From bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net Tue Feb 28 15:56:03 2006 From: bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net (bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net) Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:56:03 -0800 Subject: [BC_Labour_E-NEWS] E-NEWS: ISSUE #42 - February 28, 2006, News from the B.C. Federation of Labour Message-ID: <1EFB83EC494285438D10B2CCC1206376312E8F@bcfednt.bcfed.local> ISSUE #42 - February 28, 2006, News from the B.C. Federation of Labour Join labour organizations, social justice groups and others fighting for affordable public childcare. Find out how you can help, visit: www.childcareadvocacy.ca FAST FACT Budget 2006: For almost every dollar in new spending for children's programs, the BC Liberals provided three dollars in tax cuts. In this issue: Stories Victoria incident, death in Manitoba underline need for action to protect people working alone B.C. Federation of Labour calls on Premier Campbell to implement provincial childcare plan, insist on federal funds Sinclair condemns forest workers' exclusion from board leading mountain beetle coalition Budget ignores average working people: no childcare plan, no rental relief, no tuition breaks B.C. Federation of Labour calls for new statutory holiday in February Coming Events Prairie Giant - The Tommy Douglas Story International Women's Day 2006 Events RALLY to support striking workers at Extra Foods International Women's Day Breakfast Skills Shortage Forum-Prince George, BC International Women's Day Celebration Remembering Our Sisters Publications Labour's Agenda for the Legislature Subscription Information top Stories Victoria incident, death in Manitoba underline need for action to protect people working alone Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Vancouver- "Yesterday's death of a convenience store clerk in Manitoba and a Victoria incident in which an attendant was robbed by an assailant armed with a blood-filled syringe, underline the need for immediate action to protect nightshift workers who are working alone," says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "We've been calling for new regulations and a crackdown by the Workers Compensation Board," Sinclair said. "What will it take for the government to react?" Less than a month ago a young worker, Brigitte Serre, was murdered while working the night shift alone at a Quebec gas station. Last spring, a young worker, Grant DePatie was killed in Maple Ridge while trying to prevent the theft of gasoline from the gas station where he worked. "The government has some far-reaching goals for a Golden Decade, but apparently reducing death on the job isn't one of them," Sinclair said, expressing concern that Solicitor General John Les has appeared to dismiss the need for action, relying on reports from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) that existing laws are "working pretty well right now." The B.C. Federation of Labour conducted an informal survey earlier this February 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 WCB regulations. "Our survey, and these incidents show that things aren't working," said Sinclair. "We've put forward some reasonable steps that could be implemented quickly if the government shared our concern about protecting workers' health and safety." The Manitoba provincial government is currently undertaking a review of rules and regulations governing workplace standards with an eye to beefing up protection for these workers. The B.C. Federation of Labour has called on BC's provincial government to follow Manitoba's lead and implement new measures including: -Requiring all employers, open to the public with 24-hour or late night operating hours, to file their safety plans for employees with the Workers' Compensation Board. Any employer who fails to file such a plan should be barred from operating in these hours; -Implementing regulations that would require customers to pay for gasoline before they pump, in an effort to prevent violent crimes occurring; -An education and awareness campaign for both workers and employers, advising them of the risks, rights and obligations in the service sector; -Greater enforcement by the WCB and Ministry of Labour, Employment Standards Branch, of current laws and standards; and -Ensuring that at least two workers are on shift together during late night hours. -30- B.C. Federation of Labour calls on Premier Campbell to implement provincial childcare plan, insist on federal funds Thursday, February 16, 2006 Premier Gordon Campbell should end his silence on the Harper government's threat to eliminate funding for a national child care program, says B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira, and insist that Ottawa deliver on the full five years agreed to last September. "Creation of a provincial childcare program is a key way to support working families and help protect their paycheques," Schira said, "but the Throne Speech did not mention this issue even once. "Not only has the Campbell government failed to produce an action plan, as required by its agreement with Ottawa, it has failed to insist that Ottawa live up to the full five-year commitment. That will cost BC families hundreds of millions of dollars desperately needed to create child care spaces in this province." Schira made the call in an open letter released today. She said the Federation will be joining with national and provincial organizations to fight to save the childcare program. The full text of the letter is available at www.bcfed.com - 30 - Sinclair condemns forest workers' exclusion from board leading mountain beetle coalition Friday, February 17, 2006 Vancouver-The B.C. Federation of Labour has joined the call for the United Steelworkers Local 1-425 to be included in the Board of the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. In a letter of February 17, 2006, to Coalition Chair Donna Barnett, Federation President Jim Sinclair expresses astonishment that the union representing forest workers has been denied a seat. "To achieve consensus on the difficult measures that may be necessary, everyone should be at the table," Sinclair said. "You are sending the wrong signal to forest workers and their families when you imply their advice is welcome but their leadership unnecessary. It is disingenuous to suggest that the Advisory Committee holds the real power while the Board plays a backseat role. If that is the case, there can be no harm in including the USW at both levels." Sinclair urged Barnett to reconsider and include the union in the Board meeting. -30- Budget ignores average working people: no childcare plan, no rental relief, no tuition breaks Tuesday, February 21, 2006 VICTORIA - Today's band aid budget from the provincial government ignores ordinary working familes, says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, and lacks the focus and vision our province needs to ensure a future that benefits everyone. "Unless you own a house over $780,000, plan to buy a $55,000 car, or your kids are in private school, you're no further ahead after today's budget," Sinclair stated. "The budget claims to focus on children, but for every dollar invested in children this year there's three dollars in tax cuts for business and the rich." Amongst those corporate tax cuts was a new industry training tax credit. "We have a real crisis in skills training," said Sinclair, "which was created by this government during the last five years. "Instead of spending that money to guarantee training spaces the government has given a gift to its industry friends," Sinclair added. "There's no accountability and no commitment to even one new trades person. It's like buying new deck chairs for the Titanic. "Working families have a right to expect better," Sinclair said. The BC Liberals claim this is a 'children's budget,' but we are walking away from hundreds of millions of federal dollars we need to build a comprehensive public childcare system. Six thousand childcare spots projected in the last budget are now gone. "Instead of ensuring every dollar from the federal government's commitment to childcare, creates childcare spaces," Sinclair said, "it's being used to repair the damage the BC Liberals created in the Ministry of Children and families during their first term. "At the same time there is no money whatsoever to tackle class size and composition in our K-12 system," commented Sinclair. "Despite their talk this government continues to show they're out of touch with ordinary families. The government ignores the real housing crunch that ordinary people are facing, this budget is silent on real support for renters, families often living paycheque to paycheque," Sinclair stated. - 30 - B.C. Federation of Labour calls for new statutory holiday in February Monday, February 20, 2006 Vancouver-"British Columbians need a new statutory holiday to ensure all British Columbians benefit from economic growth," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, calling for the third Monday of February to be designated Heritage Day. "BC families are working harder, falling further behind, with less help from their governments," commented Sinclair. "BC's working families deserve a break." Currently in BC, there is no holiday in place from January 2 to Easter holidays in April. "Our neighbours to the south and our neighbours to the east have today off," Sinclair said, noting that Heritage Day would fall on the same day that Albertans recognize as Family Day and Americans celebrate as President's Day. "It's a time of the year when many cultures are celebrating lunar new year festivities," said Sinclair, "and it would also be a great opportunity for British Columbians to come together and celebrate our heritage." In 1973 the Heritage Canada Foundation established Heritage Day in an effort to promote and protect Canada's architectural and natural heritage. However, it has never been proclaimed a statutory holiday. -30- top Events Prairie Giant - The Tommy Douglas Story Sunday, March 12, 2006 Information Prairie Giant , The Tommy Douglas Story - On your local CBC March 12 & 13, 2006 Link will give you dates for the airing of the television show as well as trailers. http://www.tommydouglas.tv/ Location Notes cope 15 International Women's Day 2006 Events Saturday, March 04, 2006 Information Download a pdf copy of IWD events list: IWD Events List-2006 Location Notes cope 15 RALLY to support striking workers at Extra Foods Saturday, March 04, 2006 Information Our guest speakers will be: Jim Sinclair, President, B.C. Federation of Labour Brooke Sundin, President, UFCW Local 1518 Gib Whitlock, UFCW Local 247 Please bring your banners! Location 1020 Park Royal South West Vancouver, BC. Notes cope 15 International Women's Day Breakfast Wednesday, March 08, 2006 Information B.C. Federation of Labour Women's Breakfast Join us in celebration of International Women's Day "Raising Our Voices for Equality, Solidarity & Justice" Speaker: Carole James - Leader BC NDP There is no charge for this event, but those wishing to attend must RSVP no later than March 3 to the B.C. Federation of Labour Switchboard at 604-430-1421. For a PDF version of the poster: BCFL IWD Breakfast Location Crystal Ballroom 1 Hilton Vancouver Metrotown 6083 McKay Avenue Burnaby, BC Notes cope 15 Skills Shortage Forum-Prince George, BC Thursday, March 09, 2006 Information BC's Skill Shortage - ready or not....here it comes! What needs to change? How can public-post secondary institutions help? Speakers: -John Winter, President, BC Chamber of Commerce -Cindy Oliver, President, Federation of Post-Secondary Educators -Jim Sinclair, President, B.C. Federation of Labour For more information e-mail Irma Mohammed - educate at bcfed.com Download pdf version of the notice: Skills Shortage Forum-Prince George, BC Location College of New Caledonia 3330-22nd Avenue Prince George, BC Notes Thursday, March 9, 2006 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm cope 15 International Women's Day Celebration Wednesday, March 08, 2006 Information 3rd Annual Vancouver & District Labour Council Women's Committee "Fighting for Our Jobs, Our Public Services, and Our Future" WOMEN'S ONLY EVENT Tickets: $10 to $40 - Sliding Scale - $320 for a table of 8 Guest Speakers: - Judy Darcy, HEU - Libby Davies, MP Vancouver East There will be a silent auction, dinner, dancing Parcial proceeds to benefit the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre For more info: Keziah at the VDLC - 604-254-0703 or office at vdlc.ca Download a pdf copy of the notice: VDLC 3rd Annual IWD Celebration Location Fraserview Hall 8240 Fraser Street (at Marine Drive) Notes cope 15 Remembering Our Sisters Wednesday, March 08, 2006 Information The organizations PACE, PEERS and WISH invite all women to an Open House Remembering Our Sisters Downtown Eastside & Juarez, Mexico During the last 15 years, Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and the city of Juarez, Mexico, have been two of many locations in the world to experience disappearances and brutal murders of women. This event is organized to honour our sisters and to strengthen solidarity among women from all walks of life. Program starts at 5:15 pm * Greetings * Song * Dance * Theatre * Spoken Word * Closing For a pdf copy of the notice: Remembering Our Sisters Location 119 West Pender Street 3rd Floor Vancouver, BC Notes cope 15 top Publications Labour's Agenda for the Legislature Jim Sinclair, President B.C. Federation of Labour 2/14/2006 Nearly a year into his second mandate, Premier Gordon Campbell has failed to deliver on his 2001 election pledge of higher paycheques, despite record job creation. Poverty is increasing. Real incomes for working families have been declining, partly as a result of sweeping legislative changes to employment standards, labour law and a host of government programs. Tuition fees and energy costs are up. Income inequality is on the rise, but Campbell's Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade -- set out before the last election -- say nothing about this critical issue. This is a problem Victoria can't solve on its own. It's time for a paycheque protection program for British Columbia's working families and today's throne speech would be a good place to start. So far, however, there's no sign the Liberals know how to shift direction without a struggle. Campbell promised in last September's throne speech, for example, to "make BC the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent." Within days, Victoria tried to legislate a contract for teachers that ignited a province-wide illegal strike by the BC Teachers' Federation backed by the entire labour movement. When the dust cleared, the premier was sitting down at the same table with the province's teachers to discuss class size, class composition and the future of our public education system. It was the same with BC's first nations. For three years, the provincial government ignored treaty negotiations while it conducted a provocative and futile referendum on aboriginal rights. First nations responded with court victories that threatened to paralyze economic development. During the election, voters learned the premier had secretly negotiated a far-reaching "new relationship" with BC's aboriginal peoples that began "we are all here to stay." The government was forced to learn an important lesson. We can't build public education by waging war on teachers. Our province can't go forward economically without reconciliation with first nations. So far, however, the Liberals' new spirit of partnership has extended only to those opponents with the organizational strength to fight the government to a standstill. The question the premier must answer in today's throne speech is this: Is he prepared to change direction because it's the right thing to do, or simply when he has no choice? There are five critical steps the BC Liberals can take to help working families achieve a measure of real economic security with a paycheque protection program. In each case, however, Victoria needs to engage in serious partnerships with groups that they have excluded until now. For starters, the government should: - Call on the newly-elected Harper government to maintain the existing childcare plan to ensure a province-wide system is created in BC. - Confront poverty directly by restoring the provincial housing program, increasing welfare rates and committing to province-wide investment in addiction and mental health services. - Pledge to work with all stakeholders, not just employers, to make BC's employment standards the best in Canada, not the worst, so the province's non-union workers enjoy basic workplace rights. -Balance the Labour Code to stop employer intimidation and harassment of workers seeking to form a union. - End the exclusion of labour from involvement in critical areas like training, occupational health and safety and economic development. We cannot tackle profound economic problems in our society -- homelessness, poverty, training for our young people, or the challenge of creating good, family-supporting jobs -- by focusing exclusively on the needs of those already enjoying wealth and power. There are some signs Campbell and members of his cabinet have learned this lesson. To move forward, however, they will have to silence the ideologists among their supporters who would like to fight their anti-union wars to the last drop of the province's blood. The BC Liberals squandered the first year of their second term. Today, they can attempt a fresh start. If the throne speech does not include serious commitments to deal with the concerns of working families -- and to include their organizations in new partnerships -- it will be a failure of political leadership for which the entire province will pay. The labour movement is ready for the challenge. Is the government? top Subscription Information Go to Subscribe to E-News to subscribe to the electronic newsletter of the B.C. 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: BCFedblu11.gif Type: image/gif Size: 6108 bytes Desc: BCFedblu11.gif URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: codeblue2enews111.jpeg Type: image/jpeg Size: 31368 bytes Desc: codeblue2enews111.jpeg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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