Published By AMERICAN INCOME LIFE & NATIONAL INCOME LIFE LETTER canada LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD DECEMBER 2013 Vol. 14 No. 7

NEWS FROM THE unveiled the changes in a sweeping 321- CLC, FEDERATIONS page fall budget implementation bill. The & NATIONAL proposal will redefine what is considered “danger” in federally regulated workplac- UNIONS es and change the “refusal to work pro- cess,” according to the budget document. The Conservative govern- The changes would apply to approximate- ment’s fall budget bill includes changes ly 10 per cent of the Canadian workforce, to safety and health requirements that between 1.5 and 2 million Canadian will create unsafe conditions for work- workers who fall under federal jurisdic- ers, opposition parties and labour groups tion, according to the Canadian Labour charged. “It really is an affront to the pro- Congress. Affected sectors include tele- tection of workers from harm and danger communications, rail, transport, airlines, in the workplace,” said Hassan Yussuff, the federal public service and others, with Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian La- the remaining workers covered by provin- bour Congress. The Harper government cial labour codes.

Too many Canadian workers are stuck in part time jobs and others have given up looking for work altogether, de- clared , head of the Cana- dian Labour Congress. He commented on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Sur- vey for October 2013 which showed that the overall unemployment rate remained at 6.9 per cent. But among young people 15- to 27 years old, joblessness rose to 13.4 per cent. “I get letters almost every month from people who have been looking for full-time work and can’t find it,” Georget- ti said. “I get other letters from parents whose kids have graduated from college and university with student debt and can’t Hassan Yussuff, Secretary-Treasurer of the . Flickr.com photo used find work. Often those young people are under Creative Commons from Confederación Sindical de las Américas. forced to live in their parents’ basements.

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

It’s heart-breaking.” He said the nation INTERNATIONAL union IndustriALL. He also serves as has a problem with persistent and high president of the Indonesian unemployment but “the Finance Minis- LABOUR NEWS Confederation (KSPI). The Governor ter insists that we have to pursue austerity and employer’s association agreed upon and cutbacks.” More than 1.5 million workers a nine per cent minimum wage increase waged a two-day national strike in In- for Jakarta after the two-day strike. Ac- Alberta Federation of Labour donesia, October 31-November 1, to cording to the trade unions, however, (AFL) urged Premier Alison Redford to demand an increase in the minimum the new minimum wage is still too low; refuse the Canada Jobs Grant because wage, among other issues. Violent clash- arguing that the hike is lower than the the province’s existing skills training pro- es marred the protests as 17 protestors inflation. IndustriALL Global Union grams would lose $33 million. “There’s no were injured with one still in critical General Secretary Jyrki Raina declared, guarantee that these grants won’t just be condition. “We wanted safe demonstra- “We support our members in Indonesia used for existing training that successful tions, but paramilitary forces attacked and their struggle. They have our relent- employers are already doing. And to pay workers with beams and knifes. They less support in continuing to build unity for it, they want to scrap programs that were allegedly paid by the government among trade unions and stopping the are helping disadvantaged people partici- and employers,” said Said Iqbal, presi- government and employers from using pate in the labour force,” Alberta Federa- dent of FSPMI, an affiliate of the global this division against workers.” tion of Labour president Gil McGowan said. He warned that the Canada Jobs Grant is essentially “a wholesale privati- zation” of the federal government’s role in skills training. McGowan said the total budget impact would be $66 million in lost training dollars. New Zealand union leaders continued to press for stronger safety and health protections, particularly in the forestry industry where eight deaths have already been recorded. The unions’ campaign was a major focus of the speech by Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly November 2 to the Labour conference in Christchurch. She dis- cussed CTU’s forestry industry safety and health campaign by noting the latest death of forestry worker Charles Finlay. She said that he regularly worked be- tween 55 and 60 hours in a 5-day week and up to 64 hours when he worked a Saturday, driving more than an hour each way. She said the 300 contractors in the industry were being squeezed by the nine big forest owners by being allocated work too late to make a safety plan and they faced increasing pressures over pro- ductivity requirements. “Charles and his family are the victims of a deregulated labour market. Charles’ employment was insecure — he was not paid in bad weath- er, he was employed in an insecure supply chain arrangement,” she said. Kelly also highlighted the CTU’s living wage cam- paign, fairness-at-work campaign and the campaign on insecure work. Striking workers in Indonesia. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from iambents. LABOUR LETTER Pg 3

in June 2013, up from 21 in 2005 and four in 1995. “The increasing number of trade agreements that include provisions with re- spect to labour standards is a reflection of the growing awareness that trade liberalisation should go hand-in-hand with progress on the employment and social front,” said Ray- mond Torres, director of the ILO Research Department. The report is significant at a time when New Zealand is negotiating sev- eral FTAs, such as with the Customs Union, where talks are now taking place in Moscow. The study defined labour provisions as those that establish minimum working conditions, terms of employment or worker rights, any norm on the protection provided to workers under national labour law and its enforce- ment, as well as any framework for coopera- tion or monitoring these issues. NATIONAL & POLITICAL EVENTS Delegates to the recent federal Tory party three-day convention in Calgary passed a series of resolutions aimed at cur- AFGE President David Cox addresses members of the press Nov. 1 after learning of the shooting at tailing the role of unions in Canadian life. Los Angeles International Airport. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from AFGE. The resolutions put the party on record in support of so-called “right-to-work” laws U.S. Transportation Security A new International Labour Or- while another said mandatory union mem- Administration workers, represented by ganisation report found a marked rise in in- bership limits “the economic freedom of the American Federation of Government clusion of labour provisions in bilateral and Canadians” and stifles economic growth. Employees, mourned the death of the first related free trade agreements (FTAs). The A measure calling for greater transparency worker in the line of duty since the agency report, ‘Social Dimensions of Free Trade on political activities by federal public sec- was created in the aftermath of the Sep- Agreement,’ also noted that FTAs now gov- tor unions was also approved. None of the tember 11 attacks. TSA behaviour-detec- ern 5.5 per cent of global trade compared resolutions require action by the Harper tion officer, Gerardo Hernandez, 39, was with 0.6 per cent in 1995. It found that 58 government. Gil McGowan, president of shot to death at Los Angeles International trade agreements included labour provisions the Alberta Federation of Labour, said Airport by a gunman authorities identi- fied as Paul Ciancia, 23. Ciancia was later shot and is being held in custody. “We are sickened by reports of [the] shooting,” said AFGE President David Cox. “Our sincer- est thoughts and prayers go out to the pas- sengers and Transportation Security Of- ficers killed or injured in this heinous act. Thank you to all of our brave TSOs who put their lives on the line every day to keep the flying public safe.” He said federal bud- get cutting has restricted TSA hiring and declared airports would be safer if security were fully staffed. “All government agencies are seeing constant cutbacks,” Cox said. “Austerity is killing us.” Protesting the Harper government. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from ItzaFineDay. Pg 4 LABOUR LETTER

Conservative party delegates were in the ‘occasional’ or ‘frequent’ categories,” said neither did the workers,” said USW Or- process of “declaring war” on the Ca- Marie-Helene Arruda from the Que- ganizer Pablo Guerra. In unrelated news, nadian . “It’s going to bec Coalition Against the EI Changes. Canadian National Director Ken Neu- have profound negative impacts on all Workers in part time, casual and tempo- mann announced the union’s Humanity working Canadians because once you rary jobs with erratic schedules and edu- Fund contributed $135,000 to 65 food weaken labour, the result will be down- cational support workers, hotel workers, banks in Canadian communities where ward pressure on wages and conditions factory workers and others who are laid USW members live and work. “Food for all working people, not just those off by their employers during slow peri- banks have become a core community who belong to unions,” he said. ods will all be affected. resource, and we need to continue to support them”, he said. “But more than More than 80 Canadian com- that, we must start to see the elimination munity, student and labour groups NEWS FROM of poverty as a human rights obligation signed a national jointed statement op- CANADA’S UNIONS that requires positive, committed gov- posing changes to Canada’s Employ- ernment action at all levels.” ment Insurance system made by the A unit of 266 employees at Harper government that would “dan- Frontier School Division #5 voted over- Canadian Union of Public gerously” cut benefits for more than a whelmingly in favour of joining the Employees Local 2503 reached a deal million workers. The statement was an- . The school division with two Pictou County, Nova Scotia, nounced in news conferences held simul- is located in Norway House, a First Na- nursing homes after conciliation talks. taneously across the nation in Charlotte- tions community some 30 km north of The contracts cover 125 continuing-care town, Moncton, Montreal and Toronto. Lake Winnipeg, which serves both the assistants, cooks, maintenance, house- Among other proposed changes, new EI Cree Nation and the adjacent non-treaty keeping and laundry employees at Shire- job search rules require that claimants community. The workers include teach- town Nursing Home in Pictou and Ivey’s classified as ‘occasional’ or ‘frequent’, af- ing assistants, maintenance workers, Terrace Nursing Home in Trenton. Ac- ter just six weeks of searching for a job, clerical staff, bus drivers, cooks and a cording to national representative Betty accept work with up to a 20 to 30 per number of other jobs. “Our inside com- Jean Sutherland, the biggest issue was cent pay cut and take positions outside mittee made this happen. They under- the employer’s proposal to change some their usual occupation. “The impacts stood how important it is to stay united. full-time positions to part-time jobs, of these changes are startling, as three When the employer tried to pad the list which would affect the employees’ ben- quarters of all claimants — totaling over and scare people away from voting yes, efits structure. “We weren’t going to lose a million workers — fall into these new the inside committee never wavered and full-time jobs,” she said. The workers had earlier voted in favour of a strike. Sutherland said the negotiations were between the workers, their employer and the provincial government, and had nothing to do with the clients in their care. “We don’t want to put anyone in distress,” she said. “We have family in these nursing homes.”

LABOUR LETTER provided through

Protecting Working Families www.ailife.com AGENDAcanada DECEMBER 2013

As Dr. Frank describes it, “When we look ers today benefit from far better condi- back over the past century, the history of tions than in the early 1900s, many chal- this organization is filled with examples of lenges still remain. One has to simply working people taking up their responsibili- think about the fact that many workers ties as members of their unions and as citi- still retire in poverty because of the lack Patrick zens of the province.” of adequate retirement security and about Colford The late 1800s and early 1900s was the recent government cuts to Employ- President, a period of worker emancipation around ment Insurance benefits and about the New Brunswick the world. One only has to think of the lack of a publicly-funded and non-profit Federation of Haymarket Square events in May 1886 child care program that would allow Labour for an 8-hour work day. The situation was parents to better balance their work and not much different in New Brunswick: family responsibilities. We still don’t have exploitation of workers was very much a an adequate health, safety and compensa- 100 YEARS OF reality, which led to the growth of trade tion system, wage discrimination against SOLIDARITY: unions. It’s on September 16, 1913, that women is still a reality, there is hardly any HONOURING THE a group of trade unions came together in protection from bullying and violence in Saint John to form a provincial Federa- the workplace, there’s an exploitation of PAST, BUILDING tion of Labour for New Brunswick. This temporary foreign workers and the list THE FUTURE makes the NBFL one of the oldest pro- goes on. vincial Federations of Labour in Canada. In recent years, we have seen an in- The New Brunswick Federation of La- The goal of this newly formed pro- crease in the backlash against organized bour held its 51st biennial convention May vincial House of Labour was to give labour. However, for the past century, the 25-29, 2013 in Saint John, where I had workers political influence to bring about union movement has proven that when the honour and privilege of being elected social change. For these early union ac- workers stand in solidarity, we can ac- President to represent our 40,000 members tivists, having a larger body to represent complish positive societal change that will and to work towards improving labour leg- workers would bring greater solidarity benefit not only our members, but society islation and standards for all workers, their and would allow workers to have a great- as a whole as well. Like J.S. Woodsworth families and their communities. er influence over our provincial govern- used to say, “What we wish for ourselves, Delegates adopted many resolu- ment. James Sugrue was only 30 years we desire for all.” tions that will further advance the socio- old when he became our first president, My greatest desire for our next cen- economic and well-being of all workers and for him, Labour issues were also tury is for the labour movement to contin- and of all New Brunswickers. Among community issues and the following 100 ue to come together in solidarity to build the resolutions adopted: the call for first years proved him right. a society where no one is left behind. I contract arbitration, pay equity, better When unions stand up for social can’t think of a better way to honour the protection against bullying and violence justice, they raise the bar for everyone. vision of our founders. in the workplace, support for a national From its very beginning and in the public inquiry into missing Aboriginal course of our 100 years, the NBFL did women and girls, ensure a quality public become a vehicle for social change in the health care system, the establishment of a province: from lobbying for better wages national child care program, support for and improved working conditions for all the Idle No More movement, etc. workers to getting legislation that pre- The Convention was a very special vented child labour, getting a provincial one for our organization as we celebrat- bureau of labour, worker’s compensation ed the 100th year of our existence. Dr. and improved safety provisions such as David Frank, history professor at the scaffolding on construction sites, im- University of New Brunswick launched provements for women workers and free a book on the history of the NBFL: books and school supplies for children, Provincial Solidarities: A History of advocating for maternity leave, to mini- the New Brunswick Federation of La- mum wage, to vacation pay, to protection Ontario Federation of Labour Rally on November 27, bour, published by Athabasca University from discrimination and harassment, to 2013 in downtown Toronto attended by AIL Public Press (www.aupress.ca). The book details pay equity, etc. Relations in support of Raising the Minimum wage the labour history of our province and While we honour our past, we must to $14.00 a hour. OFL President Sid Ryan calls on the solidarities of its working people. also build for our future. Although work- Provincial Government to raise the Minimum wage. Pg 2 AGENDA

HUGHES CUPE 500 Scholarships APPOINTED TO AIL is a proud contributor to the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 scholarship NILICO BOARD OF program, reports AIL’s Leo P. Vandenbussche. DIRECTORS The recent scholarships were awarded at the Local’s Les Butterworth Awards event. Shown in the photo are (from left to right) CUPE 500 President Mike Davidson, award winners Allen Chalanchuck, Nicole Sheedy, Michawel Grossi, Erika Manaigre and Vandenbussche.

Denis M. Hughes YTD CONTRIBUTIONS Listed below is a partial list of contributions made between June and December 2013 on behalf Denis M. Hughes, former President of the New York of AIL/NILICO, its State General Agents, and directed by the Labour Advisory Board. Year to date State AFL-CIO, has been appointed to the Board donations for labor related causes total over $1.6 Million dollars. of Directors of National Income Life Insurance Company, announced AIL/NILICO Chief Executive • A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE - 44th • JOBS WITH JUSTICE EDUCATION Officer, Roger Smith. National Education Conference FUND - American Rights at Work Awards • AFL-CIO - Convention Celebration Hughes joined the New York State AFL-CIO staff • JULES O. PAGANO MEMORIAL as Political Director and Assistant to the President • AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YITZHAK SCHOLARSHIP FUND in 1985 and served as an Executive Assistant to the RABIN CENTER - Joseph T. Hansen President since 1990. He was responsible for the Dinner • LABOR COUNCIL FOR LATIN coordination of the Committee on Political Education •  FUND FOR AMERICAN ADVANCEMENT and legislative programs, as well as the overall policy SOCIAL JUSTICE • LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS and development of the staff departments within the • ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LABOR RELIEF FUND state federation. He served as New York AFL-CIO ALLIANCE - Convention • LCLAA - National Latino Labor Summit president from 1999 through 2011 and was seen as a key figure in keeping the labor movement unified • BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO • METAL TRADES DEPARTMENT after the 2008 financial collapse battered both WORKERS & GRAIN MILLERS • MLK JR. DC SUPPORT GROUP - 50th private-sector and public-sector unions. • BAYARD RUSTIN FUND - APRI Dinner Anniversary March on Washington and Gala honoring Norman Hill Hughes also served as Chairman of the Board of • NATIONAL CONSUMERS LEAGUE - the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and was • BC NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY - NCL Trumpeter Awards appointed to a three-year term as Commissioner Convention • NEW YORK STATE AFL-CIO of the New York State Insurance Fund. He has • CASA DE MARYLAND - Immigration • ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR - participated in multiple commissions, including Rally OFL 12th Biennial Convention the New York State Commission on State Asset • CENTER FOR MILITARY Maximization, as well as the Governor’s Spending • ONTARIO TEAMSTERS JOINT RECRUITMENT, ASSESSMENT AND COUNCIL 52 and Government Efficiency Commission. He serves VETERANS EMPLOYMENT - Helmets to as a Trustee of Cornell University. Mr. Hughes Hardhats • SAG-AFTRA - Convention holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Labour and • CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL • SASKATCHEWAN FEDERATION OF Industrial Relations from the Harry Van Arsdale LABOUR - Scholarship School of Labour Studies at Empire State College. CENTER - Dr. Bear's Closet • COALITION OF LABOR UNION WOMEN • SHEET METAL WORKERS “Mr. Hughes’ experience is a perfect fit and we are INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION - very pleased to welcome him to the NILICO Board of • COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD - Edward F. Carlough Golf Tournament Directors,” said Smith. Robert F. Drinan National Peace & Human Rights Award Event • TEXAS AFL-CIO - Scholarship Fund • DC LABOR FILMFEST • UNITED UNION OF ROOFERS, WATERPROOFERS AND ALLIED • ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE WORKERS - Convention • EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE CENTER • US ACTION - Progressive Leadership • FARM LABOR ORGANIZING Awards COMMITTEE - Convention • VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL • GUIDE DOGS OF AMERICA - 65th FUND EDUCATION CENTER Anniversary Event •  10TH • IATSE - Convention ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION • IBEW - 2014 Convention and • WORKING FAMILIES UNITED FOR NEW Maintenance Conference JERSEY - New Jersey AFL-CIO Raise the • INSTITUTE FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE Wage Campaign Alberta iPad Winner - Campaign for America's Future 2013 Awards Gala Brittany Low AIL Alberta Public Relations presents • INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES - Lou Arab with an iPad he won in a drawing at the 50th Celebration Event AIL booth at the 2013 Alberta NDP Convention in Lethbridge, AB. Arab is the Communications • INTERFAITH WORKER JUSTICE Representative for CUPE AB.