Forest-Sector Unions Call for Action 4 7 13

PULP, PAPER AND WOODWORKERS OF CANADA

Forest-sector unions call for action

BC government must as indicated by Forests Minister Rich Cole- man. Ninety per cent of log exports come from pri- protect workers and vate lands, so a tax on public-lands logs alone won’t their communities work, they add. “British Columbians want to know that BC logs WITH BC LOSING a major sawmill, a paper are creating BC jobs in BC communities, not pro- machine and over 600 good-paying jobs in just two viding benefits to a few companies and foreign saw- weeks, forest-sector unions are calling on Premier mills,” they write in a letter to Premier Campbell. Gordon Campbell for action. Both the Coastal and Interior industry are in United Steelworkers’ (USW) Western Canada crisis: the recently-closed Canfor sawmill in Director Steve Hunt; Pulp, Paper and Woodwork- Mackenzie and the Catalyst paper machine in Port ers of Canada President Jim King; and Communi- Alberni are the fortieth and forty-first major clo- cations, Energy and Paperworkers’ Western Region sures in the wood and paper manufacturing sector Vice-President Don MacNeil called on the BC pre- since 2001, note Hunt, King and MacNeil. The three mier to deal with the growing forest-sector crisis. unions are demanding a summit on the crisis, in- In Coastal BC the union leaders are calling for cluding the threat to jobs and communities raised action on the massive flood of log exports which is by the mountain pine-beetle infestation. undermining manufacturing while some compa- The three warn, “Forest-based communities all nies make millions exporting raw logs to sawmills over this province are threatened by the failure of in Asia and the United States. corporate and government policy to deliver jobs And they note a proposed tax on exports will and other economic benefits in exchange for the only work if it applies equally to all logs shipped public timber companies are allowed to harvest.” out of BC rather than only those from public lands continued on page 5

Fire season National officers Labour rights Have Liberals placed Jim King and Greg Supreme Court of

side BC communities in Hall report on their Canada recognizes inVOL. 44 NO. 2 harm’s way? activities role of unions APR-JUN 2007 4713 letters 2 and WelfareCommittee cals. or appealsintheirownlo- don’t handle WCB claims ence, 18,or65percent, who attendedtheconfer- Out ofthe29delegates to have,itwasmisdirected. was allgoodinformation appeal process.Whileit cated solely to the WCB days. Thelastdaywasdedi- ference washeldoverthree Officer.Safety Occupational Healthand appeals fromtheNational WCBsplitting theduties of with. Thisistheissueof believe needstobedealt problem reappearedthatI informative conferences. tion ofwell-plannedand tinued inourfinetradi- committee did.Theycon- the Local15organizing excellent jobKen Jupe and I firstwanttosaywhatan PPWC Conference, Safety As adelegatetothe2007 CAN WECHANGE? who dealwithsafetyonaday-to-daybasis,whybother?” “If ourunionisn’tgoingtolistenthebrothersandsisters In Local9,ourHealth Our recentsafetycon- However, astructural ence totheunion. two, thereisnocostdiffer- are donebyonepersonor and safety WCBduties of by theNEB.” unless thecostisapproved Health andSafetyOfficer of theOccupational per diem,travel,andhotel costs oflost-timewages, the National Union the for appeals shallreimburse Officer todo WCBSafety Occupational Healthand the servicesofNational page 9: Section 8,paragraph(i)on tional UnionConstitution union. of theperceivedcosttoour ion, itwasdefeatedbecause on thefloor.In my opin- tional WCB Officer wasput ate thepositionofNa- tion, theresolutiontocre- it’s thesamething. In amajorityofthelocals, not ourSafetyCommittee. deals with WCB appeals, At the2005Safety In short,whetherthe “Locals whichutilize I quotefromthe At the2005conven- /CALM Na- tional Health andSafety the NationalOccupa- system aswehave itnow, appeals. WCB with diluting histime tifications aswell,not traditional localsandcer- the needsofournon- time workingtoaddress Safety Officertospendhis Occupational Healthand bother? on aday-to-daybasis,why sisters whodealwithsafety listen tothebrothersand ourunionisn’tIf going to tion, itwasagaindefeated. and safety WCB appeals. splitting thedutiesof to conventionspeaking recommendation wassent Conference inCastlegar, a joyed thecamaraderieandstories. humbled byalltheattentionbutwouldhaveen- ish themalways.Jimmywouldhavebeenvery Jimmy us. with of ing theirmemories We cher- will for thepipes. playing We thankeveryone for shar- Bob BrommelandforMCing,andArchieStewart going aboveandbeyondtoorganizetheevening, to atribute for Jimmy, hosting for DebbieBasran memorial donations. everyone whosentfood,flowers,cards,andmade The familyofJimmySloanwouldliketothank THANK YOUFORTHEMEMORIES If wedon’tIf change the We need aNational At the2006conven- Thank you. We would alsolike tothankPPWC Local No. 1 PCLALTPPWC LEAFLET Colin Sloanandfamilies Sloan, PatsyDoris Frie, brothers andsisters? better serviceourunion change withthetimesto gressive union?Canwe National WCBOfficer. Safety Officeraswella stand-alone National thisissue.with We needa appeal experience. fare solely toget WCB sibilities ofhealthandwel- take ontheentirerespon- member inanylocalto to askaSafetyCommittee peals. also dealwith WCB ap- locals whosesafetypeople be opentothehandfulof Officer’s onlyever will job Are wetrulyapro- It’s to pasttime deal It istotallyunrealistic APR-JUN PRINCE GEORGE Local 9 Al Sahlen 2007 opinion 3 THE NEXT ROUND OF CONTRACT BARGAINING IN THE BC PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BE AS COMPLEX AND INTERESTING AS ANY IN RECENT MEMORY. skilled labour shortage means While no one After considering all of these things, I believe the Industry restructuring and the move away from Industry restructuring THE CANADIAN where they workers once again have a choice about in the oil will work. The demand for our services packages that patch has workers there asking for wage not only keep pace with infla- tion but in some instances will allow workers to re- gain some of what they may have lost. wants to kill the goose that lays the golden egg, pulp workers will probably want to be paid fairly close to what energy workers get for the same type of work. negotiating I think is in fairly strong position. PPWC we should proceed as we have planned, alone, and not get too concerned about what the CEP is doing. I believe caucus will our be asking for the moon, don’t just an equitable settlement. Our employers know it them to give the trick but is convincing what is fair, to us. locals were to leave their caucus and present a pulp locals were to leave that might reconsidera- merit agenda with the PPWC, position. tion of the PPWC has created problems for integrated forest companies and employees. In an integrated both the employer high help compa- pulp prices would company, forest or poor de- nies weather the storm of lower prices possible when This isn’t lumber. papermand for or com- you put all your eggs in one basket. Progressive might actually use the strong any, if are there panies, that would Canadian dollar to purchase equipment upgrade their mills. PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY PAPER AND PULP time choosing the time choosing PPWC LEAFLET

EDITOR decided it will go it alone during alone it go will it decided 2007 2007

theme for this editorial. I was torn between theme for this editorial. important Supreme discussing the most in a very long time or Court ruling for labour HAD A DIFFICULT

The next round of contract bargaining in the BC The next round of contract bargaining Wage Pulp the PPWC First is the fact that we, are high Second is the fact that while pulp prices market is Third are the facts that the US housing labour A fourth complication is that a skilled wrinkle another which enough, ifAs all that isn’t APR-JUN THE PPWC HAS THE PPWC the upcoming contract negotiations in the pulp the upcoming contract latter as the newspapers are full mills. I’ve chosen the workers Finally, of decision. articles the Court’s about union, they not only have a Charter right to join a also have the right to carry on union activities. as complex pulp and paper industry is going to be A number memory. in recent as any and interesting play. into come to going of are issues unusual that we not ne- Caucus, are complying with a motion withgotiate jointly the CEP. paper prices are not. This is caus- down while the Canadian dollar is high. chip supply ing some sawmills to close, creating a greatly ex- problem for some mills. Raw log exports aggerate this problem. shortage exists in Canada at present, which is good is when something we all know, As workers. news for in short supply and high demand its price goes up. will have to be kept in mind is the elimination of mandatory retirement in BC. This is probably only a minor concern, but it will have to be addressed in parts of the contract, such as our benefit packages.

BY KEN FOWLER Caucus needs to stay the course the to stay needs Caucus NEGOTIATIONS

bargaining for a couple of reasons. One is that the CEP’s of a couple for bargaining reasons. past actions show they cannot be trusted to keep their word to us. Another is more practical: why would the be to our agenda allow with no paper locals, PPWC, weakened by the CEP paper locals? If the CEP pulp I LOCALS Executive Board members report on Local activities at June meeting President awaits Labour Relations Board decision on variance 6

PROVINCIAL Workers at Barkerville ratify their first collective agreement Delegates at seminar learn Workers’ Compensation Board advocacy 8

fire cannot be safely reintroduced Fire season may be fueled and fuel management must be a key component of forest manage- by funding negligence ment. “Filmon recommended that BC Liberals have failed to act on the provincial government partner recommendations in Filmon’s report with local government to reduce fuel in urban interface areas. But, FORESTS AND Range Critic “This report echoes my state- the Campbell Liberals downloaded Bob Simpson says the Campbell ments made in the House in 2006 the responsibility to municipalities Liberals continue to put BC com- that the Campbell government’s instead, without adequate resources munities at risk by their failure to negligence in this matter has left to complete the work,” said implement Firestorm Report rec- communities like Prince George, Simpson. ommendations made four years Kamloops and Kelowna vulnerable “The Campbell government ago. to a catastrophic fire event. About has not been proactive on Filmon’s “The 2003 fire season was the 1.7 million hectares of interface recommendations, nor have they most catastrophic in British areas are still waiting on the pro- heeded the advice of the Forest Pro- Columbia’s recorded history. Three vincial and federal government to fessionals. The facts are clear. The air tanker crew members lost their fund fire prevention and protection BC Liberals haven’t been listening lives, homes were destroyed, tour- in the event of an interface fire-only to forestry experts over the last four ism was down and the forest har- 7,000 hectares were managed last years and now over 360 communi- vests were affected. By any standards year. Wasn’t Firestorm 2003 enough ties are more at risk this fire season the damage done by the fires was of a wake up call for the Campbell than they were in 2003.” catastrophic,” said Simpson, New government?” “The Minister of Forests’ re- Democrat MLA for Cariboo North. Following Gary Filmon’s Re- sponse to both the Association of According to the Association port on the Firestorm, which was BC Forest Professionals’ recom- of BC Forest Professionals’ commissioned in 2003 by the BC mendations and similar reports (ABCFP) news release on June 20, Liberals to assess the province’s re- from the Forest Practices Board has this year’s fire season has the poten- sponse to wildfires, the ABCFP con- been irresponsible. He must now tial to be as devastating as the 2003 cluded in 2005 that the threat and act on the professional advice of season. intensity of future forest fires in BC these two agencies and get on with The report points out that large could be greatly reduced with basic the job of protecting our commu- tracts of dead pine and massive changes in fire management poli- nities from the growing threat of amounts of logging slash has in- cies. forest fires,” said Simpson. creased the potential for a major Of the Association’s 13 recom- There were 2,465 fires in the catastrophic fire event that could mendations, one suggested that al- 2003 fire season which cost the BC easily impact a large number of ternative treatments should be taxpayers over $375.4 million. vulnerable communities. carried out to reduce fuels where

4 PPWC LEAFLET APR-JUN 2007 quotes 5 - Internet - Internet/CALM , Dec. 6/03 - CCPA Monitor/CALM , Vol. VI, No. 54, Mar./07 , Vol. BBC News - Inuit leader Sheila Watt- - Andrew Simms, quoted in Politics without principle Politics without conscience Pleasure without without work Wealth without character Knowledge morality Commerce without Science without humanity sacrifice without Worship - Mahatma Gandhi - Sir David King, chief scientific Global warming my the first time in history, “For community has had to use air conditioners. Imagine that, air conditioners in the Arctic.” cited in Sierra Club Cloutier, Currents are about half a century “We away from being ecologically and economically bankrupt because of global warming.” tax’ on the “Demand for ‘Kyoto US,” Seven social sins Seven 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The greatest threat the threat “I in no way diminish and of terrorism to our society way of life—quite the reverse. It is a very serious threat. But I don’t think it is even comparable to the threat to our civilization that global warming represents.” advisor to the UK government I expressed our views on log I expressed , Jim King, Greg Hall and I have been busy Greg Hall and I , Jim King, PPWC LEAFLET ARNOLD BERCOV, FOREST RESOURCE OFFICER ARNOLD BERCOV,

2007 2007

I attended a Forest Stewardship Council board meeting as well as the I attended a Forest Stewardship Council At convention Dave Seright and Mike Broadbent informed us the Seright and Mike Broadbent informed At convention Dave of Mackenzie sawmill, I con- Canfor announced the closure When and environmental groups Greg Hall, myself and others from labour I Victoria to protest the export of logs and try to force spoke at a rally in of in front the Forests Alberni a demonstration I attended in Port input from hear to Vancouver met in Force Task and Paper The Pulp Noting the root of the problem is a long-term failure of companies to are suffering communities resource-based in the province’s “People ForestLeadership Conference and the Global Forest and Paper Industry ForestLeadership Conference and the rates in Canada, except in BC. Conference. FSC is progressing at incredible week the second West and Timber I had meetings Timberlands with Island of June to discuss an FSC audit on the island. exports, certification, and fibre supply issues. exports, certification, and fibre supply Mackenzie sawmill was operating part time. They also said the Abitibi mill was operating part time. They also said Mackenzie sawmill to the chief forester, I met with Snetsinger, time. was not taking down Jim and Abitibi why Canfor could not operate try and get an understanding back to me. look into the situation and get could. He said he would some- have it could sure, me that while he wasn’t told He Snetsinger. tacted operate in the beetle-kill zone you thing to do with stumpage rates. If you timber zone. “green” than if less pay some of a from your wood comes The discussions centred around the met with Forests Minister Coleman. we gave our unified position on log export issue, the Doebell report, and halting log exports and revitalizing the industry. they promised. government into the second-growth strategy of a week of events to highlight Ministry offices. This was the culmination in the industry, the crisis lack of ofreinvestment mill log exports, closures, resource-dependent communities. and overall neglect by government of labour on the issues facing the pulp sector. both initiating and attending as many events as possible to address what is attending as many events as possible both initiating and a crisistruly within our industry. APR-JUN FOREST-SECTOR UNIONS continued from page 1 either invest in new plant and equipment or diversify industry output, the unions also urge the province to create a community investment fund using receipts from the additional timber firms are harvesting under the so-called beetle uplift, as well as a portion of the border tax on lumber exports. Port more many how Mackenzie’s, more many how and anxious: ask. union leaders the three Alberni’s?” SINCE CONVENTION SINCE keeps officer busy officer keeps Crisis in forest industry in forest Crisis locals

What’s new in your local? Write to your union. Keep us all in the know. Contact [email protected].

LOCAL 18 office, the PPWC Locals, and the issue, as are manpower shortages, MACKENZIE Confederation of Canadian Unions i.e., tradesmen, steam ticket engi- and its affiliates over the past few neers, etc. Canfor’s decisions years is very much appreciated by Next door at the old Island the membership of Local 4. Phoenix Division site a log ship upset lives FRANK DEBARTOLO, PRESIDENT showed up at the dock in April so Canfor Mackenzie is being shut Local 8 put up an impromptu down indefinitely. The news came LOCAL 5 picket line for two days, which did as a total shock to our membership. NEW WESTMINSTER generate a lot of publicity. The blame was put on the high The following week we pro- dollar and the cost of logs, i.e., Talks progress tested at Cascadia’s Nanaimo office stumpage fees. with various other labour groups The company tells the mem- throughout Local joining in. Carol James and Bob bership we have to produce better. Things are pretty normal at the Lo- Simpson of the New Democratic We do, and they continue to make cal. We have our share of grievances Party as well as other alliance decisions that cost us our jobs. They and some units in bargaining and groups demonstrated with us. handle quality control, and we have some units starting the process. GERALD DE JONG millions of board feet that have been A-Z Sponge has ratified a three- NEB MEMBER found to be undersize, off grade, year deal with 2 per cent each year. wrong width, with overtime by the At Penauille Servisair (for- LOCAL 9 truckful because they will not carry merly GlobeGround), we had a vote PRINCE GEORGE enough reliefs. on a Letter of Understanding that We have not been given a defi- gave hydrant and utility workers a Social contract nite date and hope we can get one $2.00 raise. It passed 31 to 27. soon so people can get their plans Glenn Jackson, our union has been ripped up set. counsellor, says contract negotia- The announcement of the Things do not look rosy for us tions with Flexstar have been sus- Mackenzie sawmill closure is not right now, but nothing is written in pended until 2008. good news for any of us, as every stone yet. We hope our future will DAN KIBSEY, NEB MEMBER time a sawmill goes down there are get brighter. less chips and hog for the pulp mills. Once again, it is demonstrated MIKE BROADBENT, NEB MEMBER LOCAL 8 there is no social contract anymore NANAIMO LOCAL 4 where the communities benefit from their local resources. PRINCE RUPERT Wells Fargo now Hopefully something will Members still in pulp business come up to save Local 18 or, at the The Harmac Pulp Mill is now be- very least, something to ease the await decision ing run by Wells Fargo Bank, and pain of the closure on our mem- We know it has been a long six years they have put some of their people bers and their families. since the mill shut down. Hopefully in charge. We have a new CEO from It is stressful times we live in within the next couple of months Louisiana Pacific and a new board as employees of the forestry indus- Sun Wave Forest Products will of directors. try, and hopefully this organization make a firm decision for the dis- We are a three-line mill, but will survive and adapt to the mantling or the restart of the mill. for how much longer is anyone’s changes. The assistance of the National guess. Fibre and costs are still a huge JOHN BALL, NEB ALTERNATE

6 PPWC LEAFLET APR-JUN 2007 Board and are awaiting its next move. PPWC president The PPWC wage caucus met in May to review our current position on target bargaining and to elect our awaits Labour slate of positions. Lloyd Kelly is the new Job Evaluation Officer. We decided there still isn’t a big urgency to be Board’s decision part of a joint wage caucus but understand that meetings with the CEP may be required. E HAVE BEEN very busy The Pulp and Paper Task Force is the industry’s over the past three months at- initiative to try and get the government to take notice tending CCU National Execu- that there is still a viable pulp and paper industry in BC. tive Board meetings; the PPWC The first meeting in April went rather well. The indus- Safety Conference; WCB Claims try explained its concerns and gave an opportunity to and Appeals and Labour Arbitration Seminars; PPWC the two unions to ask questions and give their input. pensionW and health and welfare plans trustee meetings; Gina Fiorillo is putting on an Accommodation in President’s Council meetings at Locals 2 and 16; meet- the Workplace Seminar in July at Local 8’s hall in ing with two Local 5 units; the Global Forest and Paper Nanaimo. The seminar is sponsored by Locals 2 and 8. Industry and the ForestLeadership Conferences; and If the course is successful, I would like to have it re- FIHRP, HITAC, and ITO meetings. I also attended peated in Prince George and the Kootenays, thereby meetings with the new Pulp and Paper Task Force. enabling cost savings to locals. Local 16’s President’s Council meeting went well. JIM KING, PRESIDENT Local 2’s was the same as usual. On the pension side, we are try- ing to work through issues that have Organizing occupies first vice-president arisen as a result of the closure of the pulp mill in Woodfibre. We My duties during the last quarter have been varied. Activities included have updated the death benefit for tracking down potential leads, phoning contacts, and arranging meetings members over 55. If you are over with the hope of expanding the membership base. Some of these contacts 55 retirement age, the death ben- and leads have been from other unions, but I have steered away from them. efit for your spouse is now joint and Instead, I have concentrated on a few larger operations with employees last 100 per cent. The pulp pension who have shown interest in the PPWC. plan is likely to be in a surplus po- While I was in the East Kootenays to help open the National’s annual sition again this year. Safety Conference, I had arranged meetings to discuss the possibility of On the health and welfare side, signing up two distinct groups. benefit costs have gone up. I conducted two-day Shop Stewards Courses for Locals 18, 1 and 26, Nothing in this business is and 5. At all three workshops there were many new and younger members simple. We applied to the Labour who appeared eager to carry the torch for our organization. Board to have Local 3 varied into A considerable amount of time has been spent with Local 3 at Squamish Local 5 and came up with objec- Savings Credit Union. tions from VanCity Credit Union At the request of Union Counsellor Glenn Jackson, I assisted Local 5 and BC Government and Service at meetings with Servisair Vancouver fuelers and BC Shipper Supplies. Employees’ Union. They are both As well as attendance at pulp pension plan and health and welfare arguing that the PPWC application trust meetings, I accompanied Phil Davies at HITAC meetings regarding should be dismissed and the mem- the new Industry Training Organization; spoke a little on behalf of the bers varied into VanCity’s existing National at Local 8’s anti log export rally in Nanaimo; and attended the bargaining unit. The BCGEU has Global Forest and Paper Industry Conference, a seminar on Medical Is- VanCity’s other certified units. We sues in the Workplace, and the pulp wage caucus. have submissions in to the Labour GREG HALL, FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

APR-JUN 2007 PPWC LEAFLET 7 humour 8 Sayings Thoughts fortheday what thehellisgoingon. I smilebecausedon’tknow Procrastinate now! ing timebetweennaps. Consciousness: Thatannoy- but itbroke. I usedtohaveahandleonlife, no backgroundmusic. The troublewithlifeisthere’s mitment forapig. for achicken,lifetimecom- Ham andeggs:aday’swork thousand timesthememory. words, butitusesupthree A pictureisworthathousand toys isstilldead. He whodieswiththemost Park somewhereelse! Stupidity isnotahandicap. begins withacashadvance. A journeyofathousandmiles Do youwantfrieswiththat? I haveadegreeinLiberalArts. to startagain? Ever stoptothink,andforget little chlorine. The genepoolcouldusea minutes. Out ofmymind.Backinfive Some partsaremissing. I’m notacompleteidiot. alive. Remember, noonegetsout Don’t takelifetooseriously. but itbroke. I usedtohaveahandleonlife, enjoy everyminuteofit. I don’tsufferfrominsanity. I - Internet/CALM - Internet/CALM

Wilson/CALM provincial first agreement employees ratify Barkerville that thebeetles willsoonhitthe they aremovingeast.Theworry is attack fromthevoraciousbeetles. est wereinanadvancedstage of lion hectaresofBCandAlberta for- spreading any faster. Prince George, aren’t butthebeetles left itsmarkfromKamloopsto to killthetrees. duce, theystilldoenoughdamage suitable forthebeetlestorepro- not nutritionallyorchemically scientists report. ply oflodgepolepinesdisappears, moved intosprucetreesasthesup- central BritishColumbiahave Starving mountainpinebeetlesin killing sprucetrees Pine beetlesare October 31/09. operation ofhistoricsites. provincial governmentprivatized operate thehistorictownafter 2.5 percent;May1/09–2cent). (May 1/07–3percent;May1/08 include 7.5percentover30months first collectiveagreement. Historic Town, have their ratified erator ofthehistoricBarkerville Heritage Trust,Barkerville theop- (BCGEU) whoworkforthe Employees’and Service Union Members oftheBCGovernment As theyseeknewfoodsources Last year, more than9.2mil- The lossofthesprucetreeshas Although sprucearegenerally The newagreementexpires The Trust wasestablished to Highlights oftheagreement PPWC LEAFLET East Coast. billions oftreesallthewayto the borealforest. mother lodeofjackpinetreesin communities.” of workers,ourfamiliesandcoastal ince andunderminethesecurity jobs, exportlogsoutofthe prov- ees, continuetocontractout union tain totalcontrolovertheiremploy- issues. are inadisputeaboutprincipled made,”be saidMatters. “Today, we when majorbreakthroughshadto security oftheunionitselfand ing economictimes,toprotectthe taken strikeactionduringchalleng- bership. strikes affectingthecoastalmem- 1937, therehavebeenonlyseven sor union, theIWA, in wasformed dustry. Since theUSW’s predeces- has beenrareintheBCforestin- son BobMatterssaidstrikeaction ing.” sures inloggingandmanufactur- and severancepayforpartialclo- ing hoursofwork,contractingout mental issues,includingschedul- als thatadequatelyaddressfunda- unable toprovideuswithpropos- industry. members intheBCcoastalforest employ morethan4,500USW tion representing31companiesthat trial Relations(FIR),theassocia- strike noticeagainstForestIndus- On July3,theUSWserved72-hour serve strikenotice Steelworkers An infestationcouldwipeout “These employerswanttore- “Historically theunionhas USW WoodChairper-Council USW’s Steve Hunt said, “FIR is

APR-JUN 2007 EDUCATION INJURED WORKERS

ing loss of earnings pensions. Seminar teaches Sarah showed a DVD made by the BC Federation of Labour of a WCAT mock oral hearing, which gave an WCB advocacy insight to delegates who have never been to an oral hearing. to delegates Sarah also went over the cases some of the delegates brought to the seminar. HE 2007 WCB claims and appeals The feedback we got back from the delegates’ cri- seminar was held April 18-20 at the Cha- tique forms was: teau Granville, with 24 delegates attend- the seminar was one of the best; and ing. they wished we could have had an extra day to cover We had some new delegates, which more information. speaks well that the Locals are interested in carrying on This will be my last seminar as I will be retiring in Tthe fight for their members fighting the Workers’ Com- July. I wish to thank all the delegates who attended over pensation Board for benefits. the six years since I have been organizing the seminar The first day I presented how to work with hearing for their keen interest in a very difficult and dry subject loss claims and appeals. and also for their friendship. In the afternoon Alex Taylor and Suzan Beattie from the Work- ers’ Advisors put on an excellent presentation covering vocational rehabilitation and return to work programs. Suzan had several groups working on the laptop and going through WCB policy. Both Alex and Suzan were impressed with the high level of questions from the delegates. Suzan reminded delegates that several free courses around the province will be put on by the Steve Miros (Loc. 1), Jeff Schuepfer (Loc. 26), Lance Howell (Loc. 1), Mike Workers’ Advisors to help advocates Broadbent (Loc. 18), and Boris Morhund and Wayne London of Local 15 with WCB appeals. review their notes while discussing WCB policy On the second and third days Sarah O’Leary from Capilano College Labour Studies A big thank you goes out to Amy and Louise, the Program covered the changes to WCB policy and the National officers, the National Executive Board, and “Cowburn Case” that went to the Supreme Court of the Locals for their support and for sending their del- BC. This case opened up old pension claims before egates to seminars. 2002 and changed Board policy to allow pensions to be The PPWC can be proud of the members working reviewed for workers over the age of 65 due to deterio- as advocates, helping their fellow brothers and sisters ration from a compensable injury. with their struggles fighting the Workers’ Compensa- She showed how loss of earnings pensions are al- tion Board for benefits. most non-existent due to the “So Exceptional Test” policy KEN JUPE, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH which disqualifies most disabled workers from collect- AND SAFETY OFFICER

APR-JUN 2007 PPWC LEAFLET 9 COLOMBIA IS DANGEROUS FOR UNIONS Attacks are targeted at trade unionists 11 “POSTIES” WIN NAFTA DISPUTE UPS’s complaint is rejected by tribunal 12 COURT RECOGNIZES LABOUR RIGHTS Decision strikes down provisions of BC’s Bill 29 13

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THAT HITS HOME WORKERS’ RIGHTS Chinese law sets standards for labour contracts, use of temporary workers, and severance pay

BUNDANT law and asked for public comment, an allow-cost labour most unprecedented step in a communist has fuelled China’s system. It received more than 190,000 re- economic boom. sponses from workers and Chinese and for- But alongside the eign companies. success stories of Foreign business groups expressed bustling factories alarm at proposed restrictions on firing and surging foreign investment are widespread complaints of un- workers, limits on use of temporary work- paid wages, forced labour and other abuses. ers, and a provision giving the All-China When Beijing aset out to tackle those problems by proposing a Federation of Trade Unions a voice in staff- new labour law in 2005, it ignited a heated debate, prompting warn- ing decisions. ings that the measure might hurt the economy and accusations Labour activists reacted angrily to the that foreign companies wanted to erode workers’ rights. foreign lobbying. After 18 months of deliberation and a rare government re- The business comments appear to have quest for public comment on the law, legislators are expected to prompted Beijing to remove the most con- enact a final version that is meant to set standards for China’s rap- tentious provisions. The third draft of the idly-changing labour market. law, the latest version released, no longer The law, the most significant change Chinese labour rules in requires approval from the official labour more than a decade, would set standards for labour contracts, use body to fire workers. of temporary workers, and severance pay. On June 27, China announced a new The change reflects Beijing’s willingness to balance its desire crackdown on illegal labour practices fol- for investment against the need to improve conditions for workers lowing an outcry over revelations of slave at a time of rising tension over a growing wealth gap. labour at brick factories in the country’s The law was proposed in December, 2005, amid complaints central provinces. that companies were mistreating workers by withholding pay, re- JOE MCDONALD quiring unpaid overtime, or failing to provide written contracts. - Associated Press In April, 2006, the government published the first draft of the

10 PPWC LEAFLET APR-JUN 2007 Colombia is danger zone for unions

A SHAM PARAMILITARY demobilization pro- Susan Lee continued, “The attacks will continue cess, combined with thousands of cases of threats and unless effective measures are taken to end the impu- killings, and a chronic lack of investigations and pros- nity enjoyed by those killing and threatening them. ecutions makes Colombia one of the most dangerous This report is a wake-up call for any multinational com- places in the world for trade unionists, according to a pany operating in an environment in which human new report released today (July 3). rights are systematically violated. Inaction is no longer Amnesty International’s, “Killings, arbitrary deten- an option.” tions, and death threats – the reality of trade unionism Successive Colombian governments have imple- in Colombia,” exposes a pattern of systematic attacks mented policies to improve the safety of trade union- against trade unionists. ists, including a program which allocates armed escorts, Such attacks are particularly targeted at trade bullet-proof vehicles and telephones to some threat- unionists who are involved in labour disputes, cam- ened trade unionists. paigns against privatization, and who are in favour of “While such measures are welcome, attacks against workers’ rights in the areas where the mining, gas, en- trade unionists will continue unless effective measures ergy, and oil industries operate. are taken to end the im- According to Colombia’s National Trade Union “Approximately punity enjoyed by those School, approximately 2,245 trade unionists have been 2,245 trade killing and threatening killed, 3,400 have been threatened, and more than 130 them,” said Susan Lee. have been victims of enforced disappearance in Co- unionists have The report also high- lombia between January, 1991, and December, 2006. been killed, lights the Tripartite Sixteen have died so far this year. Despite their sup- 3,400 have been Agreement signed by the posed demobilization, army-backed paramilitaries and Colombian Govern- the security forces are thought to be behind most of the threatened” ment, Colombian busi- attacks. Guerrilla groups have also been responsible ness representatives and for threats and killings. Colombia’s trade union confederations in June, 2006, “Trade unionists across Colombia are being sent a under the auspices of the International Labour Orga- clear message: don’t complain about your labour con- nization (ILO). ditions or campaign to protect your rights because you will be silenced, at any cost,” said Susan Lee, Amnesty THE AGREEMENT provides for the establishment International’s Americas Program Director. of a permanent presence for the ILO in Colombia in “By failing to adequately protect trade unionists, order to monitor freedom of association rights and ef- the Colombian authorities are sending a message that forts to advance investigations into the killing of trade abuses against them can continue, while companies unionists. operating in Colombia risk being held accountable for “The ILO agreement is a key opportunity to tackle human rights abuses for which, through their conduct, the human rights crisis facing trade unionists. It is now they may bear responsibility.” imperative that the Colombian authorities, multinational and Colombian companies, and the international THE REPORT includes cases of human rights labour movement work in conjunction with the office abuses against trade unionists, and their relatives, work- of the International Labour Organization in Bogotá to ing in Colombia’s health, education and public ser- ensure investigations into all cases of threats and at- vices, and in the agricultural, mining, oil, gas, energy, tacks against trade unionists and their relatives,” con- and food sectors. cluded Susan Lee. Amnesty International is calling on companies The report, “Killings, arbitrary detentions, and death working in Colombia to use their influence with the threats – the reality of trade unionism in Colombia,” is Colombian government to end and prevent human available on Amnesty International’s web site: rights abuses against trade unionists. www.amnesty.org.

APR-JUN 2007 PPWC LEAFLET 11 Are you normal? Water is excluded had already dismissed several ele- ments of the claim. 27% admit to cheating on a from NAFTA The federal government’s me- test or quiz. dia release on the final decision in- 90% believe in divine retribu- Members of Parliament voted on tion (but apparently not for ly- June 5 to exclude water from the dicates that the tribunal dismissed ing). North American Free Trade Agree- allegations of unfair treatment with 10% believe in the 10 Com- ment. The motion was passed in the respect to the postal network, cus- mandments. House of Commons by a vote of toms and the Canadian Heritage 82% believe in an afterlife. Publications Assistance Program. 13% (mostly men) have spent 134 to 108. The motion recom- a night in jail. mends the Federal government The government says that it will re- 35% give to charity at least “begin talks with its American and lease the full decision within thirty once a month. Mexican counterparts to exclude days. 45% use mouthwash every water from the scope of NAFTA”. “We are very happy that the tri- day. Opposition parties pushed the bunal rejected UPS’s complaint but motion forward in response to a that doesn’t mean we think NAFTA leaked document obtained by the works,” said CUPW National Presi- Council of Canadians revealing dent Deborah Bourque. bulk water exports were being dis- cussed at a closed-door meeting involving the governments of Court issues ruling

Wilson/CALM Canada, Mexico and United States on union dues within the framework of the Secu- humour rity and Prosperity Partnership. The Federal Court of Canada has issued a significant ruling uphold- ing the right of unions to collect 10% claim to have seen a “Posties” win dues from workers who benefit ghost. from collective bargaining but dis- NAFTA dispute 57% have had deja vu. agree with certain union policies 49% believe in ESP. The Canadian Union of Postal because of religious beliefs. 44% have broken a bone. 78% would rather die quickly Workers (CUPW) and Council of In a case involving a Roman than live in a retirement home. Canadians (Council) are pleased Catholic member opposed to the 71.6% of us eavesdrop. that United Parcel Service’s com- Public Service Alliance of Canada’s 22% are functionally illiterate. plaint under the North American support of gay marriage, the court 37% claim to know how to Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has has ruled in favour of the union. use all the features on their VCR. been rejected by the tribunal hear- Susan Comstock sought to di- 53% prefer ATM machines ing the case. vert the approximately $800 a year over tellers. United Parcel Service (UPS) she pays in union dues to her 90% of us depend on alarm sued Canada over six years ago, church because of her opposition clocks to wake us. under NAFTA’s Chapter 11, which to gay marriage. The court dis- 51% of adults dress up for a allows corporations to challenge agreed. Halloween festivity. governments if they think their in- “The evidence does not show 71% can drive a stick-shift car. 45% of us consistently follow vestments are restricted by govern- how her freedom of religion and the speed limit. ment measures. UPS claimed that conscience was compromised by Two-thirds of us speed up at a its investments were being re- this policy,” ruled Justice Frederick yellow light. stricted by Canada’s publicly Gibson. “The fact that she opposes One-third of us don’t wear funded network of mailboxes and the union’s political or social causes seat belts. post offices because this network does not force her to act in a way 25% drive after they’ve been drinking. allegedly provided Canada Post with contrary to her beliefs or her con- - Internet an unfair advantage. The tribunal science.”

12 PPWC LEAFLET APR-JUN 2007 CONSTITUTION BARGAINING

rights as individuals, but did not gain any additional Supreme Court of rights, i.e., the right to bargain collectively. Choosing its words carefully, the Supreme Court Canada recognizes overruled the labour trilogy exclusion of collective bargaining as a necessary part of freedom of association: labour rights “None of the reasons provided by the majorities in those cases survive scrutiny.” UNDAMENTAL labour rights, pursued The majority decision provides a historical over- historically and recognized under interna- view of the development of industrial relations in tional conventions, must be respected in Canada that draws upon the work of labour historians, Canada. In a judgment rendered June 8, labour law specialists, and government commissions the Supreme Court of Canada has reversed to outline the context for the explicit recognition by itself and recognized that freedom of association in- the Supreme Court of labour rights to collective bar- Fcludes the right to collective bargaining. Collective bargaining as a fundamental freedom. gaining complements and promotes the values This ruling has a legacy. It will imprint on the legal expressed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Free- system at every level and doms, according to this major judgment recognizing “Bargaining each jurisdiction the rec- the role of trade unions cannot be repressed “in a free promotes the ognition of labour rights and democratic society”. as fundamental rights. The Supreme Court decision struck down key pro- values expressed According to the court, visions of Bill 29, introduced five years ago by the Gor- in the Canadian “Human dignity, equal- don Campbell Liberals as part of a plan to contract out ity, liberty, respect for the and privatize BC health services. The decision not only Charter of Rights autonomy of the person overturns lower court judgments, more importantly it and Freedoms” and the enhancement of rewrites its own Supreme Court jurisprudence on key democracy are among issues of labour rights. the values that underlie the Charter … All of these val- The Canadian labour movement can now look for- ues are complemented and indeed, promoted, by the ward to a brighter future in pursuing collective bar- protection of collective bargaining in s. 2(d) of the Char- gaining rights on fundamental workplace issues. This ter.” landmark Supreme Court reinterpretation recogniz- In its ruling, the court points to collective bargaining labour rights can be drawn upon to bring employ- ing as predating the establishment of particular labour ers to the negotiating table. The Court states that relations regimes in Canada, and existing well before collective bargaining is necessary for workers “to in- the Charter recognized the fundamental right to asso- fluence the establishment of workplace rules and ciation. thereby gain some control over a major aspect of their Section 1 of the Charter “guarantees the rights and lives, namely their work”. freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justi- Freedoms is explicit. “Everyone has the following fun- fied in a free and democratic society”. damental freedoms: a) freedom of conscience and re- Governments wanting to deny labour rights have ligion; b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and argued they could be reasonably limited under the law. expression, including freedom of the press and other Since the Supreme Court decision recognizes labour media of communication; c) freedom of peaceful as- rights as a part of a free and democratic society, from sembly; and d) freedom of association.” now on restrictions on collective bargaining on work- However, in an important trilogy of labour cases place issues will be most difficult for lower courts to decided by the Supreme Court in 1987, freedom of justify. association was severely limited. Justices argued that Duncan Cameron is associate publisher of rabble.ca. through association, individuals could protect their He writes from Vancouver.

APR-JUN 2007 PPWC LEAFLET 13 LOGGING PINE BEETLE KILL

dead pine were just left alone on such sites, it would A tree too far take as few as 20 years for the living trees in their midst to reach a commercial size. Healthy trees are being felled The other troubling thing about the current log- with the dead ones ging boom is that usable wood is getting wasted. The sharp increase in waste over the past three years corre- OOKIE-CUTTER responses to big lates with changes to forest policies that allowed com- problems have a way of backfiring, with panies to take the best logs and leave the rest behind the cure often proving worse than the dis- provided a token payment was made to the province. ease. The response to the mountain pine Last year, roughly 46,000 highway truckloads of beetle attack is a classic case in point. usable logs were abandoned at Interior logging opera- The beetles tear through our forests is often por- tions. Those logs could have put another 1,300 people Ctrayed in apocalyptic terms and with good reason. The to work. Instead, all those logs were pushed into piles pine tree-killing bugs have ripped through British Co- and burned. lumbia, are now well established in Alberta, and on the “The other Environmental cusp of entering the continent-wide boreal forest. troubling thing groups and woodworking But what tends to get lost in all the accounts of unions have had their millions of hectares of forest “killed” by the beetles is about the current differences. But they both that there are still plenty of healthy trees out there. And logging boom is know trouble when they therein lies the dilemma. that usable wood see it. The response to dealing with the infestation is to Which is why both increase logging rates and replicate the same kind of is wasted.” say that we must put an logging virtually everywhere. Consequently, millions end to salvage logging in of living trees fall along with the dead ones. many forests and reduce overall logging rates. This is one reason why five of BC’s leading envi- There must also be an end to rampant wood waste ronmental groups have joined with five labour organi- and every effort made to put people to work with the zations in a call to radically rethink the response to the logs that come from our forests. infestation. And there must be plans—solid, site-sensitive, pro- In a co-published report released June 21, the vincially funded plans—to rehabilitate some forests unions and environmental groups point to a host of that will remain affected by the pine beetle long after disturbing trends that have emerged during the cur- the present logging bonanza ends. rent beetle-fuelled salvage logging boom. Perpetuating the indiscriminate over-cutting of our Perhaps the most significant finding is that while forests and rampant wood waste is not the way to go. It there is clear evidence that the logging of beetle-attacked is a betrayal of the environment, working people and pine trees has increased, live spruce and fir are also resource communities. being cut. In fact, for every two pine trees logged, one or more spruce or fir come down. Ben Parfitt is resource policy analyst with the Cana- In many “pine-leading” forests large numbers of dian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC Office and author trees have survived the attack unscathed. These so-called of “Overcutting and Waste in BC’s Interior: A Call to Re- “understorey” trees are smaller than the surrounding think BC’s Pine Beetle Logging Strategy”, co-published by dead, older pine, and they are flourishing. When such the BC Federation of Labour; BC Government and Ser- sites are logged, all those healthy trees are levelled. vice Employees Union; CCPA-BC; Communications, En- This is a horrendous waste. ergy and Paperworkers Union; ForestEthics; Pulp, Paper Forests that sustain wildlife and moderate water and Woodworkers of Canada; Sierra Club of Canada BC flows—helping to mitigate catastrophic floods—are Chapter; Sierra Legal Defence Fund; United Steelworkers wiped away. of America; Valhalla Wilderness Society, and Western Field work by forest scientists suggests that if the Canada Wilderness Committee.

14 PPWC LEAFLET APR-JUN 2007 AUTONOMY WINS continued from page 16 “And, you know, for those of us who have seen the strangulation of a control staff, boy oh boy, do you ever appreciate being a member of the PPWC. The PPWC has never sent anyone out there to negotiate behind your back. “While the PPWC may lack some of the support things the business unions have, it’s those very support things that can begin to run your local. Once you’re PRESIDENT Jim King out of step, God help you. You then discover that the staff reps have much more in FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT common with the personnel manager than they do with the custodian and the Greg Hall clerk.” SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT As aforementioned, Local 25’s Dave Pritchard conducted interviews through- Phil Davies SECRETARY-TREASURER out the PPWC, seeking historical data. Mickey Kinakin and Rod Retzlaff were Chris Elias interviewed by Dave. The above material is from the interview. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER There is a small interchange between Dave and Mickey that warrants repeat- Stuart Blundell ing here, as it is a very defining aspect of this union. They are discussing local FOREST RESOURCE OFFICER Arnold Bercov autonomy. OCCUP. HEALTH AND Dave: “Autonomy is a wonderful thing. It’s a beautiful concept. It’s something SAFETY OFFICER to be cherished and enjoyed, but at the same time it imposes a tremendous amount Ken Jupe LEAFLET EDITOR of responsibility on those enjoying it.” Ken Fowler Mickey: “Oh, certainly, it’s a debate we have over and over again. But along PRODUCTION with the scariness of autonomy, it’s really walking on the ramparts of human Louise Soukeroff OFFICE existence, actually, because you make your own choice. You may make the wrong 201 - 1184 W. 6th Ave. choice. That is okay. What is wrong is when you don’t have the right to make the Vancouver, BC choice in the first place.” V6H 1A4 On October 8, 1981, Local 26 became the first public employee local certified WEB www.ppwc.ca to the PPWC. PHONE (604) 731-1909 FAX (604) 731-6448 E-MAIL [email protected]

Signed articles appearing in the Leaflet express the Caring for others is beneficial views and opinions of the authors. They are not nec- “Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated essarily the policy of the by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions PPWC or views shared by the Editor or PPWC officers. bring about happiness but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am In submitting copy or not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring photos, contributors should others happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does note if they wish material not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But returned. The Leaflet at- tempts to give coverage to the sufferings which undermine our internal peace—anxiety, doubt, disappoint- all locals, and pertinent ment—these things are definitely less. In our concern for others, we worry less material will be held for the about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own future if the space is suffering is less intense. unavailable in the current issue. “What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal di- mension, a potential impact on others’ happiness, ethics are necessary as a means Affiliated to the Confederation of to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness Canadian Unions consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others’ happiness.” - Ethics for a New Millennium, by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

APR-JUN 2007 PPWC LEAFLET 15 history THE PPWCWAS ASHOPFLOORUNION. THEY DIDN’TWINTHEDAY WITH THEIRDEBATE. CLEARLY, WITH 1,000TO1,200MEMBER LOCALS.SURE,SOMETIMES ALL INVOLVED AT ATABLE WHEREYOUHADEQUALSAY EVERY THREEMONTHSYOU COULDCLEARTHEAIRWITH THIS UNION.IFTHEREWASSOMETHINGYOUDIDN’T LIKE, THE NEBWASIMPRESSIVE,ASNOTHINGHIDDEN IN Autonomy winsoverbusinessunion t CHAPTER 37 the airwithallinvolvedatatablewhere like, everythreemonthsyoucouldclear union. there wassomethingyou didn’t If pressive, asnothingwashiddeninthis in thehalls. to bargainyouragreementwhileyouwaited suits andlotsofringscomingtothelocal everything. Nofancymeninthree-piece where thelocalmadeitsowndecisionson and Rodwasthelocalautonomyissue, PPWC locals. Local 26tookitsplaceamongtheother close butcomfortablemajority:55to44. action. several memberswerequiteupsetbythis lieve thismovehelpedthemsomewhatas BY JIMWHITE Coupled withthat,theNEBwasim- Perhaps mostimpressed what Mickey The votewasheld.Local26wonbya Mickey KinakinandRodRetzlaffbe- also wentwithCUPE. thousand dollarsinthebank and office equipment. Twenty came andconfiscatedthefiles receivership. Theirstaffreps quickly placedLocal1341in Union Public Employees of HE CANADIAN 1981 CASTLEGARORGANIZINGDRIVE PPWC LEAFLET portant. your organization. That’s what’s im- ciples ofthepeoplewhoformed that youhavebeentruetothe prin- year. every people sands of wrong withnotsigningupthou- rights ofworkers.Thereisnothing independent unionthatrespectsthe is nothingwrongwithbeingasmall, isn’t usanything. getting “Well, there we arenotgrowing;ourstructure ment kept coming up inthePPWC: funny how thissilly, stupidargu- ers, thewholestructure. what itsaysabouttherightsofwork- is becauseoftheconstitutionand understand. Thereason,ofcourse, pulp local.Itwashardforpeopleto mostly likewhatarewedoingina and wehadalotofexplainingtodo, the PPWC asfollows: time, union-paidunionactivists). term usedinconnectionwithfull- gain (porkchopperisaderogatory pork chopperthingsthatnettedno name forbureaucraticwasteoftime, ered thatpilotprojectswereanother PPWC union. wasashopfloor seemedthey to want. Clearly, the ample, anumberofpilotprojects the daywiththeirdebate,forex- impressed. 1,200 memberlocals.Theywere you hadequalsaywith1,000to “What’s isthefact important “Later, my during NEBdays, it’s “Well, thesign-up, we began Mickey Kinakinsummedup However, Local26soon discov- Sure, didn’t sometimes they win continued onpage 15

APR-JUN 2007