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United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Union, Local No. 401 Vol. 104voice - Oct. - Dec. 2014

PM #40063418 OUR UNION’S YEAR IN REVIEW A Fresh Start for Alberta? Safeway/Sobeys Negotiations: The Storm Is Upon Us UFCW 401’s New Website Launch UFCW Local 401 Breaks Ground on Landmark Calgary Building your United Food andvoice Commercial Workers Canada Union, Local No. 401 - Vol. 104 - Oct. - Dec. 2014

Calgary out of town members call collect Ph: (403) 291 1047 Fx: (403) 250 3412 #102, 2635 37 Avenue N.E. Calgary, AB T1Y 5Z6

Edmonton Ph: (780) 452 0362 Fx: (780) 451 3099 14040 128 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5L 4M8

Lethbridge Ph: (403) 328 4245 Fx: (403) 320 9288 #104, 3305 18 Avenue N. Lethbridge, AB T1H 5S1

Brooks Ph: (403) 501 8486 Fx: (403) 501 5144 P.O. Box 1148, 631 - A Sutherland Dr. E. Brooks, AB T1R 1B9

Fort McMurray Ph: (780) 743 4190 Fx: (780) 743 8312 #205, 9914 Morrison Street Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4A4

Toll Free: 1 800 252 7975

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ufcw401.ca Facebook: facebook.com/ufcw401 Twitter: twitter.com/ufcw401

webCampus info here: www.ufcw.ca/webcampus Union Savings info here: www.unionsavings.ca

Contributors: Douglas O’Halloran, Theresa McLaren, Chris O’Halloran, Christine McMeckan, Cori Torres, Cam Sherk, Scott Payne, Lama Alsafi, Kevin Tamblyn.

Cover Illustration: Joshua Rosen

This quarterly magazine is designed, written, and printed union. some photos used from ©iStock.com Every time I think we’ve set The creation of the Community Action Network (CAN) Buildinga new bar as a localon union, OurCommittee has Successes resulted in an explosion of community we seem to find a way of involvement by our local union. Whether fundraising exceeding our previous for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, achievements and going even participating in Pride Parades, or getting involved further. As tremendously in local events like Reggaefest, Globalfest, and the successful as we were in 2013, Temporary Foreign Workers’ Appreciation BBQ, UFCW I can’t help but look at all Local 401 continues to show how much it values the we’ve accomplished in 2014 communities in which our members live and work. and conclude that we really have built on our successes. As if all of that weren’t enough, we also broke ground on our new building in Calgary, took on CLAC to ensure While it started a number of years ago, it was in 2014 Save-On Foods workers in Alberta know what a real that we learned of the true impact that our challenge union can do for them, had even more of our members to the province’s privacy laws would have on workers’ get involved in the political process and boost the rights to organize not just in Alberta, but across the success of the NDP in Alberta, continued our tradition country. Our court challenge went all the way to the of negotiating strong contracts for our members, and Supreme Court of Canada – and we won! we’re launching a new website!

Over the summer, we organized a successful Members’ As always, we wouldn’t have been able to do any of it Conference in beautiful Kananaskis. More than 200 without the energy and enthusiasm of our members. UFCW 401 members from across the province attended The successes of the local union are your successes the Conference, building the personal relationships that because – you are the union! underlie the success of our local union and discussing how those relationships will help us build a better future In closing, let me wish everyone a wonderful end to for all workers. 2014. We’ve worked hard and I hope that everyone will have at least a small opportunity to rest and We also built on our successes at Superstore by appreciate all that we’ve accomplished. organizing a Stewards’ Conference. The language won in our landmark strike against the employer demanded that we engage and empower those members to assist in maintaining our victories. The Conference provided an avenue for greater involvement in the work of the local I’ll see you all in 2015 for union amongst Superstore members and will serve as a model for other members across the province. another successful year!

Speaking of which, Safeway members have had their hands more than full between the sale of Canada SincerelyTheresa McLaren and In Solidarity, Safeway to Sobeys and the beginning of negotiations Secretary Treasurer with the new employer. While negotiations seemed UFCW Local 401 to get off to a good start, the storm we feared on the horizon is now upon us as Safeway workers aim to fight back against Sobeys’ concessionary demands.

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 1 Table of Contents 2014 has been a wild ride for workers in the province of Alberta. It seems like every time you open a newspaper or surf the web for some local news, you’re reading about one scandal or another, whether within the province or across the country. However, what is unique about our readership is that belonging to a union provides a heightened level of protection and ensures they have a strong voice to use with their employer. This fact is becoming more and more prevalent around the world - that the biggest counterbalance available to workers in fighting back against corporate greed and government corruption is to stand up collectively with their union and push back. You need only to look to Alberta’s healthcare workers and Walmart workers across the U.S. to see the benefits of this collective action and strength.

In this issue of Your Voice you will find stories that focus on the past year and some of the major events that Local 401 members and staff participated in as well as new and exciting things that are on the horizon for 2015. No stranger to diving into matters of significance, our union is proud to not only continue to represent the interests of our nearly 30,000 members across Alberta but also to find new and innovative ways of doing so. Being the largest private sector union in a province that is a major player in North American economics carries with it massive responsibility and we take that responsibility seriously. We sincerely hope you enjoy the stories contained within this issue as much as we have enjoyed writing them to share with you.

We hope you are having a wonderful and safe holiday season and we wish all the best to you and yours in 2015!

Building on Our Successes ...... 1

Table of Contents ...... 2

UFCW Local 401 Breaks Ground On Landmark Calgary Building ...... 3

Safeway/Sobeys Negotiations: The Storm Is Upon Us ...... 4

Cott Beverages West Ltd ...... 6

A Busy Year for UFCW Local 401 in the Community! ...... 7

Ch-Ch-Changes at UFCW Local 401! ...... 12

UFCW Local 401 Organizing Kicks Into High Gear ...... 14

Problems Persist at Superstore But Your Union is Pushing Back Hard! ...... 16

The 2014 Members’ Conference: A Time for Education – A Time for Rejuvenation ...... 18

A Fresh Start For Alberta? Fresh starts are like the golden goose in politics ...... 20

Bargaining Strong Together for Gateway Casino Employees in Edmonton ...... 22

And Our iPad Contest Winner is ...... 20

The Year in Review ...... 24

401 Word Games ...... 27

401 Events Calendar ...... 28

UFCW 401’s New Website Launch . . COMING SOON! ...... 30

Local 401 Communications Department: Today and where we are going ...... 32

UFCW Local 401 Negotiations Highlights for 2014 Another Busy and Fruitful Year ...... 34

2 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 UFCW Local 401 Breaks Ground On Landmark Calgary Building Written by Lama Alsafi, Communications and Education Representative

It is a new start for labour organizations Calgary’s North in the city of Calgary as UFCW Local East, just a few 401 broke ground on the construction blocks from the of a landmark building that will serve as current location of the the Local 401’s head office in Calgary, union office. Construction as well as house the offices of other of the building, which has been in the The new facility, set for completion by innovative allies in the city. works since the 2001 purchase of the late 2015, will strengthen the presence land, is an accomplishment for Local of Labour in Alberta and will be a Members of the UFCW Local 401 401 in more ways than one considering house for the members of Local 401. community, including the Local the current hostile political climate The new cutting-edge headquarters 401 Executive Board, gathered in in this province that challenges the will also be a place where our growth Calgary for the occasion on a sunny very existence of unions today. As as an organization is unfettered by the Monday, October 6, 2014. High profile expressed by UFCW Local 401 President constraints of the current Calgary office personalities in attendance were UFCW O’Halloran, the new space will finally give location. It will also help Local 401 search Local 401 President Doug O’Halloran, Alberta’s House of Labour the strong for new and improved ways to provide Secretary Treasurer Theresa McLaren, presence it deserves in Calgary at a services to our members, their families Alberta NDP Leader and MLA, Rachley time when unions in this province are and the communities in which they live. Notley and Leonard Bastien with the facing attacks by parties such as UFCW Local 401 Secretary Treasurer Piikani Nation who opened the the Conservatives and Wildrose. Theresa McLaren noted the modern ground-breaking ceremony with a features of the new location will allow the traditional blessing. “As workers look to build a prosperous union to increase the range of services future for themselves and their families, we can deliver to our members. “We’re Mr. Bastien, of the Blackfoot they know that unions are a key partner constantly working to raise the bar on Confederacy, honoured the 401 in helping them secure their goals. Our the services we’re able to provide our community in attendance by offering new building will give them the place to members,” said McLaren. blessings for safety during construction find that help,” said President O’Halloran. and for the best possible outcomes in The new structure will feature state of the the use of the new building to benefit NDP Leader Rachel Notley further art educational facilities and upgraded local families and communities under the noted that despite the recent political technical capabilities giving members an protection of UFCW Local 401. In the efforts to delegitimize the presence of overall improved learning experience and customary Piikani blessing ceremony, unions, “unions like UFCW Local 401 an opportunity to update their life and Mr. Bastien prayed to the Creator and are thriving, adding new members, job skills in a comfortable large or small Mother Earth for the overall success and helping to build a modern and group education environment. Among of the project and the work of UFCW more progressive Alberta.” UFCW the building’s many features will also be a Local 401 to bring needed services Local 401 will soon have a new home 25-foot digital billboard, counselling and and opportunities to local families and fit to represent the true scale and meeting rooms, enlarged office space as communities. influence of the organization as Alberta’s well as an open atrium lobby to welcome largest private sector union and leading members and guests. The new two-story building will be progressive voice of working people in located on McKnight Boulevard in this province. Janaury 2015 •• ufcw401.ca •• your voice 3 Safeway/Sobeys Negotiations: The Storm Is Upon Us

From the outset of negotiations with Safeway/Sobeys, we were concerned that there might be a storm coming.

Negotiating with a new employer is challenging for everyone involved and the By September, Safeway members’ negotiating committee didn’t know whether it was walking into meetings with Safeway or Sobeys. Each employer has their own style of negotiating and the committee was unanimous that it preferred dealing the employer with Safeway.

To begin with, it looked like the negotiating committee was going to get its wish. had begun Negotiations started swiftly and with a great deal of progress. The negotiating committee was able to move through more than half of the non-monetary to put the proposals it brought to the table in the first three sets of negotiations. That sort of progress set a new bar for what the local had ever been able to brakes on achieve in a three-week period with Safeway. However, the committee’s optimism was short lived. By September, the employer had begun to put the brakes on negotiations in a substantial fashion and storm negotiations in clouds seemed to be gathering on the horizon. Over the course of negotiations from September 29 – October 3, the committee managed to deal with approximately 20 non-monetary items on the table. a substantial Despite that tremendous work, the employer remained unsatisfied.

In fact, after acting as the primary impediment to successful negotiations, fashion and Safeway/Sobeys had the gall to come to one of our meetings and express disappointment over the lack of progress achieved. This kind of two-faced behavior is simply unacceptable and the negotiating committee let the company storm clouds know that in no uncertain terms. seemed to be gathering on the horizon.

Written by Theresa McLaren, Secretary Treasurer

4 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 It has now become clear deserve, and as their union that we are dealing with Our members are rarely afraid we are never afraid to back Sobeys at the negotiating them up – no matter how table and not Safeway. to fight for what they deserve, big the employer. That is unfortunate, because while we have and as their union we are never If Sobeys thinks that UFCW had our ups and downs 401 members will roll over on with Safeway, the union afraid to back them up – no their concessionary demands has always eventually been matter how big the employer. without a fight, they should able to find some common go talk to Loblaws to find out ground with the company how that strategy worked through productive negotiations. out for them. We have advised Safeway/Sobeys that if they are not prepared to move on their concessionary Sobeys is a different story. issues, we will be applying for mediation.

Despite Sobeys’ purchase of Canada Safeway, There is a strong possibility that we will have to take which marked the company’s major entrance into the a strike vote to ensure Safeway/Sobeys know that western Canadian grocery market, UFCW Local 401 we are serious about not lowering the Safeway and Sobeys are not without some history. And that contract to Sobeys’ level. And we are confident that history tells us that Sobeys is often not friendly to the Safeway members are prepared to send the employer interests of our members. a strong message.

Now, the storm is upon us and we know that Sobeys Safeway members know that if we do not stand up to is looking to secure substantial concessions from Safeway/Sobeys now, things will only get worse. This negotiations. While there are a number of concessions time they are after hours. Next time they will more they have placed on the table, the two big issues are than likely be coming after our benefits and we can’t the removal of department managers from the union allow the company to take away the long standing and giving suppliers the ability to stock shelves. benefits we have earned and deserve!

Removing department managers from the union is a If you are a Safeway worker, please stay up to date lose-lose proposition. Department managers would on negotiations by visiting gounion.ca and clicking lose the strength they enjoy from union representation on the special section just for Safeway members and their increased workloads would take much- on the home page. Visit this web site regularly for needed hours from the remaining bargaining unit updates, and ensure we have your up to date contact members. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of information at gounion.ca/stayconnected so you can department managers are opposed to this move. receive regular email updates regarding negotiations as they develop. Allowing suppliers to stock shelves in stores would further erode hours currently allotted to Safeway If you are not a Safeway worker, but would like to members. One can only imagine that Safeway/Sobeys show your support for the fight your brothers and would look to allow the largest suppliers in to do sisters are gearing up to have with their employer, stocking, which would result in substantial reductions contact your full-time Union Representative to in scheduled hours for bargaining unit members. discuss the best way of doing so.

Needless to say, the negotiating committee and the union stand firmly opposed to these concessions. We can and will beat back Through them, the employer is attempting to erode Sobeys’ attempts to erode the the quality of the Safeway members’ contract, which is unacceptable. Safeway contract in Alberta and weather this storm by UFCW Local 401’s goal in negotiations in not simply to stand our ground on our members’ contracts, sticking together. The workers but to improve them every time we go to the table. Our members are rarely afraid to fight for what they united will never be defeated!

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 5 Cott BeveragesWritten by Lama Alsafi, Communications West and Education RepresentativeLtd. hile the Teamsters represent negotiated benefits, won for them all other Cott Beverages plants by the members of their bargaining across Canada, there is one unique committee. It’s exactly this sense of plant in Calgary represented by UFCW community that Secretary Treasurer Local 401 that is near and dear to McLaren describes that has allowed the hearts of many here at the union. Cott workers to win a better quality Maybe the reason so many of us are union contract whose benefits and sweet on Cott is because they seem protection they now enjoy, including: to exhibit a collective strength that is Wadmirable for a relatively small unit of • W age increases in each year of a less than one hundred employees. For four year deal; UFCW Local 401 Secretary Treasurer, Theresa McLaren, the affection is • Six weeks of vacation time granted it goes to show that though all other personal, as the Secretary Treasurer after 20 years of service (whereas facilities are represented by another had personally serviced Cott Beverages before this was given at 25 years union, we can still achieve what we as part of her former duties as a Union of service); want and in some circumstances Representative. achieve even more than expected. • The ability to carry over unused Of course, we can’t do it without an banked over time to a maximum active membership that stands firmly When asked what makes Cott of 80 hours; Beverages so special, Secretary behind us as Cott members did, giving Treasurer McLaren said, “they are a • Major introduction of a prescription us strength in our position at the tight knit group and are pretty union drug card and para-medical negotiating table.” friendly, even the workers who did not benefits; welcome us at first now see the benefit In her message to other smaller sized of the union. Union members working • Five per cent increase in the units around the province similar to Cott at Cott, such as Jason Parrell and Ben amount covered by the employer that are represented by UFCW Local Salonius are also particularly active in for drugs; 401, Secretary Treasurer McLaren said, the activities of the union and in the “this union strongly feels that each • Impr oved vision care and community,” said McLaren. worker is as important as the next and dental coverage; that no one is above the other. We are Secretary Treasurer McLaren reports • Scaled increases in safety a measuredly diversified union and are that bargaining in 2013 succeeded boot allowance; not just about Superstore or Safeway – in giving workers of Cott a new and big or small, all union members will be improved Collective Agreement despite The benefits enjoyed by Cott workers represented equitably and that is our that the actual business at the time was might not exist today were it not for the commitment to the members.” not their best in the industry. Further, dedication of all the Shop Stewards she also notes that workers at Cott at Cott and of all the members of UFCW Local 401 members are achieved a good contract at a time the bargaining team, according to encouraged to attend an upcoming when other people weren’t so fortunate. Secretary Treasurer McLaren. She goes general membership meeting in their on to thank in particular, Stewards area and see how they can become Today, we can see workers at Cott Brian Feser, Ken Hamilton and Ben more active in their union. Ask continue to experience success as Salonius for their devoted efforts. “Cott questions and have your voice heard they effectively implement their 2013 Beverages is a highlight in UFCW 401 by those such as Secretary Treasurer Collective Agreement and reap its negotiations, she continued, “because Theresa McLaren, who can often be found attending one of these meetings across Alberta. Please check the calendar of events on our website at gounion.ca for more information on the next Union General Meeting “this union strongly feels that each in your area. worker is as important as the next 6 andyour voice that • ufcw401.ca •no January one 2015 is above the other.” A Busy Year for UFCW Local 401 in the Community! To say that it has been a busy year for UFCW Local 401 when it comes to community events would be an understatement. In recent years, the Local has recognized a renewed importance around being active in and supporting the communities in which its members live.

About a year ago, the Local union launched its CAN (Community Action Network) committee. The purposes of CAN is to engage members who are already active in their communities and give them a way to also represent UFCW 401 in those activities.

The success of the CAN speaks for itself: Youth Committee Blood Drive The End of Immigration? Film Screening April 11 was Global Youth Service Day and the Edmonton On March 8, 2014, UFCW Local 401 presented a Youth Committee wanted to do something special to give screening of the film The End of Immigration? in back to their community, so they decided to organize a conjunction with Migrante Alberta. The film focuses on blood drive. the growing practice among Canadian companies of bringing temporary foreign workers into the country with Given UFCW’s involvement around Leukemia and empty (and usually broken) promises to perform work Lymphoma fundraising, the Youth Committee was in often-unacceptable conditions and at criminally and surprised to discover that it takes seven blood donors to immorally low wages. provide enough blood to sustain a patient suffering from Leukemia each week. Understanding that money cannot Turn out for the event was fantastic and included an buy blood, the Youth Committee came to know the opportunity to discuss issues in greater depth with two importance of blood donation through their participation temporary foreign workers featured in the film, Malcolm in the event. Even youth members who were not able Guy (one of the film’s directors), and immigration to donate blood still came out to support the rest of the advocate and expert Yessy Byl. Committee, and learned a lot in the process.

As well, NDP Leader, MLA, and Labour Critic Rachel Additionally, Local 401 has signed up to participate in the Notley stopped by the screening to speak with Partners for Life Program. The Program gives our union participants about why the Temporary Foreign Worker a group specific number that tracks the amount of blood Program is such an important issue in Alberta and what our members donate annually. the Alberta NDP is doing to address ongoing problems “I understand that it’s easy for people to forget about with the Program. donating blood, even with the advertisements,” explains Joe Irving. “Life gets busy and there is lots to do. But “The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been every little bit helps someone in need a great deal. The problematic almost from the start,” said Notley. “Workers reward you get for doing your part to provide that help is are given empty promises about citizenship that never overwhelming.” materialize and employer abuse is not uncommon. What we need to do is explore legitimate pathways If you wish to donate blood and add to the local’s to permanent residency for foreign workers that also Partners for Life count, feel free to book an appointment enhance Alberta’s economy.” online at blood.ca using our specific number UNIT401831 at the clinic. UFCW Local 401 looks forward to organizing future events to bring further awareness to the issues facing temporary foreign and other migrant workers in Alberta.

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 7 Golf Tournament Taste of Jamaica On June 21, 2014, UFCW Local 401 hosted its On April 19, The Jamaican Canadian Association of Calgary hosted annual golf tournament to raise funds for the its annual Tastes of Jamaica event. This event features live music, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. food, and vendors serving the best of the Jamaica to the Calgary. Each year, 401 organizes a tournament and invites members and allies to come play an exciting game Local 401 activist Sydonne Wright and her sister Evadne, a member of golf for a good cause. The proceeds go directly of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, set up an information to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, booth for UFCW Local 401. The booth was well received by all the with last year’s tournament raising nearly $15,000. people who attended, with particular interest in the information on temporary foreign workers and knowing your rights at work. While heavy rain left our golf course half under water, the Tournament went ahead with great turn out from registered participants. Everyone enjoyed a prime Fairy Tales Film Festival rib dinner and prizes. Participants were also given a gift certificate from Paradise Valley Golf Course in For the second year in a row, UFCW lieu of actually being able to play the course and an Local 401 sponsored the Fairy Tales additional 40% off all purchases in the Pro Shop. Film Festival in Calgary. Starting out more than 15 years ago as a two-day event, the Festival has blossomed into The event was successful in raising approximately an eight-day international affair that $17,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society highlights the best in queer filmmaking of Canada. Our 2015 Tournament will take place on and features three community events. June 20 at 1p.m. Food Bank Donation This year was the Festival’s “Sweet On August 8, UFCW Locals 1118 and 401 donated over $2,000 in food to the Sixteen”, marking 16 years of Calgary Food Bank as a result of a campaign that the unions jointly ran. presenting groundbreaking cinema aimed at telling the varied and The donation assisted more than 30 Calgary families in need. compelling stories of queer people from all walks of life. From June 16 to August 1, UFCW organizers engaged Alberta Save-On Foods workers about the benefits that joining a real union could provide them. Those “UFCW Local 401 is proud to be a workers are in the midst of an “open period” with their current representative silver sponsor of such an important association, the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), during which and successful event,” noted Union they can legally consider changing their representation. Over the course of that President Doug O’Halloran. “Our union engagement, organizers purchased food from various Save-On Foods locations, staunchly believes that queer rights which the Locals then donated to the Food Bank. are human rights and need not only to be protected and defended, but “Our mission is to be a voice for working Albertans and we take that job very celebrated both inside our workplaces seriously,” said UFCW Local 401 Secretary Treasurer Theresa McLaren. “We work and within our society.” every day to get our members the best contracts possible and we’re equally happy to support working Calgarians who might be struggling to make ends meet with this donation.”

“Our mission is to be a “In the course of speaking with those workers, we purchased a lot of food,” added UFCW Local 1118 President Albert Johnson. “We’re glad that we can turn around voice for working and give that food to an organization like the Calgary Food Bank.” Albertans and we take The donation came at a vital time with organizations like the Calgary Food Bank that job very seriously,” experiencing a sharp increase in usage for the month of June.

8 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 GlobalFest GlobalFest is Calgary’s premier fireworks exhibition, showcasing talent and cultural diversity from all over the world. This year, UFCW Local 401 joined UFCW Local 1118 and the Public Service Alliance of Canada in sponsoring panel discussion focusing on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and featuring Local 1118 President Albert Johnson and Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan at the Festival’s Human Rights Forum. Reggae Fest

From August 14 – 16, UFCW Speaking at the Forum, McGowan noted, “This program has been used — especially in the Local 401 attended and staffed an low-wage sector — to drive down wages,” a vital point that UFCW has consistently sought information table at the Calgary to make about the many flaws with the Program. International Reggae Festival. This award-winning Festival is committed Additionally, UFCW and PSAC staffed a booth at the Festival, running a raffle with a grand to the promotion of local, regional prize of a coffee maker. Over all, the Festival was a resounding success with volunteers and national awareness of Reggae speaking to several thousand people about important labour issues. Music in Canada and provides the union with an opportunity to engage a broad cross-section of music lovers in Calgary.

Member and union activist Sydonne Wright staffed the union’s table, handing out information and chatting about a variety of issues with Festival attendees. 2014 was Local 401’s first year participating in the Festival, but between the friendly interactions, meaningful conversations, and enjoyable music, it won’t be our last!

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 9 Pride Parades – Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Calgary UFCW Local 401 participated in yet another year of successful Pride Parades in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as adding Lethbridge to its roster.

As a long-standing participant in the Parades, UFCW Local 401 continued its support for queer rights and its commitment to addressing the specific challenges that queer workers face in their workplaces. More than 40 activists marched with the union’s float and handed out UFCW Local 401 flags to Parade observers in Edmonton and Calgary. As a first time participant in the Lethbridge Parade, the representatives from the Local, including President Doug O’Halloran, marched with allies holding the UFCW 401 banner.

“As a union, we firmly believe that queer rights are human rights,” said UFCW 401 President Doug O’Halloran. “We must all come together to ensure that our queer brothers and sisters are treated with dignity and respect in their workplaces and in society. Plus, the Pride Parade is such a wonderful celebration; it’s hard not to have a great time!” “As a union, we firmly

Union activists happily engaged and danced with Parade believe that queer rights observers. It didn’t take long before the Parade routes were are human rights,” lined with UFCW 401 flags.

Labour Day BBQs Once again, UFCW 401 was proud to act as a sponsor of the Calgary and District Labour Council (CDLC) and Edmonton and District Labour Council (EDLC) Labour Day BBQs. UFCW activists filled downtown Calgary’s Olympic Plaza and Edmonton’s Giovanni Caboto Park (along with other labour activists) to set up, cook, and serve barbequed hamburgers and hotdogs.

More than 1,000 people attended each of the respective BBQs, which featured booths and tables set up by community organizations to engage attendees on a variety of issues. In Calgary, participants were able to cool off from the hot day in Olympic Plaza’s water park and enjoy some entertainment from local musicians Jackie Drew and the Crew.

BBQ attendees were appreciative of the food that UFCW 401 and other unions provided and the chance to enjoy a bite outside on beautiful days in both Calgary and Edmonton. Each “thanks” was greeted with a hearty, “You’re welcome. Happy Labour Day!” by Local 401 activists to remind BBQ goers of the important role that the labour movement continues to play in Albertan’s lives.

10 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 Temporary Foreign Workers Appreciation Day BBQ Also on Labour Day, UFCW Local 401 members attended and supported the Temporary Foreign Workers Appreciation Day BBQ organized by the Temporary Foreign Workers Support Coalition. The Coalition, which is new to Edmonton, is supported by groups like Migrante Alberta. Migrante is an international Filipino migrant workers rights group and an ally of the union.

The BBQ was held in support and in appreciation of the workers in Alberta who are here under the Temporary “temporary foreign workers Foreign Worker program. Despite their contributions to our economy and our society, temporary foreign are denied the same rights workers are denied the same rights as Canadian as Canadian immigrants” immigrants and placed in vulnerable positions due to the connection of their status with their continued employment.

Local 401 member and union activist Garry Pucci spoke about the work in which UFCW is involved around foreign workers, including fighting for terminated TFW staff at an ongoing organizing drive. He also spoke about Local 1118’s negotiation of contract language, which requires employers to support any temporary foreign workers they employ to become residents as quickly as possible.

Light Up The Night It is no secret that UFCW Canada and Local 401 are strong supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). Every year, UFCW members raise millions of dollars for the Society to support and progress research and provide relief to those affected by blood cancers such as Leukemia and Lymphoma. Local 401 member volunteers In 2014, the Local became enthusiastically involved in the Light The Night Walk shone at both Light The as a major sponsor of the Calgary and Edmonton events. Walk participants gather together with lanterns and participate in a 5km walk beginning at Night events, showcasing the sundown to show their solidarity and raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Nationally, these Walks have raised nearly $3.2M for LLSC by local teams and communities. strength that a union brings

Local 401 volunteer teams participating in Edmonton and Calgary this year were when standing in solidarity made up of members and their families who worked tirelessly to raise funds. In acknowledgement of their efforts, the Local 401 Executive Board generously with a good cause. agreed to sponsor each team with a $1000 donation.

Local 401 member volunteers shone at both Light The Night events, showcasing the strength that a union brings when standing in solidarity with a good cause. In particular, the efforts of Maria Sarmiento and Jason Parrell in Calgary and Jim Sherlock in Edmonton made the union’s participation an amazing success.

If you would like to get involved with the UFCW Local 401 CAN Committee or suggest a community event in which the local should participate, please contact Union Representative Ricardo de Menezes at [email protected]

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 11 staff in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, and eventually Fort Unions aren’t static McMurray. The Local hired Richelle Stewart to fulfill this role. Richelle comes to UFCW Local 401 with a wealth of organizations. labour experience, most recently with SEIU.

As our member’s Additionally, the Union implemented a Southern Director position to manage the activities of Administrative and workplaces change, Servicing staff in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Brooks. To fill this position, the local requested the assistance of so too does the long-term staff member Loren Keister, who was a Union Representative for many years and the last 13 years as Written by composition a full time Local 401 WCB Advocate. Douglas O’Halloran,

Union President of the Local. To bolster the Union’s organizing efforts, the Local hired three new organizers to keep up with the pace of an ever- Over 2014 in particular, we saw a great deal of growth growing membership in the North. The Local hired both and UFCW Local 401 sought to better meet the various Saba Mossagizi and Abdikadir (Abdi) Guled. Abdi was needs of our members. Firstly, the Local created Director previously an active member with UFCW Local 401, positions to manage key areas of activity within the who comes from the Aramark camps in Fort McMurray. Union to ensure the needs of our members are met as In her previous occupation, Saba was a community efficiently as possible. organizer in Edmonton.

The Union implemented a Northern Director position to To assist with organizing in the Edmonton area, the oversee the activities of Administrative and Servicing Union hired Trevor Zimmerman. Trevor brings extensive

12 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 GROWTH NEW organizing experience with AUPE to the Local, as comes to UFCW EXPERIENCE well as a longstanding participation in progressive Local 401 after political activism in Alberta. The benefit of these providing legal PROGRESSIVE additional organizers has already become apparent assistance to ACTIVISM via a substantial increase in the number of organizing CAW/Unifor. COMMUNICATIONSPRESIDENT leads the Local is actively pursuing. ASSIGNED There have MEMBERS WCB The newly merged Communications and Education also been Department has also received a new addition in the changes to SERVICE hiring of Lama Alsafi. Lama comes to the Local with a the Local’s LEGAL strong history in communications, focusing on effective Executive SECRETARY TREASURERSTANDARDS uses of social media for organizations like the United Board. The Nations and Exclaim! Media. Executive ASSISTANCE Board is the PROVIDE On the servicing aspect, UFCW Local 401 has hired long- ultimate decision- REPRESENTATIONEXECUTIVE term Superstore member, Jeff Ible, as a full time Relief making body of the Union. Union Representative in the Calgary area. Stephen Reed The Board is made up of UFCW who previously assisted the President has been assigned Local 401 President, Doug O’Halloran, UFCW to an existing Calgary route that required coverage due Local 401 Secretary Treasurer, Theresa McLaren, and to Lou Craig’s retirement. There is also going to be a 18 UFCW Local 401 Vice Presidents, who are members new Edmonton-based Union Representative hired with a from around the province and who are elected to their projected start date of January 1st, 2015. positions by the Union membership.

Finally, the Union has recruited valuable talent for two On the Executive Board, George Bellows from the P&H of its more specialized areas of activity: WCB Advocacy Flour Mill in Lethbridge replaced Jack James from and Legal Counsel. Keri Grainger joins the Local taking the same plant due to Jack’s retirement, Pat Rector over as a full time WCB Advocate in from the ADM Flour Mill in Calgary replaced Clayton Calgary, replacing Loren Keister Herriot, Margaret who is now the Southern Macaulay from Director. Prior to being hired Safeway #806 by the Local, Keri worked in Edmonton in a variety of roles for replaced WCB for many years. In Rick Schneider the Legal Department, and Sydonne Wright the Local has hired from Safeway #2211 Lawyer Robert has replaced Sandy Szollosy, Harmeson. Clayton, Rick who and Sandy have now been hired as fulltime Union Representatives for UFCW Local 401.

UFCW Local 401 is Alberta’s largest Ch-Ch-Changesat UFCWprivate Local sector Union401! and we want to ensure that our ever growing and diverse membership is receiving the Representation and Service that they deserve. We’re confident that these changes will assist the Local in improving the work we do on behalf you the members, while maintaining the highest standards possible that we always strive to provide to you the membership.

JanauryJanaury 20152015 •• ufcw401.caufcw401.ca •• youryour voicevoice 13 UFCW Local 401 Organizing Kicks Into High Gear 2014 was another successful year for UFCW Local 401 when it comes to organizing. As a voice for working Albertans, we know that fighting for the interests of our members is only part (albeit a large part) of the work that we do. Workers who are not members of our union also need our help, and the Local does whatever it can to improve the working conditions of all workers.

Our biggest campaign in 2014 involved Save-On Foods/CLAC and the effort to show Save-On Foods workers in Alberta what a real union can do for them.

Save-On Foods workers in Alberta are represented by the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) through something called “voluntary recognition”. This means that the employer has agreed to recognize CLAC as the representative of its workers without ever giving the workers an opportunity to vote on who they would like to have represent them.

When the sale of Canada Safeway to Sobeys resulted in the subsequent sale of one Safeway location (Fort McMurray) Written by Chris O’Halloran, Director Written to Save-On Foods, CLAC decided to claim representation of the workers at that store without landslide bothering to consider the successor rights of UFCW 401. This sort of behavior is unheard of by unions in Canada, but of workplacecourse, CLAC isn’t a real union. victory contract UFCW Local 401 President issues Doug O’Halloran decided that in response to CLAC’s raid, UFCW Local 401 wouldn’t just defend its

joining supportnegotiations representation votestrong action

realunion

14 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 own members’ rights, but the Labour Code. UFCW and lack of review, and Finally, the Local is UFCW Local 401 Organizing also seek to educate the 401 has resumed its increases to productivity currently engaged in two rest of CLAC’s Save-On organizing at the I-Hotel, expectations without active organizing drives at Kicks Into High Gear members about the benefits meeting with employees consulting employees. camps in the north: Clean of joining a real union. to discuss the benefits of Despite a petition Harbours and Royal Camp For close to three months, joining a union and how circulating opposing union Services. Workers at both UFCW organizers engaged their workplace conditions representation, there was camps have enthusiastically Save-On Foods workers can be improved. enough support at the welcomed the support about the ways in which workplace to submit an of UFCW Local 401 in CLAC was undermining Moving up north, G4S application with the Alberta addressing their working their interests. security guards won a great Labour Relations Board. conditions and are excited victory this year, voting A hearing is scheduled about the strength that The union even filed a strongly in favour of joining and there should be a vote union representation will labour relations complaint UFCW Local 401 and we before the end of the year. bring them. against Save-On Foods have started negotiations and CLAC for engaging on their first Union Contract. Workers at the Gerard The Labour Board, citing in unfair labour practices Raymond Centre (assisted the need to organize all against supportive Save-On The campaign to organize living facility for mentally Clean Harbour camps, workers. In the end, CLAC the guards was short and developmentally rejected a petition for forced through a rushed and decisive given the challenged adults) and certification at Clean vote on a substandard challenges that guards John McGee Employment Harbours. This development contract, thereby closing were experiencing in their Options (provides has only strengthened the open period facing its workplace and the union assistance to mentally and UFCW Local 401’s resolve membership. But arming a has set out to address developmentally challenged to reach out to all Clean few more Save-On Foods those issues in negotiations. adults to find and secure Harbours workers in the workers with the knowledge While negotiations began employment opportunities) province. And despite they need to look after positively, it quickly became voted to become members employer efforts to spread their own interests is still clear that the employer of UFCW Local 401 in misinformation at Royal a worthwhile outcome for did not intend to act as 2014. Workers at Gerard Camp Services, organizing UFCW Local 401. a productive negotiating Raymond and John McGee efforts continue apace. partner. were experiencing similar After an extended hiatus, issues as their co-workers Looking forward, the Local also received Nonetheless, the guards’ at Balwin Villa and Grand a landslide victory in its negotiating committee and Manor, who voted to 2015 promises to labour relations case UFCW Local 401 remain become members in 2013. be another busy against I-Hotel in Red Deer. persistent in their efforts to Issues included: lack of year in “organizing In 2013, while coordinating move things along and have overtime, inability to an organizing drive at advised the company that achieve full-time status, the unorganized” the I-Hotel, management strong action will be taken and confusion about how for UFCW Local engaged in obstructing to address outstanding to qualify for raises. 401. Thanks, as and intimidating behavior issues if necessary. against supportive While the employer, Excel always, to our employees, going so far Midway through the Resources Society, has members who as to unlawfully terminate year, a retired member been less than forthright two employees. from UFCW Local 401 in their representations of provide us with got in contact with his UFCW Local 401, members the support and After bringing a complaint previous Rep about an at Gerard Raymond and resources to work about the employer’s organizing lead in Calgary. John McGee continue to behavior to the Labour The issues at Hopewell work toward achieving their toward improving Relations Board, the Logistics (Distribution first Union Contract and the working Board concluded that the Warehouse) included: addressing the issues conditions for all overwhelming evidence lack of consistency in faced in their workplaces. made it indisputable that wages, concerns around workers in Alberta! the employer had violated the disciplinary process

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 15 Written by Christine McMeckan, Communications Representative

For those who currently work at Superstore or who have worked there, you know how difficult Loblaws can be on issues that impact your daily lives. Whether it’s changing your hours through programs like “FLOW” and upending your family life, or trying to skimp on hours distribution to those who have been around Problems for years trying to make ends meet; Loblaws is always finding new ways to fight with their workers, the very people who are Persist at responsible for their success. But your union is always vigilant Superstore in pushing forward with holding employers responsible for But Your poor employment practices.

Some of the major battles we’re waging involve matters like FLOW, Union is representational rights for supervisors who are being taken advantage of and told to do your work (thus affecting your paycheque), and abuse of Pushing the MINIMUM guarantee of hours provision in your Union Contract. UFCW 401 has been in a protracted legal battle with Loblaws over their FLOW program. FLOW is essentially a “work process” that was implemented Back Hard! unilaterally in the Superstores that effectively turned many of our members’ lives upside down. We believe the implementation of this program violated the Alberta Labour Relations Code, in that Loblaws never came to the union to negotiate the conditions of this wholesale change in operations, and forced these changes during the sensitive period just prior to, and during, collective bargaining for a new Union Contract. Some would even argue that it contributed in varying degrees to Superstore employees’ decision to vote for and commence a strike. FLOW has done little more than turn employees’ lives upside down by forcing many to work midnights, or to restrict their availability when they never had to in the many years preceding its forced introduction. Some employees even resorted to quitting their job, while others got frustrated and angry! It has also created uncertainty about the type of work employees have to do during their shifts. By mandating employees to work outside of their traditional departments, there have been many problems with the distribution of hours, minimum guarantees of hours, and fair and reasonable workloads.

Hearings regarding FLOW are continuing at the Alberta Labour Relations Board. Based on the preliminary evidence we’ve presented the Board has agreed that the union has a case which can be determined by the Board and ordered the company to give its evidence related to the FLOW program, how it was implemented in 2012 in the so-called test stores, and how it was rolled out across the province subsequent to that. Those hearings are continuing and we will keep you updated as matters progress and unfold.

16 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 “rest assured

that UFCW 401 is and Another matter being Another very troublesome heard by the Labour issue, and one that we has always been committed to Board is that of the went on strike for at inclusion of supervisors least in part last holding Loblaw’slife feet issues to the are fire at stake.” in the bargaining unit. In year, is the proper other words, whether or distribution of where employee rights and quality of not supervisors should hours and the continue to be deprived of employer’s Further to the Many Superstore members union rights and protection persistent efforts to minimum guarantees, will recall our enormously and fall under the union circumvent the Union the union is also taking successful Superstore contract for things like Contract regarding the issue with “most available activists’ , “Time to Walk scheduling of hours guarantee of hours. hours” scheduling, which the Walk Conference” in and overtime. deals with scheduling March of this year. The In mid-November the of part-time employee work is continuing with Currently the company is union will be in front of an hours. We are asserting, in the members and their using supervisors unfairly arbitrator arguing over the part, that the company is Union Representatives, and in ways that not only appropriate distribution of applying unfair and unjust and together we will work impact them directly, the minimum guarantee “artificial maximums” every hard to shape Loblaws into but also affect current of hours and how those week in many, if not all a company with a better union members like you minimums are assigned. circumstances. Meaning reputation for how it treats where available hours One of our concerns also the employer is using the its employees. If they are concerned. relates to employees “minimum guarantee” don’t wish to be a leader who are away from work of hours language as a in the industry with regard The company has for extended periods “maximum” or a “cap” to dignity and respect of waffled on whether they of time. For example, if on hours, if you will. Your their workers because it’s think supervisors are an employee goes on a union put the company on the right thing to do, we’ll “regular employees” or leave of absence, like notice in 2012 and in last continue to make every management. We are still maternity leave, and has year’s round of bargaining, effort to create that change unclear on their position, been receiving a 28-hour that we believed it was through other avenues. and so the hearings on minimum guarantee of violating the part-time Corporations often don’t this important matter are hours, the company says scheduling provisions do the right thing because continuing at the Labour her guarantee of those of the Contract on this they want to; they do Board. Though the hearing hours goes with her. In issue. The union also it because they have is ongoing, it has been other words, for the one filed grievances across the to. In any case, change marred by several delays year while she’s away, the province on this matter will come if we remain throughout the process. next most senior eligible and will be sending them committed to seeing Adding to this, we are employee would not get to arbitration in it through and having difficulties getting that 28-hour guarantee, due course. sufficient future dates. effectively eliminating one continue Despite our view that of the 28-hour guarantees These and other important the company is doing in her department. Crazy issues are being doggedly all it can to drag out our but true! pursued on Superstore to walk efforts to conclude these members’ behalf and we hearings, the union feels In a nutshell, we believe will be sure to keep you the walk. more confident than ever that the company has updated as things move that supervisors are not not been assigning the along. In the meantime, Together “management” as defined minimum guarantees of rest assured that UFCW by the Labour Relations hours to the appropriate 401 is and has always Code and are, in fact, employees in cases like been committed to holding we can employees just like the these and we will be Loblaws’ feet to the fire other union members in seeking a number of where employee rights do it! the stores. As a result, remedies on this and and quality of life issues supervisors ought to be the overall problems are at stake. entitled to payment for with how the guarantee ALL hours worked. of hours language is applied by the company. Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 17 The 2014 Members’ Conference: A Time for Education – A Time for Rejuvenation

Cam Sherk, Education and Communications Representative

During the week of June 25-29, Local Crossing Generation Lines - This course Organizing - This class went over the 401 held its Members’ Conference in looked at how to build greater basics of identifying and engaging new Kannanaskis. This conference, held every communication lines between all members with the aim of running a 4 years, moves around the province to workers to fight for better wages, successful organizing campaign and encourage interest and participation. benefits, job security, and workplaces. growing the membership. The hotel, nestled in the Canadian Rockies, An Introduction to Your Union - This provided a wonderful location for this course introduced new activists to The courses were delivered by a conference, encouraging participants and UFCW 401, Alberta’s largest private cross section of members who have class facilitators alike to spend the week sector union, and showed how the had facilitator training, full-time Union together bonding and picking up valuable involvement of its members is vital to Representatives, both from Local 401 information they can all take back to their our growth and effectiveness. and UFCW’s National Office, In House workplaces. We had just over 200 members Legal Counsel, WCB Advocates, and attend from all parts of the province and Health and Safety - In this course specialists from across the country. from many different workplaces. participants discussed conditions in the These included, in part, Marv Funk, workplace, legislative requirements, and Enver Harbans, and Michael Toal from The courses offered at this year’s the role of joint committees, workplace the National Office of UFCW Canada, conference were: inspections and control programs. Carl Ariston from UFCW International, Heather Grant Drury and Debbie Jones Relief Representative - This was a Finance - This course encouraged from Local 832 in Winnipeg, Kevin course designed to give activists an participants to be proactive rather than Flaherty from the Workers Health understanding of the obligations of reactive in tackling issues related to Centre, Perry Garvin from the United the union in representing the nearly their personal finances. Way, Liz Thompson from the Health 30,000 members across the province. Sciences Association of Alberta, and Course instructors provided a detailed WCB - This course provided an Amanda Friestadt from the Canadian guide to dealing with employers, fellow introduction to the rights and Labour Congress. members, grievances, as well as a responsibilities under the WCB and general understanding of why and gave members useful information to During the lunch breaks we also how we do what we do. ensure the best result when navigating brought in special speakers to inform the complexities of Alberta’s Workers’ participants about issues relevant to the Community Engagement - This course Compensation Board. union movement today. These speakers looked at the role that community included Chivers Carpenter lawyer, groups play in creating positive change Grievance and Arbitration - This course Kara O’Halloran talking about social and how UFCW 401 members can provided an introduction and overview media issues affecting our members; become active in supporting that work. of the grievance and arbitration process Alex Shevalier speaking about the so that union members can work Calgary & District Labour Council; and Together Fairness Works - Polling shows with their Shop Stewards and Union Rachel Notley NDP MLA for Edmonton that many Canadians believe that young Representatives to ensure a smooth Stathcona speaking on issues affecting workers will be worse off than their and successful process. unions in Alberta today. Rachel also parents. This course explored what talked about her bid to be the next union members can do to change that Superstore Advanced Training - This leader of the Alberta NDP. shift and build a more prosperous course focussed and expanded on the future for everyone. skills learned during regular stewards’ Left to right: training, with a focus on scheduling, Verna Breton, Michelle Cahill Attack on Workers - This course looked note taking, and investigations. at the history of conservative attacks on workers and what union members can do to effectively fight back.

18 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 We also had evening sessions where we had some very special speakers with us. Paul Meinema, UFCW Canada National President, spoke to us about the issues affecting union members across Canada. Marc Perrone, UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer, spoke about international issues and some of the things that the union is dealing with in the United States. And we also had Niki Ashton NDP MP from Churchill, Manitoba speak to our group on issues around poverty, gender equality and human rights, and women’s issues. Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill We also heard from our President Douglas O’Halloran and Theresa McLaren, Secretary-Treasurer, about the state of Local 401 and our future. Delegates were also given a special sneak peek at the new office to be built in Calgary. The presentation consisted of a video of what the building will look like and all that it will bring to the members of 401 and the broader labour movement in the province.

If you’re interested in attending the next members’ conference, it will be sometime in 2018. Though it’s a few years down the road, it’s worth making a mental note to attend. The feedback on UFCW 401 members’ conferences is always stellar. These conferences serve as a great educational opportunity as well as a great energy Doug O’Halloran, booster to revitalize the membership for the battles ahead. We hope to see you President, UFCW Local 401 at the next one.

Members engaging in Conference workshops.

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 19 A Fresh Start For Alberta? Fresh starts are like the golden goose in politics.

The high stakes and rapid pace of out funding promises and reversing marching in Pride Parades as anything politics means that mistakes will previous unpopular decisions made more than political maneuvering. One inevitably be made. And the longer by the Party in an effort to turn the can hardly blame them – fool me once you’re in the game, the faster the page on the Tories’ recent troubles. shame on you, fool me twice… mistakes seem to come. Hubris and arrogance can’t help but creep into And Prentice isn’t the only one looking Change, real change, means more your decision-making, crowding out to turn pages. After nearly grasping and than empty promises. It means more common sense and good judgment. then losing the prospect of a majority than putting on a different mask because government in the 2012 election, the polls tell you to do so. And it means But a “fresh start” can solve all of Danielle Smith and the Wildrose have more than trading in one ineffective that. Mistakes are acknowledged been examining their shortfalls and form of conservatism for a meaner, and overcome. Lessons are learned. looking for the bridge that will bring uglier variety. Past misconduct is forgiven. them into government. Enter Rachel Notley and the NDP. For every politician in a bind because Reading pretty much directly out of the of some blunder or misdeed, there is Tory playbook, Smith and her Wildrose For the past decade, Alberta’s New an army of political staffers looking colleagues are aiming to broker a bait Democrats have been plugging away for a fresh start angle to their speech and switch offer. Gone are the “lakes of at the less than glamorous task of acknowledging the trouble – a way to fire” and anti-worker rhetoric of 2012. building a political party. It’s the kind play a “get of jail free” card and hit The Wildrose Party of today is a new of building that involved slowly but the reset button. kind of party, a kinder party, and a steadily growing your membership, party of which you needn’t be scared – carefully and skillfully increasing your So it goes with Jim Prentice and the or so they’d have you believe. fundraising numbers, and intelligently Progressive Conservatives. sharpening your policy chops. But Alberta voters aren’t so easily It is probably not an overstatement to duped. While there is certainly a Those activities might not make for suggest that Alberta’s PCs experienced hunger for change in the electorate, front-page headlines – at least not in the worst hit to their reputation as both as demonstrated by the election of the immediate future – but they do a Party and government under Alison younger, forward thinking mayors and pay off considerable long-term Redford. With attacks on workers and councilors in 2013’s municipal elections, dividends. In the 2012 election, the pensions gone awry, an endless stream Albertans know all too well how easy NDP doubled its seat count and of spending scandals, and a long list it is to be sold a false bill of goods. substantially increased its vote share. of unnecessary political enemies And while (teachers, nurses, doctors, you name the province’s it), the Tories’ popularity slipped to an Real change only comes Liberals appear all time low under Redford’s leadership more deflated polling at just 26% in June 2014. when we roll up our as the days go by, the NDP But never fear, with newly minted sleeves and participate! are emerging leader Jim Prentice at the helm, all is as the only real forgiven and all is forgotten. Or, at Alison Redford’s government was alternative to the tired conservatism least, that’s what the Conservatives supposed to be a page-turning moment of the PCs and the Wildrose. would have you believe. for the province, and we’ve already established how that panned out. Having just finished up an energetic Before even getting elected to the And for all their claims to toned-down and exciting leadership race electing Legislature, Prentice spent the weeks tolerance, many Albertans have Rachel Notley the Party’s new leader following his election as leader rolling a hard time seeing the Wildrose with an impressive 70% of the vote,

20 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 A Fresh Start For Alberta? Fresh starts are like the golden goose in politics.

many are watching to see how the member Chris Written by Chris O’Halloran, Director Illustration by Joshua Rosen NDP aims to carry its momentum Neilson recently forward into 2016. With polls showing became the NDP candidate the Party in a stronger position than in Edmonton Decore after spending ever, especially in Edmonton and considerable time building the Leaders come and leaders go. As Lethbridge, there may just be a great riding association. former NDP leader Brian Mason deal to watch unfolding before us. noted before his departure, over the Speaking about his involvement in course of his leadership, he addressed Certainly UFCW Local 401 members the political process, Chris noted, five different PC Premiers in the increasingly see the NDP as their “As a Local 401 activist, I was Legislature. And despite all their heady preferred option for making change. committed to improving working promises, little has changed in Alberta. Numerous members have gotten conditions for hard working Albertans involved in the Party, building both union and non-union alike. Despite popular belief to the contrary, constituency associations around Becoming a decision-maker was the it is people who ultimately drive the province, including longer-term next logical step to creating those politics, not politicians. The grassroots members like Garry Pucci and newer improvements. participation in which Chris and other members like Denis Sidlin. UFCW members have been engaged is what members like Angela Fiddler, Darcy The Local’s political involvement gave truly creates long lasting changes in Theissen, Juanita O’Reilly, Emily me the opportunity to see firsthand the political landscape of a province. Shannon, and John Fata also got what it takes to create meaningful involved in the leadership race, change by working on Deron Bilous’ Increasingly, Albertans interested in working on Rachel Notley and campaign. I’m now fully committed to that kind of engagement are finding David Eggen’s campaigns. duplicating that work and success in a home with the NDP. Through their Edmonton Decore and all over Alberta continued work, Alberta’s fresh start One UFCW 401 member took leading up to the election in 2016. may wind up being of an entirely his involvement a step further by Real change only comes when we different variety than Jim Prentice or becoming a candidate. Long time roll up our sleeves and participate!” Danielle Smith are envisioning.

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 21 Bargaining Strong Together for Gateway Casino Employees in Edmonton Written by Christine McMeckan, Communications Representative

Palace and Baccarat they are less likely to adopt the sort “By failing to negotiate fairly at the of bargaining positions that force Palace they have protracted bargaining Employees Speak in Unison vulnerable workers into going on strike. unnecessarily. This has put workers The history of the NDF bears out in a position where they can demand Employees at the Baccarat Casino the this principle. The overwhelming fairness from two vantage points at in downtown Edmonton have now majority of workers who have joined the same time.” And indeed Baccarat commenced union negotiations the NDF have never had a strike or and Palace employees are shouting with their Employer. Palace Casino a lockout. When there has been a very loudly for respect and dignity in employees at West Edmonton Mall dispute, the NDF has ensured that the the workplace. have been in bargaining for a long workers’ actions were successful and time, struggling to conclude that their economic needs were met Watching this unfold will be of a Collective Agreement with while on picket lines. special interest to Edmontonians. Gateway Casinos. West Edmonton Mall is a high profile Baccarat and Palace employees are tourist attraction and the Palace Gateway has been very difficult to also likely headed toward taking a Casino is located there. The Baccarat deal with at the bargaining table and strike vote. Hesse says, “This is part Casino is situated in the midst of the continues to face charges of unfair two of the workers’ message. They are development of the new downtown labour practices at the Alberta anxious to tell Palace and Baccarat hockey arena and entertainment Labour Relations Board. management that unless they are complex. Can you imagine the treated better, they are not afraid to controversy that will be associated Employees at both the Baccarat and threaten to withdraw their labour.” with the picket line at that location? the Palace are now considering joining the National Defense Fund (NDF). The Palace and Baccarat bargaining are Edmonton’s Gateway Casinos workers NDF is a special multi-million dollar not joined as one in any formal way. are no strangers to standing up for strike fund, sponsored by the UFCW However, as their negotiations are their rights and pushing back when that allows workers from now taking place simultaneously, it Palace and Baccarat management across Canada access PALACE & BACCARAT EMPLOYEES puts Gateway at risk of facing two act in either aggressive or dismissive to additional strike STRIKE PAY, KNOW THAT potential disputes at both of their ways. Holding their employer benefits in case there GATEWAY CASINOS BENEFITS, IT’S TIME TO BUILD Edmonton locations. “Workers from accountable has been something IS A PROFITABLE COMPANY- AND THE NDF is a dispute. The great THEY’VE IGNORED $12 per hour - TAX FREE both locations have similar issues and that Palace employees are certainly THEIR ALBERTA WORKERS Upon the start of the 4th week, should a strike THE POT thing about joining last that long, you will get a $2 per hour raise, concerns,” says Hesse. “They both familiar with and Baccarat employees FAR TOO LONG! to $14 per hour for picket pay! the NDF, says UFCW Palace and Baccarat workers’ concerns are falling on $200 per week - EXTRA - from the NDF work for the same company.” are just as determined to fight for deaf ears. Here’s just a few things we’ve raised that (Full-time employees) Vote ‘YES’ your employer is ignoring: Executive Director $100 per week - EXTRA - from the NDF fairness and respect in their casino. 1. Strong union visibility and voice in the (Part-time employees) For the NDF workplace. You are entitled to a stronger union presence. (NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND) of Labour Relations, $50 per week per dependent Gateway is spending money in British 2. Bright future. Where will you be working in the future? You are entitled to know. Thomas Hesse, is *Coverage for necessary prescriptions. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee Columbia and Ontario, expanding their Stand with Baccarat and 3. A better working environment. Your safety PER WEEK, you can have economic peace and security matter. of mind and make Gateway finally sit up that it can be viewed *Coverage in the event of emergency dental care. and pay attention! businesses, but they are seemingly Palace workers and 4. Improved casino leadership. The employer demands that you perform at a high level and *You can picket up to 60 hours per week providing as an effective way senior managerial officials are not doing so. you don’t makewould more have on the at picketwork. line than you indifferent to the legitimate and stay tuned for more as 5. Wages and benefits need to be improved. to AVOID a strike. The company is not offering a single improvement ALL THIS FOR THE COST OF A SINGLE to wages and benefits after months of bargaining PER WEEK - AND reasonable concerns of the staff this evolves. with their Palace workers. LOONIE FOR PART-TIME AND A SINGLE TOONIE FOR FULL-TIME – When employers see IT’S TAX DEDUCTIBLE! With 9 casinos, 3 community gaming centres, 22 at both their Edmonton casinos. restaurants, 10 bars, 7 live entertainment venues, and their eye on expansion into Ontario, Gateway that employees are can afford to be a responsible employer. They are “The employer has created this a major player in a lucrative industry! strong, committed They’re not a publicly traded company and their circumstance,” says Hesse. profits remain a secret but their expansion efforts Need more information? Contact Us! show they have the money to invest in both their Email: [email protected] and will not be operations AND their employees. 14040-128 Ave By joining the NDF, Alberta’s Gateway Casinos workers Edmonton, AB T5L 4M8 walked over, will have a fighting chance to take on an elite player in 780-452-0362 the gaming industry!

IT’S TIME TO SEND A MESSAGE TO GATEWAY! Vote YES for the NDF

22 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 And Our iPad Contest Winner is… Written by Christine McMeckan, Communications Representative THOMAS STEWART!

In our last edition of Your Voice we asked members to write to us with their stories about how belonging to UFCW 401 has changed or improved their lives. We promised the winner would be the lucky recipient of an iPad.

The calibre of entries was so impressive that we decided to also award 2 runner-up prizes of a $50 Superstore gift card and a UFCW 401 jacket to each.

Thomas Stewart, however, was the contest winner and took home an iPad and a 401 jacket. Thomas’ entry titled, Are Unions Really Needed Today: YOU BET! earned him top honours and was also featured in one of our bi-weekly e-news editions sent to members on our email list in September. Thomas simply took the time to relate his personal experience about his interactions with his union and how he was assisted during difficult circumstances, coming to realize that unions are as relevant today as they’ve ever been.

Thanks so much to all who entered the contest. We had a very tough decision to make but we were thrilled with all the participation. Keep your eye outIt’s for easy, future it’s contests fun and andyou makecould surewalk you away participate with some for pretty your coolchance swag! to win, just like Thomas did.

New Energy. New Leadership.

Rachel Notley AlbertaNDP.ca | @AlbertaNDP | FB.com/AlbertaNDP This article was supposed to review significant cases fought by the labour movement in 2014 . There were many such cases across the country in the past year but I only have room to provide you with the highlights . My hope is that these cases will be ones that are relevant and of interest to you, our UFCW 401 Legal Counsel by Kevin Tamblyn, Written members . While this was supposed to be about 2014 cases, there were The Year in Review some notable ones that 1. Privacy & Freedom of Protection Amendment Act) matter affecting workers Expression Rights adds to the Act is narrow and across the country, came out in 2013 as well . Last fall, the Supreme Court full of limitations. It narrowly so stay tuned for more on This article will review cases of Canada (SCC) came out applies to unions and only this ongoing battle. from the Courts, Labour with their decision in the case during a labour dispute when of the union is informing or Drug testing in the workplace Relations Boards as well as Alberta (Information and Privacy Commissioner) v. persuading the public about has been a hot issue for the Arbitration Boards . UFCW Local 401. This case a matter of significant public past few years with many has been reported on in great interest or importance. To cases having been decided at All of these cases loosely detail in other issues of this add insult to injury, the bill various levels of Court as well publication and I will not go also leaves it to the Privacy as before Labour Arbitrators. fall into several categories . into detail here. Suffice it to Commissioner to determine Employers want to be able to They are, 1 . Privacy Rights . say that while we were indeed what expression is reasonable randomly test their employees 2 . Human Rights . And, in violation of the poorly and we all know how that for drugs and alcohol in crafted PIPA at the time, the went the last time the Privacy the workplace. They say it 3 . Union Representation Supreme Court ultimately held Commissioner decided on is imperative to ensure the Rights . Due to space the Act is unconstitutional. these matters. Thus, Bill 3 safety of workers and protect limitations, here you will The Court struck down the does little to remedy the Act’s their property. Unions take find a brief summary entire PIPA but gave the restriction on unions’ freedom the position that mandatory Alberta government a year of expression, and nothing testing is a gross violation of of legal cases we have to fix it. That year expired to remedy its restrictions on employees’ personal privacy. recently faced . on November 15 and with the freedom of expression of How would you like to be our unelected Premier, Jim other advocacy, lobby, public forced to pee in a cup or give Prentice, proroguing the fall interest, social, and labour up your blood when you have legislative session and the SCC groups. Essentially, our fear is done nothing wrong? When granting their request for a that this bill leaves PIPA as is Suncor Energy Inc. wanted to six-month extension to fix the and consequently invites more randomly test its employees, Act, they have now introduced Charter litigation to ensure UNIFOR (formerly CEP) and passed Bill 3 as their the constitutionally protected Local 707 took them on. response to the SCC decision, right to freedom of expression Suncor wanted to exploit though it still requires Royal is respected. We continue the lengthy delays in the Ascent. The exception Bill to intervene and shape the arbitration process in order 3 (Personal Information landscape on this important to get its plan established.

24 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 Local 707 applied for and Court of Appeal decided the its way up to the Supreme remedy will be ordered for won an injunction, thus case of Johnstone v. Canada Court of Canada and the the union and its members. preventing Suncor from (Border Services Agency). union won. The Supreme implementing their scheme The court found that under Court found that the union UFCW Local 401 was until the issue was decided appropriate circumstances, required its members’ also successful this year at arbitration. The Alberta child care responsibilities contact information in order in helping to protect the Court of Appeal found that are covered under the to do its job of representing rights of workers to be without the injunction, the protected ground of “Family them, a job which was represented by a union. Local employees would suffer Status Discrimination” in the mandatory under the labour 401 was in the midst of an irreparable harm. The court Human Rights legislation. laws. It held that to properly organizing drive to unionize stated, “the non-consensual Thus, if the required criteria do its job, the union had to the employees of “iHotel 67 taking of bodily fluids is are met the employer must be on the same footing as the Street”, a large hotel in Red a substantial affront to an accommodate an employee employer who already had Deer. Hotel management individual’s privacy rights”. in these circumstances by access to the information. found out about their When the case got before giving them a work schedule employees’ efforts to join a an Arbitrator on its merits, that allows them to care for The UFCW Local 503 v. union and began a reign of the union won again. The their children. The employee Walmart Canada case was terror against the employees arbitrator found that Suncor however, must meet a stiff also heard by the Supreme involved in the drive. It had had not proven there was test including showing that Court of Canada this year. closed door meetings with a serious enough problem it is a last resort. UFCW Local 503 was all employees where threats with drugs and alcohol in certified to represent the and intimidation tactics the workplace to justify the 3. Union employees of a Walmart were used to discourage serious invasion of privacy Representation Rights store in Jonquiere, Quebec. employees from supporting rights inherent in random Unions have long had Walmart is famously the union. Ultimately, testing. He found that there difficulty obtaining the anti-union and refused several employees were was no proven connection necessary information to negotiate a first Union fired for supporting between drug and alcohol we need from employers Contract with the union. the union. The Alberta abuse and accidents in the to enable us to properly The Quebec Labour Board Labour Relations Board workplace sufficient to justify represent our members. imposed a Union Contract found that the hotel’s actions the invasion of privacy. This Even such simple things and Walmart promptly closed were illegal. It declared that follows recent decisions as phone numbers and the store putting hundreds the employees had a right by the Supreme Court addresses have been an issue of employees out of work. to be reinstated with back of Canada. on occasion. The case of UFCW filed a complaint that pay for the wages they lost. Bernard v. Canada raised a this closure was illegal and The union was entitled to 2. Human Rights whole new twist in the saga. the case finally found its way costs from the hotel and In the past, if an employee In that case, the employer up to the Supreme Court. was given the right to have wasn’t able to work her wanted to provide basic The Supreme Court agreed closed door meetings with scheduled shifts due to child contact information to the with the union and declared the employees of the hotel to care responsibilities she was union but the employee, the closure to be illegal. We repair the damage done by out of luck and could be Ms. Bernard, objected. The are still waiting to hear what the hotel’s tactics. fired. These types of cases employer honoured her were relatively common. wishes and refused to provide Everything changed, contact information to the however, when the Federal union. This case wound Overall, 2014 was a good year for unions in the fight to protect the important rights of workers!

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 25 NEW WEBSITE COMING LGBTQ* SOON PEER SUPPORT LINE 1.877.OUT.IS.OK EVERY DAY 5-10 P.M. 1.877.688.4765

CALGARYOUTLINK.CA Labour Movement Word Search Search for words by reading forward, backward, up, Word WondermentHave you ever wondered where the down, and diagonally but always in a straight line. word ‘boycott’ comes from? Its usage Using the list below circle as you find them and then dates back to late 1800s Ireland and a cross them out in the list. boycott landlord by the name of Charles BALLOT HOURS SCHOLARSHIPS Boycott. Boycott became the subject of the Three Fs campaign (fair rent, BARGAINING HUMAN RIGHTS SHOP STEWARD fixity of tenure, free sale) by the Irish Land League in an effort to win BENEFIT JOIN US SICK PAY greater rights for tenants in the country. COLLECTIVE LABOUR DAY SOLIDARITY After Boycott refused to provide reductions in rents to farmers who COMMITTEES MEMBERS STRIKE had suffered poor crops on land he managed, the Land League started DIGNITY PENSION UFCW a community-based campaign to deny Boycott all conceivable local EDUCATION PRIDE UNION services in order to pressure him on the decision. ENGAGEMENT PROUD VACATION The campaign gained international attention and eventually led to the EQUALITY RAND FORMULA VOLUNTEER implementation of the Land Law (Ireland) Act of 1881, which secured FAIRNESS RESPECT VOTE substantial reforms for Irish tenants and is considered one of the GO UNION SAFETY WAGES most important pieces of legislation enacted by the British House of GRIEVANCE SCAB WORKPLACE Commons in that period of time. HEALTH SCHEDULES YOUR VOICE To this day, boycotts are used to pressure unreasonable employers, such as the Labatt workers’ call for a national boycott on all Labatt products E Q U A L I T Y P R O U D G U N I O N during their protracted dispute with the employer. A O M P S S D R T S E C N A V E I R G Word Scramble Z K I V U I N Z M I T S N O Y I P O N Unscramble below to find an informative labour term. B X Q N G O T E S Y R O P W N Z E B I hapsicslohsr H K I N I Y M X O V I A E E X M N M N ______P O I N W B E R E T O V D L C W S T I ndar mlafuor J T U I E U D O A Y I G P I K T I Y A ______Y O U R V O I C E T Y W M F L F O A G G L S Y S O U O C E C J N I E O N D R The Scab E L S U S D L E C F A I R N E S S R A “After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, he K A E A E Z L U U A E L E W T W O U B had some awful stuff left with which he made a SCAB.” I B G V H L R F N S W B I A C O Q O U “A SCAB is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a waterlogged brain, and a combination backbone made of jelly and glue. Where others R N A E O H E A L T H M E R I R G B E have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles... T A W C O M M I T T E E S I C K P A Y NEW Judas Iscariot was a gentleman WEBSITE compared to a SCAB. For S H O P S T E W A R D E D I R P U L N COMING betraying his master he had the character to hang himself - the O R A L U M R O F D N A R F N L B G O SOON SCAB hasn’t... There is nothing S E L U D E H C S T H G I R N A M U H lower than a SCAB.” - Jack London LGBTQ* S C H O L A R S H I P S F Q I C E A K PEER SUPPORT LINE N O I T A C A V E N G A G E M E N T L

Members Quotation Rows Letters in each vertical row fit into the squares directly below them but are in a mixed order. A black square indicates the end of a word. When the letters are in their correct 1.877.OUT.IS.OK location you will be able to read a quotation from left to right. Good luck! T H T R C R I A C I A H A I E T L T H I F R E A P I E S Y M V E R R O EVERY DAY 5-10 P.M. 1.877.688.4765 T P O H E A S A T G N G U T I A N I A N E O R M B D L R O O E E E A S T E O U E N R O M M N H N U I E S B L M S E V R L O N K P I N E G B S T I N G T O E N E M R A CALGARYOUTLINK.CA

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 27 401 EVENTS CALENDAR january

1 New Year’s Day 5 – 9 Safeway-Sobeys Negotiating Meetings – Calgary 19 – 23 Safeway-Sobeys Negotiating Meetings – Calgary 19 Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday 20 Education Course – Superstore Communications Steward – Edmonton 22 Education Course – Superstore Communications Steward – Calgary 27 International Day in Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust 27 Union General Membership Meeting – Edmonton 27 – 29 Education Course – Federal Health and Safety – Calgary 28 Union General Membership Meeting – Calgary 28 Union General Membership Meeting – Lloydminster 29 Union General Membership Meeting – Grande Prairie 29 Union General Membership Meeting – Red Deer february

2 Union General Membership Meeting – Lethbridge 2 Union General Membership Meeting – Banff 2 Union General Membership Meeting – Beaver River Lodge 2 Union General Membership Meeting – Conklin Lodge 3 Union General Membership Meeting – Camrose 3 Union General Membership Meeting – Taber 3 Union General Membership Meeting – Devon Lodge 3-4 Education Course – Superstore Basic Steward Training – Calgary 4 Union General Membership Meeting – Medicine Hat 5 Union General Membership Meeting – Fort McMurray (Safeway/Superstore) 4 Union General Membership Meeting – Canmore 4 Union General Membership Meeting – Hinton 6 Union General Membership Meeting – Aramark Long Lake 9 Union General Membership Meeting – Henday Lodge 9 – 13 Safeway-Sobeys Negotiating Meetings – Edmonton 10 Union General Membership Meeting – Brooks 10 Union General Membership Meeting – Wapasu West 11 Union General Membership Meeting – Wapasu Main/East 14 Valentine’s Day 16 Family Day 19 Chinese New Year 20 World Day of Social Justice

Don’t forget to check your union bulletin board or ufcw401.ca for updates or changes to 401 events.

28 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 401 EVENTS CALENDAR 401 EVENTS CALENDAR march 1 Zero Discrimination Day (UNAIDS)

8 International Women’s Day

17 Education Course – Superstore Membership Engagement Steward – Edmonton

19 Education Course – Superstore Membership Engagement Steward – Calgary

24 Union General Membership Meeting – Edmonton

25 Union General Membership Meeting – Calgary

26 Union General Membership Meeting – Grande Prairie

26 Union General Membership Meeting – Red Deer

21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

22 World Water Day

30 Union General Membership Meeting – Beaver River Lodge

31 Union General Membership Meeting – Camrose

Don’t forget to check your union bulletin board or ufcw401.ca for updates or changes to 401 events

advocacy Community service

Rights RESPECT Fight Back

For more info: 1.780.966.5908 www.migrante.ca [email protected]

“We dream of a society where families are not broken up by urgent need for survival. We dream and actively work for a homeland where there are opportunities for everyone to live a decent humane life.” UFCW 401’s New Website Launch… COMING SOON! We are very excited to announce the launch of our new and improved UFCW Local 401 website. You can still find us at the same web addresses (gounion.ca or ufcw401.ca), but the site will have a whole new look and feel. More importantly, there will be many exciting changes that will assist 401 members in their interactions with the local union, as well as improving access to services.

Our website, originally launched in August 2003, has served many useful purposes. The ability to communicate with you on important matters like negotiations updates, benefits information, various educational opportunities, grievance and arbitration wins, who your Rep is and how to reach them have all been core functions of the website to date. While these remain important functions, trends and technologies change and the services UFCW offers have evolved and grown exponentially. As a result, our website is being reinvented in order to meet the changing needs of our ever-growing membership.

Navigation will be easier and the entire website will have a cleaner, slicker look that is very user friendly, with direct connections to various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will also have a much-improved advanced search feature that will get you where you need to go for all the information you want!

We know that more and more members today are using their cell phones and tablets to access information and so our new site will be far more user friendly for those devices. Known as “mobile aware” technology, it will be much simpler to navigate your union’s website from your phone. Staying connected to your union through this new website will be easier than ever.

Are you on a jointly trusteed union/employer benefit plan? You will soon be able to have plan information at your fingertips. Additionally, there will be no more waiting for forms or hunting them down in your workplace. Instead, you’ll be able to download those forms directly from our website so you can submit your claims that much faster.

Helpful tools like the ability for you to report an address, phone number, or email change already exist on our site, but we’re trying to go further with what you can do online.

For example, do you qualify for the union dues rebate program? You’ll soon be able to apply online by simply filling out your information on an easy to use form. Just fill in the necessary fields, scan your pay stubs, and press “send”. It’s an easy way to get your dues rebate without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

We’re also very excited to announce that soon you’ll be able to access most union contracts on the new website. You’ll simply search your workplace in the new and improved search engine and find a downloadable PDF copy of your union contract. This will be an invaluable tool for you in your workplace. Written by Christine McMeckan, Communications Representative Written

30 your voice •• ufcw401.ca •• January 2015 Any questions you may have about rates of pay, benefits or rights you enjoy being a UFCW 401 member can be answered by pulling up your union contract on your smart phone in your lunchroom at work (for example) in just seconds. And with the advanced word search feature available in PDF documents, you can find answers to your questions even faster.

Another very handy and important tool for members will be the Google translate option. We have a diverse membership of almost 30,000 members and many speak languages other than English. This creates a challenge that we were very keen to meet. We want to communicate with everyone as best we can and this translation feature will allow for quick translation throughout many areas of the website.

Another brand new feature that we hope to roll out in 2015 is the introduction of a “Stewards’ Lounge”. This will be a place where Shop Stewards can have discussions with each other on a variety of workplace issues, exchange information and documents and help each other by providing support on a variety of matters. This would be a special section dedicated specifically to Stewards in order to support their efforts in the workplace.

Once this is set up, we’ll ensure the Stewards around the province are made aware, have the opportunity to get a sign in ID, and begin getting plugged in to the wealth of knowledge around the province.

We are confident that you will find UFCW 401’s new website an important and useful part of your work life. We are always looking for ways to better communicate with and support our members and this will be yet another tool for doing so.

Watch for a BIG CONTEST coming soon to celebrate and promote the launch of the new website!

There will be BIG PRIZES! Please help spread the word. But for now, please go to: gounion.ca/stayconnected and submit your email address to us, if you have not already, and get regular updates from us, including an important alert to the contest and website launch.

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 31 Local 401 Communications Department: Today and where we are going

UFCW Local 401 is a changing union in a changing UFCW 401 fights to ensure its members receive fair Alberta. Recently, it seems as though life in this treatment, wages and benefits at their workplaces as province means the only thing you can count on to part of the 401 Union Advantage we offer. We do not be consistent is that change will happen soon in your exclude anyone from our membership based on their life or at your job. Big or small, change is coming and differences, cultural or otherwise, because we know it is coming fast. The best way to be prepared for this diversity keeps us strong as a union. That is the change is to be informed about what it is that might 401 Union Promise that keeps us progressive and impact you and to know the solutions available to that our members have come to expect of us. a union is a you should you need them in making the best decisions for yourself and your family. Over the years, we have consistently shown an ability to adapt and grow as a union, while improving Many of our members have reached out to us via the working lives of our members and all workers in living, breathing their Union Representatives and email to ask us Alberta. That is why we have been around for more questions about these changes as they impact their than fifty years now. rights and benefits at work. The UFCW Local 401 thing made Communications Department has found that by way It is a value that President Doug O’Halloran has of their questions, our members have provided instilled in his departments in order to produce the valuable feedback to us as a department to help boldest and most direct voice in our communications. us understand the best ways we can reach our What makes Local 401 uniquely successful as a up of a living, membership in our communications efforts. As such, labour union is that we are always looking forward and over this past year our department has strategized acquiring better tools and resources to wage the battle new ways to communicate with our membership in that is the defence of your human rights and dignity in order to keep them informed of the most relevant the workplace. breathing issues affecting them. You may have already noticed a difference in the way we communicate to you The past few years have brought unique challenges as we implement new tools best able to meet the to the UFCW Local 401 Communications Department. transforming needs of our rapidly growing membership We have had to develop an effective communications membership across the province. strategy to connect with our members in the particularly remote areas of our province, as well As the voice of working Alberta, we see change as the many members of our union with English as everyday and are trying to to embody that change. a second or even third language. In response, we After all, a union is a living, breathing thing made up have adapted our communications efforts to become of a living, breathing membership. In our case, the a bigger, faster, stronger union. We have expanded membership of Local 401 is greatly increasing in the range of tools we use to reach even the most size, and as that happens we want to ensure that remote members and have succeeded in engaging we maintain the same level of excellent service we members of all ages on our social media networks like have always provided to our members. Like all living Facebook, Twitter and our website ufcw401.ca. The things born to change, we must continue to evolve as department has also had great success in delivering a union that reflects its membership’s needs in order the latest by-the-minute news to our savvy members to remain an effective, strong and united organization, who are connected via email subscription to our as is our mandate. e-news letters and press releases.

UFCW Local 401 is not just the leading major union As part of the effort to strengthen communications to in Alberta; we are also the largest private sector our membership, President Doug O’Halloran has been union in the province. We are dynamic in our planning successfully blogging on the Huffington Post Alberta and aggressive when it comes to protecting your and has had stories featured in other major news Written by Chris O’Halloran, Director Written rights as a worker, never shying away from the tough publications. Active on Twitter, President O’Halloran matters or cases. often provides hard-hitting commentary on the news

32 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 of the day while defending the rights of 401 members in his tweets. In in Edmonton and Calgary to those in the most remote areas of Fort this successful recent effort to keep you connected, we see the benefit McMurray. and dedicated accomplishments of the 2010-2011 staffing additions As we build this new programing, we will tailor our training and courses to the communications team who have utilized their unique skills to to the unique workplaces different members face to better demonstrate move our department forward. Local 401 Graphic Designer Cori Torres the scope of knowledge required for that environment.” and Communications Representatives Christine McMeckan and Scott Payne have proven invaluable assets to the department and have 2015 will usher in another major communications upgrade delivered a new calibre of communications outreach to our members. that members have been asking for with the launch of the new UFCW Local 401 website, whose innovative design has In 2015, we are making even more changes to modernise and better been chaired by Graphic Designer Cori Torres. The new website target our communications to members. We do all of this with the will feature a mobile friendly design and be an easy to use tool for constant goal in mind to inform the members of the excellent services members to access the latest information related to their workplace, and free educational programs available to them via UFCW Local 401. their union and their right to fair treatment. This major project will That is why we have streamlined the Communications and Education revamp the existing website and is expected to be a highlight departments into one unit that will more effectively respond to the accomplishment of the department this coming year. 2015 will needs of our membership and provide overall better services. The new also see 401 intensify its visual messaging by engaging members Communications and Education department welcomes the addition of with new platforms and programs on social media to keep up Communications and Education Representatives Lama Alsafi and Cam with the pace with our new website and popular quarterly Sherk, who brings with him years of experience in project design and publication, Your Voice magazine. course management. This year, 401 will launch even more initiatives aimed at improving Free continuing educational classes, workshops and seminars the local communities that 401 represents in Calgary, Edmonton, for members will continue to be a priority for UFCW Local 401 as Fort McMurray, Lethbridge and Brooks. Our Community Action we implement our new communications and education strategy in Network (CAN) Committee is going strong and has had many 2015. 401 members have the opportunity to advance their skills and successful community outreach campaigns this year with fantastic education with day and evening courses that will help them grow and community engagement results. The Local 401 Communications succeed in their career. It is more important now than ever for you and Education department will increase its technical support to to keep your skills up to date as a worker. That is why Local 401 has CAN Committee in order to focus on community service and member been focused on improving the range of educational programing we appreciation. UFCW 401 strongly believes in the importance of offer and expanding the type of courses on hand to better reflect the showing our local communities, our members and their families knowledge requested by members. our gratitude for their loyalty and continued support. So this coming year, look forward to more community and member appreciation Based on feedback received from our members, the local union’s events coming to an area near you. new Communications and Education department will oversee the development of new educational courses that will provide workplace The 401 Communications and Education department will continue to specific training, some of which has already been rolled out and will look to our members to provide us with the same valuable feedback continue into early 2015. UFCW 401 President Doug O’Halloran that we have received over the last year as we implement our new hopes these courses will give members access to new knowledge strategy to better serve our members. As always, we want to hear from and life skills that will increase their career potential. “Education of our you on social media and through our website. We encourage you to membership will be a key focus of our department in the coming year,” engage with us this coming year as we grow and change together. said President O’Halloran. He continues, “For this project to succeed, it is key that we extend our educational reach to all members, from those

Interested in improving your skills and knowledge on the job? Then talk to your Union Representative to find out what upcoming free educational courses are available in your area. For the latest news and updates, including labour news, negotiations, general membership meetings, events and If you are not already connected to us through one of strikes then please follow UFCW Local 401 our social media networks or receiving the latest news and Local 401 President Doug O’Halloran on via email subscription and need help in connecting, Twitter at: @ufcw401 and @DougOHalloran. please contact your Union Representative today to help you sign up to our electronic mailing list.

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ufcw401.ca Facebook: facebook.com/ufcw401 Twitter: twitter.com/ufcw401

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 33 14 Negotiati r 20 U 01 ons fo FCW Local 4 Highlights sy and ar Bu Fruit Ye Another ful

e iv at nt se re ep Wr afii, n R itten by Lama Als atio C Educ ommunications and

UFCW Local 401 Executive Director As UFCW Local 401 has continued the of Labour Relations, Tom Hesse. In effort over these past months to secure n old friend of mine used this experience, I was struck by the better conditions and treatment for to say that you never get determination exhibited by the 401 Palace Casino workers, I have come to handed to you in life what you members on the committee as they see the sheer dedication of the Local 401 deserve, you get what you fought for a better Union Contract and negotiations committee as they daily face negotiate,A and so you should never be a well-funded and often manipulative fair access to their health benefits. afraid of a little fight. It is a sentiment opponent across the negotiating table. that has run through my head during A short time after these negotiations, However, we know that with the win- the process of becoming a newly hired I was granted a backstage tour of the record of 401 Negotiators, soon this member of the UFCW Local 401 team Gateway owned and operated Palace brave and defiant campaign by UFCW as a Communications and Education Casino located at the West Edmonton members working in the Palace Casino Representative. My introduction to the Mall. I got to meet 401 members in the will be looked upon as a worthwhile union has allowed me the pleasure Casino, as well as have a first hand look part of the journey to secure that better of meeting many knowledgeable and at the working environment they faced. future they deserve for themselves and forward-thinking 401 colleagues who I My well-informed tour guide, Local their families. Beyond everything, this is am enthusiastic to work alongside with in 401 Communications Representative the goal that UFCW Local 401 works to the mission to provide the best service to Christine McMeckan, pointed out achieve for our membership. Local 401 members. key details along our tour through the neglected casino where I was shown It is a thought for Gateway workers to This past October in Edmonton, I got carpets on the gaming floors that are especially consider as the possibility of my first chance to see 401 labour secured by duct-tape and where other a dispute looms larger for them and as negotiations in action while representing ramshackle infrastructure leaves the we now take a look at an overview of the Communications Department at a temperature on the floor so hot at times the year’s main events in negotiations round of negotiations between Gateway that it has impacted the health of workers for the Local in this issue of Your Voice. Casinos and the 401 Palace Casino and 401 members. Notably, many of the developments to Bargaining Committee, steered by report this year have come as a result of

34 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 o the previous labour disputes 401 workers u it. got 014 r fru Ne iatio r 2 have won against employers, proving that p bear 1 n fo our past victories continue to bear fruit. as o UF 40 s H ts t vi ue t CW Local ighligh This year, we see multiple employers ctories contin such as Old Dutch Foods in Calgary, McKesson Canada and Gate Gourmet in • And improved Union Edmonton all achieving a Union Contract Representation language. In Safeway, we find an unprincipled during the bargaining process, whereas employer demanding many concessions inprevious negotiations, 401 members Similarly, Mckesson Canada employees that Safeway employees have strongly have had to go on strike in order to secure in Edmonton who had an extended strike resisted; these include eliminating a fairly negotiated agreement with these during preceding negotiations have won department managers from the union same employers. an improved Union Contract without a and awarding suppliers the right to strike or delay this year. According to stock shelves. Both moves, according In his report on 401 negotiations this Clarke, the issues in the last strike, “were to Secretary Treasurer McLaren, are year, Lee Clarke, Local 401 Negotiator monetarily based; employees were being designed to severely cut the hours notes, “Many other agreements were paid much less than other employees of hard working employees. Safeway ratified this year around the province, were being paid under the McKesson dubiously reasons that this will lessen but I chose to focus on Old Dutch, banner in other jurisdictions and under the impact of the unfair advantage McKesson and Gate Gourmet because of different Union Contracts. The employees Safeway suffers in the market at the the history of struggles we have had with had had enough and went out on strike. hands of their competitors. Contradicting those employers in past negotiations. Hostilities and bad feelings have built up this tired Safeway company line, Any time you have a labour dispute with over the years and continue to this day.” Secretary Treasurer McLaren reminds a particular group, you are never really Nevertheless, Mckesson workers are now us that through her years of experience, sure what to expect the next time you enjoying the benefits of their new Union “concessions are simply not needed in go into negotiations. Not only did we get Contract that include, “improved part-time the economic climate of today’s Alberta.” agreements without labour disputes this scheduling, increases in shift premiums, time around, but we were able to achieve improved vacation language, bereavement On the importance of a strike vote for good Union Contracts at that.” allowances and benefits as well as Safeway, Secretary Treasurer McLaren percentage increases in each year of a explains, “a strong strike vote is the On June 5, despite a lengthy strike during four-year deal,” said Negotiator Clarke. hammer we need at the negotiating table the last round of negotiations over the and sends a strong and clear message to critical matter of Union Representation, The same can be said for employees the employer that the employees are not Old Dutch workers won a tentative of Gate Gourmet in Edmonton who prepared to accept concessions to their four-year Union Contract with multiple Clarke says have gained in their new Union Contract. A strike vote is a critical advancements, such as a three per cent Union Contract, “improved overtime message to send to the employer that wage increases every year and for every and vacation scheduling, better rest needs to come directly from the members wage grouping including premium and provisions, improved leaves of absence themselves because they are the union,” retroactive increases. This contract also and bereavement provisions, improved said Secretary Treasurer McLaren. The achieves: grievance language, improvements in other hammer the Safeway membership • An employee rights clause; dental coverage as well as other benefits has, according to the Secretary Treasurer is that they now are members of the • Language to ensure members and wage increases in each year of a National Defense Fund (NDF). “This is a receive a payout of each year’s three-year deal.” special Fund where part-time employees unused vacation pay; Safeway pay one dollar per week and full-time • A direct bill drug card; Looking to Safeway negotiations, UFCW employees pay two dollars per week into • Impr oved overtime scheduling and Local 401 Secretary Treasurer Theresa the Fund. In the event there would be a seniority rights; McLaren explains that though the same strike, the Fund pays extra picket pay, • Better scheduling provisions; players are at the table, the new company legal expenses, and a magnitude of other costly items. When a company knows • Full time protection for weekly owner has created an environment for you belong to such a huge Fund they hours; negotiations where deceptive practices and lack of progress have led many tend to be more serious at the bargaining • Leaves of absence and Safeway workers to showing frustration table, especially after a strong strike bereavement leave; not witnessed by Secretary Treasurer vote,” said Secretary Treasurer McLaren. • Increased RRSP contribution; McLaren since the mid-1990s. The Secretary Treasurer further notes,

Janaury 2015 • ufcw401.ca • your voice 35 “I am confident that the Safeway We need to hold your employer Now, 401 members at the Palace and members will give us a strong strike vote accountable to what they agreed to at the Baccarat are creating a network of Occupational if asked to do so in order to strengthen bargaining table, so tell a Shop Steward solidarity between them similar to that Health & Safety our position at the bargaining table.” or call the union when the company is seen at Superstore before its recent She adds, “Safeway workers should rest not following the contract. The hard- major, and decidedly short, strike. assured knowing that your Bargaining fought victories achieved by your union “Our united voice is putting a new kind Committee, with the support of the committee at the bargaining table are of pressure on Gateway as members membership, will continue toward our only words on paper unless we hold the have considered joining the National goal of achieving an improved (not employer accountable to them.” Defense Fund, a contingency financial concessionary) Union Contract.” resource given to workers in case of a Fair “Executive Director Tom Hesse agrees, strike with their employer,” said Superstore noting that successful implementation Executive Director Hesse. Compensation Executive Director of Labour Relations, of the Union Contract at Superstore is Tom Hesse says Superstore is an something that can only be achieved by 401 members at Gateway have shown employer who has come to understand the strength through solidarity equation. strong interest in joining the NDF the strength 401 members have when “When the rubber hits the road, solidarity throughout their participation in the standing together. “Unions are about will be the key to implement changes on union’s democratic process in which solidarity and success through solidarity such things as enforcement of rights, they have considered contributing to the – united we bargain, divided we beg,” information sharing and allowing Steward Fund. As these workers negotiate their said Hesse noting that this equation of led workplaces,” said Hesse. Union Contracts, collectively joining the Work-life success was proven at Superstore this NDF may give Gateway workers a new year. The revolutionary language won As luck would so have it, this year boost of economic solidarity between Balance by Local 401 in the contract has given workers at the Palace and Baccarat them of the kind that paved the way to Superstore workers a real process to casinos are coincidentally negotiating the Superstore contract. Tom Hesse grieve any violations of that agreement by both of their Contracts in tandem. It is notes, “the NDF gives the platform to their employer. the first time such a scenario has been succeed through the power of economic presented to Local 401: that two different solidarity and allows us to translate that Quality This language is a big benefit to contracts are negotiated under the same power into real success at the bargaining workers, agrees UFCW 401 Union employer and at the same time, but that table to give workers real rights and Public Education Representative, Ricardo de Menezes. is just the way the cards fall sometimes. benefits at work.” “The strike has given us much more For Hesse, this collective negotiation access into Superstore and I am proud is an opportunity for Gateway Casinos Finally, to these Gateway Casinos workers of the successful language we achieved workers to learn from the great lessons of and others on 401 bargaining committees in the Contract,” said de Menezes, who victory at Superstore when 401 members who may be headed to the negotiating noted that the language regarding the united in action during the negotiations table in this coming year, Negotiator Lee commitment to compliance of supervisors and strike. According to Hesse, “the sheer Clarke leaves you with some practical was a particularly remarkable feat. “No strength and visibility of us all together on advice, “keep a log or a diary of things other place in the country to this date the picket line during the short strike really that you see in your workplace that Retirement has realized an agreement with this same toughened our position at the negotiating need to be addressed in bargaining. Respect language,” added de Menezes. table with Superstore and made us a Bring those suggestions with you to a Security force to be reckoned with.” proposal meeting or fill out a bargaining in the Workplace In his advice to employees, like those survey. Also, be active and volunteer to at Superstore who have recently ratified Ultimately, this unprecedented negotiation participate in negotiations.” a new Union Contract, 401 Negotiator has ended up benefiting the workers in Lee Clarke had this to say, “be diligent the casinos as they have built strong And while every Local 401 bargaining in enforcing the newly negotiated bonds between the two groups that committee will encounter its own unique ‘un provisions of your Union are even sturdier now than that first challenges this year in negotiations, ite Contract. Enforcement Edmonton Gateway negotiations meeting remember that solidarity is the key to d w is the key! I attended back in October. success, or as Tom Hesse would say, e b ‘united we bargain, divided we beg’. ar ’ ga g in, e Alberta divided we b Federation Unions: Bringing you a Canadian standard of living. of Labour

36 your voice • ufcw401.ca • January 2015 Occupational Health & Safety

Fair Compensation

Work-life Balance

Quality Public Education

Retirement Security Respect in the Workplace

Alberta Federation Unions: Bringing you a Canadian standard of living. of Labour ALBERTA’S

UNION ADVANTAGEdelivered more than

$3.17 BILLIONLAST YEAR Across Alberta last year, 420,600 workers earned $4.75/hour more, on average, because their unions negotiated fair wages and work hours.. which put an extra $61 MILLION into the provincial economy every week. What else have unions delivered?

UnionAdvantage2014-ALBERTA.indd 1 2014-10-29 1:12:06 PM