THE MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE FOR UFCW LOCAL 832 JULY 2012 The Next Prime Minister of Canada? Thomas Mulcair impressive at NDP convention. PRESIDENTIAL COMMENT The Imperfect Storm ooking around our beautiful on the basis of their ability to speak province as the dog days of English and allow employers to pay Lsummer arrive — and we all them 15 per cent less than workers think a little bit more about what to in the same jobs today. barbeque and less about the ‘to do’ list — you wouldn’t think that a storm Working people are under attack is brewing, which has slowly gained in every corner of this land and momentum since May of last year. This Canadians are seeing the true colours isn’t the kind of storm that bounces of this Federal government who are hail off the side walk or blows down now pushing through changes that trees; this is a political storm that will undo many of the accomplish- will eventually rain on every work- ments made through the hard work ing person in this country in one way of generations. or another. The need for workers to stand On May 2, 2011, the Conservative together as the workers of Winnipeg government of Stephen Harper took did in 1919 is as great today as it was power in Ottawa with the major- then. We need to remind Stephen ity that they had been looking for Harper and his government that WE part-time jobs, leaving them to live built this country and that there is no Many had speculated what a major- well below the poverty line. Bill 377 future without US. We need to let him itysince Conservative first coming government to office in would2006. is a blatant attack on unions—putting know that we deserve and demand do differently than a minority one, but the last thirteen months have requirements on us than any other conditions and the right to raise our left no need for speculation as the more stringent financial reporting familiesfair wages, in a sociallybenefits just and and working respon- agenda is clear. Cuts to thousands of public service sible society. - jobsnon-profit were organizations.something that Harper We must weather this storm together ernment legislated workers off the forgot to mention when he was on until our vote can be our voice and In the first year, our Federal gov the campaign trail, but more and we can tell Stephen Harper and the times—an unprecedented number Conservatives what we really think forpicket any line federal not once government or twice but over five a about his vision of Canada. similar period ever. They have effec- andmore with workers no way find to themselves replace their laid lost off tively sent a message to employers income.from good The paying future jobs of withpublic benefits health –- 2015 can’t come fast enough. that they can refuse to negotiate in a care is also on the chopping block as serious and meaningful manner with the long range plan to cut healthcare no fear of the consequences. Free col- payments to the provinces are likely lective bargaining is a cornerstone of the rights of working people and end of the legacy of Tommy Douglas. Harper has been hammering that a precursorAnd I haven’t to privatization even mentioned and the In solidarity, cornerstone with a sledgehammer sweeping changes to immigration at every opportunity. laws that will effectively destroy Bill C-38, the Omnibus budget bill, Manitoba’s hugely successful Provincial is a convoluted piece of legislation that is full of pitfalls for working Nominee Program that finds a path Canadians. The bill includes sweep- Manitobans each year. The new laws, Jeff Traeger, for citizenship to more than 1600 new ing changes to EI that will force the among other things, will discrimi- President UFCW Local 832 unemployed into minimum wage, nate against potential immigrants 2 UNION JULY 2012 THE MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MEMBERS OF UFCW LOCAL 832 JULY 2012 DEPARTMENTS FEATURES OFFICES Youth Family fun day in Winnipeg Page 11 Winnipeg and Brandon 1412 Portage Avenue Page 4 and 5 Winnipeg, MB R3G OV5 Workers Compensation 786-5055 / 1-888-UFCW-832 Page 12 NDP convention in Winnipeg Page 6 Brandon Grievance News 530 Richmond Avenue E. Page 13 Hoping to find a cure Page 7 Brandon, MB R7A 7J5 727-7131 / 1-800-552-1193 Retirees’ Club Members meet with Page 14 government officials Thompson Westfair Page 8 90 Thompson Drive Thompson, MB R8N 1Y9 Page 15 Governor General Tour 778-7108 / 1-800-290-2608 Hospitality, Service & Retail Page 8 Page 16 Training Centres Online migrant workers course 880 Portage Avenue Production Page 9 Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P1 Page 17 775-8329 / 1-877-775-8329 Northern News Membership Discounts Page 10 530 Richmond Avenue E. Page 19 Brandon, MB Canada-South Korea Free Trade Agreement 244 Hamilton Street Page 18 Neepawa, MB Union Representatives: Ron Allard, Ray Berthelette, Brenda Brown, Marie Buchan, Kim Ferris, Sandy Forcier, Mike Howden, Blair Hudson, Jerry Kies, Phil Kraychuk, Wendy Lundy, President J.P. Petit, Martin Trudel Jeff Traeger Health and Safety Resource Personnel: Guy Sylvestre Secretary-Treasurer Legal Counsel: Debra Malmquist, Garry Bergeron Organizing: Sonia Taylor Beatrice Bruske Education and Training: Heather Grant-Jury Workers Compensation: Rob Hilliard E-mail: [email protected] Negotiators: Susan Hart-Kulbaba, Michelle Masserey, Heather Dezan Website: www.ufcw832.com Communications: Blake Crothers, Dalia Chapa Canadian Mail Publications Sales Agreement #40070082 June was family month for Local 832 members Picnics held in Winnipeg and Brandon. FCW Local 832 held family pic- nics in Winnipeg and Brandon Ulast month. The Winnipeg and surrounding areas picnic took place on June 10 at Kildonan Park. The weather co-oper- ated and the sun shone until the very end of the picnic, then the sky opened up and it poured. Brandon and the Westman area picnic Kin Park in Brandon. Mother nature mixedwas the it upfollowing a little and week the on picnic-goers June 16 at experienced some sunny, cloudy and rainy weather—it didn’t stop the fun though. Some of the Brandon group. forward,” said local union President Jeff“I amTraeger. a firm “The believer members in paying work it At both picnics, there were games hard for their money and support the and races for kids of all ages, as well union all year long. The best part of as bouncers and other special activi- picnics is watching the kids having ties. President Traeger attended both a great time and spending time with events and enjoyed talking to the mem- their family.” bers who came out for the day of fun. Pictured with President Traeger are the winners of the bocce ball tournament in Winnipeg, Marc Caron, Safeway 720 member, and his wife and son. 4 UNION JULY 2012 UNION JULY 2012 5 June was family month for Local 832 members Picnics held in Winnipeg and Brandon. iPod winner Mui Dieng from Dunn-Rite. Some of the Brandon group. Playbook winner Cheryl Fournier from Steinbach Extra Foods 9001. Computer winner Sid McEwan from Safeway 334. Thank you to all the members who live in northern Manitoba for their support throughout the year. Unfortunately due to the dis- tance between the communities, picnic in the north region. it is very difficult to plan a joint 4 UNION JULY 2012 UNION JULY 2012 5 NDP holds convention in Winnipeg Former UFCW president receives prestigious award. Premier Greg Selinger, Local 832 President Jeff Traeger and NDP federal leader Thomas Mulcair. DP delegates from across Manitoba met in Winnipeg Non June 1 for a three-day con- vention to discuss and debate policies - tion since the Manitoba NDP won a recordfor the fourthparty. Itstraight was the majority first conven in last fall’s election. UFCW Local 832 President Jeff the local attended the convention to makeTraeger sure and labour five staff and members workers werefrom well represented during the discus- sions and debates. UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger spoke at the convention about the need for more protection for temporary agricultural workers. He gave examples of the living condi- tions these workers are given when they come to Manitoba and how they are similar to Third-World conditions. NDP federal leader Thomas Mulcair addressing the crowd. 6 UNION JULY 2012 UNION JULY 2012 7 NDP holds convention in Winnipeg Former UFCW president receives prestigious award. Newly elected NDP federal leader President Kevin Rebeck made the movement and the Manitoba New Thomas Mulcair was a keynote speaker presentation to Robert. The Stanley Democratic Party. on Saturday, June 2. Many of the del- Knowles award is given to a trade The conference also held elections egates spoke highly of Mulcair and unionist who has shown a deep com- for the NDP provincial executive. gave him a standing ovation. Mulcair mitment to working people and the Two UFCW Local 832 retirees were focused his half-hour speech on the achievement of social justice through elected to the provincial executive, environment and how he wants to connect more with the youth. "The most important thing for recognized contributions to the union Darlene Dziewit and Mary Johnson. us to do is make all young people understand that they are having an enormous debt laid on them by the Conservative party's choices across Canada. When young people stop voting, the right wing wins and democ- racy loses," stated Mulcair. Recently retired UFCW Local 832 president Robert Ziegler was given the Stanley Knowles Solidarity Award. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and MFL President Kevin Rebeck (left) and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger (right) Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) presenting Robert Ziegler with Stanley Knowles Solidarity Award.