[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] E-NEWS: ISSUE #42 - February 28, 2006, News from the B.C. Federation of Labour

Tue Feb 28 15:56:03 PST 2006

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 <http://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
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#stories> 

Victoria incident, death in Manitoba underline need for action to
protect people working alone
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Working_Alone>  

B.C. Federation of Labour calls on Premier Campbell to implement
provincial childcare plan, insist on federal funds
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Child_Care>  

Sinclair condemns forest workers' exclusion from board leading mountain
beetle coalition
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Beetle_Action>  

Budget ignores average working people: no childcare plan, no rental
relief, no tuition breaks
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Budget_2006>  

B.C. Federation of Labour calls for new statutory holiday in February
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#New_Holiday>  

 Coming Events
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#events> 

Prairie Giant - The Tommy Douglas Story
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Tommy Douglas Story> 

International Women's Day 2006 Events
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#IWD Celebrations 2006> 

RALLY to support striking workers at Extra Foods
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Extra Foods Rally> 

International Women's Day Breakfast
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm# Women's Breakfast Mar8>

Skills Shortage Forum-Prince George, BC
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Skills Shortage Forum-> 

International Women's Day Celebration
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#VDLC IWD Celebration> 

Remembering Our Sisters
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#IWD -Remembering Our
Sisters> 

 Publications
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#publications> 

Labour's Agenda for the Legislature
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Throne Speech Op-ed> 

 Subscription Information
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8967BDBB-3237-4480-A0B0-256D596813A8,A91
7458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#subscribe> 

top
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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
<http://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-

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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/

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Location	

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Notes	

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International Women's Day 2006 Events
Saturday, March 04, 2006

Information	

Download a pdf copy of IWD events list:  IWD Events List-2006
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/e5ow3rbwge4uvgswgolookyuvzro7cfpa3psr
3d6tub4pakf3ucyyn5jfjimxzas6gqynwe6mwma7c/1000-06lst-jwa-iwd%2bevents%2b
2006.pdf>  	
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Location	

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Notes	

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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!

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Location	

1020 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC.

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Notes	

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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
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/egc2l7lw4aqkaei427vrj3y6tnqoghsonyeva
3o4foxttxgp3j2nv7awzco5oxq2a6ccrmedherosc/1330-03not-jwa-iwd%2bbreakfast
%2bmar8%2bver%2b3.pdf> 

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Location	

Crystal Ballroom 1
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
6083 McKay Avenue
Burnaby, BC

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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
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/ert4gqbivz53shcbpsjtj5mccqqz5xobg5jff
7d2zr53mnqmnzn5ayzyugw4uaihvuw677xjvczmnj/1300-06not-im-skills%2bshortag
e%2bforum-mar9.pdf> 

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Location	

College of New Caledonia
3330-22nd Avenue
Prince George, BC

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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
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/e4yjuxfmxygzqarqce4zsbcx5yjorowv3tgia
alebix25pvzf6rcokg77io62gy74pubz2kdlm3f2f/VDLC%2bIWD%2bDinner%2b2006.pdf
> 

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Location	

Fraserview Hall
8240 Fraser Street (at Marine Drive)

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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
<http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/eyamarrg6kypfavkhqcwvwaxioanig2a3uy2r
mvgwqlbt3lmh7ofu7hd3yakttb2vknfjnfe5bqpqa/Remembering%2bOur%2bSisters.pd
f> 

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Location	

119 West Pender Street
3rd Floor
Vancouver, BC

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Notes	

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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? 

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Subscription Information

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COPE 15

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