IBEW 1574

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All Union Members,

The YFL will soon be announcing their 2008 youth summer camp. The camp will be held from June 22-25, 2008 at the Braeburn Lake Christian Camp. For the camp to be successful they will need several volunteers for key positions. Below is a list of what will be needed for personnel:

Camp Director – 1 position

Camp Medic – 1 position

Camp Counselor – 3 positions

Camp Cook – 3 positions

Camp Lifeguard – 1 position

All but the lifeguard will be volunteer positions. If you feel you can help out with any of the above, please send me an e-mail to ibew1574@yknet.ca.

We will be sending out a notice very soon in regards to announcing to all affiliates the camp along with all information required. We will only be accepting a total of 18 campers for the first year and the ages will be 9-13 years of age.

W. Cary Gryba

SEARS CANADA LOCAKOUT INFORMATION UPDATE

Sears Holdings Corporation has 3,800 retail stores and over $50 billion in annual revenues in Canada and the U.S. On October 1, 2007, Sears Canada locked out 70 appliance repair technicians in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Sears said the technicians could return to work under imposed terms that do not include any schduled wage increases for four years, allow Sears to schedule split workweeks without two consecutive days off, eliminate certain overtime premiums, and remove a pre-existing paid holiday. Sears also said the technicians returning to work would not pay union dues. Almost four months later, the lockout continues. The locked-out technicians are asking North American workers to boycott Sears stores in order to get Sears back to bargaining.

Please help by telling Sears you support the locked-out technicians and by forwarding this message to persons you think will be interested in helping. For more detailed information please go to the following links:

www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=327; and

www.ibe213.org

Greetings:

Local Union 213 members, employees of Sears Canada, have been "locked out" by the Company since 8:30 am on October 1, 2007.

Following unsuccessful negotiations and at the tenth meeting the Company tabled a "final offer" on September 27, 2007 and gave the Union until 2:30 pm that day to accept or reject the offer which contained a number of concessions. Sears said they would not consider a counter-proposal.

Sears then served written notice they would lockout our members on October 1, 2007 at 8:30 am and that the lockout would be lifted at 10:00 am at which time our members would be invited to return to work under the terms of the concession contract that was rejected.

On October 1, 2007 Sears followed through with their agenda, inviting our members to return to wrk and stating they would not be required to pay union dues under this imosed new agreement. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ATTEMPT AT UNION BUSTING!!

The terms and conditions the workers were required to accept if they agreed to the Company's forced ultimatum are:

- NO OVERTIME PREMIUMS FOR THE FIRST HALF HOUR PAST NORMAL QUITTING TIME OR THE FIRST TWO AND A HALF HOURS ON SATURDAY

- BOXING DAY WOULD NO LONGER BE A PAID HOLIDAY

- THE EMPLOYER WOULD BE ALLOWED TO IMPOSE SPLIT WEEKENDS (NO CONSECUTIVE DAYS OFF)

- NO GUARANTEE OF WAGE INCREASES OVER THE TERM OF A 4 YEAR CONTRACT.

Local Union Business Manager Rick Dowling is asking Local Unions across Canada to support our "locked out" members by:

- NOT SHOPPING AT SEARS DURING THIS DISPUTE

- CUTTING UP YOUR SEARS CARD AND SENDING IT BACK WITH A NOTE CONDEMNING THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY

VOLUNTEERING TO DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION LEAFLETS OUTSIDE EVERY SEARS' STORE

Let's make this a National effort by the IBEW and show this Company the solidarity of our 58,000 members.

Please let Brother Dowling know what you have done to support the effort so that he can pass the information on to the locked out workers to keep their spirits and morlae on a high level.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
December 6th, 2007
On December 6th we mourn the fourteen women killed in Montreal in 1989. On that day, we also turn our thoughts to all women who are murdered or experience violence at the hands of their partners, family members and strangers throughout this country. Then, we recommit ourselves to taking action to end all forms of violence against women in our society.
December 6th is a day about remembrance and moving forward.
Until all women in Canada have true economic and social equality, ending the violence we experience is not possible. Fighting violence, we have learned, requires an integrated approach.

On March 8, 2007 the Minister responsible for the Status of Women in the Conservative government said the federal government was “committed to ensuring women’s full participation in the economic, social and cultural life of the country.” She also said her government was “taking action for real results,” citing the introduction of legislation to allow for more effective sentencing and management of sexual and violent offenders.

A law and order agenda, by itself, will not end violence against women. Punishing those who act out the violence does not address the source of that violence. It certainly would not have made a difference for the fourteen women we pause to remember every December 6th. We would mourn them still.
Women, indeed all those singled out for abuse, discrimination and violence, are victimized because they are not seen as equals. Promoting women’s equality, socially and economically, is where governments must also focus their efforts.

How can this be done?
- affordable and safe housing;
- a living wage;
- pay equity to close the wage gap (of 71¢ on the male dollar);
- a national, public child care and early learning program;
- equal access to Employment Insurance;
- access to justice, including the resources to challenge in court governments’ own actions, and legal aid;
- support for women’s centres, shelters, rape crisis centres and front-line advocacy and support;
- support and protection in law for women who report sexual assault.

What do we get instead?
Instead of promoting our equality, the federal government promotes crime-and-punishment measures that actually rely on women becoming the victims of violence, harassment and discrimination in the first place.

At the same time, long-standing women’s organizations with proven records of making a difference in the lives of women and their families have had their resources taken away. Women’s voices are being silenced, and our perspectives dismissed as strange, even dangerous.

This is hardly a path toward equality – and it sends the wrong message to those who harbour other views.

Women, working together with other women for change, with the support of our communities and governments is what works. Our right to equality cannot be won through apologies, excuses or permission. We will not be silenced.

We call on the federal government to reverse its policy decisions on child care, pay equity, the Court Challenges Program, Status of Women Canada, and to restore advocacy and research funds to the Women’s program. We call on the federal government to adopt an integrated approach to women’s equality.

TILMA.....A BAD DEAL FOR YUKON

- TILMA is the Trade, Investment and Labur Mobility Agreement signed by BC & Alberta, effective April 1, 2007.

-Yukon is considering signing on.

TILMA STRIPS ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THEIR POWER TO WORK ON YOUR BEHALF!

- Municipal and Territorial governments may have to lower standards to avoid imposing "trade barriers" for Outside investors and interests!

- Building height regulations? forget it.

- Zoning rules? Impediments to trade!

- Environmental laws? Don't even try; they might stand in the way of profit!

Our governments can be sued up to $5 million on each issue if our standards "restrict trade"! That will shatter the Yukon's economy.

TILMA...A BAD DEAL FOR YOU!

TILMA will allow Outside and coporate interests to challenge our laws & decide where the YUKON stands on issues that matter to us.

JUST WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE? STOP THIS DIVE FOR THE BOTTOM!

LEARN MORE ABOUT TILMA

Contract:

The Yukon Federation of Labour: www.yukonfed.com

Tilma Links:

SFL Ad Hoc Trade Committee webpage: www.sfl.sk.ca/trade.php

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: www.policyalternatives.ca/documents/Saskatchewan_Pubs/2006/TILMA.pdf

Brairpatch Magazine: http://brairpatchmagazine.com/news/?p=366

Relentlessly Progressive Economists: http://progecon.wordpress.com/tag/tilma/

Council of Canadians: www.canadians.org/DI/issues/TILMA /backgrounder.html

The Tyee: http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/01/24/TILMA/

Making the Links radio interview with Ellen Gould: www.makingthelinksradio.ca/Audio/tilma.mp3

To see the complete TILA agreement, go to the TILMA website at www.tilma.ca

THIS MATTERS. TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT TILMA

Day of Mourning

Please join the Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board on Saturday, April 28 at the ceremony marking the annual Day of Mourning for the many Yukon workers who have been injured or killed on the job. 2006 was a record year for reported injuries at 1,984 and 5 deaths.

This year's Day of Mourning ceremony will take place in the foyer of the Yukon Government Administration building at 2071-2nd Ave, in front of the Yukon Workers' Memorial. The five pillars of the Memorial represent governance, employers, workers, health care and community and each of these segments of society will be represented during the ceremony. It's our chance to stand together as individuals and as a community to commit to making a difference, to keep each other safe.

As with last year, the event has been well advertised, and Day of Mourning magnetic pins have been distributed throughout the territory. All attendees who arrive at the ceremony early will be invited to add a candle of remembrance to the Memoria.

The formal event gets underway at 12:30 p.m. and is expected to last about 20 minutes.

BILL C-257 - ANTI-SCAB BILL - THIRD AND FINAL VOTE ON MARCH 21, 2007

Bill C-257 is now back in the House of Commons for debate on the Committee Report and a final vote at Third Reading.

A strong majority of MP's supported the bill last October because they agreed that ending the practice of using replacement workers during labour disputes would provide the balance required to bring better labour relations. They also supported it because so many of their constituents asked them to.

The bottom line is that C-257 provides a much-needed balance to labour relations that take place under the Canada Labour Code. A balance that goes much further towards the protection of essential services by eliminating the treat of tactical lockouts by employers or strikes that happen because a few rogue employers refuse to bargain with their workers.

I'm asking you to support C-257 at Third Reading by going onto the Canadian Labour Congress web site at www.clc-ctc.ca and sending a fax via their website. It will automatically be sent on your behalf.

W. Cary Gryba

From: Northern Territories Federation of Labour <ntfl@yk.com>

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2007 12:08 pm

Subject: Great News!!

> Hello everyone,
>
> I have just been informed that the strike at Nats ejee k'eh is OVER.
> The Union (UNW) is extremely pleased with the settlement; and
> acknowledges this as a huge victory for the workers!
> The strength and solidarity that they have shown is an inspiration
> for the
> entire Labour movement. I will be thrilled to pass on news of
> this victory
> at the CLC meeting next week; and of course thank all those who so
> generously contributed funds.
>
> Cheers,
> Mary Lou
>
> Mary Lou Cherwaty, President

December 1, 2006

RE: Union Plus Scholarship

Please be advised that the Union Plus Scholarship application can now be accessed online at http://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships/up.cfm. The application is six (6) pages long and the deadline for applications is January 31, 2007. Unlike the I.B.E.W. Founders Scholarship Progran, the Union Plus Scholarship Program as well as being available to members, is also available to members' spouses and the child dependents of I.B.E.W. members and other AFL-CIO affiliate unions.

Northern Territories Federation of Labour
Box 2787 Yellowknife NT X1A 2R1
(867) 873-3695 Tel, (867) 873-6979 Fax
Email: NTFL@yk.com

URGENT APPEAL – Strike Support for Nats' ejée K'eh Treatment Centre

Nov. 17, 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On October 23, 2006 members of the Union of Northern Workers/Public Service Alliance of Canada working at the Nats'ejée K'éh Treatment Centre were illegally locked out and the clients shipped to other facilities outside the Northwest Territories. This action has closed the doors on the only drug and alcohol treatment centre in the Northwest Territories.

Union members have been without a collective agreement for the past 3½ years and without economic increases for the passed 4½ years.

The treatment centre is vital to the people of the Northwest Territories. The staff want you to know that the centre and its patients are equally as important to them. That is why they patiently waited 3½ years for the employer to simply role over the previous agreement. The employer refused and instead tabled massive cuts, which would effectively break the union.

We are asking our brothers and sister across Canada to make a financial donation to these union members. With the holiday season fast approaching, these workers need all our support. Thank you.

In solidarity,

Mary Lou Cherwaty
President

11/6/2006

UPDATE

House of Commons Bill C-257

2nd reading of this bill has passed a vote successfully on October 26, 2006. C-257, the Anti-Scab legislation will now proceed to committee stage for discussion and then back to the MP’s for the 3rd and final reading.

The vote tally was as follows : Yeas – 167
Nays – 101

MP’s Bagnell , Bevington and Karetak/Lindell voted yea. MP Hill voted nay.

Hopefully this legislation will create a better labour relations climate in our regions, and provide a level of certainty for working families all across Canada. Thank you to those members who wrote, phoned, faxed or e-mailed their MP to express support of this legislation. The combined voices of many CAN make a difference

In Solidarity

W.Cary Gryba
Business Manager/Financial Secretary

"Members, please contact your local Member of Parliament on this issue by fax or web!!. During the last sitting I contacted all four MP's covering our jurisdiction. Larry Bagnell, Yukon changed his vote to support this legislation, Ethel Blondin who didn't and was defeated has been replaced by Dennis Bevington. Nancy Karetak/Lindell who didn't support this legislation and in BC Jay Hill."

We need support to ensure this important legislation passes!!.

Thanks
In Solidarity
Cary
Here's a sample message you could send.....

It’s time to bring Canada’s labour practices into the 21st century. One way you can do this is by supporting C-257, a private members bill sponsored by Richard Nadeau, the MP from Gatineau, to change the Canada Labour Code and ban the use of replacement workers (scabs) during labour disputes.

Proof that allowing the use of scab labour does more harm than good is easy to find. Quebec outlawed the use of replacement workers in 1977 and quickly realized a drop in the average days of work lost to labour disputes. British Columbia reformed its labour laws to end the use of scabs in 1993 and experienced a 50% drop in the amount of work time lost to strikes and lock-outs the following year.

It is well documented that employers that hire scabs during strikes or lockouts are given an unfair advantage to drag their heels in bargaining, reaping profits from unpaid salaries (scabs are often paid less) and compromising any hope for a fair settlement. Given that only 3% of the collective bargaining that happens in Canada results in a strike of a lockout, employers who cleave to this outdated practice represent an extreme minority.

Ask anyone who has been locked out of their job only to see strangers brought in to do the work and you will understand the damage scabs do to workplaces. Strikes and lockouts start sooner and last longer, disrupting the lives of everyone in the community. Bitter feelings between workers and management can provide the flashpoint for violence and injury on picket lines and can linger long after a dispute ends, impacting productivity.

Labour disputes at Telus, Videotron and the Ekati diamond mine in Yellowknife stand out as examples of conflicts fuelled by the use of replacement workers allowed under the Canada Labour Code. As far as the danger scab labour injects into work stoppages, I suggest you recall the disputes at Lakeside Packers in Alberta last year, or at Seimans in Southwestern Ontario a few years earlier.

In today’s world, it is more important than ever to ensure our airports, telecommunication networks and border security work as best they can. Reducing the impact of labour disputes, in particular the disruption caused by the use of scabs, is a step in the right direction.

As someone whose family lives in your constituency, I want you to support C-257. This means being there to vote for it and doing what you can to prevent any attempt to delay this timely reform.