Checkout February 2008

T H E N E W S M A G A Z I N E F O R M E M B E R S O F L O C A L S 1 7 5 & 6 3 3 U F C W C A N A D AVOLUME XVIINO. 1FEBRUARY2008C H E C K O U T

Locals 175 & 633 Announce 2007 Scholarship Winners.................Page 15

Le a d e r sh ip Upda te :

Brother Shawn Haggerty electedPresident of Local 175...................Page 3

Sister Teresa Magee now Secretary-Treasurer of Local 175 .............. Page 3

54443-1 Checkout Fe08:54443-1 Checkout Fe08.qxd 1/31/2008 11:24 AM Page 1

LOCAL 175President

Shawn HaggertySecretary-Treasurer

Teresa MageeRecorder

Betty PardyExecutive Assistants

Jim HastingsHarry Sutton

UFCW Local 633President

Dan BondySecretary-Treasurer

Marylou MallettRecorder

Neil Hotchkiss

Provincial Office 2200 Argentia Road

Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329 Toll free 1-800-565-8329

Fax 905-821-7144Benefits Representatives

Sherree Backus, Roy Etling, Joanne Ford

Benefits Intake RepresentativeOrsola Augurusa

Legal Counsel Victoria Shen

Communications RepresentativesCheryl Mumford, Jennifer Tunney

Servicing RepresentativeLien Huynh

Health & Safety RepresentativeJanice Klenot Legal Counsel

Marcia Barry, Michael Hancock, Rebecca Woodrow, Natalie Wiley

Legal RepresentativeFernando Reis

Organizing RepresentativesRick Hogue, Steve Robinson

CENTRAL EAST REGIONDirector

Luc LacelleUnion Representatives

Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, John DiFalco, Anthony DiMaio,

John DiNardo, Emmanuelle Lopez,Rob Nicholas, Dave White

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONDirector

Sylvia GroomUnion Representative

Judith BurchServicing Representatives

Angela Mattioli, Brenda Simmons,Mark Stockton, Mario Tardelli

TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRECoordinator of Education

Kelly Nicholas

12Negotiations

Shawn Haggerty & Teresa Magee elected President andSecretary-Treasurer by Local 175 Executive Board......President Hanley announces he is stepping down asPresident of Local 175 to concentrate on his role as UFCW Canada National President..........................

Community

Conferences

People

Workplace News

3

6

Local 175 Health Care members offer caring support to Seniors.....................Ontario Regulation 474/07, Occupational Health & Safety Act.....................

10

Local 175 members support CBTU Dinner.........................In the Community: Happy Diwali!.....................................UFCW Representatives educate WWCC students aboutworkers’ rights................................................................. Local 175 and the Somali Soccer Tournament...................Local 175 supports Fast Forward Student Success...............

18

OFL Delegates endorse card-check based certification...................................Seminars Inspire Stewards.............................................................................

11

Scholarships 15

CONTENTS

President’s Message...............................................................................Secretary-Treasurer’s Message...................................................................

4

5

2

7

9

18

18

1920


Shawn Haggerty elected Local 175 President

L eade r sh ip Upda te :

FEBRUARY 2008

CENTRAL WEST REGION412 Rennie StreetHamilton L8H 3P5905-545-8354Toll free 1-800-567-2125Fax 905-545-8355 DirectorPaul JokhuUnion RepresentativesMatt Davenport, Tim Deelstra, Joe DeMelo, Linval Dixon, Dan Serbin, Kelly TosatoServicing RepresentativeSam Caetano

EASTERN REGION20 Hamilton Avenue NorthOttawa K1Y 1B6613-725-2154Toll free 1-800-267-5295Fax 613-725-2328 DirectorDan LacroixUnion RepresentativesSimon Baker, Chris Fuller, Paul Hardwick, Marilyn Lang, Daniel MercierServicing RepresentativeJacques Niquet

SOUTH WEST REGION124 Sydney Street SouthKitchener N2G 3V2519-744-5231Toll free 1-800-265-6345Fax 519-744-8357DirectorRay Bromley Union RepresentativesWendy Absolom, Kevin Dowling, Julie Johnston, Angus Locke, Roy Reed, Rick WauhkonenRepresentativeMike Duden

NORTH WEST REGIONLakehead Labour Centre21-929 Fort William RoadThunder Bay P7B 3A6 807-346-4227Toll free 1-800-465-6932Fax 807-346-4055 DirectorHarry SuttonUnion RepresentativesColby Flank, David Noonan

Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926CHECKOUT is an official publicationof Locals 175 & 633 of the United Food & Commercial Workers.Web site: www.ufcw175.comE-mail: [email protected]

cep Local 571 3

Education RepresentativesGeorgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino, Derek Jokhu, Ashleigh Vink

At the November 20, 2007, Local 175 Executive Board meeting, President WayneHanley recommended Secretary-Treasurer Shawn Haggerty as his successor.

The Executive Board subsequently and unanimously elected Brother Haggerty to the posi-tion of Local 175 President. President Hanley says: “Shawn is an extremely capable andcaring individual who is dedicated to serving the members. He pitches in and providesassistance whenever and wherever it’s needed. I know he will do a fine job as Local 175President.”

Brother Haggerty, who has more than a decade of experience negotiating for the rightsof UFCW members, first gained exposure to Unions while working as an electrician inthe maintenance department at Robin Hood Multi-Foods in Port Colborne. He wasthe President of UFCW Local 416P and also the Secretary-Treasurer for UFCW Local617P until the merger with Local 175 in 2000.

He then became a Local 175 Union Representative and later North West RegionalDirector in 2003. In 2005, he was appointed Executive Assistant to President Hanley. In2006, after the retirement of Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Clifford, the Local 175 ExecutiveBoard elected Shawn to fill the position of Secretary-Treasurer.

In addition to his responsibilities as President of Local 175, Shawn sits as a Trustee onseveral benefit plan boards and also serves on the Labour-Management AdvisoryCommittee for the Ministry of Labour for the Province of Ontario.

Teresa Magee elected Local 175 Secretary-Treasurer

The Executive Board unanimously elected Sister Teresa Magee to the position ofSecretary-Treasurer. She has served as Executive Assistant to the President since 2005.

“Sister Magee is an exceptional negotiator and communicator. She always puts themembers first and has the experience and skills to get the job done – no matter howgreat the challenge,” says President Haggerty.

Previously, from 2001, Teresa was Director of the South West Region. There sheworked with six Union reps and three clerical staff to ensure that the Kitchener Officedelivered a high level of membership service.

She joined UFCW Local 175 in 1990 as a Union Representative in the Central Region.In addition to her many responsibilities with Local 175, which include participation inthe CAN Committee, Teresa is also on the Board of Directors for the Working WomenCommunity Centre.

54443-1 Checkout Fe08:54443-1 Checkout Fe08.qxd 1/30/2008 3:39 PM Page 3

It is with great pride that I accept theposition of President of this greatLocal Union.

Local 175 has always had the well-deserved reputation of being one of

the best – many would say the very best – Local Union in theLabour movement. I plan to continue this proud record of achieve-ment and service to all our members. I along with our staff willcontinue to dedicate ourselves to bettering the lives of the mem-bers of both Locals 175 & 633. While Local 633 is a separateLocal Union with its own officers, Local 175 officers and staff alsoserve Local 633 members through a servicing agreement.

In 2008, and the years beyond, I look forward to working with allstaff and members to achieve the very best collective agreementsin the Province of Ontario. My priorities for the upcoming year areto build on existing strengths and to expand and focus in specificareas.

The Local Union enjoys a solid financial base to fund its many pro-grams. Over the past few years, we have invested heavily inTraining & Education for both members and staff. Local 175 staffare, without doubt, the best trained in the province and they arededicated to serving the membership. We will continue to build onthese strengths.

We plan to expand the role of the Community Action Network(CAN), to reach out to more groups and become involved in moreevents. At the same time, we will encourage members to link theirdiverse community organizations with the work of the CANCommittee.

The high Canadian dollar has created difficulties for many of ouremployers and for members as a result. We will continue to dedi-cate resources to Adjustment Programs and Action Centres so thatmembers affected by these layoffs are able to access relevanttraining, develop job search strategies and ultimately find suitablenew employment.

As companies continue with layoffs and downsizings, it becomes

In 2008, we will continue to build oncurrent success, expand into newareas of importance and focus onpriorities

SHAWN HAGGERTY

even more important to strengthen ourOrganizing efforts to bring new membersinto our Union. We are making goodprogress by coordinating our Organizingefforts province-wide. We are continuing tofocus on our core industries, particularlywith non-union retail chains like Sobeysand Wal-Mart. Health Care is also a keysector for us. We plan to increase ourinvolvement in Health Care and strengthenthe units we have now.

Across the board, we want to be more sys-tematic in researching collective agree-ments and be more innovative in introduc-ing contract improvements. Our goal is toachieve the best contracts for all members.To do this, both Union reps and membersneed to know what is available andachievable, in their industry and across thecountry, and within the various sectors aswell. This strategy will mean that ourUnion Negotiating Committees will be in astronger bargaining position when they sitdown with the employer representatives tohammer out new collective agreements.

Health & Safety will continue to be anessential priority. Our H&S representative,Janice Klenot will be doing even morework with committees representing ournumerous workplaces. We know the H&Straining we do is very important in reduc-ing accidents and injuries and saving lives.It makes sense to invest in H&S training.More than 70 percent of our memberswho have taken training courses continueto be active on their workplace JointHealth & Safety Committees.

Political Action is yet another area where

4

President’s Message


potential new members inour diverse union. BrotherNaveen Mehta hasmade presentations onLocal 175’s Diversity strat-egy at Local Union semi-nars and conferences.

As the demographics ofthe Ontario workforcechange, so does ourmembership. I know thatboth will become increas-ingly diverse, and include more young workers of var-ious backgrounds, cultures and ethnic groups. Oursuccess in attracting and involving these new membersdepends on our ability to welcome them to our Union.In the instance of newer immigrants, who may nothave enjoyed Union rights in the past, it may also benecessary to educate them about the benefits ofbelonging to a good Union. I hope you will share yourmany positive Union experiences with your family andfriends so that we can continue Ontario’s tradition ofa strong Union culture, for the benefit of all.

Secr

etary

-Trea

sure

r’s M

essa

ge

TERESA MAGEE

2008: Will be a year of change & challengeIt is a time of change and new challenges for us in thetrade union movement and certainly within Local 175.

Brother Shawn Haggerty, who is our new President,is a man of vision and dedication who is well-experi-enced within the UFCW and the labour movement.

Our membership reached approximately 50,000under former President Hanley’s tenure. I will beworking with Local 175 staff to maintain and evenincrease these numbers. Having a large, educatedmembership base enables us to negotiate better con-tracts for all and also to provide many other services,such as our extensive education program. Attractingnew members into our Union is a necessity. For thepast several years we have lost thousands of mem-bers due to plant closings and downsizings. Job lossin Ontario is yet another negative effect of participat-ing in a global economy and it is a trend, sadly, thatshows no sign of diminishing.

The Community Action Network committee, whichwas established two years ago by our Local Union, isan important initiative for involving both existing and

. . . President’s Message continued from previous page

we need to focus our energy. For instance, manyLocal 175 members will not benefit from the newOntario statutory holiday – Family Day – which wasimplemented after the 2007 election campaign. Thisextra holiday generally only covers those employeeswho now have only the barest minimum under theEmployment Standards Act. We need to take action toensure that the government treats our members withthe respect they deserve.

Similarly, there is no good reason why only the con-struction industry in Ontario is permitted to form aUnion in their workplaces on the basis of a card-check certification process. All of Ontario’s workersshould have the right to join a Union when a majority

sign Union cards. The requirement to hold a vote ina workplace, once a majority has signed cards, isundemocratic in that it enables employers to harass,intimidate and threaten.

We will have staff representatives participating invarious committees, such as Political Action andH&S through the UFCW National Council. This willenable us to combine the strength and knowledgeof UFCW Locals from across the country and Ibelieve to be more effective in what we do as aresult.

I am looking forward to speaking to and meetingwith many of you over the course of the next year.

5FEBRUARY 2008


6

On November 20, 2007, President Wayne Hanleyadvised the Locals 175 & 633 Executive Board that hewould step aside as President of Local 175, effectiveDecember 31, 2007. He will now focus his consider-able energy, skills and experience on his role asNational President of UFCW Canada.

He told the Executive Board: “It has been an honourand privilege to serve as the President of Local 175.The gains and accomplishments we have made for ourmembers during my terms as President are a tribute toyou, your hard work, support and our commitment to ashared vision.”

Brother Hanley became President of Local 175 in 1999and was re-elected by the members in 2000. Again in2004, the membership showed their support for hisgreat work and leadership by electing him to anotherfour-year term as President of the Local Union.

Since 1999, his leadership of Local 175 has brought agreat growth in membership, an excellent servicingrecord and record-breaking fundraising achievementsfor the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada(LLSC). President Hanley successfully led the Local toraise a total of $375,000 for the LLSC in 2007. He hasalso championed many firsts in the area of LabourEducation. The Training & Education department grewexponentially under President Hanley’s guidance. Morethan 8,000 members took part in Union-providedcourses in 2007.

In 2006, President Hanley launched the Community

Action Network (CAN), an initiative ofLocal 175. Through the funding of,and involvement with, cultural, com-munity and educational projectsPresident Hanley’s goal is to unite themany members of Locals 175 & 633through diversity.

Prior to becoming President of Local175, Brother Hanley served as Secretary-Treasurerfrom 1992 through 1999. He first became a memberof the Local Union in 1976 while working as a part-time grocery clerk at Miracle Food Mart (now A&P).He became a Union Organizer in 1984, a Rep in1986, Local Union Pay Equity Coordinator in 1987,A&P Grievance Chair in 1988 and Director of theCentral Region in 1990.

Wayne continues to serve as a Trustee on numerousPension and Health and Welfare plans. He is on theBoard of Directors for the Canadian Food IndustryCouncil and the Textile Human Resources Council.

Brother Hanley is active in international issues as well.He is an International Executive Vice President andone of the five-member UFCW International ExecutiveCommittee. It represents the interests of 2.4 millionmembers working throughout North America and isheadquartered in Washington, DC. Wayne also par-ticipates in ongoing negotiations with both Mexicanand Canadian governent officials to improve workingconditions for migrant farmworkers.

Wayne Hanley

President Hanley announces he is stepping down as President ofLocal 175 to concentrate on role as UFCW Canada National President

PEOPLE Fiby Labib, a desk clerk and stewardfrom the Westin Ottawa was chosen bythe Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Associationfor the 2007 Star of the City award.

Fiby came to the rescue of a vacationingMexican couple who had forgotten to retrieve theirpassports, wedding ring and other valuables from asafe at their previous hotel. Without their passports,they were likely to miss their scheduled bus tour toNiagara Falls, and possibly their flight home as well.

Fiby wasn’t able to arrange a courier in time for their busdeparture. So she decided to drive to Montreal andretrieve the documents herself. The trip cost Fiby a $300speeding ticket but she says if she had to do it again, shewould.

“Fibi really exemplifies what being a Union steward isabout,” says Regional Director Dan Lacroix. “She tookinitiative and did a great thing for this couple and we areproud to have her as a member. I’m sure her generosityand giving spirit make her an excellent steward.”

Ottawa member recognized for outstanding service


CONF

EREN

CES

FEBRUARY 2008 1

To the attention of President Shawn Haggerty

I would like to thank you for the OutstandingMember Award, which I recently received. I was nomi-nated by one of my fellow workers and was very sur-prised when notified that I had been chosen to receiveit. The UFCW does so much for so many people. Theamount of training provided is truly amazing. It hashelped so many of us to better ourselves. When I firststarted taking my training I had no idea what my rightswere as a worker. Because of what this Union has donefor me personally I have been able to educate myselfand others as well. This education has made me wantto do more for my brothers and sisters.

Now as an instructor I can spread theknowledge that I've obtained to others. I knowthat this Union is growing stronger every dayand as time goes on our members growstronger too. They say knowledge is power andpower is strength. In unity we have power. Indiversity we have strength. With this we are ableto help our families and our community. Keepup the great work that you do and thank youagain for this award.

CONF

EREN

CES

7

Locals 175 & 633 delegates participated in the OntarioFederation of Labour (OFL) convention from November26-30, 2007. The OFL is the voice of the 700,000organized workers in the province. Every two years itconvenes to set policy as Ontario’s central “House ofLabour.”

At this recent convention, delegatesvoted unanimously in support of theUFCW Canada resolution calling onthe provincial government to restorecard-check based certification for allworkers in Ontario. Local 175Servicing Representative Lien Huynhspoke passionately on this issue. Shesaid: “In non-unionized workplaces, where there is nounion representation, the burden of upholding just andfair labour practices rests on the limited interpretationand enforcement of the Ontario Employment StandardsAct. More often than not, non-unionized workers faceunjust termination, harassment or bullying by manage-ment or peers. This cumulative threat of losing liveli-hood, fear of isolation and unwanted attention takesroot in the hearts and minds of workers long before aUnion organizing drive commences.

Non-unionized workers are conditioned to believe theironly option is to either continue their current job or lookfor other even less meaningful employment. An organiz-ing drive helps workers understand there is an alterna-tive – to fight back! The week of the vote, however,reactivates many workers’ deeply-rooted fears, as they

witness their employer freely engaging in union-bustingtactics such as bribery, verbal or physical harassment,and termination of employment – all without having tosuffer any substantial financial loss or punishment. Wehave a responsibility to unite and fight to reinstate cardcheck union certification to remove this rule of fear andintimidation. As Burma opposition leader Aung SanSuu Kyi once said: ‘It’s not power that corrupts, it isfear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield itand fear of the scourge of power corrupts those whoare subject to it.’ To regain the right to join a Unionwithout fear or harassment is not something to do later,or for someone else to do, but we, as trade unionists,must demand this basic right for all workers now!”

During the Thursday lunch break, delegates marched toQueen’s Park to protest the inaction of the DaltonMcGuinty Liberals on a few fronts. These included:provincial funding decisions that prevent adequate lev-els of care for frail seniors who live in long-term carefacilities and also the lack of card-based certificationfor all Ontario workers.

OFL Delegates endorse card-check based certification

LETT

ERS

Judith Moore, Pinty’s Fine Foods, St. Catharines


1

CONFERENCES

8

Eastern Region

Central West & South Central Regions


CONF

EREN

CES

FEBRUARY 2008 19

Approximately 400 stewards attended Stew-ards Seminars this year in Kingston, onNovember 3 & 4 and in Niagara Falls onDecember 1 & 2. More than 100 of thesestewards were participating for the first time.

The weekends’ agendas included registrationon Friday night and early Saturday; a plenarysession to officially open the conferences onSaturday; and then classroom sessions begin-ning about mid-morning and continuing intothe late afternoon, with an additional sessionon Sunday morning. The two days of coursesincluded everything from Stewards Level 1training to courses that focus on WSIB, health& safety, youth, and grievance and arbitrationprocedures.

At both seminars, incoming President ShawnHaggerty discussed the ongoing need toorganize non-unionized workers and theprogress made by the UFCW National Officewith respect to migrant workers. Later on inthe day, Organizing Representative RickHogue visited each classroom to talk with thestewards about the importance of organizing.He told them that their role as Union leadersin their workplaces makes them a vitalresource for establishing new leads and newcampaigns.

Eastern Regional Direction Dan Lacroixnoted: “These seminars are a great mix ofpeople who were able to bring their ideastogether and discuss problems they face inthe workplace.”

Leukemia fundraising was an important partof the weekend. “Every year the stewards andmembers become more generous when itcomes to Leukemia fundraising,” saysPresident Haggerty. “And this year was noexception.”

Through prize draws and a silent auction,members helped raise almost $50,000 at thetwo seminars.

Seminars Inspire Stewards


1110

Personal Caregiver Marlene Stoodley withretired resident

Below, Personal Service WorkersVirginia Oliver, Gertrude Takyi-Berkoand Norma Navas with one of theNusing Home residents

Lo ca l 175 Hea l th Ca re member s o f f e r c a r i n g s uppo r t t o S en io r s

Local 175 represents about 2,500 memberswho work in the health care sector, most inretirement residences and long-term carefacilities. Stewards from this sector will meet inMississauga later this year to discuss issuesand concerns and learn more about availableresources and methodologies for managingthe changes and challenges that affect theirworkplaces.

Retirement residences in Ontario offer rela-tively mobile seniors a high degree of inde-pendence. Our members who work in thesefacilities, such as Erin Mills Lodge Retire-ment Residence, provide a substantialamount of care and comfort to the residents.

Members clean the suites, prepare and servemeals, administer medication, conduct activityprograms and provide additional personal ornursing care when needed or requested.Residents socialize together and participate inprograms such as walking, fitness, currentevents discussion, bridge, euchre and bil-liards, to name just a few.

Erin Mills Nursing Home, which is locatedadjacent to the retirement residence, is along-term care facility for those requiring agreater degree of assistance and support.

Approximately 160 Local 175 members workin the two facilities which provide130 suites inthe retirement residence and 86 beds in thenursing home.

Members in both facilities are generous withthe smiles, hugs, laughter and support thatthey willingly extend to the residents.

In the kitchen of the retirement residence,Cooks Steve Smith, Cassandra Amaral andMarie Smith prepare tasty meals

Nursing HomeWorkers MildredKnight andConnie Perreiraserve lunch

To the right, Hair Stylist Patricia Elliotuses a quiet moment in the salon totouch up the hair of Housekeeping co-worker Alice Kayitale

Joan Allen and Agnes Villaneuva enare kept up-to-date in the Nursing

WORKPLACE NEW

S


CONF

EREN

CES

FEBRUARY 2008 1

Ontario Regulation 474/07, Occupational Health & Safety Act

CONF

EREN

CES

111

WOR

KPLA

CENE

WS

Thanks to the efforts of Local 175 – and other like-minded workplacesafety advocates – health care workers will be better-protected fromneedlestick injuries at work.

Definition1. In this Regulation, "safety-engineered needle" means,

(a) a hollow-bore needle that,(i) is designed to eliminate or minimize the risk of a skin puncture

injury to the worker, and(ii) is licensed as a medical device by Health Canada, or

(b) a needleless device that,(i) replaces a hollow-bore needle, and(ii) is licensed as a medical device by Health Canada.

Application2. This Regulation applies to the following facilities:

1. Every hospital as defined in the Public Hospitals Act.2. Every private hospital as defined in the Private Hospitals Act.3. Every institution as defined in the Mental Hospitals Act.4. Homewood Health Centre Inc.

Provision of safety-engineered needles 3. (1) When a worker is to do work requiring the use of a hollow-bore

needle, the employer shall provide the worker with a safety-engineered needle that is appropriate for the work.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the employer is unable, despite making efforts that are reasonable in the circumstances, to obtain a safety-engineered needle that is appropriate for the work.

Use of safety-engineered needle4. (1) A worker who has been provided with a safety-engineered needle

for work described in subsection 3 (1) shall use the safety-engineered needle for the work.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the worker may use a hollow-bore needle that is not a safety-engineered needle if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that, in the particular circumstances, the use

of a safety-engineered needle would pose a greater risk of harm than the use of the hollow-bore needle.

(3) In subsection (2), "risk of harm" refers to either or both of the fol-lowing risks:1. A risk of harm to the worker or to another worker.2. If the work involves the use of a needle on a person, a risk of

harm to him or her.

(4) The employer shall develop, establish and provide training for workers to assist them in applying subsection (2).

Exceptions, emergencies and risks to health5. (1) Subsection 3 (1) does not apply if all of the following conditions

are satisfied:1. The facility is located in a part of Ontario in which,

i. a declaration of emergency made under the EmergencyManagement & Civil Protection Act is in effect, or

ii. a situation exists that constitutes or may constitute a serious risk to public health, whether the Chief Medical Officer of Health has taken action under section 77.1 of the Health Protection & Promotion Act or not.

2. The employer's supplies of safety-engineered needles appropri-ate for the work have been exhausted.

3. The risk of harm from postponing the work until a safety-engineered needle appropriate for the work becomes available is greater than the risk of harm from using a hollow-bore needle that is not a safety-engineered needle.

(2) In paragraph 3 of subsection (1), "risk of harm" refers to any or all of the following risks:1. A risk of harm to the worker or to another worker.2. If the work involves the use of a needle on a person, a risk of

harm to him or her. 3. An immediate or potential risk to the public or to the public interest.

CommencementThis Regulation comes into force on September 1, 2008.

WaitressHelenaMarciniakserves food andbeverages inthe elegantdining room ofthe retirementresidence

Personal Service WorkerMadge Graham

Activities Co-ordinator Naheed Sheikh withretirement home resident

uva ensure resident recordsursing Home


1

CONFERENCESNEGOTIATIONS

For all the most recent UFCW news, including more up-to-date and detailed in

New members at Liberté Natural Foods celebrate agreat first contract

First collectiveagreement for newmembers at Parkway Members at Liberté Natural Foods in Brampton were successful in achieving a first collective agreement

on December 2, 2007. The 55-page document covers the wages and working conditions which the UnionNegotiating Committee achieved for the members. It affects approximately 45 full-time members of the bar-gaining unit who work for the food distribution company. The agreement includes:• A wage grid starting at a $15 base rate per hour for full-time, rising to $18.30, after 12 months service,

as of January 1, 2010. • Employees with 12 months service receive increases of 50 cents per hour, effective as of the date of ratifi-

cation in Year 1, 52 cents in Year 2 and 54 cents in Year 3 while those still in the wage progression receive an immediate increase of up to $1.25 per hour.

• The Lead Hand/Warehouse position has a premium of $1.50 per hour; vacant positions are posted and filled in accordance with the collective agreement.

• Additionally, all full-time employees who are on the payroll as of the date of ratification receive a lump sum payment of $150. The part-time wage grid ranges from start rates of $14 per hour, effective January 1, 2008 to $18.39 per hour for those who have worked 3,600 hours, effective January 1, 2010.

• Students, who are employed from May 1 to September 1 each year, are paid $12 per hour.• Employees with seniority are paid their base hourly rate times their number of regularly scheduled hours

for Ontario's nine statutory holidays, plus Civic holiday and a floater day.• A part-time worker who exceeds 28 hours for 12 consecutive weeks is reclassified as full-time, unless

replacing a full-time employee.

This first contract (detailed at www.ufcw175.com) covers numerous other significant issues affecting membersin the workplace pertaining to life insurance, AD&D, long-term disability and extended health & dentalplans, sick days, group retirement savings plan, work clothing and safety boot allowance. It sets parametersfor Health & Safety, discipline procedures, contracting out, stewards and negotiating committee members. Italso includes language related to hours of work, overtime, vacations, seniority, job vacancy postings, layoff &recall rights, leaves of absence and bereavement leave.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sherwin Flight, Emmerson Baque and Union Rep Rob Nicholas.

The 16-member bargaining unit at eightParkway Parking locations in Toronto rat-ified their first collective agreement onNovember 8, 2007. It provides a number ofimprovements for the newly organized work-ers, which include: • Annual wage increases – a minimum of 3

per cent, with red-circled workers receiving a 3 per cent lump sum paid bi-weekly.

• New hourly premiums of 50 cents for training and also for night shift hours worked between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

• Eleven paid holidays per year including two religious float holidays.

• The company pays 100 per cent of the pre-miums for health & welfare benefits including dental, prescription drug card and vision care. In addition, new language provides for continued company-paid cov-erage during certain leaves of absence or layoffs.

• A $75-annual allowance for safety shoes.• Five days of Paid Absence Time (PAT) per

year with the unused time paid out at 100 per cent at the end of the contract year.

• To protect full-time jobs, a new provision addresses no part-time “back-to-back.”

• Workers benefit from improved language regarding job postings, uniforms, leaves of absence, hours of work and overtime, vacation and bereavement leave.

• Seniority language, including first right of senior employees to sever their employ-ment voluntarily, with an enhanced sever-ance package including one year of com-pany-paid benefits, before a junior employee is laid off.

• New provisions address a number of work-place issues including steward representa-tion, grievance and arbitration language, bumping rights, paid lunch periods, guar-anteed call-in and reporting pay.

Union Negotiating Committee: FikruHabtemariam, Asnake Seifu and UnionRep John DiFalco.

On October 2, 2007, members at Brown Shoe Company in Perth voted to ratify a new three-year collec-tive agreement. They achieved: • Wage increases totalling $1 per hour, plus a new wage scale provides for shorter progression to the top rate.• A dental plan and health & welfare plan that is now 100 per cent company-funded. • The company will match employee contributions to their RRSP to a maximum of 25 cents per hour and the

Life Insurance plan premium is now 100 per cent paid by the employer.

• Workers with 12 years of service or more receive a fourth week of vacation per year.

• New language incorporates Respect in the Workplace lan-guage into the agreement as well as provisions for the Union to seek alternative benefits for the membership.

Union Negotiating Committee: Margaret Kerr and BillBallantyne. Absent from photo: Union Rep Simon Baker

Brown Shoe members secure wage and otherimprovements

12


CONF

EREN

CES

FEBRUARY 2008 1

CONF

EREN

CES

13

CONF

EREN

CES

NEGO

TIAT

IONS

At a ratification meeting held October 28, 2007, members at Quality Meat Packers and TorontoAbattoirs secured a new collective agreement. The more than 500-member bargaining unit gainsa number of improvements in the new contract including:• Annual wages increases of 35 cents per hour, with a signing bonus of $250 paid following ratifi-

cation and another $250 paid in January 2009.• A 10-cent per hour increase in company contributions to the pension plan, plus the dental plan

contribution will rise to 32 cents per hour by the end of the contract. • The Good Attendance bonus for eligible employees is increased to $900 per year.• Tool allowance for Maintenance Groups 7 & 11 increases to $200 and $110 for all other mainte-

nance classifications; vision care coverage increases to $170 and AD&D coverage increase to $35,000.• Improved language addresses wage classifications and team leaders while new language covers

pay corrections and the Union Negotiating Committee.

Meat Packers ratify new three-year contract

Union Negotiating Committee: From front left, Plant Chairperson, Frank Menezes, Nouno Flamino, JohnCaldeira and Raul Frietas. Back row: Ying Jie Yang, Union Representative Dan Serbin and Executive Assistant tothe President, Harry Sutton.

Workers at O'Reilly’s Your Independent Grocer in Prescott ratified a new agreement on December2, 2007, which includes:• Hourly increases to end rates for both full and part-time of 35 cents per hour, effective March 31,

2008, plus another 25 cents on March 31, 2009 and 2010 and an additional 30 cent increase on March 31, 2011, plus a lump sum payment of $125 for part-time employees in the wage scale progression.

• Full-time employees and part-timers at the end rate both receive an additional 25 cents per hour on all hours worked between November 30, 2006 and March 30, 2008.

• Employer contributions increase to 33 cents per hour for the dental plan and by 16 cents per hour for the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP).

• Significant new language includes No Harassment, personal job assurance for all existing full-time employees and new part-time wage scales in each year of the collective agreement.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mary Alice Allan, Susan Chillson, Union Reps Simon Baker andPaul Hardwick along with Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Grocery workers achieve new contracts

Members at 12 Oak Pharmacies locations achieved anew three-year collective agreement at a meeting heldSunday, November 25, 2007. The more than 60 mem-bers of the bargaining unit, who work as pharmacytechnicians in A&P-owned stores, secured: • Increases of 25 cents per hour, retroactive to Sept-

ember 24, 2006, 25 cents per hour retroactive to September 23, 2007 and 25 cents per hour effective on each of September 21, 2008 and September 20, 2009.

• A wage adjustment of $8 per week for full-time workers effective January 11, 2009 and another $8 per week as of January 10, 2010.

• Company contributions to the workers' dental plan increase by two cents per hour effective January 1, 2008.

• Vision care coverage increases to $200 per 24-months.• Bereavement leave language improves to include

step-parents and step-children as part of a mem-ber's immediate family.

• New language addresses evening shift scheduling and filling full-time positions.

Union Negotiating Committee: Valerie Wiermeir,South Central Regional Director Sylvia Groom andExecutive Assistant Jim Hastings.

Pharmacy technicians securethree-year contract

Pinty ’s workers approvethree-year contractThe approximately 200-member bargaining unit atPinty’s Delicious Foods in St. Catharines achieveda three-year collective agreement following a ratifica-tion meeting held December 9, 2007. The negotiatedcontract includes the following highlights:• Wages increase by 35 cents per hour for all rates

retroactive to November 5, 2007. Subsequent in-creases total 70 cents per hour for all rates over the life of the agreement.

• Maintenance rates receive a market adjustment to $24 for 1 ticket and $25 for 2nd ticket, which will be applied prior to wage grid adjustments.

• Company contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase to 32 cents per hour, up from 26 cents per hour, over the duration of the contract.

• Life Insurance coverage increases by $5,000 to reach a maximum of $30,000 and workers benefit from the introductions of a new drug card.

continued on page 14 . . .

d information on negotiations, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.com


114

NEGOTIATIONS

For all the most recent UFCW news, visit our Web site: www.ufcw175.com

Members at Grenon’s YIG secure new contractWorkers ratified a new collective agreement on December 9, 2007. Highlights include:• Retroactive pay increases of 25 cents per hour to end rates for both full and part-time workers

with subsequent increases totalling $1.15 per hour. • Part-time workers in progression receive a lump sum payment of $125 and there is a new wage scale.• Company contributions to the workers' dental plan increase to 32 cents per hour effective

January 1, 2008, and by 16 cents per hour for CCWIPP. • Significant new language includes personal job assurance for all existing full-time employees.

Union Negotiating Committee: Carmen Faubert, Veronique Fortin, Union Rep DanielMercier and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Hendriks’ YIG workers ratify improved agreementMore than 100 bargaining unit workers at the Hendriks’ YIG store in Perth achieved a new con-tract on December 9, 2007, with: • Initial increases to end rates of 45 cents per hour for full-time and 35 cents per hour for part-

time effective March 1, 2008. Both receive retroactive pay of 25 cents per hour back to June2006.

• Increases over the course of the rest of the contract total $1.35 per hour for full-time end rates and $1.10 per hour for part-time workers at the end rates.

• Part-time employees in progressions receive a lump sum payment of $200.• In addition, there is a new part-time wage scale and hourly night crew premium increases to $1.• Language improvements provide an increased compliment of Union Stewards, reduced quali-

fiers for part-time bereavement leave and new premium pay for department manager relief.

Union Negotiating Committee: Dave Vandusen, Gary Yuill and Union Representative SimonBaker.

Morello’s YIG workers gain new agreementOn December 12, 2007, the more than 100 workers at Morello's YIG in Peterborough secureda new contract that will bring them wage and benefit increases, including: • A lump sum wage adjustment of 25 cents per hour paid retroactive for hours worked between

August 17, 2006 and March 30, 2008; the minimum payment is $150.• Increases to the top rates – a total of $1.15 per hour. • Eligible workers receive a lump sum payment of $200 for full-time and $150 for part-time on

March 31, 2011 and the premium for Department Head Relief increases to $50 per week. • Company contributions to the workers pension plan improve and the rate of contribution to the

dental plan increases by 1 cent per hour.

Union Negotiating Committee: Randy Ellis, Rosalind Heffernan, Union Rep Chris Fuller andEastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Members ratified a new three-year collectiveagreement on November 6, 2007, with the fol-lowing improvements:• All wage classifications receive wage increases

of between 2.75 and 4.5 per cent retroactive to August 20, 2007, with subsequent increases of 3 per cent in both the second and third year.

• Those workers with 18 plus years of service are entitled to five weeks vacation paid at 10 per cent.

• Improved language addresses steward repre-sentation, uniforms and bereavement leave.

• Other language states the union and company will meet in further discussion to improve the health & welfare benefits plan.

Union Negotiating Committee: Elaine Conley,Tammy LeClair, Richard Linekar, RachealStrosouseand, Union Rep Dave White andCentral East Region Director, Luc Lacelle.

Hotel workers at theSudbury Radisson votein favour of deal

• New language provides job security and bump-ing rights for seniority employees whose jobs are eliminated.

• Language improvements recognize Family Day as a statutory holiday and improved bereave-ment provisions now include step-parents and step-children.

Union Negotiating Committee: Ron Bautista,Missy Christie, Kate Jones, Darlene Lorrain,Judith Moore and Union Representative KellyTosato.

Pinty ’s Fine Foods . . . continued from page 13


FEBRUARY 2008 115

SCHO

LARS

HIPS

Once again last year, Locals 175 & 633 awarded 56 scholarships to members and their children who arepursuing post- secondary education. They are called the Mckay, Thompson, Hoebink and GibsonScholarships and are valued at $1,000 each. Everyone has an equal opportunity to be chosen becausethe winners are selected by random draw. Applications are available from your Union representative,regional office or on the Web site. The deadline to apply for this year ’s scholarships will be in August2008, with the exact date not yet determined.

More than $418,000 has been awarded in the last nine years.

2007 Scholarships

The names of the 2007 scholarship winners follow.

Yingying Fu, whose mother,Mingzhu Tang works at Olymel inBrampton.

Natasha Hanif whose mother,Veerone Hanif, works at La RoccaCreative Cakes in Markham, withUnion Rep John DiNardo.

Mohamed Hersi, who works atDollar Thrifty at PearsonInternational Airport inMississauga.

Aleksandra Jedruszek whose moth-er, Krystyna Mlodzikowska, works atJ.H. McNairn Ltd. in Whitby.

Angela Luan, with mother AnneBushey who works at A&P #173 inParry Sound.

Judene Silva, whose mother NormaSilva works at Cargill Foods inRexdale.

Erika Mason whose mother KarenMason works at Huntsville DistrictNursing home, with Union RepRob Nicholas.

Palar Shah whose mother NeenaShah works at Pharma Plus#1438 in Mississauga.

Simone Smith, who works atMississauga Transit, with UnionRep John DiNardo.

Nicole Vandinther, whose motherMaria Vandinther works atZellers #1211 in Barrie.

Central East Region

North West RegionJonathan Broten who is the son ofLouella Broten, who works atBirchwood Terrace Nursing Home.

Christopher Tyler Tafe, who is theson of Derrick Tafe, who works atCanada Malting Co. Ltd.

Jason Rodrigue is the son ofDenise Rodrigue, who works atLandriault YIG in Kapuskasing.

Jason Rodrigue,

Danielle McEachern, who works atQuality Market in Kenora.

William Takacs is the son ofCarole Takacs who works at A&P#422 in Thunder Bay.

Alberto Valenzuela, who works atCanada Safeway #674 in Fort Frances.


1

Victor Espinoza, who is the son ofSusana Espinoza, who works atHallmark Housekeeping, with UnionRep Joe Demelo.

Kimberly Farias, whose fatherAntonio Farias, works at MapleLodge Farms in Mississauga.

Megan Gates, whose father DanielGates, works at Good Humor-Breyers in Simcoe, with Union RepTim Deelstra.

Kumudini Akuressa whose spouseKapila De Silva Samararatne worksat Sobeys Retail Support Centre inMilton, with Union Rep Joe Demelo.

Nicole Andruszkiewicz who is thedaughter of Helen Andruszkiewiczwho works at Allan Candy CompanyLtd. in Hamilton.

Jenn Crow, who works at Zellers store#45 in Brantford, with Union RepMatt Davenport.

Jennifer Lochbihler, who works atPharma Plus store #2410 inBurlington.

Emily Swayze, who is the daughter ofStarr Swayze, who works at GrandviewLodge in Dunnville, with Union RepMatt Davenport.

Li Chang Wong, whose father Chan JenWong works at Quality Meat Packers inToronto. Chan Jen (above) displayscheque, with Plant Chair FrankMenezes, Chief Steward John Caldeiraand Union Rep Dan Serbin.

Rose Yee, who is the daughter of LingYee, who works at Western Waffles inBrantford, with Union Rep MattDavenport.

16

SCHOLARSHIPS

Central West Region

Eastern Region

Marshall Mainprize, who works atLoeb Cornwall, with Union ServicingRep Jacques Niquet.

Ryan Peart, who is the son of ToddPeart, who works at CFB Trenton,with President Shawn Haggerty.

Alesha Feyen who works at PharmaPlus in Brighton, with PresidentShawn Haggerty.

Fannie Francisco whose spouse Al-Phil Francisco works at Minute Maidin Peterborough.

Dylan Palmer, who works atNewcastle IGA, with President ShawnHaggerty.

Jessica Van Lanen who works atO’Reilly’s Y.I.G. in Prescott with UnionRep Dave White. .

Eric Viau, who is the son of GastonViau, who works at O'Reilly's YIG withPresident Shawn Haggerty.

Owen Wetherow, who works at theWestin Hotel in Ottawa, with UnionRep Simon Baker.

Jason Williamson,whose mother BettyFranco works atRosebridge Manor.

Brendan Curry, who works at HavelockFoodland in Havelock.

In addition to scholarships awardedby Locals 175 & 633, awards are alsoprovided by the UFCW CanadaNational Council and the UFCWInternational Union.

Lacey Foster, with Eastern Regional DirectorDan Lacroix, was one of the winners of theBeggs Dowling Mathieu Scholarships offeredby the National Council. Her father works at Madoc COPE Corporation.


FEBRUARY 2008 1

SCHO

LARS

HIPS

17

Stacey Redding worksat The Barn #226 inHamilton.

Christine Salmon works at Fortinos#69 in Brampton, with UnionServicing Rep Mario Tardelli.

Nathan Arsenault, who works at TheReal Canadian Superstore #2800 inToronto.

William Izzard is the son of KentWharram who works at A&P inTillsonburg, with Union Servicing RepBrenda Simmons.

Adam Siniowski is a member at FoodBasics #137 in St. Thomas.

Cindy Ta is a member at The RealCanadian Superstore #2800 inToronto.

Asad Imam is a member at A&P#83 in Brampton.

South Central Region

Scott Wharram is a member at A&P#124 in Tillsonburg.

Joan Chan who is a member at FoodBasics #679 in Markham.

Patrick Ciaschi who is a member atUltra Mart #55 in Guelph.

South West Region

Joanna Elgie is the daughter ofKaren Elgie who works at ED Smithin Seaforth.

Amanda Meloche works at A&P#139 in Tecumseh, with Executiveboard member Brad Wigle.

Andrea Barrales-Hall is the daughterof Christopher Fenwick who works atDresden Industrial in Stratford.

Victoria Clifford is a member whoworks at Dresden Industrial inStratford.

Collin Demmans is a member whoworks at Zehrmart in Sarnia withUnion Rep Kevin Dowling.

Amanpreet Nijjar whose motherDarshan Nijjar works at Sun ValleyFoods in London.

Imaan Mohamoud works at Zellersin Windsor, with Union Steward NicoleBurns.

Tawnya Trachsel who is the daughterof Lori Trachsel who works at MapleLeaf Schneider in Stratford.

Jaclyn Marie Watson, who is thedaughter of Linda Watson who worksat RCSS Chatham, with Union RepKevin Dowling.

Bo Xu, whose father Dianshen Xu(shown in photo with Union Rep RickWauhkonen and Union Steward John"Chris" Watson) works at Cargill MeatSolutions/Better Beef in Guelph.

Every year several of these scholarships, valued at $8,000each, are awarded to UFCW members & eligible dependents.

To be eligible for this year’s awards, you must have been amember since January 14, 2007 and complete the onlineapplication by March 15, 2008.

Visit www.ufcw.org/scholarship to apply online for the UFCW International Scholarship

The scholarship winners will be selected and awards made onthe basis of scholastic achievements, community involvement andcompletion of an essay that shows understanding of the princi-ples of the labour movement. Complete rules, regulations andother details are posted on the Web site.


just five years as a professional musician, Jalota accom-plished what took Elvis 27 years to achieve. Jalota sings insix languages. He has recorded over 1,200 bhajans,ghazals and songs and performed more than 4,000 liveconcerts in 100 plus cities on all five continents.

To learn more about India visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India.Additional information, on the same site, is also postedunder Hinduism, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Bhajan, Ghazal andLanguage. The Wikipedia information is provided by con-tributors and not endorsed by Locals 175 & 633 or thegovernment of India.

UFCW Representatives educate WWCC students about workers’ rights

In September 2007, Local 175 Servicing RepresentativeLien Huynh, with the assistance of Keith Murdoch of the

UFCW Canada Nationaloffice, delivered coursesat the Working WomenCommunity Centre(WWCC) in Toronto.

The WWCC is a non-profit, charitable organi-zation that providesopportunities for immi-grant women and theirfamilies to improve thequality of their livesthrough self-developmentand community action.Secretary-Treasurer &CAN Committee member

Teresa Magee serves onthe organization’s Board of Directors.

Lien and Keith provided informational seminars, aboutWorkers’ Rights, to both beginner and intermediate levelstudents in the English as Second Language (ESL) program.

Students learned that Local 175 seeks to broaden the defi-nition of workers’rights, as defined under the EmploymentStandards Act, by including the right to join a Union andthe right to earn a living wage. Clients of the WWCCinclude both women and men of all ages. In addition toESL courses, the centre is also a resource for settlementservices, public education and health & wellness.

18

COMM

UNITY

L o c a l s 1 7 5 & 6 3 3 : M a k i n g a DLocal 175 members support CBTU Dinner

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) held theirannual awards dinner on November 10, 2007. SeveralUFCW Local 175 members attended, including DianeJokhu who works at Cadbury Adams Inc. in Toronto, aswell as several members from Dollar Thrifty at the PearsonInternational Airport in Mississauga. The members fromDollar Thrifty were Libaan Omar, Zahra Hersi and MulkiMohammed. Also participating were Local 175 representa-tives Jehan Ahamed, Derek Jokhu, Paul Jokhu and AmyTran of the UFCW Canada National Office.

Information about the CBTU, including upcoming events, isat www.cbtu.ca.

In the Community: Happy Diwali!

Senior Legal Counseland Vice-Chair of theCommunity ActionNetwork (CAN),Naveen Mehta, attend-ed a Diwali Concert inVaughan on November10, 2007. Diwali is amajor Indian festive holi-day, and a significantfestival in Hinduism andsome of the other faithsthat originated in India.Many legends are asso-ciated with Diwali. Todayit is celebrated byHindus, Jains and Sikhsacross the globe as theFestival of Light, where the lights or lamps signify victory ofgood over the evil within every human being.

The concert starred legendary Indian singer Anup Jalota.He is best known for his performances in the Indian musicalstyle of the bhajan and the ghazal. The bjahan is a Hindudevotional song, often of ancient origin. Ghazals are a formof poetry consisting of couplets which share a rhyme and arefrain. Etymologically, the word literally refers to “the mortalcry of a gazelle.”

In 1998, Jalota surpassed the Elvis Presley record of 45gold and platinum discs by selling 58 albums of his own. In

Legendary Indian singer Anup Jalota performed at the Diwali Centre in Vaughan


FEBRUARY 2008 19

COM

MUN

ITY

D i f f e r e n c e i n t h e C o m m u n i t y

For the first time this year, Local 175 sponsored theSomali Soccer Tournament, hosted by the SomaliOntario Sports & Cultural Association (SOSCA). Theinternational tournament featured several teams andnumerous players who competed during a week of match-es. The tournament wrapped up on July 13, 2007. Local175 provided trophies for the winning team, as well as forthe runner up and third place teams. They also donatedcommemorative metals for individuals on the winningteams.

Next year’s tournament is expected to take place onceagain at the Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke.

For more information, please contact Union RepresentativeJehan Ahamed at the Mississauga Provincial Office.

We Did it: Mission Accomplished! SALCO becomes the 80th Community LegalClinic in Ontario

On July 19, 2007, after intense pressure from the SouthAsian Community and the 50,000 members of UFCWLocals 175 & 633, the Attorney General of Ontarioannounced that the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario(SALCO) would receive stable funding through Legal AidOntario (LAO). The clinic will become LAO’s 80th commu-nity legal clinic.

LAO funding was scheduled to terminate in September2007, leaving Ontario’s fastest-growing ethno-culturalcommunity without access to affordable legal services.Closing the clinic would have meant that its South Asianclients, who’s heritage is Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,Bangladesh and Nepalese, would have been denied serv-ices provided to other ethno-cultural communities.

Locals 175 and 633 worked with SALCO in the SAVESAL-CO campaign to pressure the McGuinty government intoproviding SALCO with the same type of annual, stable andpermanent funding that is allocated to the other 79 com-munity legal clinics in the province.

The Local Unions were dynamic partners in the campaign.They helped spread the message across the labour move-

ment and to our members inevery corner of theprovince. They sponsoredthe SAVESALCO cam-paign Web site, andtook an active part in theSAVESALCO petition,which was tabled in theProvincial Legislature byHoward Hampton, Leader ofthe Ontario NDP. Of the approximately2,100 signatures tabled, Locals 175 and 633supplied more than 1,400.

Naveen Mehta serves on the SALCO Boardof Directors. He said: “This is a historicachievement for South Asian working people.Our Union ensured that 50,000 Union fami-lies recognized the inequities regardingaccess to justice for our sisters and brothersin this community. This is a great example oflabour and the community working togethertowards a common goal to effect socially justand positive change that directly elevates thestandard of living of working women andmen.”

In recognition of the Locals’ commitment, formerLocal 175 President Wayne Hanley was recently hon-oured at a ceremony in Toronto. He said: “This is atremendous accomplishment for this group of younglawyers working to better the lives of those in their commu-nity. SALCO is the only clinic of its kind in Canada andlikely North America. As a social-justice-based organiza-tion, the Locals have always been committed to fighting forjustice and equity. Ensuring that SALCO received perma-nent and stable funding was an important part of thatcommitment.”

The new funding will allow the not-for-profit organizationto hire additional staff and increase its services. SALCO’sstability of status and funding will ensure that vulnerableand low income members of the South Asian communitywill have access to effective and appropriate legal repre-sentation and services, which meets their needs in a lin-guistically and culturally sensitive manner.

Local 175 supports Somali Soccer Tournament


Local 175 supports Fast Forward Student Success

Return postage will be paid by:

United Food and Commercial WorkersLocals 175 and 6332200 Argentia RoadMississauga ON L5N 2K7

Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671

On October 25, 2007, Don Bosco high school inEtobicoke officially opened its new Hospitality &Tourism Centre. This facility provides training, workplacements – and ultimately jobs in the service sector.

The Fast Forward Student Success program builds onthe earlier Success for All program. It now servesmore students and provides a greater range of cours-es. The program is also known as Pathways toCollege and the World of Work. A Pathways to

University option is in the planning stages.

Local 175 is a longtime supporter of these programs,which enable students to learn the skills to work inthis important sector. The Local Union has welcomedstudents to its Training & Education Centre to learnabout workplace rights and health & safety. It alsoprovides an annual $500 bursary to the top studentin the program.


Documents

Checkout February 2008