By Unifor Local 673 In This Issue 65 Years of Progress 1 Keeping in Touch 2 Bombardier Unit Chairperson 3 DeHavilland Unit Report 4 MDA Report 5 Retirees in Action 6 Mobilization 9 Pension and Benefits Changes 11 We Have Come a Long Way 12 Celebrate Seniors or Elders 17

The History of the Person’s Case 18 President’s Message International Day of the Girl 19 Lessons Learned 20 65 Years of Progress Women in Leadership 24 by Maryellen McIlmoyle, President of Local 673 “What a difference they have To properly celebrate our 65th made!” Anniversary, we must reflect on the members and events that have shaped Local 673's history. celebrate their decision to join a Union back in Our history has been marred by conflict after 1942 organized by the then UAW and for the office conflict, which reinforces the concept that Local workers to move away to charter our own local to 673 members have never benefited without be granted on January 27th 1954, under Local 673. personal sacrifice. Today, we must honour our Most of these workers had lived through the retirees and senior members. Without the difficult depression years, followed by war years countless struggles in the past, our present and with accompanying worries and sacrifices. These certainly our futures would be much bleaker. deHavilland workers, in forming this Local union, were looking for a way to ensure that workers We should take time out to remember would have a voice in shaping their future. They that group of workers who got together to had a hope that their united voices would make a discuss their future, the future of aircraft difference, not only in their working lives, but also workers and office workers and how to best cope in the lives of workers who would follow. What a with the problems faced by workers. Today, we difference they have made!

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negotiating of our first agreement The 65 Years of Progress Skating, Curling and Cricket Club.

Our senior and retired members It has taken 65 years of collective action walked many picket lines in order for us in order to achieve and maintain our goals. We to receive the highest wages for any would expect that the employers would now

workers in the world. The understand our visions as workers and our benefits that we receive are second to desire to establish a working relationship based none and our working conditions are safer on mutual respect and credibility. We no longer as a result of worker action. should have to prove that we are prepared to

fight, it should be obvious by now. Our Local has grown many times over

from that January 1954 including SPAR On behalf of the Executive Board of Unifor Aerospace Limited, McDonnell Douglas Local 673, I would like to congratulate all Corporation, Bourgue Electronics, Green members, both past and present , that have Shield , Toromont Cat, our latest participated in shaping our proud past, our

Executive Board is committed to maintaining this proud heritage and to building a stronger foundation with all members to ensure our next

65 is equally as progressive as the first .

In Solidarity,

Mary Ellen McIlmoyle

President

Keeping in Touch

by Mary Forbes Please advise us of your change of address if you move. If you have an email address we would

appreciate if you shared with us. Email is the fastest and economical way of contacting you. Many times Unifor has events such as Bowling, Golf, Wonderland, Wet N’ Wild, Dart tournaments etc and due to time factors we cannot let you know that these events are taking place.

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Bombardier Unit Chairperson by Vito Furlano, Chairperson of the Bombardier Unit

For those of you that don’t Top 2 issues are: know me, I started with de • Havilland in 1985 and for the MA/ME ratio. Over the past few years a past 34 years I have worked disproportionally mainly as a Methods Analyst. large number of non- My most recent position was bargaining unit Methods Lead (1420) for the employees (Methods Global 7500 FTP group. Agents, Industrial Engineers, specialist, The last few months have technologists…etc) been quite a learning have been hired. experience, having never served as an elected member • Industrial Engineers before I didn’t know what to (I.E.’s) doing Material expect. Initially all I had were logistics (1236) work. questions and lots of them. I A letter of thank both the BA & DH understanding (LOU) Committee and the Executive was signed mid-2018 Board members for their to return the work patience’s in helping me back to the transition to my new role. I bargaining unit. The intent of the LOU was feel honored and privileged to never implemented be given this opportunity to by the company. serve as Chairperson. As the holiday season is fast approaching, I wish you and your loved ones Below is a quick summary of peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming Year. our unit and its top issues. In Solidarity, We currently have approximately 405 member Vito Furlano Unit Chairperson of which 50 are on layoff and 17 are on the deferred layoff list.

We have approximately 250 open grievances with the majority being non bargaining unit employees doing our work. 2 grievances are in the process of being scheduled for arbitration.

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DeHavilland Unit’s Report by Nuno Pinto, Chairperson of the DeHavilland Unit

The Employee Transition to Bombardier's willingness Bombardier and Agreement among other to cause them. While it is are very different companies. things, provides mobility rights still early days to judge De Having dealt with both, I can to our Members at De Havilland's management say the experiences have Havilland who would have had culture, we are cautiously been polar. With the seniority to exercise optimistic that De Havilland Bombardier, we have a very bumping rights at Bombardier will choose to have a respectable backlog of a class should the Q400 program have positive relationship with leading business jet at the ceased instead of being sold. Unifor. beginning of predicted 20- These Members have the year program. Yet, Since June 1st, De Havilland ability to bump back to Bombardier through its has hired 10 new Members Bombardier in the event of a actions has earned a negative in Customer support, De Havilland layoff or closure. relationship with its Methods and Quality with a The remaining Members have workforce and a negative further 9 planed in the near the right to join a blended market outlook through future Bombardier recall list should mismanagement. De the De Havilland production Havilland on the other hand In Solidarity, operation cease. has a very weak backlog of Nuno Pinto On June 1st 2019, the the best in class performing Bombardier facility but the design is Unit Chairperson over 20 years old. The Q400 was divided between 2 separate employers, having been largely ignored Bombardier and De Havilland by Bombardier will require which is a wholly owned significant investment by De subsidiary of Longview Capital. Havilland to spark new sales. The Local 673 Membership was De Havilland appears to be divided into 2 separate units, genuinely interested in not the Bombardier and the De only supporting the current Havilland Units. The Local 673 Dash 8 fleet but improving, Bargaining Committee was split selling and building Dash 8s between the employers and in the future. De Havilland elections were held in both has shown to this point a units to fill the vacancies. willingness to avoid grievances as opposed

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http://uniforlocal673.org /en

MDA Report

by Tom Bunting Chairperson of the MDA Unit

The centrepiece of Canada’s 1. Total membership - 15 involvement in the new Canada’s established track 2. No layoffs platform will be supplying a record building space robotics. 3. 1 Grievance robotic arm that Mr. Trudeau called “ 3,” a In Solidarity, MDA, a successor to the Canadarm 2, company (formerly MacDonald, the unit that is depicted on the Tom Bunting Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), back of the Canadian five dollar will continue to support the bill and that has become crucial Unit Chairperson and to operations aboard the their involvement in the International Space Station. International Space Station as well as ongoing programs with The commitment is the largest the European Space Agency. for the country’s space program The workload remains constant in over a decade and will inject with the majority of our work $2.05-billion into Canada’s related to space programs. space sector over the next 24 There continues to be an years. It also creates a focus for ongoing interest in robotics for the Canadian Space Agency, the medical field. which has been seen as adrift in recent years without a long- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau term plan or direction from announced that Canada will political leaders about what become a partner in the Lunar happens after the space station. Orbiting Platform-Gateway, human mission to Mars. “Today, we are stepping up,” The announcement also the Prime Minister said during includes a $150-million a press conference at Canadian allocation to the agency over the “Prime Minister Space Agency headquarters in next five years for an Saint-Hubert, near . Justin Trudeau “Canada is going to the moon.” accelerator program to spur The announcement means that projects by Canadian announced that Canada is the first partner to companies to develop Canada will become officially commit to the technologies related to the Gateway after the United Gateway. The program includes a partner in the States, although Europe, Japan support for remote health and Russia have all indicated Lunar Orbiting technologies – a facet of human their interest and are expected Platform-Gateway, to follow suit in the coming space exploration where the months. space agency hopes to develop a human mission to second niche alongside Mars.”

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Retirees In Action by Mary Forbes, Chairperson of the Retiree Chapter

Retirees supported Unifor Local Included In this newsletter is an Government that looks after 1090 at Casino Rama, Teachers and exert from the June 1980 Contact the working People, ensures the Health Coalition at (see next two pages) which was that all Canadians are treated Queens Park and GM. In Oshawa produced by our Local. As you can fairly, that will look after and are available and actively see it is a report card on what effect Retirees and we will have involved on several committees. the free trade agreement could have Universal Pharmacare Although Unifor has disaffiliated on our Country and on our including dental. with the Canadian Labour Congress workforce. Read it and weep most of and the Ontario Federation of it has come true. On the front page Suggested Contacts: of this newsletter is an article by Bro. Labour many Unifor Retirees hold 416-636-5767 Unifor Local 673 important positions on the Retiree Bob White who talks about a time of Executive Committees of these great uncertainty and a government 211 Ontario Help Line Groups. Unifor continues to show in Ottawa following the Corporate 416 598 2656 Advocacy Centre support all events at Queens Park agenda “ring a bell” that is what the for the Elderly and different locations. Conservatives are doing in Ontario. He talks about more food banks and 416 314 0797 Raymond Cho Our Sister Maria Pinto was re- more workplaces closing and the elected with the 2nd highest number widening gap between the rich and Minster for Seniors and Accessibility of votes to the Unifor National the poor. Many more people use Executive Retirees Council. As food banks than ever before and we 1 866 553 7205 Telehealth Aerospace, Health and Office Units talk about the 1% all came true. it is important for us to have a voice on this Council. Obviously, Maria I am also looking at a contact represents all Locals very well as newsletter from July 1996 where evidenced by her re-election. there is a report on Paul Martin In Solidarity, delivering a budget that drove Sister Pinto and Bro. Sandy Government support for public Mary Forbes Derocchis attended the Retired services back to the 1950’s I wonder Workers Council in Port Elgin on how far back we are now. There is Chair, Retiree’s Chapter behalf of our Local and represented also a report on U.I now E.I. “why us very well with lots of input into the U.I. cuts of $2 billion and discussions and resolutions. Once massive restructuring”? while the again Local 673 in conjunction with problem is lack of jobs. They say Unifor Local 1459 as Unifor now that the jobless rate is less but Toronto Area Council submitted the true fact is that many have part the largest number of resolutions. time jobs not full time jobs. Perhaps For the first time we also submitted by the time this newsletter goes to resolutions to the constitutional press we will know who our new convention. Only 1 passed but we Federal Government is, I only hope did have the chance to be heard. that it will be a

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Mobilization by Rob Couse, Financial Secretary, 673

In January of this year I was part of a team from Local 673 that went to GM headquarters in Oshawa. Not the ideal weather for being part of a rally but again we were supporting a cause that is worthwhile.

Recently a few of us This past year I have participated in a went to Windsor to few rally’s. The first was in Goderich for support the Nemack Local 16-0 (Salt Mines), I was happy to workers who have an attend as I spent a few summers here employer who has no when I was a teenager. It brought back regard for the some pleasant memories. collective agreement.

The next was in Gander NL, supporting In each event Unifor the workers at D-J Composites who had has been successful in been out almost 2 years. This was very getting the employer well organized by Unifor National. to listen and reach Approximately 400+ union proud came some sort of to support. The first day was an early settlement allowing start of 4:00 AM. Six members of Local many workers to 673 helped the cause and during the off return to their place shift were able to see more of Gander of employment. This and the surrounding area. Once back has been an eye- home, every time I see an ad for the opening experience show “Come From Away” I think about that makes me Gander and understand that the people realize, corporate there are special. It is something I will greed needs to be never forget. harnessed.

In Solidarity,

Rob Couse

Financial Secretary

Local 673

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Pension & Benefits Changes as a result of the Asset Sale and Successorship of the Q400 Program by George Wedge Technical Zone 2 Representative Greetings fellow UNIFOR Local 673 Members.

The past 4 months have been somewhat chaotic due to the transition of former Bombardier members who moved over to De Havilland Aircraft Canada Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Longview Aviation. BENEFITS REPORT The good news is that MANULIFE Benefits seem to be a far easier to access and use than was Green Shield and Industrial Alliance. That being said, members who were transitioned into De Havilland while on S & A and in receipt of STD or LTD Benefits are in a PENSION REPORT “hybrid” situation, with their STD/LTD When the Unit Bargaining Committee was out bargaining for rights Benefit being paid under claim by Industrial not provided either in successor law or the Collective Agreement Alliance, while their extended benefit package for members who were expected to fill roles on the sale and is being administered by MANULIFE. successorship of the Q400 Program, a great deal of time and effort Although somewhat confusing, it is also quite went towards understanding how pensions might be impacted, and simple to use once it’s understood that what needed to be done at the table to eliminate risk or harm that Industrial Alliance is only responsible for the would otherwise be caused by the sale and successorship. partial salary entitlement, and MANULIFE is Although De Havilland is working towards a streamlined process responsible for any other expense, be it in regards to pensions, they are not quite there yet, but are medical or dental. expected to be in the near future. MANULIFE has a great online portal for The Bombardier pensions are frozen for their rightful owners, and making your claims, and you can choose for a few members have retired from De Havilland and are to receive direct payment to your bank account. It also their recently-triggered BA Pension. We have had some process has a database so that you can check DIN challenges with Members attempting to trigger their retirement which prescriptions are covered and which post June 1st. While Members have the right to pursue the ones are not. In the event a DIN is not retirement process without representation, I would suggest that covered, you can have your physician fill out a they utilize the Benefits Rep. during this time while the process is Drug Exception application. being refined in order to avoid delays.

De Havilland is working to have exceptions In Solidarity, and conditions that were existing on the Green Shield and Industrial Alliance benefits George Wedge Representative policies grandfathered into MANULIFE. Page 11

We have Come a Long Way in 65 Years! by Maryellen McIlmoyle, President of Local 673 I wanted to tell the story of our Local with the help of the leadership over the years, what started with a little information grew to a much wider view of our history. Understanding where we came from is critical if we’re going to be able to imagine where our union will go in the future. As we end this year Unifor Local 673 celebrates 65 years of working for justice in our workplaces and in our communities, we look back on a remarkable journey that working people have taken within our local.

The story of our Local begins with the story of deHavilland aircraft, the Canadian deHavilland plant came into being in Weston Ontario in 1928 owned by the British deHavilland Company of Hatfield England where they assembled British built “Moth” series of Aircrafts.

By 1942 the workforce was organized by the UAW and a charter was granted to Local 112.

On January 27th, 1954 the office workers applied for their own charter to better represent them within the office and local 673 was formed. Around the same time deHavilland moved operation to its present location in Downsview airfield at the Canadian Forces Base in Toronto.

On May 27, 1974 the Canadian Government bought deHavilland when balked at investing in deHavilland’s first large commercial aircraft the DASH 7. deHavilland already had developed a sturdy line of Bush Planes, the Beaver, Otter, Twin Otter, the Caribou and the Buffalo aircrafts. The late 70’s seen the development and manufacturing of the deHavilland DASH-8 aircraft rolling out in 1983. In January 1986 Conservative Trade Minister Sinclair Stevens gave deHavilland to of Seattle for $90 million. The 1987 strike symbolized the plight of our new Canadian National Union CAW. In this alteration, not only were we fighting the almighty Boeing Corporation, but also the Big 3 auto makers as well. If Boeing would have been successful in forcing the deHavilland workers to accept concessions, then the auto makers could expect the same. Our local union endured a bitter 10-week strike and conceded to none of concessionary demands. We not only set the pattern for our new Canadian Union but laid the necessary groundwork for auto workers to obtain indexed pensions. Boeing 24 pages of demands included takeaways to most areas of our collective agreement. (continental work weeks, mandatory shifts, mandatory overtime, and elimination of most seniority provisions within the agreement, including layoffs. The strike will always be remembered as one sweet victory for Local 673 members.

The sale of deHavilland to ATR would have been disastrous for us in both the short and long term. Would the French and Italian governments invest in Canada, or would they succumb to pressure to produce in house? The chain of events from July 1990 until the deal was killed by Investment Canada and the European Commission leaves little doubt as to their real motivations. As the major competitor to deHavilland, would they continue to diligently market the DASH-8 100-300 series, or would they market their ATR-42? Would they continue deHavilland’s long tradition of building complete aircraft or would we be supplying parts to their final assembly operations in France? All these questions are easily answered. Our two demonstrations, the Progressive Conservative Headquarters and Federal Industry Minister Michael Wilson’s office, our law suit headed by Local 112 President Jerry Dias against the Federal Government, combined with the tremendous media attention, allowed us to do what no other group has been able to accomplish having the Federal Conservative government block a sale through Investment Canada. In over 900 applications, deHavilland is the only proposal ever rejected…

…

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This came as a result of hard work and much sacrifice by those members who gave their time and risked discipline to stand and fight for what they believed in. Finally, by January 22nd, 1992 under pressure of the CAW and the Ontario NDP government a joint ownership of deHavilland partnered with Bombardier Group of Companies and the Ontario Government split 51/49.7

December 2017, Bombardier approached the Bargaining Committees of Locals 673 and 112 to advise on their plan to sell our Q400 program and the Downsview lands where the Q400 and Global Family of aircraft are built. Both Locals entered full time, off site discovery meetings in January 218, to fully understand Bombardier’s plan, it’s implications for our Members and our ability to resist any plan that would be detrimental to our Members. We recognized very early in this process that we were facing a historic fight and a poor result would be felt for decades. As such, solidarity between both Local Unions and our National Union was paramount. Together, we proceeded to do our collective homework. We met with representatives of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments. After numerous meetings with Governments and the resulting continuous dialogue, we understood that “Apply Bombardier in fact had the ability to sell the Downsview lands. As we could not political block the sale of the lands, both Locals and our National Union embarked on a campaign to apply political pressure on all three levels of Government to not allow pressure the rezoning of the Downsview lands from industrial to residential as this would on all have significantly increased the value of the property making it more attractive for sale. This was in hopes that a reduced property value would have dissuaded three

Bombardier from pursuing the sale. While these efforts were successful, Bombardier levels” was able to sell the lands for what is widely thought to be above market value for lands zoned as Industrial. We then turned our attention to the intended sale of the Q400 program. The sale of the Q400 would have had a disastrous impact on our Memberships as the Q400 has higher labour requirements as compared to the Global family of aircraft. In order to sell the program, Bombardier required both Locals to give up work commitment language in our Collective Agreements as it was unlikely that any potential buyer would be interested in purchasing the program with Collective Agreements attached. Both Locals proceeded to investigate replacing work in exchange for the Q400 program. It became apparent that Bombardier would have differing abilities to replace work in each Local. The only avenue left to compensate for work that was not replaced would have been to sell these jobs for packages and the work would be permanently lost. This was unacceptable. Bombardier continued to pressure both Locals to come to an agreement. This pressure came to an abrupt halt following dialogue between National President Jerry Dias and Bombardier President and CEO Alain Bellemare where Bombardier decided to change course with respect to the Q400. Full credit to Brother Dias as this dialogue also resulted in the suspension of the “Wing and Cockpit Agreement” which allowed Bombardier to outsource the Q400 wing and cockpit. This was a big win as both Locals had the removal of the Wing and Cockpit Agreement in our proposals for the upcoming Collective Bargaining as our contracts were to expire June 22, 2018. Both Locals then proceeded into Collective Bargaining with Bombardier. We knew that the property was sold, and that Bombardier’s plan was to move the production of the Global family of aircraft to a yet to be built facility at Pearson airport and that they had no intention of building the Q400 at that location. Contractually, both Locals were extremely concerned that while we had work commitment language for the Q400 and Global 5000/6000 (rebranded to 5500/6500 during bargaining), we did not have commitment language for the new Global 7000 (rebranded to 7500 during bargaining) which would be the driver for the bulk of the labour requirements long term. The absence of Global 7000/7500 commitment language left both Locals at risk that Bombardier would produce only the Global 5000/5500/6000/6500 at Pearson and the much coveted Global 7000/7500 program could be built elsewhere. Bombardier had threatened this during the previous discussions regarding the sale of the Downsview lands and the Q400. We had also recently seen the movement of some Global finishing work from GCC to Wichita, so we took this threat seriously. We knew that our top priority must be to secure … Page 13

commitment language for the Global 7000/7500 and we had a clear mandate to do so from our Members. Meanwhile, Bombardier had vowed that “they would never again agree to commitment language for any program at any site going forward”. Bombardier had just experienced the repercussions of program commitment language and their inability to sell the Q400 program was fresh in their minds. This was on top of all the usual concessions proposed by the employer and gains proposed by the Union. We continued to force our agenda at the bargaining table and in the early hours of June 23, 2018 reaching a tentative agreement with Bombardier. We were successful in ratifying a three-year agreement on the 24th of June.

November 8, 2018, Bombardier announced the sale of the Q400 aircraft program assets, including aftermarket operations, to a wholly owned subsidiary of Longview Aviation Capital Corp for approximately $300 million. According to reports, the sale agreement covers all assets and intellectual property and Type Certificates associated with the Dash 8 Series 100, 200 and 300 as well as the Q400 program operations at Downsview. The announcement came as complete shock to Unifor and is a betrayal to our 673 members. During the 2018 contract negotiations Bombardier advised they were selling the Q400 and the Downsview lands, all on board the National departments; Research, Legal and Communication supported our campaign to stop the sale of the Downsview Lands and the sale of the Q400. A huge victory when Bombardier announced they were committed to Unifor they would not sell the Q400 in exchange Unifor would stop the campaign against the sale of the Downsview Lands

In comes Longview November 16th,2018 we met with David Curtis, CEO of Longview Aviation Capital Corporation. This was an introductory meeting only, however David did confirm the following: * The agreement of sale was made on November 7, 2018 * The sale is subject to regulatory approval. * The sale is expected to close in or around June 2019. * The sale includes the de Havilland name and trademark. * Longview will operate at Downsview until at least 2021 and will abide by the terms of the current Collective Agreements We recognized through the discovery process and the diligent work of our National Union's Research and Legal departments that the sale of the Q400 program adhering to Article 69 of the Labour Relations Act was in fact legal. “The While Article 69 ensured that the successor employer, now known to be Longview announcement Aviation Capital, had all the same obligations under the CBA, it did not obligate Bombardier or Longview to consider seniority with respect to how our came as Membership would be divided between the two respective companies as the complete Bombardier CBA did not provide our Members the right to choose aircraft shock to programs by seniority. We knew this would be unacceptable to our Members which was confirmed after canvassing the Memberships of both Locals. Given Unifor and is a what we had learned and with the full support of our National Union, Locals 673 and 112 chose for the first time to negotiate with Bombardier together. We entered betrayal to our into negotiations with Bombardier attempting to reach an Employee Transition 673 members” Agreement that would address our Members' seniority concerns and provide

We recognized through the discovery process and the diligent work of our National Union's Research and Legal departments that the sale of the Q400 program adhering to Article 69 of the Labour Relations Act was in fact legal. While Article 69 ensured that the successor employer, now known to be Longview Aviation Capital, had all the same obligations under the CBA, it did not obligate Bombardier or Longview to consider seniority with respect to how our Membership would be divided between the two respective companies as the Bombardier CBA did not provide our Members the right to choose aircraft programs by seniority. We knew this would be unacceptable to our Members which was confirmed after canvassing the Memberships of both Locals. Given what we had learned and with the full support of our National Union, Locals 673 and 112 chose for the first time to negotiate with Bombardier together. We entered into negotiations with Bombardier attempting to reach an Employee Transition Agreement that would address our Members' seniority concerns and provide greater options and protections than Article 69 alone would ensure.greater options and protections than Article 69 alone would ensure The Employee Transition Agreement among other things, provides mobility rights to our Members at deHavilland who would have had the seniority to exercise bumping rights at Bombardier should the Q400 program have ceased instead of being sold. These Members can bump back to Bombardier in the event of an opening occurs within Bombardier. The remaining Members in the new deHavilland unit have the right to join a blended Bombardier recall list should the deHavilland production operation cease. … Page 14

On June 1st, 2019, the Downsview Bombardier facility was divided between 2 separate employers, Bombardier and deHavilland which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Longview Capital. The Local 673 Membership was divided into 2 separate units, the Bombardier and the deHavilland units. Local 673 representatives for both Bombardier and deHavilland was mirrored due to the Successor Rights under the labour act, both units elected the same number of representatives to both CBA.

McDonnell Douglas MDCAN. Since opening in 1945 the Avro Malton plant had its share of boom times, 50,000 workers kept busy with the high-profile orders such as the CF-150, as the Arrow in the 1950s. In 1959 after only one year of flight tests and production the Arrow program was cancelled. In 1962 the aircraft production facility was transferred to deHavilland Canada by their then merged parent company, UK based Hawker Siddeley and in 1963 entered into a joint venture with Douglas to manufacture wings and tail assemblies for the DC-9 jetliners. Douglas Aircraft of Canada was formed in 1965, and in 1968 the company purchased deHaviland’s buildings and surrounding property. At the time the Avro workers were part of the International Association of Mechanists (IAM) when deHavilland bought this plant, meanwhile the workers in Downsview were UAW Local 112/673. After a campaign by both locals the workers decided in favor of UAW 112/673, which then represented both Downsview and Malton plants. After a merger the plant became Boeing Toronto in 1997 and closed it doors in 2005 demolishing a very historic sigh that housed so many phases in aviation, the site remains a parking lot and empty field.

SPAR - The long history of SPAR began with the acquisition of the ’s Special Products Division in 1967 (i.e. ). -In 1969, Larry Clarke manager of the Spar Division Spar bought York Gears Limited and the following September officially opened its new head office on Caledonia Road in Toronto. -In November 1990, the R&O operations, known as the Aviation Services Division, moved to a new building in Mississauga, Ontario. SPAR’s major projects included the complete overhaul of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 40-year-old C-130 Hercules aircraft. Other customers included the Royal Norwegian Air Force, United States Coast Guard, and Greece's Hellenic Air

Force. SPAR performed several avionics upgrades and a Depot Level Inspection and Repair (DLIR) for the Canadian Forces Air Command CL-41 Tutor aircraft flown by the acrobatic team.

-October 1986, It was a very hard and trying time for our SPAR members with a 17 week strike that took them over Christmas and wasn’t settled until February of 1987, but the solidarity and support they demonstrated for their union during that strike sent a clear message to the corporation that they were not prepared to lose any fights at the weigh in. The membership had always been solidly behind their union then when the chips were down. Nowhere was this more evident than during that set of negotiations. Their efforts and support during the last couple of days were a major factor in achieving an unparalleled contract during these recessionary times. In 1998 Par sold its gear division to Radyne and in 1999 sold the Candarm division to MDA leaving them with only the R&O operations. In 2001, the business was acquired by L3 Communication, membership started to retire and due to mis management the they closed the SPAR division July 31st, 2014.

MDA (MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) purchased the division that developed the Canadarm robotic arm that is used on missions and on the International Space Station. MDA acquired the Canadarm business from SAR Aerospace May 10th, 1999 employment was at a high of 450 as one of Canada’s leading information and technology companies, with a focus t become Canada’s leading space company and to become a world-class provider of information, products and services. MDA recognized the contribution of the union for its many years of supporting programs and lobbying all levels of government in 2014 Unifor was gifted with the first integral component of the joint position sensor on the shoulder of the original Canadarm. During its operational life it flew on all of the NASA’s space shuttles. . This was a historic value to our members and retirees to be part of the work they have contributed and going forward into the future.

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The “part” now resides at Unifor Family Education Centre. In 2017 acquiring Digital Globe, MDA will be named

Maxar Technologies. In 2018 Unifor in partnership with MDA on a major campaign to save Space in Canada, #dontletcanadago, in February 2019 Minister Baines announced that Canada commitment to the program totals CAD $2.05 billion over the duration of the program. The Lunar Gateway will be a Moon-orbiting outpost that will support persistent human activity on the lunar surface and serve as short term habitat for astronauts, a communications node, a science laboratory and a staging ground for exploration into deeper space.

Bourgue Electronics joined the 673 family in 1989 however due to a long strike and the Employers’ unwillingness to continue with the business this relationship was short lived. This was an interesting experience as negotiations with this company revealed that the employer wanted increased hours of work, along with pay cuts of 3% which would total 10% cuts. In addition, the employer wanted to eliminate rest times and have workers continue working while taking refreshments.

In 1987 Green Shield Health Insurance employee’s in Toronto moved from CAW and joined local 673, unique to our local we share a Collective Agreement that was already in place with local 240 who represent Green Shield workers in Windsor. Even though we try to bargain Green Shield Health Insurance into our Unifor collective agreements they are still an employer and our members continue to fight for rights beyond the standards.

In 2013 Toromont Lab Technicians requested the right to organize their workplace, it took seven months for the employer CAT to sit down. April 21st, 2014, nine new members ratified their first agreement. It was not long before we realized that CAT was not happy to have one more unionized workplace under their belt. We managed to increase our numbers, provide the best workmanship, yet after Toromont acquired the company Hewitt who had a larger non-union laboratory, they closed the Lab on April 9, 2019 moving the work to .

The National approached the Local in December 2018 on taking on a newly organized workforce from the Toronto Skating, Curling and Cricket Club. These workers organized for many reasons, respect, fair treatment, low wages from maintenance, food and beverage to kitchen staff these workers pursued Unifor to represent them. Training and Education was our first initial to help the workers, we entered bargaining 5 months after being certified, it was difficult to retrieve proper information from the employer. The employer retained both lawyers and HR consultants to help with negotiations, this did not intimidate out leadership since bargaining is what we do everyday and we have resources we use to best represent our members. At the time of publishing this article we are in our 8th month of bargaining. Long hours just make us stronger, whatever it takes Unifor is ready to make it happen. Fairness and respect are our main goal in this set of negotiations and respect will be noted in wages. The employer continues to cry no money, but they are holding off till after negotiations with Unifor before increasing their own salaries. We are in this fight with all we have. Each and every member deserves respect and we are here to make sure we have the tools in place to make their lives better. As we approach one year without a collective agreement the employer is pushing back and we are ready for them. Our Local has grown many times over from the brave members of January 1954 - deHavilland aircraft 1954 - , 1968 - McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 1999 -MDA Corporation, 1987 - Green Shield Canada,

1989 -Bourgue Electronics, 2013 - Toromont Cat, our latest negotiating of our first agreement 2019- The Toronto Skating, Curling and Cricket Club.

To our members and retirees take pride in your Local. Our experiences and history have made us who we are today and our future continues to define us.

In Solidarity,

Maryellen McIlmoyle President, Local 673 Page 16

Celebrate Seniors or Elders (I like the term elders…) by Mary Forbes, Chairperson of the Retiree Chapter June is seniors’ month in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and . Seniors are recognized as an important part of these communities for the important contributions they have made and still make in these Provinces. This years’ theme is “Making a Difference” and seniors do and have done so. Many volunteer at Hospitals, Seniors Homes, look after their Grandchildren while the Parents go to work, work for fairness and equality for all seniors. The list goes on. Many events take place in your area to celebrate Senior’s month.

On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. The event was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.On October 1st each year seniors celebrate this occasion by gathering together and raising the International Day of Older Persons flag at the City Hall or Government building in their area. Many communities have their own Proclamation designating that day as International Day of Older Persons flag at the City Hall or Government building in their area. Many communities have their own Proclamation designating that day as International Day of Older Persons and recognizing the contribution that Seniors’ do make to their community. The UN International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that

older people make to society and to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world. Each year there is a different theme and the theme for 2019 was “The Journey to Age Equality”.

In Solidarity,

Mary Forbes

Chair, Retiree’s Chapter

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The History of the Persons Case

Submitted by Erica Warwick Recording Secretary of 673

In Canada, the British does the word “person” in North America Act (BNA Section 24 of the BNA Act) of 1867 set out the Act include female persons? “The powers and responsibilities After five weeks of debate, of the provinces and of the the Supreme Court decided exclusion of federal government. The Act that the word “person” did used the word “persons” not include women. women from when referring to more than one person and “he” when Although shocked by the referring to one person. Court’s decision, the all public Many argued the Act Famous Five did not give implicitly stated that only a up the fight and took their offices is a man could be a person, case to the Judicial which prevented women Committee of the Privy relic of days from participating fully in Council of Great Britain in politics or affairs of state. London, which was then Canada’s highest court of more Governments also used the appeal.

“persons” argument to keep barbarous women out of important On October 18, 1929, Lord positions. If the word Sankey, Lord Chancellor of than ours. “person” applied only to Great Britain, announced men, then the stipulation the decision: And to those that only “qualified “The exclusion of persons” could be appointed women from all public who would to the Senate of Canada offices is a relic of days meant that only men could more barbarous than be appointed. In 1927, five ask why the ours. And to those who women – who have since would ask why the word become known as the word ‘person’ ‘person’ should include Famous Five – launched a females, the obvious legal challenge that would answer is, why should it should mark a turning point for not? equality rights in Canada. include Emily Murphy, Nellie With this milestone victory, McClung, Louise McKinney, the Famous Five not only females, the Irene Parlby and Henrietta won the right for women to

Muir Edwards were serve in the Senate, but also obvious journalists, politicians, helped pave the way for reformers and activists from women to participate Alberta who asked the equally in all aspects of life answer is

Supreme Court of Canada to in Canada. answer the following why should it question: not?”

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International Day of the Girl #MakeAnImpact Submitted by Tricia Allen Chair, Women’s Committee participation and leadership, October 11 is International Day of the Girl, a UN and better support and training for girls in STEM, Canada and international observance dedicated to championing countries around the world can help create the conditions for girls’ rights around the world. In Canada, this day is girls to thrive in every aspect of their lives. an important part of Women’s History Month celebrations. Across the country and internationally, girls are making Throughout the world, girls an impact and creating positive face higher rates of violence, change in their communities – poverty, and discrimination. and far beyond. They are leading In Canada, girls have higher the way as students, rates of depression, sexual entrepreneurs, volunteers and harassment and dating activists, and proving that you are violence. never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others.

Tell us about the girls who are making a difference in your community using the hashtag

#MakeAnImpact. There is a growing recognition that support for If you know a girl who’s making girls and their basic human an impact, encourage her to share rights is key to fostering her story on social media. healthy communities. That’s why International Day of the Girl promotes equal treatment and opportunities for girls in areas such as law, nutrition, freedom from violence and abuse, health care, education and training. “Across the country and Girls’ economic internationally, girls are empowerment is an making an impact and important part of equality for creating positive change in girls – through improved their communities – and far access to education,

beyond.” increased political

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Lessons Learned On the Member to Member Campaign Trail

by Akash Shanghvi Representative

As a part of Unifor’s Member to Member 2. 60-70-year-old campaign, I had a chance to canvas across man from the GTA. I knocked on doors from Milton to North York Scarborough, from North York to Issue: My life is going Davenport. This great opportunity allowed pretty well, I’m retired me to get to know some of the members we with a pension but I’m also call our neighbours. While this worried for my grandkids. campaign coincided with the federal election They’ll have to clean up and had a mandate to engage our members our mess. We really need on politics. The campaign also highlighted to to clean up our those working on the campaign that our environment. members share the same worries and anxieties. After talking to hundreds of Again, he’s not wrong, people I recognized the same issues kept cropping up. To highlight these issues, let Facts: “The world’s me mention some of the interactions I had scientists tell us that the on the campaign. Earth’s climate is changing at a historically unprecedented rate and 1. 30-35 year old woman from central Scarborough: human behavior, through the burning of carbon, is Issue: “Everything’s getting more expensive- like groceries and rent”. At this point her the principle cause. “”In daughter chimes in, “We need cheaper rent, you know they want 2k for this apartment, July 2019, the world’s it’s crazy!”. leading climate scientists She’s not wrong, the cost of rent is making life very challenging. warned there is only a dozen years for global Facts: " For most of Canada’s workers, housing represents the single costliest item in warming to be kept to a their household budget. In fact, Canadians spent an average of 29% of their total maximum of 1.5C, beyond consumption of goods and services on shelter alone. For many Unifor members, this which even half a degree means that even though we negotiate collective agreements with fair increases, as our will significantly worsen living costs spiral upwards many of us are still being left behind.” the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and “Many renters in cities across Canada are facing a crisis of both availability and poverty for hundreds of affordability. The average vacancy rate for census metropolitan areas (CMAs) across the millions of people”” This country was 2% in 2018, when housing experts say a healthy rental market requires a is a climate crisis” minimum vacancy rate of 3% to 5%. As a result, rental rates are skyrocketing in many Canadian cities, leaving people struggling to find affordable rental housing. In fact, From Unifor’s “Climate according to a July 2019 report, “it is possible for a minimum-wage worker to Change Fact Sheet” comfortably afford the average two-bedroom rental rate in only 3% of the 795 Canadian neighbourhoods where rental and income data are available.” uniforvotes.ca

- From Unifor’s “Housing Fact Sheet” uniforvotes.ca Page 21

3. 40-45-year-old 4. 35-40 year 5. 65+ year old man from old woman woman from Scarborough from North Guildwood York Scarborough

Issue: Healthcare, is my main issue. My son has Issue: I work as a Issue: We still work! special needs and I need PSW. My work is Housing, food, some extra help. dangerous. If I’m not healthcare, it takes every asked to lift a man over ounce of my strength to 200lbs, I have to deal keep going and its One way to try to alleviate with patients who want already been a long the costs associated with to physically attack me. journey! When will I get healthcare is by taking care But there’s no one my break! of the cost of prescription really to complain too Facts: Seniors have drugs and the company just wants us to work faster many of the same and harder. This job’s concerns as other really taking a toll! Canadians on Facts: Canada is the only affordability but for those developed country with a The best way to get on a fixed income- the universal health care system better protection is to challenge is magnified. that has no universal have a strong union On one dimension – prescription drug coverage, fighting for you! housing, “seniors have or pharmacare, program been especially hard hit resulting in 8.4 million Facts: “Unions, since by Canada’s affordable Canadians who do not have their earliest days, housing crisis. Between any prescription coverage. continue to play a 2011 and 2016, the Canada spends 30 per cent critical role in bettering number of senior above the Organization for the lives of workers, households in core Economic Cooperation and and holding powerful housing need increased Development (OECD) corporations to by 21%, compared to a average on a per capita basis account”” Unionized 5% increase for non- and Canada’s recorded list workers report greater senior households. prices for prescription drugs access to pensions and Seniors who rent face an are dramatically higher than benefits, along with even higher rate of core those countries with negotiated training and housing need than universal coverage.” safety provisions.” seniors who own their homes.” -From Unifor’s “Healthcare -From Unifor’s Fact Sheet” “Worker’s Rights Fact -From Unifor’s “Housing Sheet” Fact Sheet” Uniforvotes.ca Uniforvotes.ca uniforvotes.ca

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The issues mentioned above give a brief idea of some of the voices I heard in the lead up to the federal election. The issues they mentioned kept coming up again and again. However, I also heard from many of our members that these large issues won’t be tackled by politicians. But the fact is, large scale projects like affordable housing, pharmacare, worker’s protections, climate change require legislative and/or regulatory changes. Governments have to be part of the solution. While we were able to elect progressive MPs to Ottawa, we still need to hold them to the fire and encourage them to take some of the actions below:

Enact a National Housing Strategy Enact a Climate Change policy with a focus on helping workers/industries transition into a low carbon economy Enact a national pharmacare program Enact a national childcare program Reject any proposal to introduce U.S. style ‘Right-to-Work’ laws in Canada.

Continue to modernization of labour laws, including for a $15 federal minimum wage, equal pay for equal work regardless of employment status, pay equity and others.

Extend collective bargaining rights and workplace protections to all workers, including freelance workers, temporary workers and ensure a continuity of those rights in the event that a contract is re-tendered.

If we stand together, we can make real change. Let’s choose to Stand Strong! In Solidarity, Akash Shanghvi Alt. Technical Zone 2 Representative

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Women in Leadership

Submitted by Rob Couse Financial Secretary. Local 673

Women have also played very important leadership roles in our local, holding positions from President, chairpersons at the different units, financial secretaries, recording secretaries etc. These women helped to elevate other women above those positions of merely playing hostess to our male population.

Carole Philips now retired was the National Director of Education and international affairs came out of our local after having held positions within the executive board and chairperson of the deHavilland unit.

Dawn Cartwright now retired was the first National Aerospace Director and a National Representative who formerly came out of the deHavilland unit. In 1979 Dawn was the first to challenge the Paid Education Leave selection committee to send more women to Port Elgin. Dawn was also a Discussion Leader and was recruited to the National for Pay Equity.

Karen Davies former president and chairperson of the McDonnell Douglas was appointed to the ministry of labor as an arbitrator until the Mike Harris regime was ushered in. Kim Sedore past chairperson of the deHavilland unit was appointed as a National Representative after showing great leadership during a difficult set of negotiations in January 2003. Also, as a result to Kim’s determination in the 1980’s while out on maternity Kim was able to lobby for no lost time as a result to being on maternity and women were guaranteed their job positions upon returning even though a senior person may have been filling in for their leave. Maria Pinto has held many positions from committees and executive board and is a great advocate for workers and especially women, President of our local from 2004 till she retired in 2009. Maria remains very active as a retiree and sits on the National Retirees Chapter for Unifor since 2016.

Mary Ellen McIlmoyle was our Women’s Advocate from 2004 till 2011 when she was elected as President, Mary Ellen holds many elected positions within Unifor she is the Vice President on Unifor Aerospace council and is a Trustee on Unifor’s ETOP (Education, Technical Office Professional) council. Known for promoting education Mary Ellen is also a discussion leader for Unifor Education department. Mary Ellen was elected to the Toronto York Regional Labour Council in 2012. Mary Forbes was elected as Recording Secretary in the late 80’s and is now our Local Retiree Chapter Chairperson, Treasurer for Unifor Toronto Area Council, National Pensioners Federation, Congress of Union Retirees Toronto Chapter, Ontario Federation of Union Retirees, Co-Chair for the Toronto Retirees Network. Mary can be found at any protest on behalf of retirees and Local 673. Rosy Tikaprasad elected in 2017 on the executive board, Rosy soon became very active taking education courses and is now a Discussion Leader. Elected as an alternate zone representative within the deHavilland unit in 2019.

Other dedicated women were and are appointed to boards and councils and today women are still very involved in our local.

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