United Food & Commercial Workers Union
Local 1400
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News Archives 2007
International Migrants Day
December 18, 2007 - International
Migrants Day is officially celebrated on December 18 every year around the world
since 2000. It is an opportunity
• to recognize the
contributions made by millions of migrants to the development and well-being of
so many countries in the world
• to demand an end to
all forms of abuse and violence against migrants and their families and promote
respect for their basic human rights
• to call on all
governments including Canada to ratify the UN Convention on Migrant
Workers
• to hold governments
accountable with regards to the rights of migrants.
International Migrants Day aims to put the issues that are of key interest to migrants and their communities (those they live in and those they leave behind) on the agenda, highlight the challenges they encounter and celebrate their achievements.
Unfortunately, while the Canadian government is expanding its migrant and temporary worker programs it continues to decline ratifying the United Nations International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
According to Wayne Hanley, the national president of UFCW Canada, “it is shameful that while countries we take these workers from have ratified the Convention our own government hasn’t done the same. It is long overdue for Canada to join the international community in pledging to uphold and protect the rights of migrant workers.”
FirstSask Credit Union and Affinity Credit Union Merger
December 15, 2007 - In preparation for the merger between FirstSask Credit Union and Affinity Credit Union,
set to be finalized
on January 1, 2008, UFCW Local 1400 President Paul Meinema and Secretary Treasurer Norm Neault
visited each branch, held a series of informational meetings, and a vote was conducted from December 10th
to 14th, 2007.
We are pleased to announce that the Affinity Credit Union employees have voted yes to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1400.
Thank you very much for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 306.384.5787, toll free from outside of Saskatoon and area at 1.800.274.4036 or by email to ufcw@ufcw1400.ca
Pepsi Cola Bottling Group, Regina Members Ratify Collective Agreement
On November 20, 2007, the members of Local 1400 employed at
Pepsi in Regina ratified their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Details of the settlement are posted on the Negotiations.
UFCW Local 1400 Executive Board Election Results
The following are the results of the elections for Executive Board members and positions:
President Paul Meinema—Elected by acclamation
Secretary Treasurer Norm Neault—Elected by acclamation
Recording Secretary Rick Erhardt—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #1 Cory Cozart—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #2 Richard Weichel—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #3 Pat Schermann—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #4 Laurie Temple—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #5 Barb Logan—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #6 Traci Lagroix—Elected
Vice President #7 Irvin Sorba—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #8 Hazel Hack—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #9 Jim Kutnikoff—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #10 Gail Mack—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #11 Craig Thebaud—Elected by acclamation
Vice President #12 Martin Altwasser—Elected by acclamation
New Food Classics Members Ratify Collective Agreement
On September 28, 2007, the members of Local 1400 employed at
New Food Classics ratified their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Details of the settlement are posted on the Negotiations.
Mexico Discusses Migrant Workers with UFCW Canada Union During Calderon Visit
August 21, 2007 - OTTAWA
The National President of
the Canadian union that represents Mexican migrant workers at a Manitoba farm
and has union applications pending on behalf of Mexican migrant workers at
three other farms in Quebec has met with a senior official of Mexican President
Felipe Calderon's government to discuss the challenges facing Mexican migrant
workers in Canada.
Wayne Hanley, the National President
of UFCW Canada met on Monday in
Rico was in
According to Hanley, "our
meeting with Under-Secretary Rico was positive and we look forward to
continuing to work together with Mexican government representatives toward the
common goals and interests of addressing the issues and challenges facing
Mexican migrant workers in
Every year nearly 10,000 workers
from
Workers have historically been hesitant to report dangerous working conditions or hostile employers for fear of being sent home or blacklisted from returning the next season.
Over the last decade UFCW Canada has
led the campaign for improved working conditions and rights for migrant
agricultural workers who come to
In February 2007 Hanley and members of his staff shared concerns and issues with the Mexican Congress Commission on Population, Borders and Migration.
In June 2007 five Federal Deputies from Mexico visited Canada to conduct their own investigation of the challenges facing their Mexican citizens while working in Canada, as well as to visit some of the eight Migrant Agricultural Workers Support Centres UFCW Canada operates across Canada, providing thousands of Mexican workers legal, translation and counseling services including advocacy for safer working conditions and workplace rights.
Media contact: Michael Forman
UFCW Canada National Office
416-579-8330
mforman@ufcw.ca
Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Members Ratify Collective Agreement
At meetings held on August 8 & 9, 2007, the members of Local 1400 employed at
the Moose Jaw Co-operative Association ratified their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Details of the settlement are posted on the Negotiations.
Update on Giant Tiger - August 8, 2007
Since the certification order was handed down, Giant Tiger has applied to the Court of Queen's Bench
asking the Court to set aside this order. Arguments have been heard by the Court and we are
waiting for the Court's decision. In the meantime or until further order of the Court, the Labour
Board Order has been stayed.
For any employees of Giant Tiger in Regina with questions or concerns, please call the Saskatoon office to speak to a Service Representative or email to ufcw@ufcw1400.ca.
TILMA Not for Saskatchewan
In a news release dated August 1, 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan announced:
"Saskatchewan ranks second in the nation when it comes to the contribution
internal exports make to provincial income," Van Mulligen said. "After careful
study, the government has concluded that the Trade, Investment and Labour
Mobility Agreement is not for Saskatchewan. We remain committed to the economic
prosperity agenda outlined in the last Throne Speech and will focus on building
upon our strong internal trade through other means."
Congratulations to all of the members and friends of labour who worked very hard on the KNOW TILMA
campaign, getting the word out to citizens of Saskatchewan and passing the message on to our government
that we are not interested in this trade agreement.
Read the full press release
Avion Security Members Ratify Collective Agreement
On July 18, 2007, the members of Local 1400 employed by Avion Security ratified their
new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Details of the settlement are posted on the
Negotiations page.
Welcome to Our New Members
On July 4, 2007 a certification order was issued by the Saskatchewan Labour
Relations Board for all stores operating as Giant Tiger in the city of Regina. Local 1400
applied for certification in the spring of 2004, with a majority of the employees having
signed union cards. UFCW Local 1400 now represents these new
members at two store locations in the Queen City!
The local will be meeting with these new members and starting negotiations very soon.
For any members from this location with questions or concerns, please call the Saskatoon office to speak to a Service Representative or email to ufcw@ufcw1400.ca.
Saskatchewan Science Centre Members Ratify Collective Agreement
On June 20, 2007, the members of Local 1400 at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina ratified their
new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Details of the settlement are posted on the
Negotiations page.
Western Grocers, Saskatoon Ratifies Collective Agreement
On June 18th, 2007, the members of Western Grocers in Saskatoon ratified the memorandum of
agreement on their new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Details of the settlement are posted on the
Negotiations page.
UFCW Canada Members Raise Record $1.424 Million for Leukemia Charity
UFCW Canada members have set a new fundraising record of $1,424,000 in their annual
campaign backing the efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC).
The record breaking campaign makes the UFCW Canada membership the largest annual supporter
of LLSC's research to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Wayne Hanley, National President of UFCW Canada and President of UFCW Canada Local 175 announced the record tally at the UFCW Canada Annual Leukemia Gala held June 15 in Toronto. The event has been held annually since 1989.
"To set a new record is exciting," said Hanley, "because every dollar raised by our members bring us a step closer to finding a cure."
"I'm proud of our members and our UFCW Canada union locals across Canada for their outstanding efforts and commitment to this important cause and our members are grateful their fundraising efforts have helped save lives."
UFCW Canada adopted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada as its charity of choice in 1985. Including this year's record breaking campaign, UFCW Canada has raised a total $10,805,000 for the LLSC.
UFCW Canada fundraising takes place year-round through member-organized walkathons, 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 240,000 Canadian workers in every aspect of the food industry, as well as other service, commercial, processing, manufacturing, technical and professional occupations.
For information contact Michael Forman, Coordinator, Media Relations, UFCW Canada. E-mail: mforman@ufcw.ca
Supreme Court of Canada Rules Collective Bargaining Process Protected
June 8, 2007, Canadian Press
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of
Canada has ruled that the collective-bargaining process is protected by the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In a decision that will have major impact on relations between governments and their unions, the court threw out sections of a B.C. law and gave the province 12 months to fix it.
The court upheld a bid by a group of B.C. health unions to overturn a 2002 provincial law that erased portions of their contracts.
The justices ruled 6-1 that portions of the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act interfered with the collective-bargaining process, contrary to the Charter.
Read UFCW Canada Press Release on
Supreme Court Ruling
Read Canadian
Labour Congress Press Release on Supreme Court Ruling
UFCW Presence Maintained on Saskatoon
Co-operative Association’s Board of Directors
At the annual meeting of the Saskatoon
Co-operative Association, held on April 10th, Leslie Bernett, who
had completed her elected one-year position on the board, was elected into a
new three-year term.
Leslie started working at the Saskatoon Co-op in 1982 and continued to work for them in various positions until she retired in early 2006. She presently works for the Government of Saskatchewan and continues to volunteer in her community.
Judy Sokoloski, a financial planner at FirstSask Credit Union and Local 1400 member, continues on the board in her second year of a three-year term.
President Meinema states, “I congratulate Leslie and Judy on their continuing work on this board of directors. I know that they have brought their values and ideas to this board and will continue to look to the best interests of the Saskatoon Co-op which flows to our members.”
Supreme Court Will Not Hear Wal-Mart Challenge of Saskatchewan Labour
Relations Board Alleged Bias
April 19, 2007 - The Supreme Court of
Canada has stated that it will not hear the appeal of Wal-Mart on their
challenge of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board’s alleged bias in hearing
UFCW Local 1400’s applications for certification pending for Wal-Mart stores in Saskatchewan.
This decision backs the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruling in November of 2006 stating “there is no evidence of a reasonable apprehension of bias” at the board, upholding the lower court decision of Justice Gerein.
In the Supreme Court of Canada release no reason was given on why it would not hear Wal-Mart’s appeal.
Secretary Treasurer, Norm Neault of UFCW Local 1400 stated “The union is happy to hear of this decision and we hope that the Labour Relations Board will finally be able to get on with the business at hand; that the local will be able to continue to work towards Collective Agreements for the employees of these stores who have chosen to become unionized with UFCW.”
The Saskatchewan LRB has heard an application for certification by the UFCW Local 1400 for the Weyburn store but has not made a decision. The local has certifications pending for Wal-Mart stores in Weyburn, North Battleford and Moose Jaw.
For more information please contact:
Norm Neault, Secretary Treasurer
UFCW Local 1400
306.384.5787
Wal-Mart Appeal Application Dismissed by Supreme Court of Canada
19/04/2007 - TORONTO, ONTARIO - For the second time in two years the Supreme Court of Canada
has dismissed an appeal application to hear arguments from Wal-Mart Canada
challenging the legitimacy of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) to
rule on a UFCW Canada union certification application for a Wal-Mart store in
Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
In dismissing Wall-Mart's application the Supreme
Court also ordered the company to pay the union's legal costs.
According
to Wayne Hanley, the National President of UFCW Canada, "today's decision should
hopefully put an end to Wal-Mart's three years of legal stalling tactics. We now
look forward to the SLRB rendering their decision expeditiously as possible."
In January 2007 Wal-Mart made a Leave to Appeal application to the
Supreme Court of Canada after its previous appeals failed at the provincial
court level to disqualify the SLRB on ruling on any Wal-Mart certification
application. This direct challenge of the labour board was an attempt to derail
the SLRB from finally rendering its decision on an application for unionization
of the Wal-Mart store in Weyburn.
The union application was originally
filed in April 2004. The hearings that followed concluded in December 2005 after
a series of Wal-Mart legal challenges, including an earlier Leave to Appeal to
the Supreme Court of Canada which was dismissed in April 2005.
Further
legal actions by Wal-Mart continued to stall the decision process throughout
2006.
"Wal-Mart has said if their workers want a union they can have
one," said Hanley, "so Wal-Mart should now stop delaying and listen to their
workers and to the courts."
Applications are also pending for Wal-Mart
locations in Moose Jaw and North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
Currently
workers at Wal-Mart locations in Gatineau and Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec are also
members of UFCW Canada. Binding arbitration leading to a first contract is
currently underway for both the main store in Saint-Hyacinthe, as well as the
Tire and Lube Express shop there.
UFCW Canada is one of Canada's largest
private sector unions with more than 240,000 members across the country.
Welcome to Our New Members
The employees working at the Saskatoon branch of McNally Robinson Bookstores Ltd.
are UFCW Local 1400’s newest members. The local received the certification for this
group of 57 new members in April of 2007.
The local will be meeting with this group, electing a negotiating committee and putting together proposals to start negotiations very soon.
For any members from this location with questions or concerns, please call the Saskatoon office to speak to a Service Representative or email to ufcw@ufcw1400.ca.
Welcome to Our New Members
The six truck drivers employed at Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd.
located in Saskatoon have also become members of UFCW Local 1400. Our local received
certification in March of 2007 to represent these employees.
Their certification compliments the unionization of the 110 employees working at the Poultry Processing and Packaging Plant location who received certification in November, 2006 and have since signed their First Collective Agreement.
For any members from this location with questions or concerns, please call the Saskatoon office to speak to a Service Representative or email to ufcw@ufcw1400.ca.
UFCW Local 1400 Members at Vanguard Inc Ratified Collective Agreement
At a ratification meeting held on
Thursday, March 22, 2007, the members of this unit ratified a new two year Collective Agreement.
Full details are available on the Negotiation page.
UFCW Local 1400 Members at Natural Valley Farms, Inc. Have Ratified a First
Collective Agreement
On February 25th, 2007 UFCW members at this unit ratified their First Collective Agreement.
Details of this Agreement are available on the Negotiation page. Congratulations to these members
unit on their First Collective Agreement. Your Service Representative is Glenn Stewart. He is
based out of the Regina office; you can
reach him by calling 1.888.886.9016 or by email to glenn@ufcw1400.ca
UFCW Members at Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd. Ratify First Collective
Agreement
On February 6th, 2007, the members at Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd. voted
overwhelmingly in favour of accepting their first Collective Agreement. Prairie Pride
employs 107 employees in their poultry processing and packing plant in
The Representative assigned to this unit is Darren Kurmey. He can be reached by
calling the
Saskatoon Credit Union Ratifies new Collective Agreement
Members at the Saskatoon Credit Union have ratified a new Agreement. Details of the settlement
are available on the Negotiations page.
The Saskatoon Credit Union has a new name. It is now FirstSask Credit Union, reflecting the merger with two other Saskatchewan Credit Unions, the Langham and Shellbrook groups. Employees of the Langham Credit Union branches voted to join Local 1400; we extend a warm hello to these new members and welcome them to the UFCW.
When Everyday is Labour Day
There’s an especially good reason to celebrate Labour Day this year in the wake
of a recent decision by Canada’s Supreme Court.
In June the highest court in the land ruled that under the Charter all Canadian workers have the freedom and right to associate for the purposes of collective bargaining, "that the right to bargain collectively as part of their freedom to associate reaffirms the values of dignity, personal autonomy, equality and democracy that are inherent in the Charter.”
Essentially the landmark decision upheld
that all workers in
It’s good news but rights aren’t worth much if you don’t exercise them. That not only means the right to unionize but also the right to participate in a democracy. When it comes to improving things at work, both rights go hand in hand.
Gaining a real voice your workplace means having a union. Having a voice in what goes on in this country means actively working to elect candidates and parties that support what’s important to working families.
In 1894 when Labour Day was first enshrined as a Canadian national holiday, people understood how precious and how powerful these rights could be if they got together and used them. They also understood that rights can be a responsibility.
What followed was the growth of the trade union movement and a social democratic system that responded to the needs of everyday Canadians.
That’s not just ancient history. It’s also tomorrow if we want it to be.
We have the right. We have the tools. We have the opportunity to keep the Labour Day mandate going everyday that follows.
In solidarity,
Wayne Hanley
National President, UFCW Canada
It’s Time for Canada’s “Quiet Majority” to Turn Up the Volume
A Labour Day Message from Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour
Congress
Over the past five years, Canada’s economy has lost over 300,000 of its best-paying jobs and continues to lose hundreds more every week. These were jobs with good salaries. They offered benefits that helped people raise healthy families and plan for a decent retirement. They came with incomes that supported local businesses and paid for social services that raised everyone’s quality of life.
The communities where these jobs used to be are feeling the loss. Fewer and lower incomes means less tax revenue to pay for municipal services like roads, transit and social services. It means there’s less money available for things like dinner out, new clothes or family vacations. For most it also spells the end of their family’s dental and vision care plans, extended health care benefits and the end of pension security.
At a time when personal debt loads are at an all-time high, savings at a historic low and too many Canadians saying they are only a few pay cheques away from poverty, a jobs crisis like this should have the government’s undivided attention. Instead, nothing is being done.
How many of the country’s best paying and most skilled jobs must we lose before the government wakes up and realizes its current employment policies are a failure? How long do they think they can hide behind temporary economic booms, like the one in Alberta’s construction industry today. Or is their plan to have us all working at call centres once the factories have closed?
We need to make more than phone calls to maintain the quality of life Canadians enjoy, that we want for our kids and that attracts smart, talented and productive people from around the world. Hard-working Canadians want good jobs with good wages and benefits to raise their families, because the true strength of the country rests on the quality of life of its workers
In May, the Canadian Labour Congress’ Made in Canada Jobs Campaign culminated with a rally on Parliament Hill that was a successful show of solidarity in the face of an escalating crisis in the manufacturing sector. It got the government’s attention, but not enough to force it into action.
Working people across the country who want good, family and community supporting jobs for themselves and the next generation of Canadians must unite and call upon all levels of government to focus on long-term job strategies, training policies and trade deals that benefit Canadian workers. We cannot and will not accept the loss of good jobs as inevitable. The government needs to take responsibility for jobs and take steps towards protecting the future for our workers.
Canadian workers, industry and business have the ability to compete with other manufacturing markets around the world. We have the skills and the people. What we lack is a plan.
Every country takes steps to protect its industries. Why isn’t Canada doing the same? The staggering loss of manufacturing jobs – 100,000 this year alone! – is the result of our government’s flawed pursuit of free trade agreements and their eagerness to please foreign trading partners at any cost. Vital sectors of our economy are being irrevocably damaged by this neglect. Still, government does nothing.
Of course, they can only see the statistics which, by themselves, make it too easy to explain away this crisis as nothing more than a natural evolution of the Canadian economy. New jobs are being created to replace those that are lost. The unemployment rate is holding steady at a 33-year low of 6.1%.
But these numbers are deceiving. Just because all seems quiet does not mean all is well. The vast majority of the new jobs being created pale in comparison to the jobs that have been lost. Too many of them are part-time, precarious or of the self-employed variety (which means they pay less and offer fewer benefits, if any). The proportion of people who work for low wages in Canada stands among the highest within the OECD as the gap between our richest and poorest citizens widens.
What working people must do is make governments and the people we elect see the impact their failed policies and inaction has on our lives.
Is it really too much to ask that every worker has enough money in their pockets to take their family out to dinner once in a while, to enjoy some of what they earn from work instead of owing it all to the bills, the banks and the boss? Are living wages, dental plans and pensions beyond our reach unless we make it to the boardroom? Great strides were made to protect the rights of unions this year. On June 8th the Supreme Court protected the right to collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and sent a strong message to governments at all levels that the rights of their workers cannot be arbitrarily taken away. It strengthens the position of every union across the country at the bargaining table, which is a good thing for working people.
The goal of every union is to protect workers from exploitation, unfair wages and unsafe working conditions. Unionized workers earn an average of five dollars per hour more than non-union workers. They also enjoy benefits like pensions, health plans and disability insurance through the collective bargaining of their union in addition to higher job security, better protection from harassment and discrimination at work.
Where unions exist, everyone in the community reaps the rewards. Jobs that pay fair wages and give their workers benefits, a health plan and a pension not only take care of a single person, they take care of entire families and support communities. When working people do well, business does well and Canada does well.
If more of the people we elect to public office were reminded of this fact more often – and working people do make up a majority of Canada’s voters – imagine the difference it could make. Call your elected representatives: your MP, your municipal councillor, and your representative in the provincial legislature. Tell them to focus on providing good jobs, with decent wages and benefits, for working people.
As always, the Canadian Labour Congress wishes you a Happy Labour Day and thanks you for your continued support of Canada’s labour movement.
Bloody Saturday Premier
Bloody Saturday, the new CBC television documentary about the 1919 Winnipeg
General Strike premieres this Saturday, June 23rd, on the main
network and on Newsworld. For more information visit
the CBC website.
National Aboriginal Day
Local 1400 sends greetings to all of our Aboriginal members. June 21st is a time for all Canadians to
recognize the diverse culture and outstanding contributions that First Nations, Métis and Inuit
people have made to Canada, our Province, and our communities.
Communities across Canada will hold celebrations for all Canadians. Check your community calendars for an event near you and be a part of celebrating this special day.
Local 1400 also invites all of our Aboriginal members to become more involved in their union. One way is through the Local 1400 Aboriginal Committee which welcomes members from across the province; with your input and involvement barriers will be broken leading to awareness, understanding and solidarity amongst all workers.
SFL Celebrates National Aboriginal Day with Renewed Commitment
The province's largest labour organization is calling on all Saskatchewan union members and all trade
union's to mark National Aboriginal Day - June 21st - by recognizing the important contribution First
Nations, Métis and Inuit people make to our society.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) also proudly endorses and supports Aboriginal people in their struggle for an adequate land base, meaningful self government and economic security - particularly well-paid, full-time jobs.
The Federation of Labour is strongly committed to seeing Saskatchewan workplaces become fully representative of the overall provincial population.
The SFL has a very active Aboriginal Committee headed up by SFL Vice-President Darwin Delorme. The committee is working diligently to ensure aboriginal union members have a voice and participate at all levels of the labour movement - municipally, provincially and nationally.
SFL President, Larry Hubich said, "Much remains to be done to address long standing issues of low participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce. It is not acceptable to expect someone else to fix the problem - it's everyone's responsibility".
Hubich noted that the best way to make sure Aboriginal people are fully engaged, is through a process of cooperation, partnership, and genuine commitment by all stakeholders: labour, business, government and aboriginal organizations.
For more information contact Larry Hubich at 306.537.7330 (cell), 306.924.8573 (work).
Strike Vote Taken at Western Grocers, Saskatoon
Local 1400 members at Western Grocers Warehouse in Saskatoon have voted 97% in favour of taking strike
action at meetings held on May 23rd, 2007. The membership of this unit
rejected the memorandum of settlement previously offered to them on May 14th. Updates
will be posted as they become available.
Day of Mourning - April 28, 2007
Remembering Lives Lost or Injured in the Workplace
The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, was
launched by the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliates in 1984 as a day of
remembrance for those Canadians killed and injured on the job. In 1991 the
federal government added its official recognition through an Act of Parliament.
But tragically, workplace deaths and injuries continue to
mount. This year about a million Canadian workers will become injured or ill
from the work they do, and over the past 15 years more than 12,000 workers in
Another tragic fact is that the daily average of workplace
related deaths in
Why?
Government cutbacks to workplace inspection and safety enforcement budgets are a factor. Pressuring workers to add to their workload the work of those laid off is another. Contracting out to non-union suppliers has also contributed to cutting corners when it comes to maintaining health and safety as employer priorities.
Globalization has also had an impact. Some workers in
At the same time the federal government has relaxed its regulations on the recruitment of temporary foreign workers who are desperate for work, not familiar with their rights to refuse dangerous work, or not able to exercise them because of their lack of fluency.
So more than ever this April 28th is not just a day to remember the dead but also a call to protect the living.
On the National Day of Mourning many of us across
Canadian Labour Calls on Governments to Mark April 28
National Day of Mourning with Stepped-up Enforcement of Health and Safety Laws
OTTAWA – The Canadian Labour Congress is marking this year’s
National Day of Mourning with a renewed call for governments to step-up
enforcement of federal, provincial and territorial health and safety laws.
Next Saturday, April 28, the labour movement will acknowledge and honour
those men and women who died or were injured on the job over the past year due
to workplace accidents or occupational diseases.
Across the country,
flags will be lowered, quiet ceremonies will be held and workers will pause to
remember friends and co-workers. (Information on events in or near your
community can be obtained from your local Labour Council.)
“We mark this
solemn day with a mixture of sadness and frustration,” says Ken Georgetti,
president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Sadness, because of the tragedy of
injury and death that has touched so many working families. And frustration at
the fact that so many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented through
improved regulation and better enforcement of health and safety laws.”
Canada’s poor record was exposed last year in a report by the Centre for
the Study of Living Standards which documented an 18% increase in workplace
fatalities in 2005 over the previous year. That year, 1,097 Canadians died
because of workplace accidents or occupational diseases – the highest number
ever. While other OECD countries are reducing the number of work-related deaths,
Canada is moving the wrong way.
“Five lives lost every workday is five
lost lives too many. These are lives that could be saved by enforcing the laws
we already have, which is why our theme for the 2007 National Day of Mourning is
‘Safe and Healthy Workplaces for All Workers’. Lives are not saved when
governments simply adopt legislation then look the other way,” says
Georgetti.
The Canadian Labour Congress initiated April 28 as the
National Day of Mourning in 1984. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide
event observed by labour and governments in over 100 countries. While a
remembrance of the dead, April 28 is also a call to continue to fight for the
health and safety of the living.
The Canadian Labour Congress, the
national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers.
The CLC brings together Canada’s national and international unions along with
the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 136 district labour
councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca
