Education, Technical, Office and Professional Workers ... · and 2014 ETOP Conferences and...

Contents• President’sRemarks...........................1• AnExplanationofthePerCapita

PaymentstotheETOPCouncil......2• BeTheChange....................................2• WhyWeNegotiatePaidEducation

Leave(PEL).............................................3• CrosswordFun.....................................4• WindsorStarUnit,Local240..........5• Women’sReport:International

Women’sDay........................................6• CanadianLabourInsurance

ServicesUnitLocal1524..................6• PoliticalAction....................................7• #JOURNALISMIS.................................7• GreenShieldCanadaWindsor

OfficeUnit.............................................8• MentalHealthintheWorkplace...9• ATributetoaRemarkableUnion

EducationSystem.............................10• UniforLocal673UnitReport........11• APictorialReviewofthe2013

and2014ETOPConferencesandMeetings..............................................12

Greetings!

ThankyoufortakingthetimetoreadthelatesteditionofthedEskTOPnewsletter.ThishasbeenanexcitingyearfortheEducation,Technical,OfficeandProfessionalWorkersIndustryCouncil.ThecreationofUniforhasbroughtwithitmanychallengesaswegrow,butalsomanynewopportunities.

Inthepasttwoyears,ourCouncilhashadthegreatpleasureofconnectingwithETOPworkersacrossthecountry.EarlierthisyearwehadtheopportunitytoattendtheannualmeetingoftheAlbertaEducationWorkersCouncil.ThisgrouprepresentsthesupportstaffoftheAlbertaSeparateSchoolBoardSystem.Wehadagreattimeconnectingandsharingideaswiththegroupofincredibleactivists.WewerealsotreatedtoanamazingaddressbyRachelNotley,LeaderoftheAlbertaNewDemocrats.Notbutafewmonthsafterourvisit,RachelandtheAlbertaNDPbroughttoanendoverfortyyearsofConservativeruleintheprovince.WealsohadthepleasureofwelcominganewEducationgroupintoourUnion.EarlierthisyearthemembersoftheUniversityofNewBrunswickEmployeesAssociation(UNBEA)votedtobecomemembersofUnifor.Welookforwardtoworkingtogetherwiththisenthusiasticgroupofactivists.

Asyouarewellawarethisyearisacrucialyearforusinthetradeunionmovement.Therewillbeafederalelectionthisfall.Thisisourchancetoimpactthechangeourcountrysodesperatelyneeds.OurmovementandourcountryhavesufferedlongenoughunderthetyrannyofStephenHarper’sConservativeparty.Atnotimeinourhistoryhastheprogressivemovementbeensomuchunderattackandatrisk.

Thecurrentgovernmenthassetouttosilencedissentandcurtaildemocraticparticipation

inCanada.Firstlyourcivillibertiesandthekeystonetooursociety,thecharterofrightsandfreedomshasbeenpatentlyignoredbytheHarpergovernment’snewlawC-51.ThiswhollyunconstitutionaldocumentprovidesnewandsweepingpowerstoCanada’sspyagencywiththeabilitytosetasidecharterrightsinsecretfederalcourthearingswithnootherlawyers(otherthanthegovernmentones)toprovidethecounterbalancetothisunprecedentedtramplingoffreedoms.FortheirsecondactthegovernmentpassedwiththehelpoftheirunelectedcroniesintheSenateC-377.Thisunnecessary,unfair,andagainunconstitutionalbillisaimedatdoingnothingmorethantyinguptradeunionsinredtapeandissimplyanothertooltoharassprogressivesandstifledebate.

Nowisthetimetoelectanewgovernmentthatwillrespecttheconstitutionofthiscountry,andworktoimprovethelivesofworkingCanadians.AsyoureadthroughthedEskTOPyouwillfindoutaboutthemanywaysUniforisworkingwithouractivistsandprogressivepartnerstomakethishappen!

InclosingIwouldurgeyoutotakethetimetoread,andtoshareareportissuedthispastMaybytheCouncilofCanadiansentitled“BrokenCovenant:HowStephenHarpersetouttosilencedissentandcurtaildemocraticparticipationinCanada”(findithere:http://canadians.org/broken-covenant).ThisexcellentpiecebyMaudeBarlowdetailseverythingyouneedtoknowabouthowtheHarperConservativeshavesystematicallysentourcountryonadownwardspiralandwhyweneedtotakeactionnowtostopthem!

InSolidarity,

MattRootPresident,ETOPIndustryCouncil

President’s RemarksEducation, Technical, Office and Professional Workers Industry Council

August 2015 Volume 7, No. 1

dEskTOPNewsletter

Political Action, Mental Health, Unit Reports, PEL

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WiththeFederalelectionsfastapproaching,itisvitalthatwedoeverythingpossibletoensureweelectagovernmentthathasthebestinterestofallCanadians.

Thiswilltakeanenormousamountofworkineducatingourmembersontheimportanceofvotingandtonotelectagovernmentthatisattackingworkingclasspeople,seniorsandyouthlikeweareexperiencingtoday.

AsanOntarioRegionalCouncilPACcommitteemember,Ihavehadtheopportunitytoworkalongwithournationalunionasweprepareourselvesforthischallenge.

Someoftheinitiativesincludethe“IWillVoteCampaign”whereweareactivelyseekingthecommitmentfromourmemberstotakethepledgetovoteinOctober.Asaresultofthiscampaign,ithasopenedopportunitiestohaveconversationswithourmembersabouttheconcernsthatCanadianshavewith

ourcurrentgovernmenttoday.

Someotherinitiativesinclude:workingcloselywiththeCLC;theGoodJobsSummit;townhallphoneconferences;numerousrallies,demonstrationsandprotestsonhealthcarecutsandgoodjobsecurity;andanationalchildcarecampaign–allaregearedtoensuringCanadiansunderstandtheimpactoftheirvote.

Thisfall,pleasetakeonehourtohelpyourlocalcandidateintheridinginwhichyoulive.Believeitornot,itwillbeahugecontributiontowardsdefeatingourcurrentgovernment.

Inclosing,Iwanttoremindeveryonethatyourvotedoescount.

PLEASEVOTE!!!

JodiNesbitt,VicePresidentETOPCouncil

ThepercapitapaymenttoaffiliatetotheETOPCouncilis20centspermemberpermonth.Itisimportantthatthepaymentbemademonthlyasitgivesatruepictureofouraffiliatestatus.TheminimumpercapitataxpaidbyanyLocalhavingCouncildelegatesshallbe$100.00peryear.Localsthatareinarrearsshouldattempttocatchuponthenextmonthlypercapitapayment.ChequesshouldbemadepayabletotheETOPCouncilandsenttotheattentionof:

IanCraigmyleETOPFinancialSecretaryc/oUniforLocal2403400SommeAvenueWindsor,OntarioN8W1V4

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsand/orconcernsrelatingtotheabove,pleasecontactmedirectly519-996-3457orviae-mailtoiancraigmyle@cogeco.net.

InSolidarity

IanCraigmyleFinancialSecretary,ETOPCouncil

An Explanation of the Per Capita Payments to the ETOP Council

BE THE CHANGE!!!

Sudokusolutionisonpage6

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Why We Negotiate Paid Education Leave (PEL)

IhavealwaysbelievedthatPortElginistheheartofourUnionandthrougheducationwehave,andcontinuetobuild,amazingactivistswhocomebackwithalargerperspectiveandfireintheirhearts.BelowisaletterIreceivedfromUniforLocal240memberoutofourGreenShieldunitthatIhadtoshare.

Gooddayladies;

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to attend the Human Rights PEL in Port Elgin a few weeks ago. I’ve taken many humanitarian courses over the years and have long prided myself as being an empathetic, compassionate individual who genuinely cares about people and their rights. Preparing for this course, I believed my biggest challenge would be to maintain a decent sense of humour. I have family, friends & coworkers that joke about racial prejudices & social inequalities. Some of my favourite comedians do the same thing. I was a little worried that I would come back a prude that people were afraid to joke around.

The Human Rights course enlightened me. I learned as much from the Discussion Leaders as I did from the stories of the people I met. The working conditions some fellow Canadians have to deal with daily in 2015 is remarkable and enhanced my appreciation for where I’m working. I will bring this back to GSC. We don’t need to worry about the exposures of extreme weather, physical exhaustion, toxic chemicals, unsecured premises, etc. We are fortunate in many ways.

This course also reinforced another realization I had after my first one. I was impressed, almost amazed, at how inaccurate my first impression of many people can be. I’m a people

person, but, still shocked to learn how my own personality and mood affects my perception of my interactions - as does everybody’s. I will take this realization with me wherever I go. This actually made me smile at a couple I’ve been glaring at, at the gym, for some time. Turns out, they’re probably nowhere near as nasty as the impression I had allowed myself to believe of them.

In addition to getting to listen to my Discussion Leader’s delightful French accent, the beautiful people I had the time to get vulnerable and honest with, I had the honour of meeting one of the first elected woman presidents

of an almost exclusively male dominated union in India. I will never be the same.

This lady, who was fortunate enough to get a job (in a country where women are openly viewed as second class and over-looked for jobs, but, without one, have absolutely zero value in society) has experienced conditions even our most deprived workers could not even imagine. These women who “scored” jobs usually did so as conductors, cab or bus drivers. They were given the worst hours, in the most dangerous parts of town that were the farthest out, for 8 to 10 hour shifts without access to any washroom facilities. This is not a big concern in India. Even as the miscarriage rates for these workers are skyrocketing.

It was the solidarity of the union that gave this woman hope. This hope led her to further her education. She

learned English as her third language and solicited solidarity amongst the women workers, despite harassment and death threats. She understood that together we can all stand. The support and encouragement of women workers, and that of her husband, fuelled her confidence, gave her strength and dignity. The union provided her a platform to be heard, to rally and gain strength in numbers.

While speaking to us in Port Elgin, 7,000 men and women lined the streets in India together, side by side, for the first time, in a protest against working conditions there. When we received this news, we all knew that

many Indian women and men died that day. As somber as that is, we all appreciate that those remaining got stronger. Their collective voice is getting louder and they will be heard.

I will never know such deplorable conditions and have no desire to visit India. I am grateful for the stories and I appreciate how lucky we are. Thank you all for being strong women, for being heard, and, for fighting for the benefit of us all.

Thank you, too, for investing in me.

Greatly appreciated,Brooke Bondy, Unifor Local 240 Green Shield

RespectfullySubmittedby,

TheresaFarao,President,UniforLocal240

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Crosswordsolutionisonpage12

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Earlierthisyear,wesuccessfullyfoughtoffanattemptbymanagementatTheWindsorStarandourcorporateowners–PostmediaInc.–toclawbackseverancemoneyofferedtoourmembersthroughavoluntarybuyoutoffer(VBO).

Oursuccesscamethroughtalkswiththeemployeroncewefiledagrievanceagainstthisunconscionableattempttostealfromourmembers.Ourgrievancewasbasedonthecompany’sfailuretonegotiatewiththeunionoverthematter–insteadtheywentdirectlytoourmembers.

TheVBOofferofthreeweeks’payforeveryyearofserviceuptoamaximumof78weeksor$150,000wasonlyavailablethroughweeklypayments–nolumpsums.Andbecausethecompanyheldontothepursestringsforthedurationofthepayout,theyinsistedtheywouldreducethepayoutby50percentiftheformeremployeefoundanotherjobthatpaidthesameormore(andbylesseramountsifthewagewassubstantiallyless).

Theyreferredtothisas“mitigation”language.Obviouslytheywantedto“mitigate”theirobligationstoourmembers.

Wetoldthemwewouldneveragreetothis.Infact,itwouldmeantheVBOwasworthlessthanwhatourcollectiveagreementaffordsinseverance–twoweeksforeveryyearofserviceupto52weeks.

Whatwedidagreetowasthecompanycanclawbackmoneyundertheabovecircumstancesonlyonone-thirdofthebuyoutperiod–whatthecompanycallsthe“premium”payout–andweinsisteditcomeatthebeginningofthepayout.Severancepaymentsduringthelasttwo-thirdsofthebuyoutperiodcan’tbetouchedbythecompany.

AsaresultoftheVBOs,wehadtwohigh-senioritymembersinoureditorialdepartmentretirebutunfortunatelywelostfivemembersinadvertising,twointhebusinessofficeandthreeinreadersalesandservice.OurmemberstooktheVBObecauseotherwisetheywouldhavebeenlaidoffasthecompanyeliminatedtheirjobs.

Insolidarity,

JulieKotsis-WilderChairperson-WindsorStarUnitUniforLocal240

Women’s Report: International Women’s DayInternationalWomen’sDay(IWD)wasMarch8thandourIWDmeetingandluncheonhadsoldoutattendanceatourLocalUnionHall.MembersfrommanyUniforlocals(1106,4304,1524)aswellasmanyotherunions(OSSTF,CUPE,USW,UFCW,OECTA,PSAC)wereinattendance.Wehadengagingspeakers:ElizabethClarke,CEOKitchener-WaterlooYWCA;GayleO’Brien,DaveFMRadio;andDonnaReid,CambridgeCityCouncillor.Wehadfundraisers,a50/50draw,andahugeraffledrawwithover100prizestobidon.Awonderfullunchwasservedbythementhatvolunteeredfortheevent.Itwasgreattobeinattendance,andmeetsistersfromotherlocalsandotherunions.WehadeightsistersrepresentingourLocal,1524.

SistersandBrothers…weareintoughtimes…aswegoforward.IneverycornerofCanada,well-paid,full-timejobsarerapidlydisappearingandbeingreplacedbyprecarious,low-wage,part-timeandcasualpositions.Womenmakeup53%ofunionmembersinCanada,anduniondensityforwomenhasbeenhigherthanmensince2004.Still,mosthigh-rankingunionleadershippositionscontinuetobeheldbymen,eveninunionswherethemembershipispredominantlywomen.

ForAboriginalwomen,womenofcolour,andwomenwithdisabilities,thepictureisworse,withveryfewinleadershiporstaffpositions.Thosewhoareinpositionsspeakoflittlesupport,andinsomecases,facehostility.Participantsnoticelackofeffortstorecruitandmentorunionsistersfromequality-seekinggroups.

Manyyoungerunionsistersaresupportiveoftheirunions,butarenotpreparedtoabandonpartners,children,orlife,tounionwork.Somedecidenottobecomeactive;otherschoosetowaituntillaterintheirlives.

Theimportantpartis…WeAreWomenandWeAreStrong…Wecandoboth!Supportourunion,whichthenwillhelpussupportourfamilies.

InSisterhood,Mel(MaryEllen)Dance

WINDSOR STAR UNIT REPORT - LOCAL 240

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BrothersandSisters,

Ourmembers,hereattheoffice,arealwaysdoingtheirbesttoocontinuetoserviceallofourUniformembersacrossCanadathatcallinforquotesandtochange/updatetheirpolicies.Weareheretoansweranyquestionsourmembersmayhaveabouthomeandautoinsurance,evenifthemembersarenotinsuredwithus.Wecontinuetoshareaboutour“ReferaCo-Worker”contestthatrunsthrough2015.Wehaveagoodmixofwinners-twoeachmonth.

Hereisabreakdownofwinnerlocals,sinceourlastnewsletter:October2014-Local707andNationalOffice;November2014–Local598andlocal462;December2014–Local1524&NationalOffice;January2015–Local1520andLocal200;February2015–Local27andaformerCEPmember(whodidnothavelocalnumber);andMarch2015–Local444andLocal1090.

AttendanceatOntarioRegionalCouncil,November20through23,2014,wasanothergreatevent.PriortoCouncil,Ihadattendedseveralsectormeetings,withbrothers&sisters.OnewasIPSwhichIhavealwaysfoundtobeveryinterestingandengaging.Iamnotfromthemanufacturingsectorinmycurrentemployment,butwasatonetime.Iseethestrugglestodayashugestepsthatweneedtoclimb,onestepatatime,butveryquickly...beforeourmanufacturinginCanadaissoldtothedevils,byourgovernmentandemployers.

TheothersectormeetingIattendedwithmysistersandbrotherswasETOP-Education,Technical,Officeand

Professionalmembersandworkers,inairlines,healthcoverage,education,homeandautoinsurance,creditunions,casinos–variedemployers,butweareallgoingthroughsimilarstruggles,inmanyofourworkplaces.Itisalwaysveryengaging,networkingwithallofourmembers.

OurfullCouncil,ofabout800members,whichstartedonFridaymorning,wasveryengagingandinformative,foroneandallIamsure.Wehadmanyguestspeakers,andoneofourkeynotespeakerswasMichaelHarris,notthepoliticianbutthejournalistandauthor.Michael’sbook`PowerofOne’isabouthowStevenHarperhasmadewaroneveryindependentsourceofinformationinCanada.`PowerofOne’isaboutthemanwithawell-definedandgrowingenemieslist,ofthosenotwantedonHarper`svoyage:scientists,unionmembers,diplomats,environmentalists,FirstNationspeoplesandjournalists.MichaeldidautographhisbookafterCouncilformanyofthedelegatesattending.AnothergreatOntarioRegionalCouncil.

Thankyoueveryoneforcastingyourballotsforelectionsrecently.Iwisheachandeveryoneofyouagreatsummer.

Submittedinsolidarity,

MaryEllenDanceUnitChairpersonandCouncilDelegateCanadianLabourInsuranceServicesUnitLocal1524,KitchenerON

Canadian Labour Insurance Services Unit Local 1524

“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” - Martin Luther King Jr

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SolutiontotheSudokupuzzlefoundonpage2

OnJune12,acoalitionofprofessionalassociations,unions(includingUnifor)andmediaorganizationslaunchedanadvertisingcampaigncalledJOURNALISMIS,whichhighlightsthevalueandbenefitsofprofessionaljournalism.

JimAngusandJulieKotsis-Wilder,Local240delegatestoUnifor’sMediaCouncil,attendedthenewsconferenceatToronto’sRyersonUniversity.

Unifor’sLanaPayneledtheannouncement,joinedbyMaryAgnesWelch,formerpresidentoftheCanadianAssociationofJournalistsandareporterattheWinnipegFreePress,whoisspokespersonforthecampaign.

Thecampaignisanimportantoneforjournalistsaswestruggletoholdontodecentpayingjobsinaneraof“communitybasedjournalism”andtheexplosionofalternatenewssources,mainlyinthedigitalrealm,thatdon’tnecessarilyemployproperlytrainedandeducatedjournalistsnordotheypayadecentwage.

Theaccuracyandreliabilityofprofessionaljournalismisessential–it’sessentialtodemocracy,it’sawatchdog

overthepowerfulanditcreatesaforumforpublicdebate.

Professionaljournalistsarecommittedtobalanced,independent,accurateandnon-partisanreporting.Theycutthroughthespintoprovideinformationandperspectiveonissues.

TheJOURNALISMIScampaignfeaturesprint,onlineandvideoadvertisementsthataimtorallythewidercommunityofjournalistsandmediaworkers,mediacorporationsandmediaconsumerstoincreaseawareness,recognitionandsupportforprofessionaljournalism.

SubmittedbyJulieKotsis-Wilder.

JulieisareporterandUnitChairpersonatTheWindsorStarandanalternateETOPdelegate.

JimAngusisVice-PresidentofUniforLocal240andanETOPdelegatewhoworksasanadvertisingsalesrepatTheWindsorStar.

# JOURNALISMIS

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POLITICAL ACTIONLocal240’sPoliticalActionCommittee(PAC)hasbeenverybusymobilizingandeducatingourmembersontheimportanceofvotingintheupcomingFederalElection.JodiNesbitt,ChairofLocal240’sPoliticalActionCommitteeaswellasacommitteepersonontheOntarioRegionalCouncilPoliticalActionCommitteehasbeenthedrivingforceofmobilizingactiviststoengageandmakeanimpactonthe“IWillVote2015”campaign.ThePACcommitteeisgainingmomentumandisfocusingongettingourmemberstosignthepledgeformscommittingtovoteinthefallelection.

Why Vote?

Votingisoneofthemostbasictoolsofdemocracyatyourdisposal.ItisyourvoiceandusingitisyourtooltohaveyoursayinwhoisgoingtorepresentyouforthenextfourorfiveyearsinthisupcomingFederalElection.

Voting is also your moment of power.

Together,withotherwomenandpeoplewhocareaboutchildcare,affordablehousing,educationorhealthcare,anelectionperiodiswhenyoucanmobilizevoterstousetheirvotingpowertoinfluencetheelectionagendaanddetermineitsoutcome.WehavethevotingpowertosetthefuturepoliticaldirectionofOntarioandCanada,solet’suseit.

RespectfullySubmittedby,

TheresaFarao,PresidentUniforLocal240

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Iampleasedtoreportthatwecurrentlyrepresent430unionmembersatGreenShieldCanada(GSC)intheWindsorOffice.Thisnumberissteadilyincreasingasbusinesscontinuestogrow,butthejobsarechanging.Technology,mobileapps,on-linesubmitting,justtonameafew,willwithoutadoubthaveanimpactonthecurrentdutiesandresponsibilitiesofourunionizedjobsatGSC.

GSCisanot-for-profitprivatehealthinsurancecompany.Wedonotearnprofits:allmoneyearnedisputbackintogrowingthebusinessandtowardsprovidingsubstantialdonationsthataremadetonot-for-profitcharitiesthatserveandassistthoseinourcommunities.GSCwasfoundedin1957,formedbyBillWilkinson,apharmacist,alongwiththebackingofourunion,whichheavilysupportedthisinitiative.Thisideawouldprovetobenefitsomanyinourcommunitywhoneededprescriptiondrugsbutdidn’thavethefinancialresourcestopayupfrontforthemedicine.Prepaiddrugbenefitsallowedpeopletoreceivetheirmedicationwithoutbeingoutofpocketorhavingtochoosebetweentheirhealthandhunger.This“giving”naturethatwasthefoundationofourcompanycontinuestoguideourcultureasabasicprincipleinallwedo.UniforCanadaandGSChavealwayscarriedarichhistoryandhaveastrongrelationshipthatcontinuestogrow.Wearebothentrenchedinourcommunitiesandrecognizetheimportanceofgivingback.

Iurgeyou,asunionrepresentatives,tobringGSCtoyournegotiatingtable.“Buydomestic”whenbargainingyourbenefitsandinsistonGSCasthecarrierthatadministersyourbenefits.Weprovidecostsavings,offerbestinclassserviceandourstandardsaresecondtononeinourindustry.Unlikesomeothercompaniesfromthehealthinsurancesector,wedonotoutsourceourworkoverseas.Weareproudtosaythatwearea100%Canadiancompanythatisheretoserveourcustomers.

LINES ARE BEING CROSSED …Oneofthemostdifficultsituationsourcommitteehasfacedandcontinuestochallengeisthefrequencyoflinesbeingcrossedbynon-unionemployeesdoingourwork.Inofficesettingsthatareunionized,thiscanbechallengingtocatch,orrealizethatitisevenhappening,andsometimestakingactionistoolatebecauseitwasviewedasacceptablebytheunionbynothavingtakenimmediateaction.Itisimportanttoensurethatanynewworkcomingintothebusinessandtraditionalworkthatischanging,remainswithinourbargainingunit.UnlessittrulyfallsoutsideoftheRecognitionclauseintheCollectiveAgreement,itshouldbeunionizedwork.Itisimperativethat

theviolationbeidentifiedandmadetoceaseimmediately,orthecompanycansaythattheuniondidnotobjectfromthestarttosuchchanges.

Weareworkingdiligentlyoneducatingourmembersabouttheimportanceofbringinganyviolationsforwardimmediatelysothattheycanbestoppedandsothemembersunderstandtherelevanceofkeepingbargainingunitworkwithinourunion.Oncetheyunderstandtheimpactofgivingourworkawayandtheresultitmayhaveontheirjobsinthefuture,ourmembersdobegintobringviolationsforwardtotheunion.

Ibelievetheselinesarebeingcrossedinmanyofourworkplaces,andweallshouldbeawareandaccountableaselectedleaderstostopitfromhappeningsowecanpreserveourjobs.Ifallourworkplacesunderstandthatourunionistakingthisseriouslyandwatchingclosely,theywillbemoremindfulwhentheyrestructureandcreatenewtasksknowingthattheywillbechallenged.

NEW MANAGEMENT – CHALLENGING TIMES …Asanycompanygrowsorrestructures,inevitablythereisgrowthandmovementthatresultsinthecreationofnewmanagementjobs.Withthatcomesestablishingrelationshipsandboundaries,andalotofworktoensurethatthesenewmanagersunderstandourhistoryand,moreimportantly,respectourCollectiveAgreementthatwasmutuallybargainedandagreedtobypastmanagementandunionleadership.

Theconcernswe’vehadwithsomeofthenewermanagementisthattheydon’tunderstandourhistoryandhaveverylittle,ifany,knowledgeabouttheunionandourhistorywithGSC

asitpertainstocollectivebargaining.WearediscoveringthattheyareeagertocomeinandinterpretourCollectiveAgreementbasedontheirpersonalopinionsandwhattheybelieveitshouldmean,ratherthanwhatwasnegotiated.ItisverytiringandourentirecommitteeshouldbecommendedfortheirdiligenceinpushingbackandgettingthemtounderstandourCollectiveAgreement.

Thecompanydidprovideanopportunityfortheuniontoattendsupervisormeetingstoeducatethemaboutourorganization,Unifor,whichwasgreat,butthathasn’thelpeduswiththeirmisinterpretationsofthelanguageinourCollectiveAgreement.

InRespect&Solidarity,

JodiNesbitt,Chairperson

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GREEN SHIELD CANADA WINDSOR OFFICE – UNIT REPORT

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Mental Health in the Workplace

Askyourselfthis:Whyisitacceptabletotakeasickdaytohealthebodyforphysicalillness,yetthereisastigmatorecharge/healyourmind?Workerswithmentalhealthillnessescanbejustasproductiveasotherworkersiftheyhaveaccesstotherightsupports.

Theunderstandingofmentalhealthhavingadirectcauseandeffectonworkperformanceandsicktimeusedisoftenoverlooked;however,itisaleadingcauseofdisabilityaroundtheworld.

Statisticsshowthatpeoplesufferingfromseverementalhealthproblemsareabsentfromwork12.1daysmorethanthosewithoutsuchproblems;whereasindividualswithmoderatementalhealthproblemsstillhadahigherabsenceof3.54daysperyearthanthosewithoutsuchproblems.

Inthelongrun,totakeadayofftobalancethemindisbeneficialtoboththeemployeeandtheemployer.Asickdayisapreventativehealthmeasure;nurturingboththebodyandmindarekeytoavoidingworst-casescenarios,suchasmentalbreakdowns,stressleaves,suicidalideations,etc.

Anemployeewithapreviousdisabilityclaimisalmostseven timesmorelikelytohaveanotherdisabilityclaimrelatedtothat illnessthansomeonewithnopreviousdisabilityclaimdueto mentalhealth.

Onestepintherightdirectioncouldinvolvemodifyingbenefit packagestoincludementalhealthdaysasapartofsickday allotments;keepinginconsiderationthatemployeesidentified withamentalillnesswill,almostcertainly,needtheuseofmore sicktimethananemployeethatdoesnotfallintothecategory foramentalhealthdiagnosis.

Itisratherevidenttome,thatmentalhealthdoesincreasetheneedofsicktimeusedbyanemployee.Withoutemployershavinganunderstandingandworkingwiththeemployees,thereisamuchhigherriskofshort/longtermdisabilityclaims,workperformanceissuesandfurthernegativeoutcomesthatcouldhaveotherwisebeenprevented.

Sickdayorhealthday?Physicalormentalhealth,attentiontoillnessisrequiredtopreventworseningsymptoms;bothshouldbetreatedwithoutdiscriminationtoeliminatestigmasintheworkplace.

Mentalhealthproblemsneedtoberecognizedinrelationtosicknessabsence,rehabilitationandpreventioninalldiagnosis.

Submittedby,

TheresaFaraoPresidentLocal240

83% of employees believe they should be disclose their diagnosis to their employer, but 31% felt that their supervisor would not be understanding or supportive

Mental health is set to cost more than 20 billion dollars a year in loss of productivity and workdays.

"The labour movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress."

- Martin Luther King Jr

"I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or wom-an who produces the cloth will starve in the process."

- Benjamin Harrison

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BoththeSeptember2014issueofthedEskTOPnewsletterandthe2014Fall/WinterissueoftheLocal673Retireesnewsletter,publishedanarticleauthoredbyMaryEllenMcIlmoyletitled“ATributetoaRemarkableActivist:MariaPintoofUniforLocal673”.Myresponseistitled“ATributetoaRemarkableUnionEducationSystem”forrecognizingthatIamwhoIambecauseofourunion’sextraordinaryeducationsystem.

Thearticleanditskindpraisecompletelycaughtmebysurprise.ItnevercrossedmymindthatmylifeasaunionactivistwasoutoftheordinaryasIalwaysbelievedthatoncewegetelected,itisourdutytoserveourmemberstothebestofourability.Coincidentally,thecontentsofthearticlecametomyknowledgeonOctober1st,the5thanniversaryofmyretirement.Whatalovelywaytocelebratefiveyearsofretirement!

WordscanhardlyexpressmygratitudeforMaryEllen’skindnessandgenerosity,ingivingmecreditforcarryingonthecommitmentthatanyelectedunionmemberorlabouractivistissupposedtouphold.IamsurethatmanyofourmembersrecognizeandappreciatetheactivismandleadershipthatMaryEllenselflesslyofferstoourunion.

InadditiontopubliclythankingMaryEllenforherkindness,Ialsowanttotakethisopportunitytogivecredittoourunioneducationsystemforitsroleinthemakingofmyactivism.IfIdidn’thavetheopportunityofbenefittingfromouruniqueunioneducationprograms,mylifewouldbetotallydifferentfromwhatitistoday.

WhenIfirststartedworkingatdeHavillandin1978,Ididn’tknowathingaboutthestructureoftheNorthAmericanlabourmovement,andconsequently,wouldn’tdaretovoicemyopinionsandconcerns,participateorbeactive.AssoonasIbecameawarethattheunionnotonlypromotedlabourandpoliticaleducationbutalsohadsuccessfullynegotiatedPaidEducationLeave(PEL)forinterestedmembers,Irecognizedandtookadvantageofthisincredibleopportunitytolearnandbecomeactive.

IstartedmylaboureducationjourneybyattendingthefourweekPaidEducationLeave(PEL)programandhaveneverstoppedsince.Tothisday,I’mstillconvincedthatthePELprogramisthemostrevolutionaryandlifechangingcourseIcouldhaveattendedanditistherootcauseofmyinvolvementinthelabourmovementandmyactivism.

Iamafirmbelieverthateducationispower,andyearslater,havingtheprivilegeofbecomingaDiscussionLeader,IwasgiventheextraordinaryopportunityoflisteningtotheremarkableexperiencesofparticipantsthatinspiredmetoshareitallwitheverymemberIcameincontactwith,beitintheclassroom,meetings,conferences,conventionsorevenduringinformalconversations.

Ourunion’seducationprogramsaresecondtononewithinthelabourmovementandwidelyrecognizedbytheformaleducationsystem.Someprogressiveschoolshavecreatedspacetoaccommodateafewofourunionprogramsintheircurriculum,deliveredbyunionmembers.Somecommunitycollegeshaveincorporatedafewofourlabourstudies,mainlyintheareasofHealthandSafety,HumanRightsandPoliticalScience.

Ihopeeverymemberofourunionwilltakeadvantageofoureducationprograms,eitherattendingspecifictoolcoursesorideologicalprogramssuchasPEL.Iftheydo,Iamsurethatnotonlytheywillfindtheirtruecallingwithinthelabourmovementbuttheywillbecomeactivistsandtheirliveswillneverbethesame.Activismistherawmaterialforsocialchange.

Respectfullysubmittedby,

MariaPintoUniforLocal673Retiree

Retiredfromthejobbutnotfromthestruggle!

A Tribute to a Remarkable Union Education System

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“It shows that even in tough bargaining, if the union and the company meet their responsibilities, a deal can be reached.”

- Buzz Hargrove

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GooddaySisters&Brothers, Ithasbeenbusyaroundourlocal.InJanuaryweofficiallyrolledoutourfirsteverYoungWorkersCommitteewithagooglehangoutconferencecall,ouryoungworkershaveparticipatedinmanyactivitiesthroughouttheyearwithattendingtheCLC2015Electioncampaign,raisingmoneyfortheyouth,seminarsatRyersonUniversityonlabourissuesandattendingcoursesatourPortElginEducationcentre.Wehaveyouthfromdifferentunitsthataregettinginvolved,networkingandmobilizing.

TheCLC2015FederalElectionandUnifor“IwillVote”campaignisoneofmanyitemsourlocalisinvolvedwith.WewereveryactiveintheUSWcampaignagainstCrownHoldingsinTorontowiththe“BuyBottles,NotCans”campaignfromJanuarytillJune,includingamassdemonstrationattheMinistryofLabourinMay.OuractivistshavealsoparticipatedinralliesinandaroundtheGTAsuchasthemassdemonstrationtohelpsupportUniforLocal2002workersagainstContractFlipping.

OurEducationCommitteemetwiththeNationalofficetohelpdevelopaplanofactiononwhatdoourmemberswantandneedforeducationalmaterial.WearesendingaregularflowofactiviststoourPortElginFamilyEducationCentre,andagreatamounttotheToronto-YorkRegionalActivistcoursesthroughouttheyear.OurWomen’sCommitteehostedtheirannualMother’sDayDinnerattheYorkvilleWomen’sShelter.TheCommitteemadedinner

for14womenand12children,laughterandfunwithsinga-longs.

MDA(MacDonald,DettwilerandAssociates)iscommittedtogrowthandcontinuestolooktodiversifytheirskilledworkforcewithaerospace,healthcareandpossiblymanufacturing.Theofficeunitisincreasinginnumber,wheretheywerestagnantformanyyearsnotreplacingthosethatretire.Welookforwardtopositivenewsinthenearfuturewithinthisunit.

GreensShieldCanada,Torontooffice,hadmembersparticipateinharassmenttrainingbyaUniforDiscussionLeaderinordertosupportbothmanagementandmembersonhowtoidentifyharassmentandbullying,andprovidetheresourcesonhowtoconductaninvestigationandresolutions.

ToromontCathas7members,nolayoffsandnogrievances.Twomembersleftandmanagementdidnotreplacethejobs,sotheunionislookingintothisfurther.Wecontinuetorequestthemtofillthegapsasitcanbeoverwhelmingforourmembers.WerolledoutourNewMemberOrientationpackagethatprovidesallnewstartswiththetoolsandagoodunderstandingoftheunionandUnifor.

Bombardierunitratifiedanewcollectiveagreement,butnotwithoutgoingbeyondthedeadline.

Asweenteredintonegotiations,thecompanyannouncedlayoffstoourunitandthroughouttheiraerospacedivision.Bombardiercameindeterminedtocutcoststhroughconcessions,newstartcontributionstothepensionplan,andoutsourcingworktoChinaandMexico.Asacommittee,andwiththesupportandleadershipoftheNationalofficeandourNationalPresident,weshowedthatwecanfightbackandwin!Ratherthanweakenourunion,weshowedthestrengththatcomesfromsolidarity,eveninthistougheconomictimeforBombardierwiththeannouncementofthelayoffstoourlocalunit,gainsweremadewithpackagesincentives,jobsecuritytosweepintheComplimentaryWorkerstofull-timeemployees,wageincreasesandasubstantialpensionincrease.TheBargainingCommitteeheldtheCompanybackfromdismantlingourCollective

Agreement.WhilewerecognizetheneedtoreducecostsontheQ400,wedidnotagreetohaveworksentoffshore,butagreedtocontinuediscussionsonhowtohelpreducecostsandkeeptheworkonsite.

InSolidarity,

MaryellenMcIlmoylePresidentUniforlocal673

Just Another Newsletter Title

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Unifor Local 673 Unit Report

“Genius begins great works; labour alone finishes them.” - Joseph Joubert

“Without labour nothing prospers.” - Sophocles

“Labour is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labour, and could never have ex-isted if labour had not first existed. Labour is the superior of capital, and deserves much higher consideration.”

- Abraham Lincoln

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A Pictorial Review of the 2013 and 2014 ETOP Conferences and Meetings

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“Whether we are Canadian workers or whether we are American workers, we have a long

history to live up to; Men and women who all throughout the 20th century who gave of

themselves, who struggled and sacrificed for the rights of workers. We stand on their shoulders.”

- Danny Gloversolutiontothecrosswordpuzzlefoundonpage4