United Food & Commercial Workers Union
Local 1400
|
****JavaScript based drop down DHTML menu generated by NavStudio. (OpenCube Inc. - http://www.opencube.com)****
|
News Archives 2005
Scholarships
For information on winners of the 2005 Albert Tholl and Dean McIntyre
Scholarships, please click this link.
NDP Leader signs the Workers' Bill of Rights
OTTAWA, ON - 2005-12-16
New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton has become the
first Canadian political leader to sign The Workers' Bill of Rights, pledging
support for the freedom of workers to form unions and to determine wages and
working conditions through collective bargaining without interference by
government. View
Workers' Bill of Rights.
News Release - SFL Calls for Boycott of Sobeys stores - Regina and Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Executive Council endorsed a boycott of Sobeys stores in
Regina and Saskatoon on December 15th.
Members of Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 454 have been on strike since September 11, 2005 at the South Albert Street Sobeys in Regina.
Sobeys is refusing to provide competitive rates of pay to its employees and in fact, pays workers in its non-unionized stores higher hourly wages.
"We are asking consumers not to shop at Sobeys until this dispute is settled," said SFL President Larry Hubich.
"At this time of year it is especially important to support workers who are struggling to make ends meet after months without a pay cheque. We urge trade unionists and the communities of Regina and Saskatoon to support this boycott", added Hubich.
The franchise owners of South Albert Street Sobeys have been found guilty of unfair labour practices by the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board. The Company has been promoting or encouraging decertification every year since it was first organized in 1999 and in Saskatoon the UFCW has lost their store through similar interference.
"You have to question what future there is for young workers in Saskatchewan when they are confronted with unfair working conditions, intimidation and lack of respect in the workplace", said Hubich, "this is why these workers are braving the freezing weather fighting for dignity."
The SFL represents 93,500 unionized workers from over 35 affiliated unions in Saskatchewan.
UFCW Local 1400 president, Paul Meinema, urges everyone to support this SFL endorsed boycott of the Regina and Saskatoon Sobeys and reminds all workers that an injury to one is an injury to all. "UFCW Local 1400 sends greetings to our union brothers and sisters, the members of RWDSU Local 454. We hope that these members are able to regain the dignity and respect they justly deserve very soon," said president Meinema.
Katrina Update
Within days of the Katrina hurricane, UFCW set up a hotline for members needing assistance, UFCW
staff were dispatched to staging areas and shelters, and many UFCW locals started to "adopt" members
who had been left homeless, pledging to sustain those families until they are able to get back on their feet.
Thanks to the generosity of UFCW members and locals, nearly $700,000 was raised for the Katrina Relief Fund. These funds are still being distributed to our members in need.
The following are two articles on the relief efforts of UFCW and some of our member's stories.
UFCW Generosity in the Wake of Katrina, reprinted
with thanks, from UFCW International's Volume 1, #5 & 6 of One Union One Voice
Picking Up the Pieces, reprinted with thanks,
from UFCW International's Winter Issue of Working America.
National Hotel Members Ratify First Collective Agreement
Members at the National Hotel in Prince Albert have ratified their first
Collective Agreement.
Compass Food Services Ltd Members Ratify Collective Agreement
Members at Compass Food Services Ltd. in Saskatoon have ratified their
Collective Agreement. Please see the Negotiations page for
details.
Trojan Security Members Ratify Collective Agreement
Members at Trojan Security have ratified their Collective Agreement by 92%.
Please see the Negotiations page for details.
Lakeside Packers Workers Land First Deal with Tyson
Foods
Shouts of triumph, tears and singing rocked the
ballroom of a Brooks hotel Friday night after Lakeside Packers employees voted
to accept a deal brokered earlier this week, ending a bitter three-week
strike.
Fifty-six per cent of the workers at the plant in Brooks voted to accept the deal. The contract lasts until 2009.
From 8 a.m. to just past the 7 p.m. cutoff, workers streamed into the Brooks Heritage Inn to cast their ballots, gathering in the lobby, the hotel lounge and the parking lot to await the results.
It's the union's first collective agreement with Arkansas-based Tyson Foods. It included a total wage increase of $1.90 per hour over the length of the contract, as well as improvements to short-term disability benefits.
"I believe that while there is division here, it can be rebuilt," said an overwhelmed Doug O'Halloran, president of the United Food and Commerical Workers Local 401, after announcing the results just after 8 p.m.
"When you go back to work on Monday, you're going to have the union in the plant," O'Halloran told workers.
"You get language that protects your right to dignity and respect."
For more information visit the UFCW Local 401 website.
Southern Golf Tournament Renamed George Semeniuk Classic
The members of XL Foods in Moose Jaw, who have been the main proponents for many years
of what has become the Southern Local 1400 Golf Tournament, have passed a motion and voted
to rename this tournament the George Semeniuk Classic.
These members felt that this would be a fitting way to give their appreciation and honour
George for the many years that he worked with these members, as he is an ardent golfer.
George Semeniuk retired from UFCW in 1997 after a long career in the labour movement, from the position of the Western Assistant to the Canadian Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers. He resides in Saskatoon with his wife Wanda and enjoys spending time with his son, daughters, their spouses and his grandchildren.
George joined UPWA (United Packinghouse Workers of America Local 234P on October 15, 1956 and, for six years he was the President of that local. He worked as the president of the UFCW Saskatchewan Provincial Council for two years, then on October 19, 1970 he was employed as Council Representative by the SK Provincial Council and in August 1988 he was further advanced to International Representative for Saskatchewan. On May 1, 1989 he was promoted to UFCW Assistant to the Director and Collective Bargaining Representative for Western Canada. At International conventions, he sat on the Constitution Committee for UFCW and was also a member of the UFCW task force on Canadian Structure.
Throughout his career he took on further duties and board positions; he was a board member for three years for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, on an OH&S Advisory Council to the Minister of Labour and was the president of the Prince Albert Labour Council for two years. He was on the SFL Executive Council for 17 years, two of which he spent as president and he served two years as a CLC vice-president. He also worked on numerous other committees, Boards of Arbitration and Boards of Conciliation.
After George’s retirement from UFCW he took a few months off then chose to work at the Department of Labour as a Conciliation and Mediation Senior Officer doing what he has always done so well, helping members, unions and companies to find acceptable solutions to outstanding issues. He then moved to community volunteer work with the United Way as a Campaign Cabinet volunteer Labour Representative for three years.
Michael Fraser, national director wrote to president Meinema, “I am very pleased to hear that the members of XL Foods in Moose Jaw passed a motion and voted to have the Local 1400 Southern Golf Tournament named the George Semeniuk Classic. Please let the members know that I applaud and concur with the honour that they have bestowed on Brother Semeniuk – it is truly a fine recognition of Brother Semeniuk’s timeless service to the members of UFCW Canada”.
President Meinema commented, “George is someone who has always seen the labour movement as much more than just a career, rather as a way of life. As an avid golfer, these members have found a fitting way to thank and give their appreciation to George for his long time commitment to this union. On behalf of all members, Local 1400 is very proud to rename this annual tournament and give the recognition to George that he is so deserving of.”
left picture George and wife Wanda with president Meinema and rep Glenn Stewart (pictured left to
right).
middle picture George pictured with Tracy Goodheart, recipients of United Way’s prestigious W. A. Milne
award.
right picture George and Wanda pictured with SCU teammates (left to right) Phyllis Rebeyka and
Bernice Whitbread.
Labour Board Ruling - Board Agent Appointed
In a landmark ruling, the
Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board has decided that the new amendments to The
Trade Union Act enacted by our Provincial Government on June 17, 2005 allow
the Board to make appointments of a Board agent to assist with First Collective
Agreements without the necessity of a hearing.
This came about largely as a result of Sobeys in
Under the old rules, the LRB would hold a hearing just to decide if they should assist in getting a first agreement before the union even got a chance to argue the actual terms that should be included in a first agreement. The union was also required to have a strike vote or to have won an unfair labour practice against an employer for having failed to negotiate in good faith. This left the door open to endless hearings, not just on what provisions should be in a first agreement, but whether the LRB should even intervene in the dispute. In the Moose Jaw Sobeys case, it had also allowed the company the opportunity to challenge the legality of the union's strike vote causing further delays.
The union had filed a new
application for First Agreement Arbitration (under the new rules) and the Board
heard the new application on August 19, 2005.
In its decision, the Board concluded that if the written materials
disclose the union has met the preconditions, it would appoint a Board agent to
become involved in the negotiations without the necessity of any hearings. In the case of the
The union has filed a new application for First Agreement Arbitration for the Prince Albert Sobeys unit and we expect the same results; a Board agent appointed without the necessity of a hearing. Once this happens, we should be well under way to getting a First Agreement for our members instead of spending days and perhaps literally weeks in hearings first.
Hudson Bay Credit Union Members Ratify First Collective Agreement
Please visit the Negotiations page for details.
Two Local 1400 Workplaces Closing
Reinhart Foods has Closed in Saskatoon
The Saskatoon Reinhart Foods vinegar plant has closed
it doors. This group of approximately 15
UFCW Local 1400 members have seen numerous changes in ownership
over the years, with the last being the
larger, Canadian wide Reinhart Foods. The company decided to restructure
and close this smaller
We wish this active group of members all the best in the future; hope that they are able to find alternate employment quickly and that we see them as UFCW members again.
Yorkton Travelodge Closing
This company, that employs 30
UFCW Local 1400 members, will be closing their doors on October 31, 2005.
The company says that they simply are not
making any money off this property.
We wish each of these members all the best in the future and hope that we will see them as UFCW members again soon.
Centennial Foods
Centennial Foods, which employs approximately 180 Local 1400 members in Saskatoon, has changed its name
to New Food Classics.
Holiday Inn, Yorkton
The Holiday Inn in Yorkton is changing names as it will now be part of the Best Western group of
hotels. The new name is Best Western Parkland Inn.
UFCW Local 401 members at Lakeside Packers strike after company rejects mediator:
Tyson’s abuse of human rights continues in Brooks, Alberta
BROOKS, AB, October 13, 2005 – More than 2,300 workers at a Tyson cattle
slaughterhouse and processing
plant in Brooks, Alberta have been forced to strike after U.S. based Tyson Foods
threw out a proposal by a mediator appointed by the Alberta government to
facilitate a first-contract agreement.
Workers at Tyson’ Lakeside Packers in Brooks, about 100 miles southeast of Calgary, were certified as a UFCW Canada unit, UFCW Canada Local 401, in August 2004. After months of fruitless negotiations, followed by Tyson’s rejection of the findings of a government imposed one-person Disputes Inquiry Board, workers began their strike on October 12 over basic issues such as workplace harassment, plant safety, hazardous equipment, handling of biological hazards, and company reprisals for reporting workplace injuries.
Tyson’s Lakeside handles about 40% of Canada’s cattle slaughter. Tyson is a major supplier to Canadian grocery retailers, restaurants and fast food chains.
For more information on the
strike and Tyson go to:
www.terribletyson.com
www.gounion.ca
www.cbc.ca SEARCH: Lakeside Packers
Join the Tyson Bull-cott! Send a powerful message to
Tyson and its business partners that
safety, hygiene and workplace dignity can’t be ignored at Lakeside.
September 28, 2005 - Members at Salvation Army Recycling Centres Vote to Ratify
Collective Agreement
UFCW Local 1400 members employed at Salvation Army Recycling Centres (Thrift Stores) in Saskatoon and Regina, voted 88%
to ratify a Collective Agreement reached late Tuesday evening.
Full-time job assurances and language maintained to ensure no change to bargaining unit work were agreed. The settlement also included a 6% wage increase over three years, with a signing bonus.
The union and company are both very satisfied that the labour dispute has been resolved and members
are returning to work; the stores resume regular hours on Friday.
Full story, pictures, and other info.
UFCW Canada launches Disaster relief fund for UFCW members in the Katrina
hurricane zone
The UFCW Katrina Flood Fund is a disaster relief
fund for the thousands of UFCW members who live and work in
New Orleans and across Louisiana, Mississippi and the rest
of the Katrina’s deadly path. Read the full
UFCW Canada News Release.
Please generously support your fellow UFCW members that have lost so much in this disaster. Donations can be made through Local 1400, or through either the electronic bank wire transfer or mailing address listed in the news release.
Local 1400 will be adopting a UFCW family that has been displaced by Katrina. We will bring you updates on this as we receive them.
September 12, 2005 - UFCW HELPS KATRINA SURVIVORS
Please note: This update and amounts listed are for the total
International effort, UFCW Canada and individual locals will continue
fundraising efforts as well.
UFCW members affected are calling the UFCW Katrina Relief Fund hot line.
So far, UFCW raised or received pledges nearing $250,000 for hurricane victims from generous workers and organizations. UFCW itself has contributed $100,000, and one of its constituency groups – United Latinos of UFCW contributed another $50,000. Union representatives and volunteers are helping connect workers with their families. They are helping provide groceries and shelter for victims in several states. They are also helping workers to find other types of assistance, as well as to help people relocate and find new jobs.
UFCW has many affected members. In
The UFCW members who experienced the worse impact from the hurricane are those employed by Domino Sugar Co. in Chalmette, LA, where hundreds were trapped inside the factory by flood waters for nearly one week, and at least 40 have lost their homes and possessions. Domino Sugar Company has agreed to continue paying wages and benefits for these workers while the plant is shut down.
Other UFCW members affected by the hurricane include those working at poultry
processor Sanderson Farms, at an oil refinery, at barber shops, and at a Sara Lee
plant in
"People are being grateful for the help and some are saying that no one
was helping them until UFCW's yellow t-shirts showed up," said UFCW Region
5 International Vice President Alvin Vincent. "For the most part,
victims are also upset at the federal government for not fixing the levees
outside
UFCW International President Joe Hansen oversaw the creation of the relief fund last Saturday, Sept. 3, and urged workers to contribute to it. "Unlike a strike situation, where hardship develops over time, many of our members barely escaped Katrina's destruction with nothing but the clothes on their backs."
UFCW Local 455 purchased a truckload full of groceries from Associated Grocers Warehouse and with the help of several UFCW leaders and members, distributed the food to Sanderson Farms' workers, who had been affected by the storm.
UFCW Region 5's Al Vincent: "The Hotline traffic is starting to pick up and
the word of mouth member-to-member system, while slow, has helped us find some
families in great need." He added, "Also, we have started to go
to the major staging areas (Houston,
"Most victims are staying in homes in groups ranging from five to 24 people,"
said Vincent. "In one case, there is a family of 10 staying at a campground
in
In addition to the UFCW, other unions of the recently formed Change to Win Coalition have implemented Katrina-victim relief programs of their own and in collaboration with other unions.
UFCW Katrina Relief Fund
Approaches $350,000; UFCW Helping More Katrina Survivors in
Alabama
Distribution Source : U.S. Newswire
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Katrina Relief Fund continues to grow with generous contributions from workers and organizations, and now approaches $350,000, thanks to a $50,000 contribution made in the past few days by UFCW Canada. UFCW Canada has also pledged to raise another $200,000 for the relief fund. Moreover, United Latinos of UFCW has also contributed $50,000.
Meanwhile, the UFCW began finding and helping more Katrina survivors in Alabama while continuing to help and to find affected members in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Until now, most requests for assistance were coming from UFCW workers employed in Louisiana who were affected by the hurricane, but UFCW leaders and workers have been canvassing Mississippi and Alabama looking for members in need. The call volume at UFCW's Katrina assistance hotline has been increasing steadily as members talk to each other, and as UFCW continues placing announcements in shelters.
UFCW Region 5 International Vice President Alvin Vincent said that, "Many hurricane survivors are in need of food, and UFCW local unions have begun sending truckloads full of groceries to specific areas that are facing the greatest need."
In addition to providing groceries, UFCW, union leaders and members have been helping connect workers with their families. They have been helping workers find government, non-profit and community assistance. They are helping workers and their families find shelter -- partly through UFCW's Adopt-a-Family program -- and sometimes helping them relocate and find new jobs. UFCW has placed special effort in finding members sheltered at the Houston Astrodome. UFCW International President Joe Hansen and Canada's National Director Michael J. Fraser encouraged local unions to adopt UFCW families displaced by the storm.
UFCW has thousands of members in southern states that have been affected by the storm. UFCW recently identified and began assisting nursing home workers in Alabama. UFCW members experiencing the worse impact from the storm include those employed by Domino Sugar Co. in Chalmette, LA. Other affected UFCW members include those working at poultry processor Sanderson Farms, at an oil refinery, at barber shops, and at a Sara Lee plant in Mississippi. For additional Katrina-related information, please refer to UFCW's Web site at http://www.ufcw.org.
UFCW Region 5 employee Arlene Carrow Crocker has been taking most of the hot line calls. She has never experienced anything more emotional or heartbreaking. "For some of our Domino Sugar members, I believe that the realization of any major loss is just now setting in," she said. "With an open heart, I try to find the right words, but I realize that only time will heal their wounds." In addition to the UFCW, other unions of the recently formed Change to Win Coalition have implemented Katrina victim relief programs of their own and in collaboration with other unions.
Please feel free to publicize the UFCW Katrina Relief Fund hotline -- 866-820-6141.
The UFCW represents 1.4 million workers in North America, with nearly 1 million working in grocery stores and 250,000 working in the meatpacking and other food processing industries.
Initial Security members ratify Collective Agreement
See the Negotiations page for details.
Please Note: Important information for all
members (Past and Present) in the Canadian Commercial Workers Pension Plan (CCWIPP)
You
may have already received a letter from the Plan administrators (PBAS)
about a break in that occurred at their regional office. Please take every reasonable
precaution with
your credit info by following the suggested steps in this letter. The documents
that were mailed to you outline
these suggested steps. A PFD copy of these pages
is available by
Clicking Here.
If you require more information, please
contact CCWIPP toll free at 1-800-665-1223.
Update: Due the the volume of calls at the credit reporting agencies, Trans Union and Equifax have both now provided alternative methods for CCWIPP participants to contact them. Please click here for alternative contact information.
ANAVETS members in Moose Jaw ratify Collective Agreement
See the Negotiations page for details.
UFCW
UFCW Canada makes record donation to
Leukemia charity at 16th Annual gala: MEMBER DONATIONS FROM ACROSS
“This is a proud achievement,” said Michael J. Fraser, national director of UFCW Canada, “and shows once again how committed our members are to giving back to the community. Our members’ record donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is even more remarkable considering that earlier this year our members also helped to raise over $100,000 for Tsunami relief efforts.”
Along with the new record, UFCW Canada’s national director also announced a new name for the annual fundraising gala: The Murray Margarit UFCW Canada Leukemia and Lymphoma Gala.
Murray Margarit had headed up UFCW Canada’s leukemia research fundraising. He died earlier this year from the complications of leukemia. He was just 35.
UFCW Canada adopted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada as its charity of choice in 1984. Since then members of UFCW Canada have raised more than $6,000,000 for leukemia research. In 2004, UFCW Canada members raised more than $700,000 alone. This year’s jump to $908,000 sets a new annual giving record and makes UFCW Canada the largest supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
Fundraising takes place year-round through UFCW Canada member-organized bowlathons, barbecues, bake sales, pool, tennis, golf, volleyball and hockey tournaments and other events put on by UFCW members and supported by UFCW Canada local unions and the UFCW Canada national office.
UFCW Canada (United Food and Commercial Workers) represents more than 230,000 Canadian workers in every aspect of the food industry, as well as other service, commercial, processing, manufacturing, technical and professional occupations.
Members at Advanced Protection Services, Confederation Inn and Compass
Group at the Regina Airport
have ratified their Collective Agreements
Please visit the Negotiations page for details.
Newly Ratified Collective Agreements
Salvation Army Waterston Centre, XL Foods and CanaDay’s have all recently ratified
their CBA’s. Please visit the Negotiations page for details.
UFCW Local 1400 Leukemia Bashers Golf Tournaments
Saskatoon/Northern - was held on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at Moon
Lake Golf & Country Club
Moose Jaw/Southern - was held on Saturday, August 27, 2005
Visit the Golf Tournament page for photos and info.
Health & Welfare Plan for the Employees of Saskatchewan
Superstores and Wholesale Clubs Now in Effect
For information on eligibility, hour bank accumulation, claim form and other details,
Click
Here.
