worker or on the ship- with them. the Central Committee. This has led posed new policy on Violence in the trained and that those trained are ping methods for the ladders. Even- to some pleasant surprises. Senior Workplace was given by Business recertified every two years. (New tually, we were able to agree to a managers from Field Operations, Agent, George Doubt. The policy is HYDRO LIMITS OF legislation may state every three moratorium on teaching ladder-top Network, Supply, and Operator meant to be administered by Safety APPROACH years). rescue from one ladder. Services have joined Stan Neufeld & Health Committees, so the co- The Company and the Union have During the intervening two years, (new management Co-Chair from chairs gave it very detailed scrutiny. agreed that there will be a three-me- CO-CHAIR LIST AC- we have seen the Company make a Alberta) and several staffers on the We are confident they went away tre separation between Hydro Pri- profound change in their attitude Committee. We have found that high CESSIBLE THROUGH satisfied that it suited their needs, mary and TELUS Plant, on flat-line towards the ladder issues. They now level Operations Managers tend to TELUS OPERATOR because it received the unanimous construction. want to put it behind them and seem respond quickly, once the existence The committee has been working approval of the assembly. George willing to do almost anything to re- of a problem has been established. on a suggestion put forward from an Doubt, Lori Hannis, Robin Lyman solve the last few issues. In Septem- HEPATITIS It has been interesting to watch their earlier co-chair safety seminar of and Don Jones have worked hard to ber, we have made a quick tour of A & B SHOTS attitudes change as they have real- dialing "0" for locating and connect- make this policy a reality and they compounds in Penticton, Kelowna, The program in the lower main- ized that the matters we bring to the ing to other co-chairs around the have had to be patient. It followed a Vernon, Kamloops, the Lower Main- land is now complete. The North table are usually genuine operational province. This would be primarily tortured path to completion. The land, Nanaimo and Victoria. In com- Okanagan is the next area that safety concerns. for incidents that occur after hours Committee would like to thank them parison to the tour last year, we have Health Services will roll out this pro- or weekends. During normal work- for their perseverance and hard a completely different story on lad- gram. The program will begin with ing hours, the Union office can pro- work. Major Committee ders now. We found only one ladder employee education. Other areas of vide this information, however, since that wouldn't pass the most stringent high risk will be looked at after Initiatives more and more of our people are VIOLENCE IN THE physical examination this time, as North Okanagan. At this time it is working build-up and overtime PROJECTILE opposed to forty percent that had to WORKPLACE PREVEN- unknown when the rest of the Com- hours, and many construction and INCIDENT be junked on the spot, last year. TION PROGRAM pany will be done. I&R are working away from their On December 23, 1999 an incident Awareness of ladder safety is visibly normal areas on loan, the problem The Sub-Committee has continued occurred at the TELUS Learning increased among managers and clas- Respectfully submitted: is increasing. to work on this program throughout Services building at 1795 sified employees. The ladders were TWU PROVINCLIL HEALTH At this time it is still under discus- the year. A final draft of the program Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby. A properly fastened to the racks in all AND SAFETY COMMITTEE sion with NOC, Operator Service has been completed and accepted by window was hit and broken by a pro- cases and all the ladder racks met both the Union and the Company Wayne Bennetts, Chairperson and Corporate Safety. jectile. Fortunately, no one was hurt. standards. representatives on the Central Com- Don Jones, Vice-Chair Unfortunately many steps to discov- Meanwhile, the trial of fiberglass mittee. Lori Hannis, Secretary ering the nature of the event were VERSA LIFT VANS ladders continues. A new fiberglass The Executive Council believes Don Stang either incorrectly handled or missed A major problem with overweight ladder, designed to replace exactly that implementation of the program Norm Eady altogether. The RCMP were called small van-based ladder trucks has il- the BCTEL wooden ladder used in will require a Letter of Agreement. Al Haggstrom but only to increase their patrol, not lustrated the value of having high BC, has been designed and is being Negotiations are currently underway Joyce Hill to investigate. By December 28, level operations managers on the built by AllRight Ladders. In all as- to secure such an agreement. Ernie Iwaskow when the police attended the site the Committee. When Don Jones first pects except the material in the rails, There are two issues currently de- Don Jones damaged window had already been presented this issue, the Corporate it is the same as the wooden ladder. laying progress on this issue, the first Robin Lyman replaced and all evidence erased. We Safety and fleet people immediately It is marginally heavier but much is the new Canada Labour Code and Mick Shiels will never know if the projectile was began their usual defensive tactics. stronger than its wooden cousin. the second is the Company's posi- Tim Williams, Business Agent a vandal with a slingshot, a bullet, We knew the situation was intoler- Management says it will be available tion at bargaining. The Company George Doubt, backup Business or as the Company maintains, a rock able and dug in for the kind of long to anyone who would prefer the says they wish to review all Letters Agent TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 8 Education Committee report Executive Council items

MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Again as always this past year has been a very busy one for the Member Assistance Officers, Jim Christensen and June Lewis. TELUS has not yet indicated which direction they want to go under their EAP program. Sister Lewis has been working in Alberta and has had the opportunity to speak to many members in that province who have used the outside provider CHC, and she reports they seem to be very satisfied with the services of CHC. Sister Lewis has written to the Company requesting discussions on the subject. In the meantime, as the work load is very heavy, Executive Council decided in November to bring in Brother Glenn Abel to assist the MAP officers in Following are major excerpts from as disability advocates (for a minimum members will be updated after conven- their duties. Brother Abel has in the past given assistance with many members the report of the Education Commit- of three years if possible) in their area. tion and available for locals to give out on a voluntary basis, and brings with him a wealth of experience. tee to January 2001 convention. Advocates in each region would be ap- to members new to the TWU. This pointed by the President of the TWU. handbook offers a basic explanation OPERATOR SERVICE The new millennium, with all of its Once selections have been made we of who the TWU is, what we are about global corporate agenda, has presented will arrange for those members to at- and what we have to offer. As well, STEERING COMMITTEE the labour movement with both chal- tend an Advanced Advocacy Course there is a basic explanation of our TWU members in Operator Services face the same challenges as other TWU lenges and opportunities. The chal- in Burnaby facilitated through structure, constitution, grievance pro- lenges are great. We must provide our members whose working lives are attached to the electronic highway and whose Capilano College. The course will be cedures and advocacy programs. work can be moved, changed, increased or decreased by a few simple com- members with the education they need tailored to specifically meet our needs to resist and repudiate corporate rheto- mands on a computer by a faceless manager. and training will include CPP and in- AFL — CLC Fall Program ric in the form of "objective bargain- Management in Operator Services is becoming increasingly faceless. Like ternal appeal mechanisms and integra- The Alberta Federation of Labour Field Services, like Clerical members on the ACD, control and decision making", personal development plans, vi- tion of LTD's with other benefits such and the Canadian Labour Congress sion teams, pulse checks, and the like. ing has been consolidated. Local management has been reduced to conveyors as WCB. jointly sponsor an annual fall labour We must not buy into the sharehold- of messages and discipline implementers. education program similar to the one ers version of a future with no job se- At the time of writing this report, the Operator Services queues remain sepa- Basic Training Programs they put on for BC in Harrison each curity, low pay, no benefits and an "en- rate between our members in BC and Alberta. By the third quarter of 2001 the A variety of basic training programs year. Jasper and Banff take turns host- trepreneurial" workforce whose creed queues will be merged. By the second quarter of 2001 queues for Conference, has been planned for both provinces ing this inspiring two-week event and is 'every man for himself'. Our future Operator Services assist lines will be merged. By the end of the first quarter of on an "as needed" basis (within budg- they offer an excellent variety of depends on our solidarity; therefore, 2001 operators in BC and Alberta will be using the same reference data base. etary constraints, of course). These courses to choose from. Unfortunately, It is possible that before there is one Collective Agreement in place, TWU we must not fail in our commitment to opportunities are usually provided on we were unable to participate in 2000 developing a strong support system members will be on one electronic workplace working doing the same jobs a first come, first serve basis but we due to the following factors: a) we under very different working conditions. This situation is compounded by the within our membership via basic edu- are cognizant of the need that exists were not yet affiliated with the Alberta cation. The opportunities are immense. Company's creation of the Wholesale or Competitive Operator Services De- for those locals with new shop stew- Federation of Labour, b) the deadline partment With 14,000 members we must build in Alberta where TWU members are paid significantly less than op- ards and executive members and we for registration was Oct. 20 and delegate erators in other offices and do not enjoy many of the benefits contained in the strong solidarity across both prov- are committed to making them a pri- selection would have been a problem inces. We are confident that by edu- TWU or IBEW collective agreement. The Union has filed an application with ority. If your local is one of those where as some of the locals still did not have a the CIRB to have the Wholesale Operator Services Collective Agreement ruled cating, organizing and mobilizing our the majority are new please indicate forum available whereby they could membership we will increase our col- illegal. At the time of writing this report, we are still awaiting a hearing or this when sending in your sign-up make selections. We do hope to be able lective strength and move ahead in a possibly a decision 'if the Board rules on the basis of written submissions. forms. This will greatly facilitate the to fully participate next year. These contract differences, policy and procedure differences create a com- positive direction in the best interest planning process. of all. plex situation. Resolving those differences will be made even more difficult 2000 was the third year that our new Harrison Winter School by management induced conflicts and divisions between TWU members in education policy was put into practice Advanced Griev. Handling This year the CLC Winter School BC andAlberta. We have already had several examples of management trying and we continue to see many benefits As of the writing of this report, the at Harrison will take place between to introduce new programs in either province by suggesting that the members from its itripletnentatioff.'EValuations course ,curriculum is_still in the proc- January . 7 February_ 16, 2001. and/or Union endorse it,in the other. province. and anecdotal results indicate that our ess of being updated and completion Each year the TWU proudly sup- At the same time the Company has embarked on a program to introduce new services and technologies into Operator Services. The Union welcomes these members very much appreciate the fo- is anticipated in the spring of this year. ports and sponsors local members new opportunities. The Company estimates that by 2004, 50% of Operator cus on basic training for everyone as This course will focus on grievance and we hear glowing reports back Services revenue will come from non-traditional sources. However the intro- opposed to in-depth or repetitive train- handling from the second stage from these members who take part. duction of these new services creates another source of concern for union ing for a few. The Education Commit- through to arbitration and will only be The policy is clearly stated in order members. Typically these services are specialized in one office or even with a tee wholeheartedly and unanimously offered to those who have that respon- that there be no confusion as to how group within an office. TWU members performing these services suddenly endorses the continuance of this focus sibility. This is an advanced course and locals should make their selections. find that the smaller work group results in less opportunity to trade shifts, get in order to attract new members into knowledge of basic grievance proce- We are happy to report that Execu- coverage, take time off, get preferred shifts etc. The increase in diverse work the labour movement and encourage dure will be assumed. tive Council has once again ex- comes at the cost of a loss in flexibility that operators enjoy. It also will TWU activism. We cannot stress this panded the menu of approved increasingly cause demands to break down the one wage schedule. You can concept enough -- we must invest in Development of a TWU courses and we hope our members expect Company pressure to introduce clerical style pre-requisites. our future now, we must endow our Women in Leadership Course benefit from the experience as so many others have. The other concern union members are very aware of is the Company at- resources upon the members who will The Education Committee is just tempts to shift work from Clerical to Operator Services with the introduction come up after us in order to ensure that now in the process of developing a new of new technologies that may allow operators to electronically access databases all we've worked for will not be in vain course specifically for women activ- Job Smart Program typically used by Clerical. In 2000 we saw management attempt to have op- and that the labour movement as a ists. The curriculum will focus on as- The Education Committee, with the erators doing the clerical work associated with inputting Calling Card data. whole will remain vital and strong. We sertiveness training, effective commu- backing of convention, would like to This is a situation that was successfully challenged by the IBEW in Alberta want the delegates to know how much nication and encouraging participation show our support to the CLC Job and again by the TWU last year. You can expect more of the same. we have appreciated their support in in your local. Input is still being sought Smart program by sponsoring TWU The situation is not all grim. In an effort to deal with these issues, the this undertaking and ask you to con- and we encourage members to contact instructors to facilitate classes. We will Operator Service Steering Committee met in October, 2000 with representa- tinue to encourage your members to us with their ideas and suggestions. have to set a cap on the AF allotted tion from all Operator Services offices from both provinces except for Grande sign up for educational opportunities and set guidelines down to ensure fair- Prairie. Our apologies to those members. The issues discussed are too nu- and become part of the fighting force ness to the labour councils that may Development of merous to list here. The more important aspect of this meeting was the oppor- that ensures our Union's health. apply. If convention approves, we will Scheduling Course work on guidelines for the process tunity for our members from both provinces to meet and discuss common At last year's convention, the Del- early in the New Year. issues. It also opened up lines of communications that will prove invaluable PLANS FOR 2001 egates asked us to look into develop- in dealing with Company attempts to create division. The ability for all TWU Parliamentary Procedure ing a scheduling course for plant and Our Thanks members in Operator Services to co-ordinate company-wide responses to clerical schedule committees. The management's actions will prove a benefit to operators and the Union as a At the time of writing this report, The Committee would like to extend committee will invite local input on whole. plans were just underway to put on its thanks to all the members who have this project and examine the feasibil- four one-day courses in Alberta in the contributed their thoughts, ideas and ity of putting something together that week prior to January's Convention. suggestions and we continue to wel- The Education Committee was hope- would work for everyone. Several members have already volunteered to come input via letters, emails or tel- Harrison policy amended ful to have completed training for most ephone. We would encourage mem- help out and a few have already started The Union's policy on participation of the Presidents, Vice-Presidents, bers to put their ideas in writing as it delegates felt the policy was too re- gathering materials in order to develop in the Harrison Winter School shifted Secretaries and Convention Delegates makes it easier for the committee to strictive, and might deter more expe- a curriculum. We will keep you posted somewhat following a debate at con- in Alberta with additional courses to deal with requests when meeting. We rienced activists who had previously as the project develops. vention on the Education Committee been to Harrison from taking follow- roll out to the membership later on in very much look forward to hearing from report. the year. We will give a complete up- both provinces this year and we're com- up or supplementary courses needed The amended policy will give locals date on this matter at the time of con- New H&S Handbook mitted to doing all we can to meet the to effectively serve their Local mem- greater scope to send Union activists vention. The TWU Health and Safety Com- challenges that surely await us. bers. to Harrison who have previously taken Delegates passed a resolution pro- mittee are currently in the progress of In solidarity, courses at the Winter School. CPP Disability writing a new handbook for local H&S THE TWU EDUCATION COMMITTEE posed by Local 11 that "the current A couple of years ago, the Commit- Expressions of interest have just now Officers. Once this project has been Al Friesen (Chair) TWU Education Policy be.amended tee adopted a policy strongly favoring started coming into the Union office completed, the Education Committee Tamara Marshall to ensure that there is a balance of sending first-time participants to the and the deadline in order to receive will sponsor the cost of production and Fran Miller courses offered with the purpose to Winter School, with a view to encour- them has been extended due to the fact distribution if its budgetary restraints David Mitchell educate/initiate new activists and to aging and educating new and up-and- that many locals had not yet had their allow. Teresa Ross broaden the skills of those activists coming activists. annual general meeting. The plan is to Lori Ruggles who presently contribute their ef- While generally supporting the in- have each region represented by vol- New Member Orientation Rod Hiebert, President forts to their own Local and to the tent to encourage new members, some unteers who would be willing to serve The Orientation handbook for new Bruce Bell, Vice-President Union." TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 9 TW Pension Plan Benefit Plan Report

Following is the report of the trustees of the Telecommunication Workers Report to Convention Benefit Plan to January convention. The Administration office is pleased to report that the operation of the Benefit Plan has gone very well over the past year. Following is the report of the Telecommunication Workers Pension Plan PART(s) A, B & C - Telus (BC) Employees trustees to January 2001 convention. At last years convention it was reported that the Trustees reviewed and recom- The Administration office is pleased to report the majority of members have mended a plan redesign option to the TWU Executive Council. The recommenda- now received their 1999 annual statements. The annual statements for 2000 are tion was that if an Employer contribution is not bargained into the Plan that would not due to be sent until June 2001. There are approximately 2000 members' files permit the desired plan redesign that a vote be taken by the entire membership as that continue to be reviewed and corrected for erroneous data. to whether PART A should be continued. The vote would be to transfer all PART Implementation of systems project is going well. Phase 1 is scheduled for the A members to PART(s) B & C and all non-participating members be enrolled in end of January 2001 which will include the conversion of data as well as a new PART(s) B & C. This recommendation is currently tabled pending collective bar- pension calculator. gaining. The data clean-up project will continue under the new system until the Admin- During 2000 the Trustees carried out an extensive analysis of the Plan's experi- istration office is confident that all data issues are resolved. ence since its inception. This work indicated the following factors have, particu- Approximately 660 members were eligible to purchase service in 2000 and larly in the past few years, caused the costs of the Plan to increase: were sent letters notifying them of the possibility of being short Days of Pay by i) lower interest rates; the end of the year and were permitted to purchase service. A total of 10 mem- ii) greater use of the short-term disability plan by members; bers responded to the opportunity to make additional contributions to maximize iii) a larger number of deaths among the members; and their membership service. iv) payment of income taxes The Trustees have decided not to grant an increase to retired members in 2000. In spite of these adverse factors, the Trustees have not had to increase the For the 2001 Plan Year, the Trustees deemed a day of pay without receipt of members' contributions to the Plan since its inception. However, it is now prob- purchased service contributions for each day of pay in respect of which a partici- able, if the current round of collective bargaining does not result in employer con- pant was in receipt of WCB benefits, sick benefits or was on a leave of absence tributions to the TW Benefit Plan, that a modest increase in employee contribu- as a result of sickness, ill-health, strike or lockout. tions will be necessary over the next few years. An update of accrued pension benefits was approved by the Trustees for active In the interim, the Trustees are considering what changes might be made, consist- members' effective January 1, 2001. The update will result in the earnings for ent with the Plan's objective to limit the need for additional employee contributions. 1998, 1999 and 2000 (limited by the member's average daily rate times 260.89 at December 31 in the same three year period) being used to calculate accrued PART D - Rogers Cablesystems Employees pension benefits at December 31, 2000. The Trustees have been reviewing the adequacy of contributions rates relative The Trustees are continuing to work on the issue of governance. to the Plan experience. Although the Life Insurance, Weekly Indemnity and Long A question has been raised by a number of members as to why the target Term Disability have all shown good experience the Plan has had poor experi- benefit formula isn't 2% instead of the current 1.75%. The actuary will provide ence with respect to Dental and Extended Health benefits. The Trustees recently material at Convention relating to this issue. recommended an increase to the Employee Contributions of $25 per month and The following figures are approximate amounts ($millions).The values are based reallocating employer contributions in order to make the STD and LTD non-tax- on interim information provided by the Custodian and may change should the able benefits. Custodian revise their December 31, 2000 statement. PART E - Campbell Goodell Traynor Amount Percentage The operation of the PART E has gone well without any issues to report. of Total Administration and Financial Information Real Estate $ 203.6 10.9% The issue of enrollment of the Alberta members into the Plan will be 'dealt with Fixed Income $ 1,592.2 85.4% pending collective bargaining and review by the Board of Trustees. Cash $ 55.3 3% The Trustees and the Administrator are available to do presentations for Locals. Other $ 12.7 0.7% The Local union representative can arrange this by contacting or submitting a request to the Administrator. Total Assets $ 1,863.8 100% The Benefit Plan portion of the new computer system is scheduled to be imple- mented by the end of Phase 2 of the systems project; approximately mid 2001. There will be further financial and actuarial information distributed at the Con- Phase 2 is reported to be on time to date. vention. As at December 31, 2000 the approximate market value of the assets as re- REAL ESTATE PROJECTS ported by the Custodian was $18,787,247 and the Plan had a rate of return for Pacific Point Development 2000 of approximately 13.82%. The Plan continues to receive its share of the monthly rental income from this The Trustees have had, since the Plan's inception, an investment policy under project. The total received for 2000 was $935,000. which the Plan assets are invested so as to match the Plan's liabilities. As a Bamberton Investments Ltd result, the financial position of the Plan with respect to accrued liabilities (not David Podmore will be attending the Convention to report on the status of the future) is not significantly affected by changes in interest rates. This means that Bamberton project. the Plan's financial position in respect to accrued benefits does not improve when interest rates drop (even though this produces good rates of return for the bond Concert Properties Ltd. market) nor become worse when interest rates increase (even though this pro- David Podmore will be attending the Convention to give an up to date report on duces poor rates of return for the bond market). Concert Properties Ltd. The Plan actuary will provide further information at the Convention to assist the Mortgage Fund One delegates with this asset/liability concept and the impact of changing interest rates. The Plan's current holdings December 31, 2000 are $87,258,577 million which There will be financial and actuarial material distributed at the Convention. represents approximately 40.38 % of the total assets of MFO. Income tax is payable on taxable investment income less operating expenses It should be noted that the TWPP percentage ownership of MFO has declined (not taxable income). For 2000 the net taxable income will be approximately substantially in 2000 because of large new investment in MFO by other pension $158,586 and the Plan will be required to pay approximately $79,293 in income plans. tax. The income taxes paid in past years have been as follows: The one year return is approximately 9.03% and the 3 year compounded annual return at the end of December 2000 was approximately 6.74% p.a. 1993 $ 141,685 The contributions received for 2000 were approximately $59,818,571 from the 1994 $ 38,299 employer and $25,540,416 from the employees. 1995 $ 227,528 As at the December 31, 2000 the number of retired members was 4025 and the 1996 $ 476.478 approximate retirement benefits paid for the year was $72,660,185 1997 $ 178,107 The approximate return (market value basis) on the fund for the year was 15.7%. 1998 $ 216.240 This figure is based on interim information provided by the Custodian. This value 1999 $ 138,595 may change should the Custodian revise the final year end statements. 2000 $ 79,293+ (projected) Company Trustee Al Prentice resigned and was replaced by Rob Beynon. Un- ion Trustee Dave McElheran elected position expired in 2000 and Nancy Curley The total Plan membership as at December 31, 2000 was 2087 in PART A was elected at the 2000 TWU Convention. (down by 402), 6165 in PARTS B & C (up by 64 ). PART D was 169 (up by 7). For the information of the delegates the following are the current Trustees of the PART E was 41 (up by 7). Plan. Ron Ritchey was elected chairperson for 2001 and two new Trustees were ap- They are available to meet with members to answer any questions or concerns. pointed to the Board, they are Lori Ruggles and Cindy Sadowski. Company Trustees Union Trustees For the information of the delegates the following are the current Trustees of the Rob Beynon Rod Hiebert Plan. John Wolff Linda Tait Denise Buchan Mike DeForrest Garnet Andrews Nancy Curley Peter Massy Lori Ruggles Robert Dardi Kathy Pearn Ron Ritchey Cindy Sadowski Debbie Ellis, Administrator Debbie Ellis, Administrator TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 10 Items from Report of Executive Council

From Executive Council Report to January 2001 convention EMPLOYMENT EQUITY Pension Plan Trustees reporting to convention, at left, Kathy Pearn and Rod Hiebert, Our Employment Equity complaint is ongoing. In June we met with senior officers of at right, Nancy Curley and Linda Tait, with Dave Podmore of Concert Properties and the Human Rights Commission. They were seeking clarification of our complaint in Bruce Rollick, actuary regards to possible overlap of issues with our pay equity complaint and also with the results of the 1999 Employment Equity Audit done by the Commission. We finally received the results of the audit in October and are now reviewing our complaint per the TW LTD Plan Report Commission's request. Following is the report of the trustees of the Telecommunication Workers CLERICAL JOB EVALUATION LTD Plan to January 2001 convention. The TWU Clerical Job Evaluation Working Committee consists of the following members: During the year there were 19 new disability claims, 4 deaths, 4 who retired and Heather Ryall, Local 23; Shelagh White, Local 50; Cindy Sadowski, Local 50 and alternates 1 who returned to work. Anita Thompson, Local 50; and Janet Reid, Local 20. The Steering Committee members are The total number of disabled members at December 31, 2000 was 171, and the Karen Whitfield and Neil Morrison, with Kathy Pearn as an alternate. approximate total benefits paid for the year was $3,691,389. The Working Committee completed the final review of backlog jobs in February 2000. The backlog was all the jobs that had pending re-evaluation requests on file prior to 1992. There At the. December 5, 2000 meeting the Trustees decided not to grant an increase were 262 evaluations covering several hundred employees in that category. to the disabled members for 2000. Disabled members receive increased CPP The Committee has ensured that jobs were evaluated consistently and awarded the highest Disability benefits that reflect the increase to CPI (Consumer Price Index). The possible points under the job evaluation plan. Their success lies in the fact that they have Trustees will continue to review benefits indexing on an annual basis. kept the Company as honest as possible and ensured that jobs were not undervalued accord- As at December 31, 2000 the estimated market value of the assets according ing to the plan application. No matter how strongly we may feel about the fairness of job to the Custodian is approximately $41.9 million and the Plan had a rate of return evaluation, we cannot ignore that almost 900 job evaluations have been done, with about for 2000 of approximately 12.88%. 60% of them resulting in upgrades. There have been only about 30 downgrades. To put that The actuary prepared an actuarial report in 2000 and determined that the as- in context, in the 20 years prior to the 1992 introduction of the new plan the number of sets of the Plan together with future employer contributions are more than suffi- evaluations done ranged from 10 — 40 annually. Had there-not been a Working and Steering cient to finance the LTD benefits. The actuary recommended that for 2001 the Committee breathing down the necks of the Classifications Department these last eight years rate of employer contribution be restored to .75% of gross bargaining payroll. we have no doubt that the results would have been quite different. This has been a huge There will be financial and actuarial material distributed at the convention. undertaking. Company Trustee Al Prentice resigned and was replaced by Rob Beynon. Un- Once the backlog was complete, TELUS' obligation to pay for the Committee ended and ion Trustee Dave McElheran elected position expired in 2000 and Nancy Curley the Committee moved from the Company headquarters building to the Union office. The was elected at the 2000 TWU Convention. Committee, which did not meet during the merger campaign, resumed meeting August 21" For the information of delegates the following are the current Trustees of the We do not have the resources to be off the job full-time but are working out a schedule within Plan. our budget to meet as often as possible to get through the work needed. Company Trustees Union Trustees The mandate of the Committee will now be to review the ongoing jobs for consistent ,application of the PAR plan, as well as reasonableness of pre-requisites. The ongoing are all other Rob Beynon Rod Hiebert jobs covered by job evaluation in clerical that were not part of the backlog. After doing 262 John Wolff Linda Tait very thorough reviews of the backlog jobs, we've learned that not all evaluations need the Garnet Andrews Nancy Curley same level of scrutiny. So, starting with the Group A's the Committee will still do a thorough Robert Dardi Kathy Pearn review on only those evaluations that were either disputed by the members or flagged by the Debbie Ellis, Administrator Working Committee for a closer look. The Committee always did at least a preliminary look at all jobs as they came in. We will also do a shorter review of the others jobs, paying particular attention to pre-requisites, while keeping an eye on consistent application of the plan. The Executive Council would like to thank the Working Committee members for their hard Finance Committee Report work and dedication to this complicated and sometimes, tedious work. Following is the report of the Finance Committee to January 2001 convention. This has been a difficult year for, the Steering Committee in that the demands on all our The Finance Committee met from December 4 to December 7 to review the fmances of time, particularly on the table officers related to merger issues, overshadowed much of our other work. Some minor pre-requisite issues were resolved. We have a number of grievances the TWU. which were referred to us at 4th level over pre-requisites. The Committee is pleased to report to convention that even with the sizeable increase in Those related to the new sales test used in the Communications Rep IV and V jobs have the budget we are still able to maintain a six-month reserve as mandated by Policy. We been referred to arbitration. also met with the auditors to go over the balance sheets and for other discussions. Those related to the Bar and Sales Support Rep V jobs have also been referred to arbitra- The auditors are very happy with our reserves. They have again brought forward the tion. issues of outstanding advances, and have again said that we must do something about the Grievances over the Computer Operator II pre-requisites are still under discussion as are all situation. The outstanding balance is now $98,000. As the Secretary-Treasurer has re- other Steering Committee referrals. ported, there will be new processes put in place to deal with the situation. This has the Job evaluation is also in use in Alberta for Clerical and Operator Services, however it is full support of the Finance Committee. both a different job evaluation plan from the one used in BC and is also governed by different The auditors in their report to the TWU also stated: Collective Agreement language. Their agreement provides for a Steering Committee com- Petty Cash prised of three plus one alternate each for the Company and the Union to hear and decide job We recommend that monthly bank reconciliations be prepared by each of the Un- evaluation appeals. We met with the IBEW reps in July to get an overview of the JEP and to ion's locals. The bank statements received by the local will likely have a simple recon- take over existing files. Since then we have arranged for training from the Company on the ciliation form on the backside which could be used. The locals should be advised that JEP and a review of all outstanding appeals. The training is scheduled for early December. the auditors will select a random sample of the reconciliations each year. In addition, The Steering Committee members will be Chris Faraguna and Peggy Askin from Calgary, each local should be required to send a copy of the February 28 reconciliation to (the and Marlisse Richang and Allison Bell from Edmonton, and Karen Whitfield. As well we Union bookkeeper). asked the Company to train TWU BA's Fran Guillet and June Lewis to help provide support The Finance Committee supports this statement and asks that the Delegates inform to the members in Alberta and Hope Cumming for bargaining reasons. their Secretary-Treasurers of this change in process and we will also send letters to the Secretary-Treasurers. CLERICAL TEMP COMMITTEE Despite the increase in membership and income forecasted for next year, not all budg- As of October 18, 2000, there were 674 Clerical temporaries working for TELUS in BC. etary requests were able to be filled. Convention should be cognizant of the fact that However, that number includes summer temps, so we are confident the 674 number will be from year to year there are different forces driving the budgets. This year's forces happen down substantially by convention. to be expansion of the TWU and the Company's negative attitude at bargaining. The We reported last year that since the TELUS merger, the Clerical Temp Committee has found Finance Committee felt that these items must get the highest priority in this year's budg- management increasingly difficult to deal with, and they have forced us time after time to etary process. take them to the limit with the arbitration procedire before responding to our concerns. Un- With the expansion of our membership, financial stewardship continues to be a chal- happily, we cannot report an improvement in that situation this year. The Committee cur- lenge. We will meet that challenge and with the assistance of all members, ensure the rently has six arbitrations pending. In addition, there are eleven other areas of concern that will be going to arbitration if they continued financial health of our Union. are not resolved. On the positive side, however, the Committee has had a number of important successes in Respectfully submitted, the year 2000. TWU FINANCE COMMITTEE In February, we won five full-time Machine Operator jobs at ISM-BC in Richmond. Don Fehr, Chair Denise Buchan In May, we won 41 CSR jobs at a Temp arbitration for ACD. Twenty-nine of the jobs have Lesley Hammond Wes Nakano been posted, but the Committee is still negotiating on 12. Janet Reid Lee Riggs In July, we won four regular full-time Message Bureau jobs at Mobility. Randy Cairns (Alt.) Kathy Pearn (Sec.-Treas.) In August, we won 60 CSR jobs at Mobility.

TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 11 President's Report

Rad Hei bed Convention in Alberta historic for TWU Following is the text of the ad- transfers of work from worker signed to the bargaining proc- TELUS a clear signal, "We are the efforts of our delegates dress of President Rod Hiebert to worker and province to ess. We have proven that we united, we are strong, and we from our many other certifica- to January convention. province, and, a forced merger have the ability to turn chal- stand together and fight for tions. We have fought hard and of cultures. lenge into opportunity and what we believe in." long to gain good agreements Welcome to January 2001 They have maximized their grow in strength, solidarity At this 2001 Convention it is for our members at Rogers, Convention. efforts to move as much bar- and numbers. critical that we reaffirm our now Shaw, Restauronics (now Today again we make history gaining work as possible to We have refused to be di- priorities. We must focus on Compass Group) and our opening our first Convention management. vided by those who would sow unity for "United We Stand — other certifications. Some of in Edmonton. They have mounted a vicious the seeds of division. Divided We Fall." We must af- these employers, especially First, I would like to thank attack on our newest members This year we must establish firm that "What We Desire For Shaw are proving to be chal- all of the delegates for their in marketing and telesales. a strong presence for new Ourselves We Wish For All." lenges for the future. Together hard work during this past They hired the chief negotia- members in central Canada. It We must focus on bargaining we will again move the line year. It is only by working to- tor from Bell Canada. The per- is critical that the TWU move a collective agreement that ahead for workers and their gether, that we have been able son who precipitated the aggressively with a focussed, works in Alberta, BC and families in our diversified bar- to face the significant chal- lengthy strike at Bell. two-prong strategic plan to across Canada. It must work gaining units. Delegates and lenges of the past few years, The leader of the team that ensure that all TELUS work- for Operators, Clerical, Plant members from those units have and subsequently unite our ambushed the Union, and the ers are represented by the and all members. We must fo- contributed greatly to the membership for the future. Operators, at Bell Canada. TWU in one large single bar- cus on bringing the Clearnet TWU and the labour move- I would like to give special The Company has continu- gaining unit. The Executive workers in as equal members, ment in general. I am proud of recognition, on behalf of the ally attempted to divide and Council has endorsed a plan to so the Company is not able to all of you. I believe strongly in entire membership, to those conquer the TWU and our not only apply to the CIRB to hive off work at lower rates. our focus to organize the un- delegates in Alberta for their members. have the National Build and We must ensure that wher- organized and we must ensure work in building our new Al- Despite these considerable Clearnet employees swept into ever TELUS goes, the TWU good representation for those berta Locals. challenges we have become our bargaining unit, but also, will be there. We have worked members. I must also thank all of the stronger. We have set the stage to aggressively move to estab- with TELUS in the past to our We must concentrate on our Executive Council Officers for Telecommunications work- lish contacts, research TELUS common advantage. We must many strengths instead of who have worked tirelessly ers across Canada in maintain- operations and prepare for a not close the door. We have focussing inward on the differ- throughout this past challenging one bargaining unit for massive organizing campaign. built the BC Information High- ences we may have, if we are ing year. They have truly TELUS. We have been success- This program is critical, be- way Accord, we fought for and to advance the interests of all worked above and beyond the ful in having all of the Alberta cause we must always be pre- attained BCTEL access to the our members in this current call of duty and are responsi- telemarketing reps, competi- pared — What would we do if Broadcast License and many hostile divisive atmosphere at ble for the many gains that we tive operator services, and field TELUS decided to move the more significant achievements. TELUS and some of our other have made over the last few sales swept into our single bar- head office to Toronto? When TELUS is on the same certifications. years. I am proud of every one gaining unit. We must direct our energies side we are very successful in I believe that together we of them. We have established offices in to resolving the issues of scope. creating jobs and a successful have the ability to become the Over this past year, TELUS Edmonton and Calgary, we We must not allow TELUS to relationship. They must again Communications Union of the has challenged all of us both in- have brought in extra staff in take bargaining unit work and understand that it is much bet- future. dividually and collectively with both provinces to service the assign it to non bargaining unit ter for them to work with us I wish you all a fulfilling and mergers and acquisitions, membership, and provide re- managers. than trying to fight us. rewarding Convention. Good reorganizations, building sales, lief for our business agents as- This Convention must give I would like to also recognize luck to you all.

Secretary-Treasurer's report to convention BOYCOTTS All readers are asked to support the following trade made big strides on the road to being very co-operative, espe- ing out of the Burnaby office, but union sponsored consumer full integration of the two Unions. cially in Alberta, but that prob- will be responsible for the cleri- boycotts. Please do not We have set up offices in both lem is now getting worked out. cal operations in Burnaby, patronize or purchase any of Calgary and Edmonton, and they I am also pleased to report that Calgary and Edmonton. these goods, services and/or retail outlets: are now fully functioning. Each our financial situation is healthy, To conclude, this past year has All Non-Union Postal office is staffed by two Business and we now have our six-month been a busy time, and it looks like Outlets Agents from B.C. and two local operating reserve on hand for it will continue busy this year and Dispute with CUPW Alternative B.A.s. In addition continuance of Union activities, into the foreseeable future. On the All Indonesian Products there are three full-time clerical as recommended by the Auditors. positive side, many of the diffi- CLC re: East Timor staff in the Calgary office and one The merger is of course resulting cult administrative problems as- Philips Electronic Products, in the Edmonton office. . in a substantial increase in dues sociated with integrating the two Quebec CLC/USWA 7812 We are now collecting dues workforces are behind us, and I flowing into Union coffers, but I NORPAC Products from the Alberta members, and caution members not to become would like to conclude by thank- CLC/PCUN KATHY PEARN as of October 1, 2000 we were complacent over that increase. ing everyone for their patience Hallmark and United Chicken receiving 1.2 per cent of payroll Because the other side of the and assistance during the often BCFUUFCW 1518 Following is the report of Sec- from all Alberta locals. This took ledger is a substantial increase in trying times of the past year. retary-Treasurer Kathy Pearn to some time to implement, as there costs -- costs for the new offices, We are very appreciative that California grape January convention. are different notification periods for additional Business Agents, the staff stood with us and met As I had anticipated, this past under the Alberta Collective for additions to committees, con- the challenge although sometimes boycott lifted year has been a very busy time Agreements, which required us to vention costs, grievances, affilia- overwhelming. The setting up of In a message timed for American for me, and for the entire Union negotiate with the company for a tion dues and so on. The bottom new membership records, mail- Thanksgiving, the United Farm Work- executive. We were all extremely standard time, and to obtain mem- line is that even with the increase ing and preparing membership ers called a halt to its 16-year boycott pleased with the successful out- bership lists. A further compli- in dues, we must continue to be cards, meeting notices, education of California table grapes. UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez come of the merger vote in May, cating factor delaying the proc- courses and materials, to mention prudent with the members' explained: which resulted in our first major ess was the fact that there were money. just a few of the tasks. "Some goals of that boycott have expansion outside British Colum- different payroll softwares in the I can also report that we have We face the challenge of where already been met. Cesar Chavez's cru- bia. As we knew, the addition of two provinces, which were not hired an Office Manager, as TELUS is going and how we will sade to eliminate use of five of the most thousands of new members and merged until this month. promised in my report to the con- go with them. We must keep our toxic chemicals plaguing farm work- the integration of two work forces We have also had some prob- vention in February. Her name eye on the ball and on the finances ers and their families has been largely resulted in a huge amount of new lems regarding time-off notifica- is Colleen McFadden, and she in the coming year. successful.... Still, it is not fair to ask our supporters to honour a boycott work for us all. tion (what is called AF time in was formerly a Human Resource Respectfully submitted, when the union must devote all of its I am pleased to report that at the B.C. and UL time in Alberta). Assistant with Simon Fraser Kathy Pearn present resources towards organizing administrative level we have Initially, the company was not Health Region. She will be work- TWU Secretary-Treasurer and negotiating contracts." TRANSMITTER - February, 2001 - Page 12