anada's public health community health clinics. care system, for These additional health which the labour services, however, will not movement fought so be attained - and, indeed, hard , is · now in serious we may lose existing services danger of being dismantled. - unless 's union ' The federal and provincial members join in the fight to governments are steadily save Medicare. reducing their funding for One way to make our health care - · to the point voices heard on this vital Thel>ublie VOL. 5 No. 3 where overcrowded hospi- issue is to sign the attached tals, long waits for opera- petition which will be sent tions, understaffing, and to the Canadian Health other problems threaten the Coalition to be forwarde d accessibility, universality to the appropriate cabinet NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES and quality of Medicare. ministers and MPs. The In addition , the practice C.H .C. is the coalition of of extra billing by doctors , more than 40 progressive CONTENTS together with the imposition organizations (including the of user fees by some provinces, also has Canadian Labour Congress and many affil- Frontlines led to the deterioration of health services iated unions) which is the principal sup- News of CUPE from across the nation ...... 2 for many Canadians. porter and champion of Medicare. Instead of being reduced , Medicare needs Let's make sure the Canadian Heal th to be expanded and improved. We need Coalition has the signatures of all union "We don't hire people like you!" more preventive rather than curative mea- members when it presents its petition to Human rights legislation doesn't do the job ...... 6 sures. We need dental , drug , optical and save Medicare to the federal governmen t. prosthetic services included in the Medicare I' system , along with nursing home care, and .. ! The great Canadian productivity myth ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••• • i The politicians ' Blarney Stone...... 10 Canadian Health Coalition ' We,the undersigned,are opposedto extrabilling, user fees andpremiums ' Peace, Order and "Good " Government as impedingaccess to Medicareservices. Labour has always faced the challenge...... 13 Wetherefore urge that these practicesbe abolishedand that the new CanadaHealth Act firmlyre-establish accessibility to insuredhealth services, Diary of a nursing home worker alongwith the otherprinciples of Medicare. Standing up to the Keddys ...... 16 Name Address -~ Up•Date - Looking back on CUPE ...... 20

. Th e Public Employee is a newsmagazine published five times each year by the Public CALMC:111H1an Law and order does Relations Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, 21 Florence Street, ~E~!:°" , Ontario KZP 0W6. Telephone (613) 237-1590. Editor: F red Tabachnick. Associate not guarantee Editors: M arc Bi/anger, Dennis McGarm, Bozica Costigliola, Ed Finn . Lithography by Mutua l Press Ltd., Ottawa. All traditional rights. material may be reprint ed (please credit). Correspondence to this publicatio n is welcome. Postage is paid in cash at third class rate permit number 3040, Return postage is guaranteed. Spring, 1983 The P ublic Employee I (Please return signed petition to: Canad ian Health Coalition , 2841 Riverside Drive, Ottawa , Ont. KIV 8X7.) FRONTLINES

Enthusiastic response to organizing drive nets 900 new members

by Marilyn Spink

Toronto - A month-long organizing blitz by Local 79 has brought union membership to-900part-time employees of seven Metro Toron- to Homes for the Aged. The Ontario Labour Relations Board in April certified the local to represent the employees, who became the largest group of part-timers Digby DistrictSchool Board and membersof the Digby Local of the Canadian Union of Public Employeessigning a new collectiveagreement which in a CUPE bargaining unit. bnngs the Digby CountySchoolBus Stnke to an end. From left to right:Sally LaFleur, Secretary-Treasurer,Jimmie Outhouse, Board Chairman,Bill For many years, Local 79 had represented 1,600 full-time em- Pyle, Inspectorof Schools, Wayne Gates, Acting Presidentof CUPE Local I 185, Dan MacLean, CUPE Representative,and HarrisonJarvis, ployees in the seven homes, along with 5,000 full-time Metro Secretaryof Local I I 85. and City of Toronto inside workers and the employees of Riverdale Hospital. But the organizing drive couldn't have been launched two years ago, when there was only about one union activist for every Digby school bus strike settled after 31/2years three or four hundred workers in the homes. The local's 1981 and 1982 investigate reports on conditions in the Digby, N.S. -The longest strike in the history of Nova Scotia, and tions, and gradually dissolved the bitter antagonism that had been homes changed all that. Workers realized that the union was working Jeff Rose, President of Local 79, (secondfrom left) and organizersat one of the longest CUPE strikes, ended recently when the Digby built up between the two sides over the previous three years. for them, and they wanted to become more active. Bendale Acres Home for the Aged, celebratereceipt of certificateto School Board signed a contract with Local 1185, whose 25 school bus "It was a long and very, very bitter strike," he said, "but I hope "Now we've got union reps in every department in each home, 54 represent900 part-time workersin Metro TorontoHomes for the Aged. drivers had been on strike since Sept. 5, 1979. that the good relationship that has now been restored will prevail in of them altogether," said Muriel Collins, chairperson of Local 79's Of the original 25 drivers, 14 will return to work. The others have future negotiations." Committee on the Homes. "I was confident we could organize the retired or found other jobs, and one died. The old school board refused to negotiate, forced the drivers to part-timers because they're badly treated and desperately in need of Rose said that the overwhelming response from the part-timers Regional Director Manning McIntyre said the new contract, which strike, and then hired strikebreakers and paid them more than the union representation.'' proves that, despite all the anti-union propaganda these days, and in is retroactive to Jan. 1, 1983, will bring the drivers' monthly wage to Local 1185 members had been getting. The part-time attendants, registered nurses, cleaners, kitchen staff spite of wage controls, workers are not being fooled. $954. That's still $100 less than drivers in adjoining school districts, and clerical workers - 75 per cent of them women- were getting the "They know a union can work for them," he said. "And they've but it narrows the gap of $300 that existed when the strike began. union minimum hourly rates, but received no benefits and had no seen Local 79's efforts to improve conditions in the homes. They McIntyre said the key to the settlement was the formation of an Local launches drive guarantee of hours of work. Without job security, even those with know the union cares about the residents, as well as the employees." expanded school board last fall in accordance with legislation amalga- many years of service could be dismissed arbitrarily. Negotiations for a first collective agreement for the part-time mating school boards across the province. In the elections for a new to fight legal aid cuts Quietly, Local 79 set up an organizing committee of the reps in employees were scheduled to begin later in the spring. board of trustees, former board chairman Richard Daley, who led the each home. Preparations for the organizing drive were kept secret, attack on Local 1185, was defeated. Saskatoon - Members of and the poor who rely on the because of the fear that, if Metro found out, many part-timers would McIntyre said negotiations were resumed quietly after the elec- Local 1949 who staff the legal clinics for legal aid in both crim- not be called in to work. aid clinics in Saskatchewan have inal and civil matters . After lists of the part-timers' names and addresses were compiled, launched a campaign to avert Native and women's groups the sign-up campaign began when the 54 reps handed out personal Montreal bus drivers Six CUPE members proposed cuts in the clinics' have also protested the Attor- letters to the part-timers on duty. The letter was an invitation to sign a budget by the provincial gov- ney-General's proposed cuts, union card, and attached to it was a "Join Us" pamphlet assuring the vote to join CUPE attend Labour College ernment. . which could result in the closing workers that they had the legal right to join a union . Attorney-General Gary Lane of some clinics and the layoff of "That first day was absolutely thrilling," said a Greenacres Home Montreal - CUPE's mem- The meeting, attended by Six CUPE members have been awarded the third CUPE schol- announced plans to cut the many staff members. rep. "I went in though I wasn't on duty, and gave out my letters bership recently jumped by more than 3,000 members, re- awarded scholarships to attend arship valued at $3,500. Lesley clincs' funding by more than $1 Local 1949 has appointed a during the breaks. The part-timers crowded around me. They were another 4,200 when the union sulted in a 52% vote in favour of the 1983 eight-week residential Taylor, Local 38, , will million after a controversial fightback coordinator - Kevin so happy we were doing it." representing Montreal Transit joining CUPE. program at the Labour College be financed by a scholarship legal aid report by Judge M. A. Glass, a para-legal from the Another rep, a porter at Castleview-Wychwood, was off duty that Commission bus drivers voted of Canada, starting May 1. provided by the Alberta Dept. MacPherson. Prince Albert clinic- to mobil- weekend, too. He said he would drop in for an hour Saturday morn- for CUPE affiliation. National Secretary-Treasurer Marlene Izzard, Local 161, of Labour, valued at $3,000. The report advocated strip- ize a campaign against the legal ing. The response was so enthusiastic that he signed up 44 people that La Fraternite des Chauffeurs Kealey Cummings said the Chelmsford, Ont., was awarded Melinda Kaufman, Local 161 ping the 13 legal aid clinics of aid cutbacks. first weekend. d' Autobus, Operators de Metro Montreal bus drivers are a wel- the Person's Scholarship valued Sault Ste. Marie, received the their autonomy by reducing The campaign, jointly funded The extra effort that all 54 reps exerted resulted in the signing up of et Services Connexes, formerly come addition to the union's at $3,500, donated by CUPE. Ontario Federation of Labour their boards of directors to an by National Office, features a 70 per cent of the eligible part-timers by the end of the month. an independent union, called a membership . "Both CUPE and AndreLamoureux, Local 782, scholarship valued at $4,000. advisory capacity, and turning petition to be signed by sym- Local 79 President Jeff Rose paid tribute to the 54 activists in the special meeting to decide on the drivers," he said, "will ben- Cornwall, Ont., received the Trudy Hesketh, Local 2145, their direction over to the Attor- pathetic native, women's, legal, homes. joining CUPE after several of its efit from the merger, which second CUPE scholarship, also Smithers, B.C., was awarded a ney-General's department. church and union supporters. "They had to contact part-timers who work on all three shifts, executive officers visited the helps to strengthen labour soli- valued at $3,500. Ken Hould, $2,500 scholarship plus a trans- Local 1949 President Bev Leaflets, newspaper ads and some of them for only a few days a week, in homes from downtown National Office and talked with darity in the province of Quebec Local 207, Sudbury, Ont., was portation allowance by the B.C. Schermann charged that the radio commercials may also be Toronto to Newmarket . They did a superb job." CUPE officers and staff. when it is most needed." Federation of Labour. funding cuts would hurt natives used, if required.

2 Th, Public Empluyee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Public Empluyee 3 )

FRONTLINES

Job creation I Free bargaining inces disclosed that the Alberta 'Suicidal' politicians vote rates are the lowest in the coun- top priority destroyed by try in relation to provincial in- dustrial wage levels. · for Manitoba for contracting out Alberta's Bill 44 Richmond, B.C. - Five right- money to spend!" one resident ; 't The CUPE brief outlined a government Mary Beth Dolin, wing city councillors committed said in a letter. ,,:; W , ?7'A,?t' long and detailed case against Manitoba Labour Minister. -Bill 44, the Alber- political suicide in public re- The newspaper's poll tallied /E.i,28 compulsory arbitration, arguing - The NDP government of Manitoba pledged its commit- cently by voting to contract out ta government's legislation ban- that it not only destroys the fun- 553 votes in favour of retaining ning strikes in the province's ment to free collective bargaining during the recent CUPE Manitoba garbage collection in this Van- municipal garbage collection. damental right of collective bar- hospitals and imposing contract Division Convention here. couver suburb - despite over- Only 35 residents voted for con- gaining, but fails either to pre- settlements by compulsory In a speech to convention delegates, Labour Miniser Mary Beth whelming taxpayer opposition. tracting-out. vent strikes or to set fair and Dolin said: "The approach to economic problems in a number of Fifty members of CUPE Local arbitration, was described as satisfactory wage rates. "We have every reason to be "arrogant and ill-conceived" by jurisclictions has been heavey-handed, to say the least - direct in- 394 will be laid off if the contract proud of our efforts," Stanley rEEl/4 CUPE was especially critical terference with the free collective bargaining process. is legally awarded. CUPE's 6,500 Alberta hospital said. "The National Union was workers. of the sections of Bill 44 that list "But the Manitoba government believes free collective bargaining "We couldn't have asked for heavily involved, and Sister - ---""------' the criteria arbitrators must can work even in tough economic times." greater public support from Grace Hartman visited the A brief to the provincial consider in making their She added that meaningful job creation was a top priority. Richmond residents," Repre- works yard to boost members' legislature said Bill 44 will de- awards, such as the levels of "We want to get people working, to invest in the economy that sentative Dave Adams said, morale during the thick of the • stroy collective bargaining in non-union wages, "stability of way. And we make no apology for emphasizing job creation." after the 5-4 council vote was fight. Although Local 394 memberscollected 20,000 signatureson a petitionthe the hospital sector. "It will lead employment," and "the fiscal During the three-day convention delegates passed a resolution Richmond, B.C. city councilvoted 5-4 to contract-out garbagecollection. recorded. "It's absolutely un- "We ran raclioand newspaper to increased tension and frustra- policies of the government." opposing government financial aid to any privately owned health care believable that those five politi- Local memberDoug Davis watchesover the local'schart which targeted tion, to poor morale, lower pro- ads, using the voices and pic- "The circle is now nicely facilities, warning that the growing influence of private business cians voted that way." the number of citizens signing the no-contracting-outpetition. ductivity, and a decline in the tures of our garbagemen. An ex- closed," said Matthews . "First interests in the health care field could lead to separate health systems Before the vote, local union- quality of patient care," the cellent T. V. commercial kept us the government strips us of our for the rich and for the poor. ists spoke with the five "free all going during the campaign brief added. Jacques Samyn was re-elected Division president. Mike Iwasienko enterprise" politicians . ''They right to strike. Then it empow- and sustained the issue, public- CLC calls boycott Ron Matthews, president of ers itself to appoint the arbitra- was re-elected treasurer. are totally aware that they'll be ly, right up to the final vote," he CUPE's Alberta Division, ac- tor and list the items in dispute. Other election results: Lloyd Day (Northern Area vice-president); dumped from council, but they said. cused the Lougheed govern- Then it orders the arbitrator to Ed Blackman (Winnipeg and area vice-president); Beryl Williams voted to contract out, anyway," on Keddy Motels "Many Lower Mainland ment of trying to ram through use certain criteria. We will be (executive member, Brandon and region); Irene Young (executive Adams said. "Under those con- Ottawa - The Canactian Labour Congress has called on its affiliates locals helped us out and the the legislation without adequate surprised if any self-respecting member, Northern and region); and Bernie Andrew (executive mem- clitions, there was absolutely and their members to boycott the Keddy Motel chain in the Mari- B.C. Division was with us all the public debate and considera- arbitrator agrees to act under ber, Winnipeg and area). nothing more we could do." way," he added . times. tion. Affected groups were Donn Stanley, president of In a joint news conference held by the CLC and CUPE, CLC such conditions." National Public Relations given only II days to prepare Local 394, said the campaign Executive Vice-President Shirley Carr urged travellers to the Mari- "We are confident that inde- Officer Dennis McGann said and present their briefs, and was the best he's seen. times to boycott the chain because of the clispute in Halifax involving pendent, respected commis- the Richmond fight was all-out only 14 hours was set aside to "The members poured their CUPE Local 1259, whose 90 members have been on strike against sioners would reject compulsory from the moment council was hear them. Hartman told the 65 dele- souls into this fight and the com- Keddy's Nursing Manor since Jan. 29. arbitration," said Matthews. presented with the contracting- "Is this democracy? Is this P .E.I. delegates gates, however, that they must munity rallied to our support," The owner of the nursing home, Donald Keddy, also owns the "We are ready to place our case out alternative. fairness?" Matthews asked. still be on guard against any he said. "We collected 20,000 Keddy's Motel chain, which is located in Nova Scotia and New "We suspect that if it were the before such a review. Is this gov- commended for anti-worker legislation Premier names on a petition, brought "The community responded Brunswick. ernment courageous enough to in a way we rarely see in this business community which was fighting wage Jim Lee could still come up out hundreds of residents to a "The Keddy's strike is important for workers across Canada, and being deprived of its rights, the accept our challenge?" with. public meeting, and packed the country," McGann said. "The indeed, for Canacliansin general because it brings into sharp focus the Richmond NDP helped us ev- process would not be quite so controls She praised Island CUPE council chambers on the night relationship between anti-unionism in the private nursing home in- arrogant or abrupt." of the vote." ery step of the way with their dustry and the quality of care provided to elderly patients," said Carr, Summerside, P .E.I. - The members for turning out in rec- The efforts of Local 394 four votes on council and on the who made the boycott announcement with CUPE National Secretary- The CUPE brief pointed out zero-and-five wage control plan ord numbers to demonstrate N.B. Division their anger against the legisla- prompted The Richmond Re- streets with petition forms." Treaurer Kealey Cummings. that there had been few major • proposed by the Prince Edward view to conduct a public opinion Although the vote is over, the "The clispute is a strike for a first agreement against an employer hospital strikes in Alberta that convention Island government would have tion. poll on whether or not the city's struggle continues, said Dave who has already been found guilty of violating the labour laws of Nova would excuse Bill 44 and no evi- been the most severe form of "The 2,000 people out in garbage should be contracted Adams. Scotia in his attemps to discourage unionization; who has consistently dence that the relatively few favours per anti-public employee legislation Charlottetown, was like having out. "We've taken the fight into underpaid and poorly treated his employees; and who extends his strikes that have occurred en- yet enacted in Canada, National 200,000 marchers at the legisla- The poll brought a flood of the courts because city council attitude of worker exploitation to the elderly patients in the nursing dangered patients. capita dues President Grace Hartman told ture in Toronto ," Hartman said responses - many with letters neglected to pass the necessary manor, who, for the most part, are helpless to defend themselves. All The brief noted that the Saint John, N.B. - The New the third annual CUPE PEI in reference to the largest dem- to the eclitor attached. bylaw giving it the legal right to of these actions are done in the name of making a profit." wages and wage increases of Brunswick Division has voted Division convention. onstration in PEI's history. "For God's sake, at a time call for bids on garbage collec- Carr said workers at the home-90 per cent of whom are women- CUPE hospital workers in in favour of the per capita in- The plan, which was scrap- The convention, which re- like this, why put more people tion," he said. earn $4 an hour. That's up to $3 an hour less than unionized nursing Alberta have not been excessive, crease suggested by CUPE's ped by the government after elected Doreen Riley as presi- out of work and cause more "If we win our suit, council home workers in the surrounding area earn. and have in fact, merely kept National Executive Board. The 2,000 persons marched on the dent, also named Eleanor hardship? These are family men will be forced to go through the "The CLC feels strongly that profiteers in the caring industries pace with average industrial acceptance of the proposed per provincial legislature, was cal- Cheverie as the new vice- with mouths to feed! Please, use whole process again- and we'll should not be allowed to earn their money by underpaying their earnings in the province. On a capita increase came at the Divi- led worse than any other wage president. Liz Doucette was some compassion and let these fight them every inch of the workers or skimping on care. We also feel it is important for workers relative basis, comparisons with sion's 20th annual convention in restraint program yet enacted in elected secretary, and Sterling people work and have some way. to unite behind their brothers and sisters in time of trouble." hospital wages in other prov- mid-April. this country. Wood was elected treasurer .

4 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, I 983 The Public Employee 5 he saw me, his attitude changed "It's a form of discrimination that skills, job responsibilities and seniority completely. shows itself in little things," he had little or no effect on her wage rate "He was uncomfortable, and started explained . "Take jogging, for example. or job category. Her pay, her benefits, hedging on my suitability for the job. If you're brown you don't go straight to her occupational status - all were When I pushed him for an explanation, work after jogging. You go home and dependent on the position held by her he finally blurted out : 'We don't hire take a shower first. You can't afford to boss. If he got promoted, so did she. If people likeyou!'' people like you.'" be sweaty. If a white guy has body he got bypassed or demoted, she shared Asked if she had done anything odour, it's his personal problem, but his fate. about such a blatant act of discrimin- when a brown guy does, it's a reflection "What was interesting about these ation, she replied: "I thought about on our whole race!" three cases," said Shaikh, "was that, going to the Human Rights Commission, Even in cases where members don't like many of the other interviews I but you know what it's like. When think they have problems with discrim- conducted, they illustrated the wide you're looking for a job, you don't ination, the procedures and traditions range of discrimination that exists, as want employers to think you're a in the plant or office may have a well as the confusion that surrounds troublemaker.'' discriminatory effect. Shaikh encount- the definition of discrimination.'' A brown male office worker, although ered a case in point in a workplace Significantly, not one of the 27 he hadn't been subjected to direct and where wages, working conditions and members she talked with was willing to open discrimination, said he was made advancement were largely decided by a have her/his name published. They all to feel he had to continually prove his form of "rug -ranking." demanded anonymity before agreeing to ability and his status, while his white The typical clerical worker in that talk with her. Only two had grieved the Even wjth ~u~an:rights legislation, thousands of Canadianworkers still face co-workers' capabilities were taken for office was considered an adjunct to her effects of the discrimination they suf- discriminationat the workplacebecause of colour,religi,on or sex. granted. immediate superior. Her education, fered, and even they declined to grieve

Job discrimination is still rampant in ignoring the law requiring equal pay groupings. Canada. for work of equal value, because they Twenty-four of those in the survey Even when the discrimination is know most of their female workers are felt they were being discriminated blatantly obvious, it is difficult to afraid to register complaints. against to some degree, ranging from a overcome because anti-discrimination Another form of discrimination vague feeling their boss was prejudiced laws require victims to file complaints which is more insidious and far- against them to actual denials of jobs against their employers, either through reaching is the exclusion of whole because of their race or sex. a union grievance procedure or with a groups of people from certain jobs One black hospital worker who human rights tribunal. Most workers because the requirements are fixed at applied for a job for which she had all are afraid to incur their bosses' dis- levels they can't possibly meet. These the qualifications got an entirely different pleasure by taking such direct action . are not only educational or skill reception when she spoke with the The federal Human Rights Commis- requirements, but also physical char- personnel officer on the telephone, and sion, although it has been in operation acteristics such as weight or height, or later face-to-face. for five years, has so far received only even sex or age. "He was very positive on the phone 53 complaints of unequal pay, largely CUPE's Equal Opportunities Officer, about my references and work experi- because.of a fear of employer retaliation. Farida Shaikh, recently interviewed 27 ence," she said. "It sounded like he had The deputy chief commissioner, Rita members comprising a representative decided for sure to hire me, and he Cadieux, said recently that most em- cross-section of women and minorities invited me down to his office to fill out ployers in the federal jurisdiction are in the union's various occupational some forms. But when I got there and

6 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Public Employee 7 under the "no discrimination" clause the creation of low-paid "job ghettoes" approach focuses on the impact of in their collective agreements. None into which most female employees are employers' policies, and avoids getting had considered appealing to a human herded. into controversies about who's to blame rights commission. Employers often try to disguise their or who benefits from discrimination. It What makes discrimination such a unequal treatment of women by giving also puts the responsibility for elimin- difficult subject to deal with? Why are them slightly different tools or using ating discrimination squarely on the so many workers reluctant to confront different names for their job categories. employers, rather than on the victims it, or even discuss it? But these are merely ruses to excuse the of discrimination. In part, it is a problem of definition, lower wages paid to women, or to The fight against discrimination is a but there is also a fatalistic attitude on exclude them from a pension plan set battle for equality - but not just for the part of many workers. They believe up for the men. At least two CUPE equal treatment. It is also a demand to that discrimination in its many forms is school board locals have encountered be treated as an equal. so deeply ingrained in the nation's work- the latter form of discrimination in "The right to equal treatment," said places that it is futile to challenge it. recent years. Ken Norman, chief commissioner of In the case of overt discrimination, Systemic discrimination is also evident the Saskatchewan Human Rights such as that experienced by the black in hiring practices that unnecessarily Commission, "is the right to an equal hospital worker, the onus placed on the emphasize height, weight and other distribution of some opportunity or victim to complain - rather than an physical characteristics. Many women resource or burden. Every citizen, for active enforcement of the human rights are barred from employment as police example, has a right to an equal vote in

laws - serves as a powerful deterrent. officers because of such requirements. a democracy. The right to treatment as "It's the easiest kind of discrimination Other employers also retain these an equal, on the other hand, is the to identify, and theoretically the easiest discriminatory deterrents for certain right to be treated with the same respect to correct," said Shaikh. "But in jobs even after the introduction of and concern as everyone else. practice, because the individual must machinery enables the work to be done "The right to treatment as an equal is initiate a complaint and expose herself without much physical effort. fundamental, whereas the right to equal to management retaliation, and often be Another example - which CUPE has treatment is derivative," Norman added. labelled a troublemaker, overt discrim- encountered occasionally - is a require- According to Shaikh, it is the right ination is proving very difficult to ment that all members of a bargaining to be treated with the same respect and eliminate." unit have a specialized trade ticket, concern as others that is "the key both Systemic discrimination is even more such as a boilermaker's certificate, to an understanding of what discrimin - deeply rooted in our work system, when only a few of the jobs actually call ation is, and to the search for effective because it institutionalizes unequal for the skills the ticket specifies. solutions." treatment of male and female employees. Systemic discrimination of this kind, An employer who establishes separate because it is tied so closely to manage- job categories for men and women ment policies and practices, is becoming doing essentially the same work, so he the chief target for trade unionists, can pay the women less, is guilty of this activists in the women's movement, sort of discrimination . The outcome is and human rights officials. The

8 The Public E mplcryee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Public Emplcryee 9 r

of these things are legally enshrined as wages and unions are the problem." "Since 1970, our wages rose by 100%; the exclusive control of management, According to Canadian United Auto West Germany's rose by 196%; and and managers won't budge on any of Workers researcher, Sam Gindin, lower Japan's by 195%. In other words, our • these powers. So we have a situation wages haven't improved exports in the wages are lower in relation to West II where wages are blamed for poor past, and they aren't the key to a bright Germany and Japan than they were ten productivity. Wages are simply a market future. "Canadian autoworkers' years ago. In fact, labour costs did not scapegoat. wages are about $5 an hour below the put us out of the competition" he says. __'.::--- The Canadian Manufacturers U.S. In spite of that, we still have a "On the contrary, our wages have gone • Association, strangely enough, agrees. very large auto deficit. That shows that up less than countries that are held out In a soul-searching document called lower wages don't lead to jobs. We as models of competitive advantage. So "Competing in the Global Village," it haven't had our fair share of jobs under the message of the Prime Minister is admits that Canadian managers rank the Auto Pact in spite of lower wages." wrong. It's not supported by the facts." Thegreat Olnnd~ productivity low on the international scoreboard for Trade agreements, not workers' pro- All these experts agree that putting l their poor use of expertise and tech- ductivity, are to blame for this. our noses closer to the grindstone or nology. CMA vice-president, Laurent Ironically, in spite of the Prime rubbing them in statistics won't solve ... mylh-.. Thibeault, is worried that government Minister's dire warnings, Canada's low the problem of productivity. The hard by Wayne Roberts wage controls deflect attention from the rate of wage increases are about the fact is you can't increase productivity in .... real solutions to our productivity only thing that has kept us competitive . a recession, when shops are working at problem. Lukin Robinson, an economics pro- 50% capacity. Even our top-of-the-class Canada'sproductivity slip is showing.We've hidden behind the skirts "It's one thing to tighten your belt," fessor at York University and author of mining and steel operations are suffering of a resource-richeconomy too long, and now we can't meetthe competition he says. "It's another to squeeze Canada's CrippledDollar, says that our massive layoffs. If productivity were the yourself to death." wage increases have, in fact, fallen answer, these industries would be withoutblushing about a productivityrate that's23% below that of "There are two ways of looking at the behind. booming. problem," Thibeault argues. "You can That's why the talk about productivity ourmajor trading partners. say 'We're not competitive so we is deceptive. It tries to put the blame on anadians are definitely feeling not harder. The problem here is that should lower our expectations. We workers rather than on an economy in embarrassed. Eighty-six percent workers have no control over the should take lower wage increases.' crisis. So when you hear people howling Cof us say that our productivity crucial decisions that affect productivity. That's a very negative way." It's better, about lazy workers and high labour problem is urgent. Sixty-one percent Trade union economists he says, to ask "how can we generate costs, you have to figure that some- confess that they could be working say that productivity flows new markets and output that will thing's going down. And it's not just harder. And the Prime Minister tells us from equipment, scale of sustain the wages we expect? So it's productivity. that it's time to shake a leg. production and really a more fundamental Everyone agrees that what this market size. All productivity problem. It's Measuringthe public sector not as easy as saying country needs is a good five per cent '

IO The Public Employee Spring, I 983 Spring, 1983 The Publi c Employee 11 .. l • ...·

, .

Canadianshave the reputationof puttinglaw and orderabove all else. What has that traditionmeant to the rights - - of workers?

Are unions and union members ever But the history of the Canadian • justified in defying the law? labour movement shows beyond doubt Those who put law and order ahead that unionists would never have achieved ' , of everything else would say "no" - decent working conditions if they were • that laws always have to be obeyed or not prepared at times to challenge society will break down in chaos. unjust laws - and to pay the price in 12 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, I 983 The Public Employee 13 heavy fines and jail terms. cherished and - to some degree - in Canada. When workers are torn between their protected here, although there have Disturbingly, they were all not only an almost obsequiou s deference to environment in which to grow. of public sector unions to bargain authority in any form . Every major gain the labour movement legal obligations on the one hand, and been too many exceptions to warrant tolerated but applauded by the majority collectively, and some have abolished the reality of government/employer complacency. of Canadians at the time. Trade unions and their members, has made over the years has been at a the right to strike, have broken contracts more than any other group in Canada, union -bashing on the other, their The expulsion of the Acadians, the Canadians, as Edgar Friedenberg cost of struggle and sacrifice - and, and rolled back previously negotiated have been the victims of this kind of concept of justice may not coincide with destruction of the Metis , the internment notes in his book "Deference to yes, sometimes the struggle has involved pay increases. Attempts to defy such arbitrary misuse of government power. that of governments and courts. of Japanese Canadians during World Authority ," are more inclined than the civil disobedience. Labour's battle legalized lawbreaking by governments The tyranny of the majority, as As Canadians, of course, we are more War II, the jailing of hundreds of people of other democratic nations to against unjust laws, against anti-union have been crushed, and in Quebec the expressed in labour laws and policies, fortunate than the citizens of countries dissidents in Quebec during the October bow to government laws and actions - politicians and employers, against Parti Quebecois government even denied has been devoted to the discouragement ruled by dictatorships of the right or crisis of 1970 - these were all flagrant not because of the inherent worth of an intolerant press - could not have striking teachers the protection of the left. Civil and human rights are violations of the freedoms of minorities those laws and actions, but because of and suppression of unions , rather than been effectively carried on if every law Canadian and Quebec Charters of to providing them with a favourable were always scrupulously obeyed. Rights. Take, for example, the infamous What Canadian governments have Section 98 of the Criminal Code used done, in effect, is to make it illegal for after the Winnipeg General Strike in public sector unions to function as 1919 to ban "unlawful associations." unions, and to deprive their members of As Prof. Frank Scott , the eminent union representation . Union members constitutional expert, wrote in Queen's have been stripped of their freedom of Quarterly, "For permanent restriction association, since that freedom means • •• of the right of association, freedom of nothing unless the association itself is 1 I discussion, printing and distribution of free to discharge its mandate. literature, and for severity of punish- This·list of government curbs on ment, Section 98 is unequalled in the basic union rights today shows that history of any British country ... " there is no shortage of provocations that Although it was finally repealed in could trigger civil disobedience by 1936, Section 98, as Mr. Justice Tom unions. That most unions have bowed Berger has pointed out, was used as the to the legislation removing their rights model for regulations passed under the is a reflection of their inherent respect War Measures Act to suppress aliens for the law, as well as their reluctance to and dissenters, and for the sweeping risk the kind of harshly repressive powers of arrest and detention conferred measures that governments in this on police by the War Measures Act of country have inflicted on unions in the 1970. past. Section 98 was invoked in the 1920s Unions are also aware that they will and 1930s to deport many thousands of be called "selfish" as well as lawless if trade unionists who had immigrated to they resist laws removing their bargaining Canada from other countries, on the power. And it is true that unions are grounds that they were "suspected mainly concerned with protecting and Communists." The RCMP Commis- advancing their members' interests. But sioner of the day, J. H. MacBrien, self-interest is not necessarily the same claimed that "when Canada has rid as selfishness. itself of foreigners, there will be no Canadian unions represent more unemployment or unrest." than three million workers, who, with Other incidents of blatant govern- their families, comprise more than nine ment attacks on unions include the million people. If the labour movement attempt by the Ontario Liberal is being "selfish" in its attempts to government of Mitch Hepburn to crush help that many men , women and the organization of industrial unions in children, it is surely a higher form of the 1940s, and the notorious Padlock selfishness than that manifested by most ""-tt ta,.. Law enacted by the Duplessis govern- politicians, business executives, and • ment of Quebec, which was used bankers, who promote and enact the frequentl y to harass and intimidate laws that shackle unions. unions in that province. George Woodcock, literary critic and This abrogation of the fundamental author of a book on civil disobedience, rights of union members continues to perhaps best stated the obligation, if not this day. The federal and most provincial the right, of unions to resist unjust governments have taken away the right laws. "As long as there are men and - women who disobey in the name of justice and decency," he said, "humanity During the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, is not enslaved. When the duty to obey workersacted in defiance of the law to bring without question is accepted, that is • much needed reform to society. the moment of freedom's death ." CANAPRESS PHOTO SERVICE 14 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Publi c Employee IS He slammed papers on the desk 'and kicked his garbage can. He talked about the union in the Keddy's motel in Sydney; how they were animals ... How the union was no good. Although he was D:iaryof anu rsin talking to everyone his comments were directed at me. home rker (, -~ ~iday, 6. It's my day off. I went over to get my pay. Dale Keddy sent a nurse to q--._. (if -, get me. He asked why I didn't tell him I had seen Harold Martell the ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• · · · ' \i · t-'°"') night before . I said I felt I didn't have to tell him. He wanted to n January 29, 90 members of Local 1259 went on strike V) tYi '\.._~. j, know what went on. I told him negotiations . He suggested I should against Keddy's Nursing Manor in Halifax. The strike · ' ) look for another job, because he couldn't afford to give me anymore followed months of frustrating negotiations for a first , , money . contract and anti-union harassment by the home's owner, "If I only have two apples, how can I give you three?" he asked . Donald Keddy, and his brother Dale, the home's administrator. My answer : "The cost of living went up 12 per cent . We got a 7 per Prior to the strike , Donald Keddy - who also owns the Keddy !A '2E \ .-e;,:;,,, -~ l '( ' cent raise and Don Keddy wants to raise my rent by 25 per cent . motel chain in the Mari times - was found guilty of violating the · -.___, (Keddy owns an apartment building near the nursing home, where province's Trade Union Act by the Nova Scotia Labour Relations many of the workers live.) How can I pay my rent?" Board. No reply . , He was charged with illegally firing three members of Local 1259's executive and one other union member, interfering with the formation of a union, trying to prevent an employee fromjoining a Monday, July 19. Went to work at a new time . No trouble until after break. UsuaJ.ly I union and changing conditions of employment. call my children at break time and tell them to get up, but I had The fired workers were reinstated by the board a day before the forgotten that morning. So I had permission from a patient to use strike began. her phone . One of the things that aided CUPE in its case against Keddy was a However , Dale Keddy ... came looking for me and caught me diary kept by Rita Eastman, a cleaner and the local's secretary-- using the phone . He said, "What the hell are you doing?" treasurer. Although Eastman was not one of the fired workers, she "Calling home to check on the young fellow," I said . was subjected to constant harassment and pressure by management "Not on my time," he said . "I want you in the office." because of her union involvement . Here are excerpts from her diary.

Thursday, July 15. Dale Keddy received a call from ( CUPE representative) Harold Martell about changing our hours of work from seven-to-three to eight-to-four . He called all the cleaning staff into the office. @X#-.~I /~ ,

,\ \ Tuesday, August 3. We had a meeting with Dale Keddy. I was told to tell the union there t '').~ would be layoffs in each department . Dale said they can 't give us any more money. He said he never got a raise himself. He said a couple of the South rooms were filthy. When I asked U..,,-0-~~ .L-V---<=··~ ~"'&---:..t'i,_ -_;-~ what rooms he was speaking ofhe didn't say. He blamed the nurses r~ . / for the state of the rooms . He said he wanted cleaners to work tonight, but I told him I couldn't. because of personal problems . He said, ''will you be able to get to the union meeting. " I said, "yes." He said he was waiting for one ofus to tell him about the meeting. No one answered . He said he wasn't sure whether he was going to change our hours and that he has the right to pick and choose who would stay and who would go. "Here on my desk ," he said, "I have 23 cents. How can I give you 25 cents?"

16 The P ublic Emplcyee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Publi c E mplcyee 17 Monday, August 23. Our closet door was locked. I had to get Ron to open it ... Tuesday, October 12. We had a meeting with Dale Keddy this morning. When he came I went down to the laundry to get my mop and rags. When I got into his office he had a can of Arid sprBiY'deodorant. He said he back I was putting the mop on the handle. Donald Keddy came wanted all ofus to bathe each dey and use deodorant. He said he down the hall. Heather Perry was in the closet and asked me to fired one person in the kitchen and that he would fire more. He said open up the cupboard, for which I have the keys. I did and by then he wasn't pleased with the work that was done on the holiday he was down looking in the closet. Mondey ... Later that same dey he was down to check my rooms . I saw him Later that dey I was approached by Mrs. Penny ( the head nurse l looking in the rooms. He was seeing where I was . on the south wing). She asked me if I had trouble with perspiration - ·--- Later that dey he came back. I was cleaning the utility room .. .. I "Yes, like everyone, "I said . ...______"_ heard him speak of the cleaning. He spoke about contracting-out ...,~.,,._ She asked me if I used a deodorant . -· ·-·-. the cleaning. --...... , __ '·--- --...., "Yes." She asked me what kind . "I have all kinds of Avon," I said . She said fil8iY'beit wasn't strong enough for me . I told her I bathed every night and that I used deodorant. ~i..... "Maybe once isn't enough," she said. Maybe I had to do it a couple of times . She also said she was asked to speak to me. Then she handed me a bottle of deodorant . First I was embarrassed. Then a little hurt . Then I went in one of the rooms and had a cry. Then I got angry. I thought, "how dare they."

J• .,.. - ...- Wednesday, September 18. I had a hard day. I had to do 20 rooms and 19 washrooms, plus I had to take the laundry over eight times that dey.

Thursday, September 18. No trouble except Dot approached Dale and told him how we agreed to lose a day's pay a fortnight ifit meant no one would be laid off. We all signed a paper to do this . (Keddy had threatened the workers with ley-offs.Eastman went _....._along with the concession because she didn't want anyone to lose his or her job . After the paper was signed, Keddy put everyone back on a regular, 10-dey shift, except for Eastman.)

Monday, Had a meeting with Dale Keddy.... He said we could do 20 rooms October 18. easy. He said ifwe couldn't finish our work we would have to come back at night and finish on our own time without PBiY'- At lunch my card wouldn't punch right. Dale asked me if I had trouble seeing . I said "no". He said, ''you walked over a piece of paper." I told him I saw it and planned to pick it up on my WBiY'back . He then proceeded to SBiY',"Rita, you have some days coming to you in November ." "November?" "Yes. Court dates. You're still charging me (for harassment)." I said, i'yes." He said he went to church on Sundey and said a prBiY'erfor the Tuesday, September 21. It was to be our negotiations . I didn't go because I was at home sick. ones who were giving him a headache. He said we should all go to The girls were upset. They said Mr. Martell was supposed to have church ... said the rooms were filthy and that we could do 20 rooms easy and I said, "I can't see people going to church and coming out and ifwe didn 't do our work right that Don or Dale could fire us. Mr. cursing and swearing and going on like church wasn't on their Martell said it wasn't so. mind at all."

18 The Public Emplayee Spring, 1983 Spring, I 983 The Public Emplayee 19 UP·DATE

Major public sector expansion is Credit union official votes key to economic recovery - Hartman wrong way, loses Ottawa- A major expansion of said. "Pumping more money Canada's public sector is neces- into corporate sinkholes in an $250,000 sary, both to improve social 'Canada spends less on social services effort to stimulate the economy North -When the programs and services and to than do most other countries- and is like throwing a drowning man municipal council voted to con- create jobs for the nation's un- an anchor." tract out municipal garbage col- employed, National President it's getting worse' Hartman agreed that a revi- lection, one of the aldermen Grace Hartman told delegates to talization of the manufacturing who voted for contracting-out the CLC's national economic and resource sectors are essen- was manager of the North Shore conference. tial to a real and lasting econom- Credit Union where Local 389 had $250,000 on deposit. This She said that, contrary to ic recovery. But she pointed out alderman, Bill Sorenson, was popular belief, Canada spends that even a restoration of the pri- also outspoken in calling for less on health care, education, vate sector to its full potential civic wage restraints. family allowances, workers' would not create enough jobs So Local 389 withdrew its Thefirst anniversaryconvention of theOntario Councilof Hospital Unions(CUPE) was alsothe occasion compensation, unemployment for the army of unemployed, be- quarter-million dollars from the for the official presentatianof the council'scharter. OCHU PresidentPaul Barry acceptsthe charterfrom insurance and other social pro- cause new technology would credit union. In a letter to the National President Grace Hartman at the Hamilton, Ont. canvention. grams than do most other coun- eliminate as many jobs as it credit union, Local President tries and recent cuts in govern- would create. Harry Greene said the funds ment funding of these services "A major expansion of our were being withdrawn because democracy you can still do what date in the Saint John Harbour Newspaper are lowering their quality and public sector 1s therefore Sorenson's actions as an alder- you want with your own money riding . availability even more. needed," she said, "both to man "brought about a loss of as long as you don't break the Arbitrator Marc Yeoman, defends CUPE "Canada is now 15th on a list jobs, resulting in higher costs law." Q.C., upheld her grievance, • • of the world's 19 industrial na- and taxes, and inferior service to Clarke noted that many cor- ruling that she was exercising m opposing tions in terms of social spend- the community." porations use their money poli- her legitimate right to be a ing," she said. "And the way 'priority should Sorenson then resigned as an tically all the time, contributing candidate in the election. "cheap labour" our federal and provincial gov- alderman, charging Local 389 to political parties that follow be given to policies they want, while refus- ernments are going, we'll soon with trying to undermine his job Brampton, Ont. - CUPE's ing to bankroll politicians who be at the bottom." social needs security and put undue pressure "When The Axe efforts to upgrade jobs created on him to vote as CUPE wants. aren't symp~thetic to business Hartman said the attack on by government make-work pro- But Greene pointed out that a interests. the public sector is being not business' Falls" film seen jects, and ensure they pay union credit union is a working class orchestrated by the large cor- rates, have drawn much editor- institution and "Sorenson can't on Global TV porations, which want to divert ial criticism from the media. expect to be head honcho there "When The Axe even more government revenue raise the quality and accessibil- NDP candidate Toronto - ("CUPE blocks job creation while engaging in union- Falls" - CUPE's documentary into their own coffers. ity of those services that make plan!" screamed headlines in any society civilized and bashing as an alderman." wins lost pay film on Ontario's Economic cri- the Thunder Bay Chronicle- • "Welfare is acceptable, it humane, and to generate needed While most of the anti-union grievance sis - was shown on the Global Joumal.) But here in Brampton, seems, as long as it goes to the employment." media criticized Local 389, one TV network Sunday, April 24, the Daily Times editorial argued wealthy," she said, noting that columnist - Jack Clarke of the Saint John, N.B. -An arbitra- at4 p.m. that "CUPE has a point." none of the federal govern- She cited health care, schools Vancouver Province - de- tor has ruled that a member of The film, hosted by Stephen ment's 300 business assistance and universities, nursing fended the Local's decision. Local I 866, who was forced by Lewis, outlined the effects of Representative Ruby Chis- programs have been reduced. homes, day care centres, muni- "It would have been surpris- the Workers' Compensation the provincial and federal gov- holm said CUPE doesn't object cipal services and public transit ing," he wrote, "if CUPE had to temporary workers being The CUPE president said Board to take five weeks off ernment's economic policies on systems among the facilities that done nothing in response to a without pay in order to run as an working people. hired by the city, as long as that the diversion of funds, from need upgrading. they're not hired as "cheap social services to corporations move that left eight of its mem- NDP candidate in the last In interviews with workers, · "The choice facing Canadians labour". is the Canadian version of bers on the street. It is naive and provincial election, should be unionists, clergy, politicians today," Hartman said, "is noth- Reaganomics, or supply-side sentimental twaddle for anyone reimbursed for her lost pay and and economists, a clear picture "Give them the jobs," she ing short of deciding what kind economics, which has been to expect a union simply to receive all other benefits she emerged of the deliberate attack said, "but also give them the of society we want to live in, and proved a "complete flop" in the accept an action against its in- would otherwise have received. on working people and their wages those jobs deserve." in what way our economic re- United States. terests without responding in Dee Dee Daigle filed a griev- rights. sources are to be allocated. any legitimate way it can. ance claiming her employer had The decision to buy time on City council wanted to pay "All you accomplish by mak- CUPE believes this choice must "The decision to withdraw violated an article in the collec- TV to show the film was made such workers only $3.50 an ing the rich richer, in the hope be based on giving priority to $250,000 from the credit union tive agreement with Local 1866 so as many CUPE members as hour, instead of the $8.46 that they will create more jobs, social needs rather than narrow was perfectly legitimate. It is the covering leave for political can- possible could get a chance to labourer's rate in the collective is to make the rich richer," she Hartman speaks to CLC ecanomicconference. business interests.'' union's money and in this dida~y. She was the NDP cancli- see it. agreement.

20 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Public Employee 21 UP·DATE

Budget gigantic transfer payments to the prov- ceptionist at Sam Lindsay Patterson said that the coun- inces," he said, "willeither ne- Local 707 Memorial Pool for the past nine CUPE equal cil's hard line typifies the cur- giveaway to big cessitate more cuts in services member wins years, she has gone out of her opportunities kit rent attitude of many munici- and the loss of more public sec- way to welcome visitors, show palities in the province. business - tor jobs, or they will force the tourism award them around, and answer their Ottawa - A member's kit on "Even though the Alberta provinces to raise their taxes to questions. equal opportunities for women government has not imposed Cummings compensate for the federal cuts. Recreation Director Joe Ian- is now available from National official wage controls, many Office. Ottawa - Finance Minister In either case, the outcome will Kitimat, B.C. - Ena Pegley, a narelli paid tribute to Pegley's councils are adopting their own Marc Lalonde's budget is "a be lost jobs and purchasing member and shop steward of dedication and friendliness, and The kit, designed to give wage limit policies. They either formula for economic relapse, power.'' Local 707, has received a "Good said he could think of no one members basic information on offer very small increases, or, as not economic recovery," Show Award" for her commu- more deserving of the award, women's issues, contains sheets in the case of the Brooks coun- according to National Secre- nity work and promotion of which was presented by the on affirmative action, the "how- cil, none at all." tary-Treasurer Kealey Cum- CUPE tourism in the area. Advisory Recreation Commis- tos" of forming a women's com- He added that, with an 80% mmgs. In her job as cashier and re- sion. mittee, technological change, strike vote, the members of He characterized the budget membership equal pay, and sexual harass- Local 1032 are prepared for a as "a gigantic welfare plan for ment. long, tough struggle To obtain the kit, write: Fari- the country's business firms. hits 291,000 Employeesof Kingstonand DistrictAssociation for theMen tally Retarded da Shaikh, Equal Opportunities "It's based on the silly right- CUPE Task Force broughttheir fight for a bettercontract to Ottawa. ErinSepic, daughterof Ottawa - CUPE's total nation- for Women, CUPE, 21 Florence wing notion that all that has to striking worker Patrice Dwyer-Sepic, calls for justice near Canada's al membership is nearing the St., Ottawa, Ont. K2P 0W6. Information be done to· create more jobs is 300,000 mark. The latest mem- on Women Supreme Court. throw more money at the cor- bership figures compiled by requested on porations," said Cummings. National Secretary-Treasurer Council's wage "That hasn't worked in the Kealey Cummings shows that renews hazards in offices nical material they may be able paign took place at the board of past, and it's certainly not going 291,000 public employees freeze "offer" Toronto - Ralph Carovale, to supply. directors' meeting, where the to address the real problem to- across Canada are now dues- president of Local 1750, which Please send this information local - backed by more than day, which is a lack of demand paying members of CUPE. fight for could mean a represents employees of the pro- to Ralph Carnovale, President, 350 employees, parents and for goods and services, not a The addition of the 4,200- vincial Workers' Compensation Local 1750, CUPE, 55 Gervais representatives of community long strike Drive, Toronto, Ont., organizations - was able to lack of productive capacity." member Montreal bus drivers' equality Board, has been appointed to The CUPE officer said that group accounts for some of the Brooks, Alta. - The refusal of the Canadian Standards Asso- M3C 1Y8. convince the board to preserve what is needed is a "bubble- mcrease. the county council to make a ciation's Technical Committee its level of service and save the up," not a "trickle-down" Quebec - While the economic crisis is hurting every worker, it's wage offer has triggered a strike on Office Ergonomics. Planned layoffs jobs of its workers. budget - one that puts more having a particularly adverse effect on women in the workforce. And by the 40 county workers, mem- This committee's job is to Mike Jones, president of disposable income into the there's no better- or more critical time - to make women's issues a bers of Local 1032, employed in establish guidelines for the averted by Local 2316, urged the society to hands of consumers through Committee to priority. the public works department design of office furniture, stand up to the provincial gov- substantial tax cuts for low-and promote better That's the conclusion of the CUPE Task Force on Women, which and also in nine area schools. work-stations, etc., that will be political action ernment "for the good of all the middle-income earners. met here recently on the heels of the CLC's national women's confer- Long negotiations and media- conducive to employees' health Toronto -An intense political children of Ontario." "Instead," he pointed out, labour education ence. tion by the Alberta Labour and safety. action campaign by members of "the net effect of the budget's Halifax - Education Repre- The task force, whose mandate is to educate and help mobilize Dept. failed to budge the Carnovale is now trying to Local 2316, Children's Aid First agreement tax changes will be to raise per- sentative George Newell has CUPE members on women's issues, will be preparing a policy paper council. determine which areas the com- Society of Metro Toronto, paid sonal income tax revenue by an been named by the Nova Scotia for the CUPE National Convention in October. "They're offering us no in- mittee should concentrate on. off recently when the board of strikes ruled extra $260 million by the end of Federation of Labour to serve "We know that the unemployment rate for women stands at 12 per crease, no changes to the old He is collecting data based on directors voted not tff lay off 21 1984. on a committee to promote bet- cent, that they are the first to be laid off in tough economic times, that collective agreement," said specific hazards or problems employees after the provincial okay in Ontario "In addition, the continuing ter labour relations education in they're still clustered in low-paying job ghettos and will face an Representative Gerry Patter- that CUPE members have iden- government slashed the socie- Toronto - Responding to an imposition of public sector wage the province's high schools. uncertain future with the rapid introduction of technological son. tified. ty's budget by $3 million. appeal by CUPE, the Ontario controls into 1984 will prevent A sub-committee of the change," said CUPE President Grace Hartman, who was acting chair The county council's decision CUPE is requesting that all Earlier, the CAS executive Labour Relations Board has most public employees from Dalhousie Labour-University of the first meeting. to freeze the employees' wages locals with office workers in director had ordered the layoffs ruled that Ontario's wage con- buying more private sector Committee, the Committee on "As a union with almost 50 per cent female membership, we can't was backed up by threats from their membership ask those in the face of the budget cut- trol legislation doesn't prevent a goods." Labour Education in the let up in our efforts to gain equality for women," she added. the chairman of the county members to provide informa- backs. union from striking or seeking Cummings also noted that, Schools will assist primary and Elected to chair the task force was Maxine Zurbrigg, representing negotiating committee, Alfred tion that will assist Brother Car- The victory was the result of a arbitration on non-monetary although the federal govern- secondary school teachers with British Columbia. Other members of the task force are: Lyn Godin Peltzer. novale. They are asked to notify week-long lobby and public re- issuef in a first agreement. ment has allocated over $2 bil- material and resource people. (Alberta), Melanie Medlicott (Sask.), Darlene Muloin (Manitoba), "We're determined there'll him of any existing hazards that lations effort by the local. The The decision could serve as a lion for public capital projects The aim is to extend the present Gloria Opaski (Ontario), Raymonde Belanger (Quebec), Barb be no wage increase this year," have been identified in their action included direct appeals to spur for organizing new groups over the next four years, the jobs limited scope of labour studies Kowalski (Nova Scotia), and Julie Crabbe (Prince Edward Island). he said, "so the strike could last place of work, and the causes, board members by users and of war kers in the public sector to be created by such projects in the province's school system. National staff on the task force: Ernie Parker (Job Evaluation), indefinitely if the union doesn't such as poor office design, toxic employees, contacting politi- during the controls period. may be more than offset by the "Any assistance or advice that Elizabeth Plettenberg (Education), Shereen Bowditch (Office of the give in." substances, improper work cians, holding news confer- The board's decision flowed cuts in the funding of health, any CUPE Locals or members National President), Bozica Costigliola (Public Relations), Farida He added that, if the strike practices, and so on. ences, preparing briefs and from CUPE's efforts to negoti- education and other social pro- might wish to give to this impor- Shaikh (Equal Opportunities, secretary to the task force), Gene drags on, the council will con- Any suggestions for improve- mobilizing community orga- ate a first agreement for em- grams already initiated. tant committee would be most Errington (Research, B.C.), and Julie Griffin (Representative, Ont .). tract out work or have it done by ments they may have will also be nizations. ployees of Toronto's Doctors' "The sharp reductions m welcome," Newell said. volunteers. welcomed, as well as any tech- The culmination of the cam- Hospital.

22 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 Spring, 1983 The Public Employee 23 AMNESTY UP·DATE INTERNATIONAL CUPE-backedhuman rights group Nurses' home who will be replacing Gerald Joyce in the Quebec Regional visits must be Office. defends trade unionists around the world. The two temporary organiz- stopped- ers are James Flynn and fter Turkey'smilitary leadersseized control of their nation's Maurice Vezina, both assigned arbitrator for two months to the Quebec governmentin September1980, they put Abdullah Basturk, London - A grievance filed by Regional Office. presidentof the TurkishConfederation of ProgressiveTrade Local IOI has been upheld by an Jack Hughesman, formerly Unions (DISK), in prison. He's been there since. arbitrator who ordered the City Regional Director in Saskatch- of London to stop sending its ewan, has been transferred to Basturk, who has also beenon the executiveboard of the Public nurses to the homes of munici- the position of Representative in ServicesInternational, and 51 other trade union leaders,have been pal employees absent because of the Victoria Area Office, effec- illness. tive Jan. 17. tortured and face a possibledeath sentenceimposed by the military Brian Langille said in his Three temporary Representa- rulers. ruling that the visits invade tives have completed their workers' privacy and violate assignments: Murray Kelly in But Abdullah Basturk, likepolitical prisoners and victims of torture their collective agreement. the Freder icton Area Office, throughout the world, is not alone. He has a beaconof hope called The city tried to justify send- Elaine Evans in the Victoria ing public health nurses to the Area Office (she returned to her Amnestry International. homes of sick employees, saying former position as stenographer I The 22-year-oldhuman rights organization,recipient of the 1977 such visits were necessary to there), and Maxine Zurbrigg, l prevent abuse of the paid sick also in the Victoria Area Office. ; Nobel PeacePrize, has intervenedon behalfof more than 20,000 leave clause in the contract. Tony Wohlfarth, who had prisonersof consciencein more than 100 countries. But the arbitrator said the been working at National Office visits are Han exercise in man- as a temporary Research Officer CUPE was one the first unions in Canadato voice support for agement power forbidden by since Sept. 23, 1981, became a Amnesty International. - the terms of the agreement." If permanent employee on March the city wants to change the 1. t A resolutionof supportfor the organizationwas passedlast year by policing of sick leave, he added, Murray Craddock, past More than 2,000 PrinceEdward Island workersrecently marched on the CLC Biennial Convention. It calledon memberunions to work it should do so throµgh collec- president of Local 1629 and the provincial legislaturein responseto the government'sproposed tive bargaining. previously a temporary Repre- wagefreeze. Two membersof Local 805, Dave Smith, left, and Gary with the human rights group and to help "increasepressure on sentative, was appointed a Gallant, carried a vivid reminderof what happend to collective bargaining. governments to end specifichuman rights violationsagainst trade permanent Rep in the Manitoba Keeping Track Regional Office on April 4. unionists." Twenty-two staff changes have New temporary Representa- Becauseof Brother Basturk and the thousandsof other prisoners like him, Amnesty occurred in recent months, in- tives are Paul Child, in the Layoffs reduce the "handi-transit" operation cluding the hiring of three Windsor Area Office, replacing for the old and handicapped. Internationalhas initiated the TradeUnion Urgent Action Network. And they need permanent Representatives, Mickey Warner; Ken Ger- services to Bickerstaffe said the city is your support. and eight temporary Repre- lachin the Saskatchewan Re- simply putting 18 more people sentatives. gional Office, replacing Alf handicapped on unemployment insurance or Please, sign up. Robert FifJk,who had been a Hiltz who is on sick leave; Gil- • • welfare. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••• • • temporary Rep sin~e !~st May, les Martin in the Quebec Re- citizens "In the long run," he said, became a full-time Representa- gional Office, assigned to health Cornwall, Ont. - The layoff of "it's the taxpayer who pays for Join the Trade Union Urgent Action Network tive in the Manitoba Regional and safety matters; Ron 18 municipal employees - the person who's deprived of a Office on Jan . 3. Moreau in the Sault Ste. Marie some of them involved in serv- job and a chance to be produc- Name-----~------Gerald Joyce, previously Office, replacing Mike Young; ing invalids and the handicap- tive.'' YES, I want to join Amnesty employed with the Quebec Theo Rosendaal in the Quebec ped- has been termed "callous He noted that civic workers in D International'sUrgent Action Network CUPE Local ______Council, and also as a temporary Regional Office; and Danielle and counterproductive" by recent years have been the Rep, was appoint,ed a penna - St. Laurent in the Rouyn Area Local 234 President Mike Bick- subject of much public abuse to protect trade unionists, and receive nent Representative in the Office. erstaffe. because they are allegedly the monthly urgent actionappeal. Address ______Quebec Regional Office on Jan. Three temporary employees "Council's decision to lay off guaranteed job security. 7. have finished their terms - these workers," he said, "may "But that's only a myth. For Our localwould like to participatein City _____ Prov. __ _ _ Postal Code The two new temporary Michey Warner as temporary look good on the surface, but the past few years, we've lost Representatives are Joseph Representative in the Windsor they'll deprive 18 families of in- many jobs through attrition, D the Network. Send informationon all Herbert, who will be repl~cing Area Office; James Flynn and come, as well as penalizing the and how we're being hit with labourcases. Richard Belanger (now on Maurice Vezina as temporary city's most disadvantaged actual layoffs." He said the Clip and mail to: EuniceHarker LTD) in the Eastern Ontario Organizers in the Quebec Re- citizens." layoffs came without any ad- Pleasesend me a free copyof the latest TradeUnion Co-ordinator Office; and Suzanne Monier, gional Office. One of the services to be cut is vance notice or consultation. 244 Albert St. D issue of Amnesty International's Suite 204 24 The Public Employee Spring, 1983 LabourNews. Ottawa, Ontario r Atwork for our neighbours. We're the public's em})JDyees• -..

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