From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Mon May 3 16:49:25 2004 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 16:49:25 -0700 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] May 3 Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628CA12A07@BCFEDNT> BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour April 30, 2004 - first release ________________________________________________ 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. +++|+++ May 3, 2004 BC Liberals Forced to Back Down In response to escalating job action and broad support from private and public sector unions, the BC Liberals yesterday backed down from their hardline position on Bill 37. Bill 37, passed by the BC Liberals April 29, imposed a contract that would have allowed the Liberals to continue laying off workers and privatizing health care services. It also slashed wages by 15 percent and forced workers to pay back wages retroactively from April 1. The leaders of various unions, members of the HEU Executive and representatives from other unions who are members of the Facilities Sub-Sector Bargaining Association were involved in working out the solution. "For the last four days, British Columbia has been in a growing state of crisis," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "We reached this point because the government has repeatedly used legislation to tear up freely negotiated contracts, and taken away the livelihood of thousands of women and men who work in our health care system." The new two year agreement ensures: * There will be no retroactive pay cut * There will be an enhanced severance package, with additional funding of $25 million * Future contracting out will be capped at 400 in the first year and 200 in the second. This will give workers a measure of security and dramatically curtail the privatization of health care. * If workers return to work on Monday, May 3 for their regularly scheduled shift, there will be no discipline or recriminations against the employee nor the union involved. * Any issues related to this agreement will be arbitrated by Vince Ready. "This wasn't a collective bargaining exercise," points out Sinclair. "This was about fighting back against a government that abused its legislative majority to impose wages and working conditions." "This deal saved thousands of jobs," said Sinclair. "We also got the employer to limit its plans to privatize public health care services. That's a major victory for public health care and union members because the government had very clearly stated they'd never do that." Sinclair thanked the thousands of workers who marched and protested and walked off the job. "You led the fight. You are the heroes in this battle. We are very proud of what we have achieved by standing together, shoulder to shoulder, in very difficult circumstances." ++++++|++++++ To subscribe to E-News, visit: < > 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 personalsubscription page at: < http://bcfed.net/cgibin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/ > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News >with "help" in the subject line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15 From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Mon May 3 17:03:54 2004 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 17:03:54 -0700 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] May 3 - correction Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628CA12A08@BCFEDNT> Dateline wrong on previous version... BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour May 3, 2004 ________________________________________________ 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. +++|+++ May 3, 2004 BC Liberals Forced to Back Down In response to escalating job action and broad support from private and public sector unions, the BC Liberals yesterday backed down from their hardline position on Bill 37. Bill 37, passed by the BC Liberals April 29, imposed a contract that would have allowed the Liberals to continue laying off workers and privatizing health care services. It also slashed wages by 15 percent and forced workers to pay back wages retroactively from April 1. The leaders of various unions, members of the HEU Executive and representatives from other unions who are members of the Facilities Sub-Sector Bargaining Association were involved in working out the solution. "For the last four days, British Columbia has been in a growing state of crisis," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "We reached this point because the government has repeatedly used legislation to tear up freely negotiated contracts, and taken away the livelihood of thousands of women and men who work in our health care system." The new two year agreement ensures: * There will be no retroactive pay cut * There will be an enhanced severance package, with additional funding of $25 million * Future contracting out will be capped at 400 in the first year and 200 in the second. This will give workers a measure of security and dramatically curtail the privatization of health care. * If workers return to work on Monday, May 3 for their regularly scheduled shift, there will be no discipline or recriminations against the employee nor the union involved. * Any issues related to this agreement will be arbitrated by Vince Ready. "This wasn't a collective bargaining exercise," points out Sinclair. "This was about fighting back against a government that abused its legislative majority to impose wages and working conditions." "This deal saved thousands of jobs," said Sinclair. "We also got the employer to limit its plans to privatize public health care services. That's a major victory for public health care and union members because the government had very clearly stated they'd never do that." Sinclair thanked the thousands of workers who marched and protested and walked off the job. "You led the fight. You are the heroes in this battle. We are very proud of what we have achieved by standing together, shoulder to shoulder, in very difficult circumstances." ++++++|++++++ To subscribe to E-News, visit: < > 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 personalsubscription page at: < http://bcfed.net/cgibin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/ > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News >with "help" in the subject line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15 From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Wed May 26 13:41:21 2004 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 13:41:21 -0700 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] May 26 Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628CA12A7E@BCFEDNT> BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour May 26, 2004 ________________________________________________ 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. +++|+++ CONTENTS 1 Sinclair says workers will make the future of health care a major issue in upcoming federal and provincial elections 2> Private insurance firms executives confirm that former ICBC CEO Nick Geer fired for opposing privatization of ICBC, says union 3> Two Documents obtained by The Tyee show health care privatization doesn't add up 4> Former Clearnet employees now employed by Tele-mobile to join TWU ++++++|++++++ 1> Sinclair says its time for politicians to move forward on the future of Health Care With a federal election underway, workers will make the future of health care a major election issue said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, as he challenged political candidates to state their position on the future of health care. Sinclair says it's time for Canada and the provinces to move forward and commit to the recommendations of the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. "The Commission, headed by former Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, consulted with thousands of health experts and citizens who clearly rejected private health care to ensure the long-term sustainability of the health care system," said Sinclair. "Since his report was released a year and a half ago, our political leaders have watched wait lists grow while they quietly accept private facilities and contracting out of services to multi-national companies." Romanow is in BC today to speak at an event co-sponsored by the Coalition of Senior Citizens' Organizations of BC and the B.C. Federation of Labour. Romanow's recommendations also included setting a federal cash funding floor of 25 percent of the cost of insured services, establishing a Canadian Health Covenant to express our collective vision of health care and enhancing the Canada Health Act. "In Canada, we have a world-class public health care system, but it's in need of serious attention to sustain future generations," said Sinclair. "We simply can't afford to risk eroding quality health care and pay millions of dollars in profits to private corporations." "With both Paul Martin and Stephen Harper opening the doors to for-profit health care Canadians are looking for a better choice," Sinclair said. "Only Jack Layton and the NDP have shown their commitment to providing a strong public health care system that all Canadians can rely on." "Our health care system is a testament to the values Canadians share and provides a competitive advantage in comparison to other countries, such as the United States," Sinclair continued. "Elected politicians have an obligation to protect it from commercial exploitation." The Romanow Commission's final report included 47 detailed and costed recommendations and pointed to the need for strong leadership to maintain health care as a public asset and build a more responsive and accountable health care system. Romanow's recommendations also outlined the need for strategic investments over the short-term to address priority concerns, and long-term planning to make the system more sustainable. +++|+++ 2> Private insurance firms executives confirm that former ICBC CEO Nick Geer fired for opposing privatization of ICBC, says union VANCOUVER - The comments of private insurance industry executives confirm that ICBC CEO Nick Geer was fired because he was standing in the way of the BC Liberal government's intention to privatize ICBC public auto insurance, says ICBC workers' union. Colin Brown, Chief Operating Officer of the private Canadian Direct Insurance told an insurance industry trade publication that it is not the government's intent that ICBC be allowed to keep its current 85 percent share of the optional insurance market. Brown told Thompson's World Insurance News May 18 that the government has made it clear it wants more competition and in Brown's words: "that's what we are working for. But I am not sure that was Nick's interpretation of that." The Office & Professional Employees' International Union (OPEIU) Local 378 says the comments show that Geer was fired for resisting privatization efforts by the Gordon Campbell government. "The private industry is confirming what ICBC workers said all along: that the Liberals are intent on privatizing ICBC, a move that would mean huge premium rate hikes for BC drivers," says Jerri New, OPEIU 378 President. "It is very hard to believe Solicitor General Rich Coleman's claims that the government won't privatize ICBC when the insurance companies that would directly benefit are saying Mr. Geer was fired because he stood in the government's way," New said. New noted that another private insurance executive also made comments to Thompson's indicating the push to privatize ICBC is on. At a recent insurance industry conference ING Canada's Western Region President Jetse de Vries invited other insurers to join ING in doing private insurance business in BC "just to show the government they are serious and want to be here" in his words, according to Thompson's May 19 edition. "The foxes are lining up to watch the hen house and BC drivers should be very concerned," said New. "The Liberals says 'don't worry' but their private insurance supporters are making it clear that privatization is just around the corner." 3> Two Documents obtained by The Tyee show health care privatization doesn't add up ? When BC's government passed Bill 29 on January 27, 2002 handing health facilities the right to tear up valid collective agreements, the howl of protest from labour was answered by a dollars and sense logic from the Liberals. The Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act was necessary, Labour Minister Graham Bruce said in the legislature to curtail the rapidly rising cost of health care. ? ? As of last month, the Hospital Employees' Union reports that 6,000 health workers have lost their jobs as a result of Bill 29. During the recent HEU dispute the government again claimed that privatization of many health support services was needed to trim costs in the system, savings that would be invested in-patient care. ? ? But two sets of documents obtained by The Tyee throw claims into doubt. ? ? For full article,visit: ? < http://www.thetyee.ca/News/current/Contracting+out+Health.htm > ? ? +++|+++ ? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4> Former Clearnet employees now employed by Tele-mobile to join TWU In a 2-1 decision reached May 21, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board has found that about 2,000 former Clearnet employees, now employed by Tele-mobile, should form part of the existing single bargaining unit, pursuant to section 18 of the Code. Tele-mobile operates a national wireless business under the TELUS Mobility trade name. The Board also found that TELUS Mobility's non-unionized members, many of whom work in Ontario and Quebec and perform work similar to unionized Mobility workers in BC and Alberta, should also be included in the bargaining unit. Telus finalized the purchase of Clearnet, a non-union company, in 2001. Restructuring created a number of subsidiary companies, including a division into wireless and wireline services. The company argued that wireless operations constituted a separate business, but the Board found that the single bargaining unit previously agreed to in February 2000 was still appropriate. "This is obviously a great victory for those workers not presently covered by a collective agreement," said TWU President Rod Hiebert. "The company has indicated they want to challenge this decision in Supreme Court, but it just doesn't make economic or business sense to deny workers rightful representation." The TWU is still in the process of analyzing the order and will work together with other parties to determine the final bargaining structure for employees east of Alberta who are presently covered by other collective agreements. ++++|++++ To subscribe to E-News, visit: < > 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/cgibin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/ > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News >with "help" in the subject line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15 From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Thu May 27 12:18:40 2004 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 12:18:40 -0700 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] May 27 Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628CA12A89@BCFEDNT> BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour May 27, 2004 ________________________________________________ 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. +++|+++ CONTENTS 1> Bell Canada, claiming to be a 'great Canadian company', continues to stall on pay equity ++++++|++++++ 1> Bell Canada, claiming to be a 'great Canadian company', continues to stall on pay equity The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) is asking union members to take part in a campaign to let Bell Canada know their efforts to deny women rightful pay equity are not appreciated by potential BC customers. Bell is aggressively marketing in British Columbia to get people to switch their phone service to Bell. In the course of their marketing efforts, they are claiming to be a 'great Canadian company'. Bell agreed to a pay equity plan over a decade ago, but the company has stalled on settling the claim, which covers about 5,000 current and former CEP telephone operators, many of whom are owed up to $50,000 in pay. The CEP's claim is currently before the Human Rights Tribunal and hearing dates have been scheduled well into 2005. Bell spends over $5 million in legal fees annually and has used a battery of lawyers and legal tactics to stall settlement. They even challenged the right of the Human Rights Tribunal to hear the case, which they lost in the Supreme Court of Canada last summer. Bell held its Annual General Meeting in Vancouver May 26, and B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira joined current and former operators to leaflet shareholders and raise awareness of the issue. "This company's record on paying women fairly is bad enough," said Schira. "But we're absolutely appalled they are continuing to deploy tactics to deny thousands of women equal pay for work they've already performed." Many of the women who could have benefited from the pay equity settlement no longer work for the company, as tech change has virtually eliminated the job. And because the case has dragged on so long, some of the women who were entitled to a payout have since passed away and will never see a settlement. The B.C. Federation of Labour fully supports this CEP-led campaign and asks anyone thinking of switching to Bell to call the company and tell them to settle the pay equity claim immediately. ++++|++++ To subscribe to E-News, visit: < > 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/cgibin/mailman/options/bc_labour_enews/ > To get helpful information, send a message to: < mailto:BC_Labour_E-News >with "help" in the subject line (no quotation marks). TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to: < mailto:bcfed at bcfed.com > opeiu 15