[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] May 26

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BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK
Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour
May 26, 2004
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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

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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.


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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 >
	·	
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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.

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