Published By AMERICAN INCOME LIFE & NATIONAL INCOME LIFE LETTER canada LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD OCTOBER 2011 Vol. 12 No. 6

NEWS FROM THE 2008. Unemployment in August 2011 was system after determining that the weight- CLC, FEDERATIONS 7.3 percent compared to 6.1 percent in Oc- ed vote system would have caused the & NATIONAL tober 2008. Youth unemployment was 14 NDP to violate the newly enacted cam- percent in August. paign finance law. “Labour was a partner UNIONS in creating the NDP in 1961, and we con- “The NDP’s constitution stip- tinue to believe that we need a political Canadian labour warned that ulates a one-member-one-vote process party that stands up for working Canadi- lower benefits, pay and meagre pensions for choosing the leader and that vote is ans,” Georgetti said. may become the new standard for Canada’s in no way weighted in favour of union young workers. In a Labour Day statement, members,” recently declared CLC head Federation of Labour president Georgetti as the race for NDP leader of- INTERNATIONAL Sid Ryan said employers are increasingly ficially began on September 15. The next LABOUR NEWS offering new hires lower wages and ben- leader will be chosen March 24 when efits as baby boomers across the nation re- the NDP will be Three Mexican union leaders tire. “The kids today cannot look forward held in and the party executive in September briefed members of the to full-time, decent paying jobs where you has decided not to recommend giving U.S. Congress on the erosion of living can afford a mortgage, a car,” he told The greater weight to union votes. The CLC standards and human rights in Mexico. Canadian Press. “We are fearful for young co-chaired a committee in 2003 which Speaking to congressional members workers getting in right now. The future recommended a one-member-one-vote were Francisco Hernandez Juarez, gen- does look very bleak.” Other union lead- eral secretary of the Mexican Union of ers said the growing trend of employers Telephone Workers (STRM); Marco del creating casual positions without benefits Toro, legal counsel of the National Union should shoulder some of the blame for of Mine, Metal Steel and Allied Work- young workers’ bleak future. ers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMS- SRM), also known as Los Mineros; and The federal government has Sergio Beltran Reyes, internal and exter- received poor value for the $31 billion that nal affairs and recording secretary for Los it has provided in corporate tax breaks dur- Mineros. They testified how the North ing the past four years, said Canadian la- America Free Trade Agreement has low- bour. “The government’s policy of cutting ered the standards and working condi- corporate taxes and hoping that the private tions for workers in the United States and sector will create jobs is just not working,” Mexico. “We are on the receiving end of said President a high level of aggression and anti-union- . Almost 1.4 million Ca- ism by the Mexican government and nadians were jobless in August, far higher business leaders,” said Juarez. The lead- than the number of unemployed prior to CLC President Ken Georgetti. Flickr.com photo ers were joined on Capitol Hill by Steel the “Great Recession” that began October used under Creative Commons from ahblair. Workers President Leo Gerard.

JAMES WILLIAMS, General President - International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Chairman - AIL Labour Advisory Board VICTOR KAMBER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Executive Director - AIL Labour Advisory Board ROGER SMITH, Chief Executive Officer & President - American Income Life Insurance Company, President - AIL Labour Advisory Board DENISE BOWYER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Secretary - AIL Labour Advisory Board DAVE BARRETT, Former Premier of Province of , Honorary Member - AIL Labour Advisory Board DEBBIE ENSTEDT, Vice President of Public Relations - American Income Life Insurance Company Pg 2 LABOUR LETTER

Thousands of teachers across disagreements without being disrespect- strengthen the future of Canada’s public ser- Egypt participated in a national strike ful or disgraceful to each other. Let us all vice sector. Meeting recently as the National against the government of Prime Minis- honour his memory by conducting the next Joint Council at a summit in Moncton, they ter Essam Sharaf, the first time Egypt’s session of Parliament in this spirit,” she said. called on the federal government to reverse teachers have engaged in a collective ac- Prime Minister spoke on plans to cut public services and jobs. They tion on a national scale since 1951, when behalf of the Conservatives and said Lay- discussed ways in which they can promote the country was still under British colonial ton’s “ability to be at once tough and cheer- and defend public services in the face of rule. According to news reports, teachers ful, would eventually win over even those what they called “unnecessary and damaging are demanding that Sharaf fire his interior who most strongly disagreed with him.” austerity measures being implemented by minister and honor promises he made last the (Stephen) Harper Conservatives.” “We spring to workers to raise wages and living are here to demonstrate that our members standards. Grassroots organizations such as NEWS FROM will stand together, and, more importantly, the Independent Teachers Union called for CANADA’S UNIONS they will stand together with all Canadians the strike. Work stoppages began Saturday, across the country to strengthen the public September 17 and spread across the coun- The National Electrical Trade service that we depend on,” John Gordon, try to Cairo and Giza on Sunday. Parents Council (NETCO), the joint training national president of the Public Service Al- have kept many of the more than 13 million arm of the International Brotherhood of liance of Canada told the news media. students in the system away from school in Electrical Workers, First District, Canada anticipation of the strike. (IBEW) and Canadian Electrical Contrac- Rail Con- tors Association (CECA), and CSA Stan- ference Division 910 members ratified a dards announced the launch of a national, new labour agreement with Ontario North- NATIONAL & third-party, independent personnel certi- land. The four-year pact covers 55 motor POLITICAL EVENTS fication program for construction electri- coach operators working as Motor Coach cians installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Operators, Operator Labourers and Dis- The average Canadian worker Systems in Canada. The first certifications patchers throughout Ontario Northland’s spends 182 hours a year commuting at a in the program were awarded and issued last Northeastern Ontario service territory. cost of more than $3,000, according to a month to six IBEW members during the Workers will receive wage increases of .5 recent survey by Workopolis, a careers and IBEW International Convention Exposi- percent effective January 1, 2013 with the employment website. On average, Canadian tion in , British Columbia. COLA capped at 1.5 percent and an ad- workers spend 42 minutes on the road to ditional 3 percent increase on January 1, and from work from each day and $269 The recent deal between GM 2014. “The gains made in this agreement each month on associated costs working and the will make will have an immediate and positive im- away from the home, with the largest cost bargaining “tough” for Canadian Auto pact for our members,” said Tony Wentzell, being transportation at $146 per month. Workers, CAW head Ken Lewenza said re- General Chairperson of the local Teamsters “We need to continue to promote the ben- cently. The CAW agreed to significant con- Division. “Teamsters Canada Rail Confer- efits of telecommuting and encourage more cessions during the 2008-09 auto crisis and ence looks forward to continued partner- flexible working arrangements for Canadi- wants to win annual wage increases in 2012 ship with the ONTC resulting in future an workers,” said Kelly Dixon, President of negotiations when agreements with Chrys- bus service improvements for people across Workopolis. British Columbia and Ontario ler, GM and Ford Motor Co. of Canada the north.” Ontario Northland, an agency commuters lead the way with an average Ltd. expire. But Lewenza said auto com- of the Province of Ontario with more than commute time of 48 minutes each, while panies “are absolutely talking to us about 1,000 employees, operates transportation Atlantic Canadians and Quebecers spend a bonus structure versus wage increases.” and telecommunication links, primarily in the least amount of time commuting, 31 Key elements of the UAW deal include a Northeastern Ontario. and 34 minutes respectively. $5,000 (U.S.) signing bonus for workers and a change in the profit-sharing formula Parliament’s fall session that bases profit-sharing payments on the opened last month with tributes to for- results of GM North America, not just its LABOUR LETTER mer NDP leader Jack Layton, who died of U.S. operations. provided through cancer in August. , Layton’s temporary replacement as Official Opposi- Leaders of 18 public service tion leader, delivered remarks and praised unions representing hundreds of thousands the former leader for his passion for social of Canada’s government workers signed a justice and youth. “Jack Layton improved Partnership with Canadians declaration, the tone of the debate in Parliament. He which commits federal public-sector unions Protecting Working Families firmly believed we could have passionate to continue to work together to attempt to www.ailife.com AGENDAcanada OCTOBER 2011

During the boom in oil and gas from Canada on regulated child care spaces. Al- 1989 to 2008, personal incomes grew 39% in berta has not added regulated spaces since . The economy increased by 76% dur- 1992 and only 17% of our children under ing that time so, unfortunately, workers were the age of five have access to regulated space receiving a steadily smaller portion of the (Canada’s average is 20%). Good quality economy. Families headed by lone females affordable child care is necessary for eco- actually saw a drop in their market income. nomic equality. Nancy Furlong Alberta has the highest lone-parent poverty A recent editorial on women in politics Secretary-Treasurer rate in Canada – 24% rather than 16% in published in the Calgary Herald spent some Alberta Federation the rest of Canada. We are one of a growing time trying to convince readers that equal- of Labour minority of provinces without a provincial ity doesn’t favour one side over the other. child benefit for low-income families. The article suggested that good women ACHIEVING Did the oil and gas boom in Alberta at need only run to be recognized and if good least assist women in keeping up? Remem- enough they will achieve success. This atti- EQUITY FOR ber that our overall personal incomes grew tude is at the heart of the problems faced by WOMEN’S ISSUES by 39% since 1989. From 1993 to 2000, women. It suggests that society has put in seven of those years, women’s full-time full- place all necessary checks and balances and This spring, in recognition of the 100th year earnings went DOWN by $200.00. In that the issues facing women are dealt with anniversary of International Women’s Day, 1993 that number was $33,300; in 2000 it and the problem is fixed. This cannot be fur- a group of women from the Alberta Federa- was $33,100. ther from the truth. In fact, such published tion of Labour met with MLAs to discuss The economic picture in Alberta is opinion make it obvious that further atten- issues of importance to women. clear– the oil and gas activity that makes tion needs to be brought to bear on women’s In Alberta, issues discussed with Pro- Alberta the envy of other Canadian prov- issues in this province and in this country. gressive Conservative MLAs usually need inces doesn’t translate into equal benefits Attention to equity for women and to get past this question: Does this affect the for all citizens. Rather, it appears to create women’s issues are signs of a well-balanced oil and gas industry? In fact, the treatment special problems for women. and just society. To achieve equity for any of women’s issues pervades and affects all of Thanks to the research of the Alberta group it is necessary to pay attention. Al- society and so meets this all-important test. Federation of Labour and a group called berta needs to follow the lead of other Ca- A reasonable and related second question Womanspace Resource Centre in Leth- nadian regions and provide some leadership might be: How does the oil and gas indus- bridge, Alberta, we are able to describe the through a Minister Responsible for the try affect women’s issues? Unfortunately, the problem. The solutions are harder to find. Status of Women. The Canadian govern- answer seems to be: Not in a good way. In Alberta, unlike every other region ment needs to return to funding the Sta- Although Alberta booms create great in Canada, we have no ministry responsible tus of Women and to return Canada to the jobs for many people, the fact remains for the status of women and women’s issues. top of the OCED leaderboard, instead of that it is the most unequal place in Cana- Before the Stephen Harper era, the Cana- continuing to languish at the bottom on is- da for women. Although Canada was, for dian government did fund some work in sues of socio-economic equity for women. some time, a world leader in addressing this field and Alberta got a share of those Equity doesn’t just happen. gender inequality, we now hold a posi- funds. That has dried up at the hands of the tion near the bottom of the list of OECD Harper government and so, in Alberta, no countries in terms of socio-economic eq- attention is paid to this topic. It shows. uity. Alberta is at the bottom of Canada’s If family policies get some attention list – not a good place. some change might be possible. Things like: In Canada, the wage-earning gap re- Wage-gap reduction initiatives: The mains high. In 2007, women earned 74.4% example in New Brunswick could be exam- of what men were paid. In the same year in ined. There, in the early 2000s, a roundtable Alberta, women earned only 65.9%. This established that eliminating the wage gap is the lowest rate of any Canadian prov- would significantly improve everyone’s eco- ince, the others ranging from 81% in Que- nomic status. Work continues on that initia- bec to 69.5% in Saskatchewan. Does hav- tive in spite of recent economic downturns. ing a university degree help? Apparently Child Care – the reality is that 75% not. In 2002, women holding university of Alberta families need child care. Policy degrees earned 79% of what males made. makers in Alberta have decided that we, International Women’s Day march in Toronto. Flickr.com photo In 2007, that number had dropped to 67%. like PEI, will spend the least per capita in used under Creative Commons from Oxfam International. Pg 2 AGENDA

Ontario Health Coalition Rally The Ontario Health Coalition hosted a rally on September 13, 2011 to protect public health care. Attended by thousands, supporters marched through downtown Toronto to , located at Toronto City Hall. In the first photo, AIL representatives join SEIU members at the rally. Shown are (l-r) Denise Gilbert, AIL; Sharleen Steward, President, SEIU 1 Canada; Cathy Carroll, Secretary Treasurer, SEIU 1 Canada; and Jenny Hearns, AIL. In the second photo, AIL union members and representatives stand with CUPE Local 966 members.

AIL Represented at IBEW Convention

The 38th International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers convention was held September 19-23 in Vancouver. Held Alberta Building Trades every five years, the IBEW convention Scholarship brings some 3,000 local union delegates, officers, staff and guests to the host AIL recently donated $2,500 to the Building Trades city. The convention is where the IBEW of Alberta Scholarship Program. Shown in the photo conducts the heart of its business, presenting the contribution are (l-r) Jacqueline Lowe, setting broad policy goals to guide the AIL Public Relations; Richard Wassill, Chairman & union over the next five years in an Interim Executive Director Building Trades of Alberta; open, democratic forum. The theme for Daryl Barnett, AIL Public Relations. this year’s convention was “Brotherhood Without Borders.” The photo shows AIL President and CEO Roger Smith with IBEW International President Ed Hill.

AIL’s Roger Smith Speaks at LIUNA Convention

AIL President and CEO Roger Smith attended the 23rd convention of the Labourer’s International Union held in Las Vegas, September 11- 16. Smith spoke from the podium to the 1700 delegates attending AIL Covers Agriculture the convention. He received a Workers standing ovation after a rousing speech in which he praised LIUNA American Income Life now provides AD&D for their stellar leadership for coverage in Canada to members of the Agriculture working families. Smith committed Workers Alliance (AWA). Shown in the photo are AIL to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in (l-r) - Daryl Barnett, AIL Public Relations; Al Wall, their fights, and made a significant AIL Public Relations; Wayne Hanley Canadian financial contribution to the Labourers’ Natl. President, UFCW Canada; Winston Gordon foundation. In the photo, LIUNA President, UFCW Canada Local 1993. General President O’Sullivan receives AIL’s donation to the LIUNA foundation.