From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Thu Apr 13 16:02:18 2006 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:02:18 -0700 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] BC Fed E-News, ISSUE #44 - April 13, 2006, News from the B.C. Federation of Labour Message-ID: <1EFB83EC494285438D10B2CCC120637635F47E@bcfednt.bcfed.local> ISSUE #44 - April 13, 2006 B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair was joined today by members of the DePatie family, father Doug DePatie and grand father Chett Crellin, to highlight their concern that the Maple Ridge gas station where 24 year old Grant DePatie lost his life last March is still not complying with workers' health and safety laws. FAST FACT In 2005, 188 workers died due to job related disease or injury, including 12 young workers. In this issue: Stories Despite tragic death, warnings, and WCB inspections, Maple Ridge gas station still ignoring health and safety laws After hiding loss of Hydro employees' personal information Accenture's latest plan to ship personnel records to the US must be stopped Privatization key theme at HSA's 35th Convention Forest safety Ombudsman no answer to tragedies in our forest, just more industry self regulation Coming Events Day of Mourning - FIGHT FOR THE LIVING/MOURN FOR THE DEAD Health and Safety & Workers' Compensation Symposium - "Taking Action For A Healthy Workplace" Women's Conference - "Making Our Voices Heard" Solidarity Works! Training Program - May 15 - June 3, 2006 United Way - Learning Summit on Middle Childhood 2006 Union Counsellors' Conference Publications Canada's Health Care 'Crisis' Governments Fails Communities and Forest Workers Subscription Information top Stories Despite tragic death, warnings, and WCB inspections, Maple Ridge gas station still ignoring health and safety laws Thursday, April 13, 2006 Despite a tragic death, warnings, and WCB inspections, the Maple Ridge gas station, where last year Grant DePatie lost his life is still failing to abide by BC's Health and Safety laws, said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "Despite Grant's death and despite previous inspections and orders, this employer is allowed to remain out of compliance without any penalty or meaningful action from WorkSafeBC," Sinclair said. In the last week, the Federation visited the operation twice after 11:00 pm to learn that not only is the station ignoring its late night pay before you pump policy, it's also failing to ensure the doors are locked after 11:00 pm, contradictory to the employer's health and safety plan. An investigation by WorkSafeBC into Grant DePatie's death determined that had they been enforced, "the late night payment policies would have prevented this fatality." "The employer only filed a plan after Grant's death, but the plan means nothing if the employer isn't following it," Sinclair stated. "A worker's death shouldn't be the needed wakeup call to employers about the importance of health and safety standards, but when even that's not enough we have a huge problem on our hands." "Employer self policing isn't working," said Sinclair. "Any employer who is failing to protect nightshift workers employed in gas stations and convenience stores, should face an immediate crackdown from WorkSafeBC." In January, the B.C. Federation of Labour conducted an informal survey of gas stations operating in the Lower Mainland. Of the 12 stations surveyed, only one appeared to have implemented a Working Alone Policy as outlined by WorkSafeBC regulations. "Our survey showed employers haven't put in place the rules to protect workers' health and safety," Sinclair stated. "That's why we're calling on the provincial government and WorkSafeBC to ensure that within 30 days, employers register their plan for working alone or risk being shutdown for late-night operations." After hiding loss of Hydro employees' personal information Accenture's latest plan to ship personnel records to the US must be stopped Tuesday, March 28, 2006 After learning of Accenture's plans to ship personnel records of BC Hydro employees to the US, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair called for a halt to the plan until a full inquiry into Accenture's bungling of Hydro employee records is complete. "First, Accenture failed to protect the personal information of Hydro employees and then the company waited five days to inform them of what happened. Now workers at BC Hydro should trust Accenture to keep their records safe in the US," questioned Sinclair. "Accenture wasn't up front about the breach in privacy, and they're not being up front about this plan to ship records out of the country," Sinclair added. "Hydro workers deserve an independent inquiry by the Privacy Commissioner before Accenture does anything more with workers' private information," demanded Sinclair. Sinclair pointed to concerns regarding the US Patriot Act as well as Accenture's lack of security measures to protect personal information as reason enough to stall any decision by the company to move records from BC. Sinclair said he was disappointed BC Liberal Energy Minister Richard Neufeld dismissed Hydro workers' concern about their privacy as a criminal incident. "Worker's deserve to know if appropriate measures are being taken to protect their privacy and their only recourse is the Privacy Commissioner," concluded Sinclair. -30- Privatization key theme at HSA's 35th Convention Saturday, April 08, 2006 HSA's 35th Annual Convention kicked off Friday with an announcement by HSA President Cindy Stewart that she will not be seeking re-election when her current term expires in April 2007. Stewart noted the union has received a strong vote of confidence from the membership and is well-positioned to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. One of the challenges Stewart identified is the growing threat of health care privatization, and she challenged delegates to take a key role in protecting public health care for the future. Privatization was also the theme of the convention's keynote address by health policy analyst Dr. Michael Rachlis. Dr. Rachlis pointed to numerous examples of innovation within the public sector to address systemic problems such as wait times. A copy of Dr. Rachlis's presentation will be available on the HSA website next week at www.hsabc.org . Other highlights of the convention included speeches by B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and National Union of Provincial and General Employees (NUPGPE) President James Clancy. Delegates debated and passed a number of resolutions directing the union to continue its efforts to increase the profile of health science professionals and protect services delivered by HSA members from cuts and contracting out. Forest safety Ombudsman no answer to tragedies in our forest, just more industry self regulation Friday, March 17, 2006 "The industry dominated Forest Safety Council's appointment of their own Safety Ombudsman is just more industry self-regulation and provides no answer to the tragedies in our forest," said B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira. "Self-regulation is one of the reasons we are seeing more workers killed or injured on the job," Schira noted. In 2005 there were 43 fatalities in BC's forest sector. "An industry appointed ombudsman is no answer to watered down safety regulations and less enforcement," Schira stated. "It's unfortunate that the forest industry is looking at band-aid measures instead of working with unions and workers to examine BC's forest policy and strengthen laws protecting workers," Schira said. "If the Safety Council really believes that an ombudsman would help end the injuries and deaths in our forests, then they should be calling on the provincial government to appoint a truly independent ombudsperson reporting to the Legislature," Schira added. Schira applauded the United Steelworkers' campaign for safety rights and planned legislative lobby next week in Victoria. "The only thing that seems to get the attention of both law makers and industry CEO's is the action of the union. If MLAs still don't understand, I know they can count on the Steelworkers for a wake-up call," concluded Schira. COPE 15 top Events Day of Mourning - FIGHT FOR THE LIVING/MOURN FOR THE DEAD Friday, April 28, 2006 Information The B.C. Federation of Labour, the Vancouver & District Labour Council and the New Westminster & District Labour Council invite you to pay tribute to workers killed and injured on the job. In 2005, 188 workers were killed on the job in BC including 12 young workers. Download the poster and here: 1000-06not-lb-day of mourning apr28.pdf Download a list of Labour Council memorials around the province here: 1000-06lst-dayofmourning-April 28.pdf Location 999 Canada Place Notes cope 15 Health and Safety & Workers' Compensation Symposium - "Taking Action For A Healthy Workplace" Monday, April 24, 2006 Information The Symposium will begin on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 11:00 am with a Panel discussion that focusses on the health and safety and workers' compensation issues that we will be lobbying our politicians on. There will be a training session that will provide participants with effective lobbying skills and the opportunity to develop a lobbying plan that will be put to use right away. Join us for this exciting symposium and lobby. Registration fee is $60.00 Registration deadline is: April 13, 2006 Download a pdf copy: Health & Safety Poster Health & Safety Registration Form Location The Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina 146 Kingston Street Victoria, BC V8V 1V4 Tel: 250-360-1211/Fax: 250-360-1418 Toll Free: 1-800-663-1144 Room rate is $95.00 plus taxes - Single or Double Please call the hotel directly and ask for Group Code #3853 for the B.C. Federation of Labour "Occupational Health & Safety Meeting." Notes cope 15 Women's Conference - "Making Our Voices Heard" Monday, May 01, 2006 Information B.C. Federation of Labour Women's Spring Conference "Making Our Voices Heard" May 1-3, 2006 Join us for this exciting conference, meet other labour and community women from around the province and put your newly-acquired lobbying skills to use right away. Registration fee for this event is $80.00 for Union Women and a reduced rate of $50.00 is available for women from non-profit community organizations (with possible further subsidies). More info in the notice. Registration Deadline: April 18, 2006 If you require childcare, please call Carole Sundin at 604-430-1421 by April 18, 2006. Download a pdf copy of notice: Women's Conference-Notice Download a pdf copy of registration form: Women's Conference-Registration Location The Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina 146 Kingston Street Victoria, BC V8V 1V4 Tel: 250-360-1211 Fax: 250-360-1418 Toll Free: 1-800-663-1144 Please call the hotel directly and ask for Group Code #3852 for the B.C. Federation of Labour "Women's Meeting". Notes cope 15 Solidarity Works! Training Program - May 15 - June 3, 2006 Monday, May 15, 2006 Information The B.C. Federation of Labour will be holding the second Solidarity Works! three-week training and mentoring program for Young Workers in BC. This program is designed to equip young workers with labour education, practical hands-on experience, and new activist skills to demand their rights. Download a pdf copy of: Solidarity Works! Poster Registration Form Solidarity Works! Letter Application deadline is April 21, 2006. For more information, please contact Irma Mohammed at 604-430-1421 ext. 241 or e-mail at educate at bcfed.com Location Notes cope 15 United Way - Learning Summit on Middle Childhood Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Information Presented by the Lower Mainland School-Aged Children Advisory Committee and United Way of the Lower Mainland. The first of its kind in British Columbia, this event will bring together service providers, researchers, funders, and policy makers to focus on middle childhood. It will mark the launch of Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl's groundbreaking research on school-aged children's experiences outside of school: * Where are children after school? * What are they doing? * Who are they with? Middle Childhood Conf-Flyer - (Mar8-06).pdf Location Hilton Metrotown, Burnaby, British Columbia Notes Registration Fee: $100 (includes meals) Please register at http://www.uwlm.ca after Monday April 3, 2006. Keynote Speakers Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education in the Faculty of Education at UBC Dr. Clyde Hertzman Director, Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), Faculty of Graduate Studies at UBC Dr. Philemon Choi Chairman of the Commission on Youth and General Secretary, Breakthrough in Hong Kong Sessions will include: * How are children doing? * What do children need to develop to their full potential? * Preparing our children for the 21st Century - possibilities * Making it happen in your community - success through partnership * The costs of not acting and the value of prevention Who should attend? The Learning Summit is designed to inform and engage policy makers, funders, service providers and researchers. It will be a venue to meet and discuss the issues of middle childhood and ways to address them together. Learning Summit on Middle Childhood >From Research and Planning to Action for Children Ages 6 to 12 cope 15 2006 Union Counsellors' Conference Thursday, May 25, 2006 Information CLC & United Way Working Families & Communities: Unions Make a Difference 2006 Union Counsellor's Conference CLC Prairie and Pacific Regions May 25-27, 2006 A conference for union counsellors, Labour Councils, union activists and union leadership interested in community involvement, and in developing and working with community programs. Registration Fee: $170.00 Registration Deadline: May 1, 2006 For registration and info, download pdf copy of: UC Conference Brochure Location Renaissance Hotel Harbourside 1133 W. Hastings Street Vancouver, BC Notes cope 15 top Publications Governments Fails Communities and Forest Workers Rick Wangler, President USW Local 1-363 4/11/2006 It is becoming apparent that the IWA's (now United SteelWorkers) predictions of the changes to the Forest Aact are coming true. We predicted that the 20 percent takeback of tenure would do little for communities. We predicted that an imposed labour agreement would not help the parties and we predicted the Industry would take the changes, cash in to their advantage, and leave others to pick up the pieces. We now see the big three (Weyerhaeuser, Interfor and TimberWest) who had promised investment of a billion dollars in exchange for Forest Act changes and a new labour agreement, fleeing from their commitments as fast as they can. Weyerhaeuser took little time to sell their interests on the Coast to Brascan, Interfor has closed most of their mills in BC after purchasing four mills in the US and Timberwest has their last sawmill for sale as they continue to harvest their lands in our area at an unsustainable rate. This is what can be expected from empty Industry promises. People's lives have been turned upside down, communities have been devastated, and forest industry workers suffer fatalities, injury and suicide at alarming rates. We see long time substantial contractors, some of which employ over 400 people, on the brink of shutting down their companies, while the smaller companies play the rob Peter to pay Paul game. We see our sawmilling and pulp and paper industry in trouble for lack of reasonably priced local fibre. We see the major tenure holders driving the spiral to the bottom while they take their profits and invest them outside the country instead of where they had promised in exchange for the government delivering to their requests. These are the empty, hollow promises we are left with when government makes changes without assured and guaranteed commitment. More of the same can be expected if the government caves to Industries requests for freer log exports. These are the same types of commitments that can be expected if the Federal government does not attach strings to the 1.5 Billion Dollars of taxpayer's money they have promised to help the forest industry in this country. Taxpayers must demand that if the government is going to use our money to give aid to the Forest Industry in this country that they are forced to live up to their commitments and do not make empty promises and take the money and run. Taxpayers must demand that if we are going to give aid to the forest industry, if and when the industry receives the return of tariff monies from the US, those monies need to be applied directly to the government's loans and to the infrastructure of the industry that has been lacking capital investment. The government must make the Industry guarantee that investment is made into machinery and manpower if they are going to give tax dollars to companies that are prepared to plunder the resources than flee the country. The government both federally and provincial need to put together a plan that allows community-based Investors to have a fair and equitable piece of the resources which rightfully belong to the taxpayers. These companies must be of a size that can bare the weight of slow economic times and yet provide enough employment to deserve an opportunity to profit from the resources when the industry is at a cyclical high. Canada has just won what is supposed to be the last round of the NAFTA arguments. The US Forest Industry has vowed to fight on. When Canada wins, we lose, because our government does not have the backbone to take on a bully when they are confronted with one. It is time our governments restrict the flow of raw logs to the bullies that refuse to obey the law. It's time our governments move from paying a tariff, to taxing the logs we send south. When we collect that tax we need to put it directly into fixing the problems we have on the Coast of BC, we need to put the funds towards the pinewood beetle problem in the interior of BC, we need to put the funds towards saving Saskatchewan's forest Industry from the closure of the Weyerhaeuser Pulp mill that threatens the collapse of the whole provincial forest sector, we need to make sure that any funds that are returned are invested in fixing the failing forest Industry across this country before every mill we know of is closed, and all we have left is the exporting of our resources. The forest industry is going thru massive changes and it is high time the provincial and federal governments took control of the provinces and the countries resources. This needs to be done now, before the resources are exported out of the country at a rate that can not be sustained, and we are left like beggars with our hands out to the US interests. Canada's Health Care 'Crisis' Tom Sandborn Tyee.ca 4/11/2006 Canadian public health care is in crisis! Really? Compared to what? One of the fundamental assumptions of Premier Gordon Campbell's recent tour of Europe is that Canadian public health care is in crisis, a theory so widespread and often repeated these days that it stands as common sense. One classic formulation of the crisis theory is to be found in Paying More, Getting Less: Measuring the Sustainability of Provincial Public Health Expenditures in Canada, by Brett J. Skinner, published by the Fraser Institute last fall. Skinner argues that health care costs are out of control, and will, before the middle of this century, spiral upward to consume all provincial revenues. The Canadian health care status quo is unsustainable, he argues, in terms reminiscent of the most recent throne speech delivered for the Campbell government. The solutions, says Skinner, include requiring patients to make co-payments for publicly-insured health services, "allowing people the option of paying privately (via private insurance or out-of-pocket) for all types of medical services, including hospitals and physician services," and allowing for-profit health providers to compete for delivery of publicly-insured care. Skinner's other publications include a study for the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies in 2002 titled "The Benefits of Allowing Business Back into Canadian Health Care." Upon the Premier's return from his fact finding tour, The Tyee repeatedly requested an interview to learn what European measures most impressed him. If Canada's system is in crisis, which countries did he think dealt with similar emergencies effectively? And what might he say to those European experts we've found who argue that privatization, rather than solving any crisis, is adding news stresses and fractures to their health systems? The Premier has so far refused to speak with The Tyee. To read the rest of the story visit The Tyee. top Subscription Information Go to Subscribe to E-News to subscribe to B.C. Citizen, the electronic newsletter of the BC Federation of Labour. Send a message to BCFED to unsubscribe or suspend your subscription while on vacation or change your password. To get helpful information, send a message to: BC_Labour_Enews-request with "Help" in the subject line. cope 15 TO CONTACT THE FEDERATION, send an email to bcfed at bcfed.com top -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: subscribeenews1.gif Type: image/gif Size: 2992 bytes Desc: subscribeenews1.gif URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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