From bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net Fri Nov 8 14:52:43 2002 From: bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net) Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 14:52:43 -0800 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] Issue 37 Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628C1EEA65@BCFEDNT> BC Citizen News from the BC Federation of Labour ISSUE #37 - November 8, 2002 To read this newsletter on our NEW WEBSITE, please go to: < http://www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm > To subscribe or unsubscribe, follow the instructions at the end of this message. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages to this mailbox are processed automatically, and are not read by a person. If you would like to contact us, send messages to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > Help spread the word - forward this e-mail to your friends. +++|+++ Fast Fact: Three out of four British Columbians say they don't approve of the Campbell Liberal government's approach to health care. McIntyre & Mustel Poll Released by HEU, October 25, 2002 ++++ In this Issue +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BC Fed Commentary --- Readers' Letters --- Stories Speak Out BC draws 2,000 to parade and rally in Penticton Union urges coroner's inquest into Kamloops tragedy Union leaders visit communities affected by WCB cuts Times-Colonist workers vote in favour of new contract Campbell's cuts to child care leave parents scrambling Federation to join annual Take Back the Night tradition at Library square and the downtown eastside Closure of 20 Ministry of Forests offices spells loss of public resource control Delta hospital emergency ward to remain open 24/7 --- Coming Events --- Publications -- Subscription Information ++++ BC Fed Commentary +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mind the growing gap: Inequality in the global economy by Marc Lee The growing gap between the world's haves and have-nots is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Recently, Prime Minister Chretien acknowledged the perils of the global divide, to the dismay of right-wing commentators, who have responded by denying the problem. Two things in this debate need to be pointed out: global inequality is extremely high and has been rising; and this trend is intimately connected to the laissez faire economic policies so promoted by those commentators.... Full story: < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#commentary > ++++ Readers' Letters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We want to hear from you! Send your comments to us and we'll do our best to include them in the next issue of the newsletter. Please remember to keep your letter short (250 words max.) ++++ Stories +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Speak Out BC draws 2,000 to parade and rally in Penticton Community coalitions across the province gathered in Penticton October 25-26 to show the BC Liberals that their policy direction has severe economic and social consequences in non-metropolitan areas of the province. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#penticton > +++ Union urges coroner's inquest into Kamloops tragedy The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) on October 17 called on the coroner to conduct an inquest into the tragic deaths of three public service workers in Kamloops. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#kamloops > +++ Union leaders visit communities affected by WCB cuts October 21, 2002 BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and Compensation Employees' Union President Bill Hawkins visited the community of Cranbrook October 21 and 22 to meet with union members, local politicians and business leaders over proposed cuts to Workers' Compensation Board services in the community. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#cranbrook > +++ Times-Colonist workers vote in favour of new contract November 5, 2002 After a lengthy nine-week strike, five unions have ratified a deal with Victoria's only daily newspaper, the Times-Colonist. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#timescolonist > +++ Campbell's cuts to child care leave parents scrambling The Campbell government's funding axe has swung again, this time affecting licensed child care in the Kootenays. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#fundingcuts > +++ Federation to join annual Take Back the Night tradition November 8 at Library square and the downtown eastside B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira this week called on women living in the Lower Mainland to join together November 8 to take back the night as part of an international tradition to make communities a safer place for women. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#tbtn > +++ Closure of 20 Ministry of Forests offices spells loss of public resource control Rural communities already devastated by the softwood lumber crisis will suffer even more as the Campbell Liberals cut over 1000 jobs in B.C.'s forest and environmental ministries in the coming year, leading unions and environmental groups jointly charged October 29. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#forest > +++ Grain shipments halted Pickets are up again at the Prince Rupert grain terminal, after the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned an earlier B.C. Supreme Court injunction that barred 650 locked out grain workers from picketing the grain elevator in Prince Rupert. The decision, by Justices Ian Donald, Kenneth Mackenzie and Kenneth Smith came late on November 4. "This is a great victory," said Ron Burton, Secretary-Treasurer of the Grain Workers Union, Local 333, which represents grain handlers in both Vancouver and Prince Rupert. "Maybe now the employers will listen and come back to the table with a more realistic offer." Since the lockout began the employers have been directing grain shipments to Prince Rupert. "Prince Rupert Grain is a common employer owned by the same companies that handle grain exports in Vancouver and the courts have confirmed that,"said Burton. "They can't lock out their employees in Vancouver and expect business to continue as usual in Prince Rupert." The workers have been locked out by the B.C. Terminal Elevator Operators Association since midnight, August 25. The last contract expired January 1, 2001. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#gwu > +++ Delta hospital emergency ward to remain open 24/7 Protests paid off in Delta November 1, when the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) announced a partnership between FHA's Delta Hospital, and the VCHA's Richmond Hospital that will ensure hospitals have the resources needed to care for their patients. < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/issue37/index.htm#deltawin > ++++ Events +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CLC Pacific Region Winter School Sunday, January 19, 2003 < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#CLCwinter > Say no to war on Iraq Sunday, November 17, 2002 < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#peacemarch > Take Back the Night - Take Back the Province Friday, November 08, 2002 < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#TBTN 2002 > BC Federation of Labour Annual Convention Monday, November 25, 2002 < www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#convention2002 > The 11th Annual Labour Appreciation Night Thursday, December 05, 2002 < http://www.bcfed.com/News/E-Newsletter/2002/ISSUE37/index.htm#events > ++++ Publications +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Snakes and Ladders A policy brief on poverty dynamics +++ "Pulling the Plug" A Report on BC Hydro from Citizens for Public Power [158 KB - pdf] How the Liberals' plan to dismantle BCHydro threatens taxpayers, businesses, communities and jobs. +++ ++++ Subscription Information +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To subscribe to BC Citizen E-News, visit: < http://www.bcfed.com/sub.htm > If you want to unsubscribe or change your options (e.g, change your password , suspend E-News while you are on vacation, etc.), visit your personal subscription page at: < http://bcfed.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/(add_your_email_add ress_here) > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News > with "help" in the subjext line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15 From bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net Wed Nov 13 09:00:21 2002 From: bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net) Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 09:00:21 -0800 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] FW: Alert - November 13, 2002 Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628C1EEA6F@BCFEDNT> BC Citizen - Labour E-news from the B.C. Federation of Labour To subscribe or unsubscribe, follow the instructions at the end of this message. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages to this mailbox are processed automatically, and are not read by a person. If you would like to contact us, send messages to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > Help spread the word - forward this e-mail to your friends. +++|+++ FINAL WEEK - FINAL PUSH Labour council-endorsed municipal candidates need your help We're now into the final week of municipal election campaigns and we need to support candidates who will provide a progressive voice for our communities and speak out against Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals. Local labour councils have endorsed candidates in many B.C. communities and the campaigns are going exceptionally well. But they need your help to ensure victory November 16. Many of you have put a great deal of energy into local campaigns, but labour councils have asked us to encourage everyone to put in a little more time this week. Campaign offices must keep their phone banks full to identify supporters and get people out to the polls. If you can volunteer a couple of hours on the phone, please call your local campaign to sign-up. We are excited about what is happening in this province at the municipal level. Your help will ensure progressive voices will be heard over the next three years. ++++ Subscription Information +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To subscribe to BC Citizen E-News, visit: < http://www.bcfed.com/sub.htm > If you want to unsubscribe or change your options (e.g, change your password , suspend E-News while you are on vacation, etc.), visit your personal subscription page at: < http://bcfed.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/(add_your_email_add ress_here) > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News > with "help" in the subjext line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15