[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] B.C. Federation of Labour E-NEWS ISSUE #44 - June 23, 2006

Fri Jun 23 11:55:03 PDT 2006

ISSUE #44 - June 23, 2006

3,300 jobs were lost last year alone as raw log exports increased by 1, 000 percent since 1996.  That's why the B.C. Federation of Labour and forest unions are calling for a moratorium on raw log exports.

FAST FACT

In direct income to workers, the export of logs from British Columbia costs $250 million annually in lost earnings to workers living in forest communities.

In this issue:

  Stories <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#stories> 

Labour demands moratorium to halt job loss after 1,000 percent increase in raw log exports in BC <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Raw_Log_Exports>  

Tragedy on Olympic road project underlines need for VANOC to insist on the best possible training, health and safety policies, says B.C. Federation of Labour President <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Olympic_safety>  

Auditor General should conduct an independent audit of safety at BC Ferries <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Ferry_Safety>  

Solidarity WORKS! Young workers learn new skills to become activists <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Solidarity_Works>  

Labour calls for free Adult Basic Education to address BC's literacy challenge <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Literacy>  

B.C. Federation of Labour calls for moratorium on further privatization in Interior Health Authority <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Pine_Grove>  

B.C. Federation of Labour demands reinstatement of Mexican worker who organized a protest of conditions on Pitt Meadows berry farm owned by Orca Bay's Francesco Aquilini <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Migrant_worker>  

B.C. Federation of Labour extends condolences to families of workers killed in Sullivan Mine incident <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Sullivan_tragedy>  

Five in ten Port Alberni residents say they may move out if raw log exports continue to drive down employment <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Port_Alberni>  

 Coming Events <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#events> 

Nowar Nowhere Walk for Peace, Justice and Sustainability <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Nowar Nowhere - Walk for Peace> 

Labour Peace Forum <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Labour_Peace_forum> 

Miners' Memorial Day <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Miners_memorial> 

 Publications <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#publications> 

Employers with labour shortages need to look in the mirror <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#Guest_workers> 

 Subscription Information <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/exeres/8EE789C0-9373-43EB-98B3-0A14AE0313A1,A917458F-F364-4CF2-B94F-66B5531BE481,frameless.htm#subscribe> 

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Stories

Labour demands moratorium to halt job loss after 1,000 percent increase in raw log exports in BC

Friday, June 23, 2006

It's time for a moratorium on raw log exports, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair said today after releasing a report showing a 1,000 percent increase in exports between 1996 and 2005.

"These aren't just logs leaving our province, these are jobs leaving our province," Sinclair said.  "Our report shows that 3,300 jobs in the forest sector were lost to log exports in 2005 alone."  The report estimates 27 mills closed at a cost of 13,000 jobs between 1997 and 2004.

Sinclair said the demand for a moratorium is now going province-wide, with forest unions appealing to City Councils to take the issue to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) this October.  Squamish Council endorsed such a motion last week.

Sinclair dismissed any argument that increases in raw log exports can be attributed to the pine beetle crisis.  "This report makes it clear.  In 2005, the majority of logs exported were high value species (douglas fir - 55 percent, hemlock - 25 percent, and cedar - 7 percent), not beetle-infected pine."

Steve Hunt, Director of the United Steelworkers echoed the report's recommendation for an increase in the export tax on logs leaving our province.  "In the 21st Century we should have a vibrant, fully developed forest industry, not simply be hewers of wood.  An increased export tax would support more manufacturing and value added jobs here in British Columbia," Hunt said.

"It's not just the lumber industry that is at risk from increasing log exports," stated Dave Coles, Western Vice-President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.  "Our members in pulp mills know all too well how their jobs are part of an integrated forest industry.  Pulp mills are facing a tough time finding reliable chip supplies as more and more logs leave British Columbia."

"Each year, more and more ships are leaving our ports loaded with raw logs.  Our members know that shipping value-added products, not raw logs, are better for our province," said International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Canadian Area President Tom Dufresne.  "That's why our members are supporting a moratorium on raw log exports and reinstatement of appurtenancy clauses that would make clear that local resources must be tied to local jobs."

To download  a copy of the report, a backgrounder with report highlights or a summary of the report's recommendations click here. <http://www.bcfed.com/BFNews/News+Releases/Archives/Raw_Log_Exports.htm> 

Tragedy on Olympic road project underlines need for VANOC to insist on the best possible training, health and safety policies, says B.C. Federation of Labour President

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The first fatality of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games must be the last, says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, but that will only happen if VANOC makes a firm and public commitment to insist on best practices in occupational health and safety training on every worksite.

"Yesterday's tragic death, which occurred during blasting for an Olympic access road, challenges VANOC to ensure the Games do not leave a legacy of workplace injury, illness and death," Sinclair said. "The entire Sydney Summer Games, a much larger project, was built with a single fatality. We have already had our first casualty. No more."

Sinclair said he was disturbed that VANOC was not conducting its own investigation of the incident because the project is not being directly built by VANOC.

"We need to see leadership from VANOC, which is demanding very tight deadlines and fixed prices, to ensure worker health remains the first priority," Sinclair said.  "Does VANOC ensure every worker or volunteer is properly trained in safe practices?  Are all workers qualified for the work they are carrying out?"

Sinclair noted that the Games project will only get more complicated and intense as 2010 gets closer.  "We can't assume that contractors are doing everything necessary, particularly when our province is experiencing an unprecedented number of the on-the-job deaths and injuries."

Auditor General should conduct an independent audit of safety at BC Ferries

Friday, June 09, 2006

The provincial government should ask BC's Auditor General to oversee an independent safety audit of BC Ferries, says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

"This week we've heard a lot of concerns about safety," Sinclair said.  "Whether it's training or adequate crewing levels to the state of vessels, British Columbians need to have confidence travelling BC Ferries is safe.

"The BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union has been raising safety issues for years.  Unfortunately, now that BC Ferries is a private company, independent oversight has been removed.

"Threatening and bullying workers is not going to lead to answers," Sinclair added.  "Ferries Chief Executive Officer David Hahn wants to ask questions of ferry workers, but given the Transportation Safety Board's letter regarding adequate training, who asks critical questions of David Hahn?

"An independent safety audit could both examine safety issues in a timely way as well as restore the confidence of both workers and the travelling public in our ferry fleet," concluded Sinclair.

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Solidarity WORKS! Young workers learn new skills to become activists

Monday, June 05, 2006

"I found myself suddenly awakened to the concerns and plights of people just like me who have had no idea what to do or how to stand up for themselves, " said recent Solidarity WORKS! graduate Mike Pleasure.  Pleasure was one of 12 young workers participating in the B.C. Federation of Labour's 2006 Solidarity WORKS! program. 

The three-week training and mentoring program for young workers in British Columbia is designed to equip young workers with labour education, practical hands-on experience, and new activist skills to demand their rights. 

Young workers are faced with attacks on their rights every day.  New to the work force and unaware of their rights, these workers are often vulnerable to bad employers. 

Evaluations from the Federation's Young Worker Education Programs in secondary schools also show that most working youth are hungry to know their rights.  Programs such as Solidarity WORKS! are critical to building awareness, skills and activism around labour and employment issues. 

"If the labour movement wants to be successful in reaching out to young people, they must ensure that young people are represented not only at their workplace but also in their unions.  It's our job to ensure young workers have opportunities to equip themselves with the skills to make sure their voices and views are heard," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.  

The first week of the program involved an intensive on-site education session discussing the labour movement, unions, social justice and activism.  Participants also examined the basics of organizing and the impacts of globalization on local economies.  This was followed by two weeks of hands-on mentored placements with unions and social justice (community-based) organizations.  These placements included providing direct services and support to other young workers, research positions, and job shadowing.

Labour calls for free Adult Basic Education to address BC's literacy challenge

Monday, June 05, 2006

Burnaby-Free Adult Basic Education is a must to address BC's literacy challenge B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair said today in a presentation to the BC Legislature's Select Standing Committee on Education.

Sinclair noted that among working-age Canadians, 3 million (14.6 percent) struggle with very serious literacy challenges, having difficulty with even the most basic written materials.  The unemployment rate for Canadians at the lowest literacy level is 26 percent, compared with four percent for those at the highest literacy levels.

Sinclair also stressed the need to allow income-assistance recipients to seek training.  "The only way we're going to break poverty cycles is by investing in education," Sinclair added. 

"The committee has already heard from expert witnesses that literacy levels are lower outside of the Lower Mainland, yet chose to cancel the three hearings scheduled for the Interior and Northern BC," Sinclair said.  "If they're sincere about tackling this problem, then they need to visit rural and remote communities first-hand to see where low literacy levels are most acute."

"Too often we see sanctimonious political hand-wringing about the growing skills shortage, but no political will to make the necessary investments to address the problem," Sinclair commented.  "Whether it's literacy, trades training or post-secondary tuition fees, short-sighted thinking about how to address the skills gap is going to make the problem worse." 

A CD Howe report released last November showed that a 1 percent increase in literacy skills would boost productivity by 2.5 percent and lead to a 1.5 percent permanent increase in GDP amounting to $18 billion a year. 

"Praying that workers trained overseas will solve our problem won't work. The only real answer to the skills shortage is investing in education," Sinclair said.

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For more information contact: Jessie Uppal 604-220-0739.

B.C. Federation of Labour calls for moratorium on further privatization in Interior Health Authority

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Interior residents deserve a moratorium on further privatization in Interior Health Authority (IHA) until there is an independent audit of long-term care services for Interior seniors, said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

Workers at Pine Grove Centre, a publicly-funded, long-term care facility in Kamloops, operated by Park Place Seniors Living, have been issued pink slips ending their jobs this August. Services have now been contracted out to Simpe Q, a private company that despite a shortage of health care workers in the IHA, plans to lower wages and benefits.

"Lower wages and fewer benefits in the face of a regional shortage of health care workers is going to undermine quality care for Kamloops' seniors," said Sinclair.  "This privatization scheme should be put on hold pending an independent audit of long-term care services in the IHA."

Fred Muzin, President of the Hospital Employees Union (HEU), pointed to the troubled history the IHA has had in providing care for Interior seniors.  "Lower wages will result in a recruitment and retention crisis at Pine Grove and that will negatively affect the quality of care for local seniors.  It's time for the IHA to put seniors' care before private profits."

"Nurses are working hard to improve support needed to provide safe patient care, including sufficient numbers of registered nurses to meet the complex care needs of these residents" said Debra McPherson, President of the BC Nurses Union.  "Privatizing our jobs is a step backward for nurses and the seniors we care for. "

"There's been no evidence to suggest privatization will improve patient care or save taxpayer dollars," said Sinclair.  "It's time the IHA, the provincial government and Park Place come clean.  They should release their business plan and the contract with Simpe Q to the public."

Sinclair, Muzin and McPherson were in Kamloops along with other labour leaders attending a meeting of the B.C. Federation of Labour's Executive Officers.

-30-

B.C. Federation of Labour demands reinstatement of Mexican worker who organized a protest of conditions on Pitt Meadows berry farm owned by Orca Bay's Francesco Aquilini

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Vancouver - The termination of a Mexican migrant farmworker who protested working conditions at a Pitt Meadows berry farm linked to Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini, should be reversed says B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair until a provincial investigation determines the facts of the matter.

"No one should fear a penalty for insisting that Canadian law be upheld," Sinclair said, "but that's what seems to be happening in this case.  A Mexican migrant worker whose only crime is to seek fair treatment may face deportation."

Marcos Baac, a Mexican migrant farm worker, who was employed by Golden Eagle Farms in Pitt Meadows through a contract under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, received notice on May 9.  The notice that he must return to Mexico came a few days after he and 31 others wrote a public letter regarding working conditions on the farm, particularly inadequate shelter, bathroom facilities and unsafe conditions.

"All I did was write, along with other workers, a simple and legitimate letter requesting an improvement in workplace and living conditions," Baac says.  "I am now living in fear, stress, and great anxiety."

"The federal and provincial governments need to work with the Mexican consulate to lift this expulsion," said NDP labour critic Chuck Puchmayr.  "We know that temporary workers are among the most exploited workers in Canada.  Their access to labour standards protection falls far short of justice and fairness.  Health and safety issues dominate their workplace, and access to programs such as EI, CPP and language training are limited.

Even though their labour is crucial to the Canadian economy, they are not afforded the possibility of permanent residence because our immigration system fails to recognize the value of their work."

The manager of Golden Eagle Farms, in which the Aquilini Investment Group is an investor, has provided no reasons to Baac for the contract termination, but has hinted that it is related to the public letter. 

"Migrant workers in Canada have all the same rights as any other worker, as far as the labour movement is concerned," Sinclair said.  "We are urging Francesco Aquilini to work with the Ministry of Labour to investigate the facts and ensure working conditions are up to standard. Marcos Baac should get his job back." 

Sinclair was joined at the news conference by Adriana Paz of Justice for Migrant Workers and representatives of other community organizations.

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For a copy of Baac's letter click here. <http://www.bcfed.com/BFNews/News+Releases/Archives/0500-06pr-mexican+worker.htm> 

B.C. Federation of Labour extends condolences to families of workers killed in Sullivan Mine incident

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair today extended condolences on behalf of the Federation to the families of the victims of today's tragedy at Sullivan Mine in Kimberley.

"The B.C. Federation of Labour deeply regrets the loss of the lives of four workers today," Sinclair said, "which follows on the heels of the death of another forest worker in the region in the past few days.  Death on the job is always devastating for everyone concerned at the worksite and in the community."

While details of the tragedy are not known at this time, Sinclair said the Federation will work with the affiliated unions whose members were killed as well as with WorkSafeBC to assist with and monitor the investigation. 

Five in ten Port Alberni residents say they may move out if raw log exports continue to drive down employment

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Vancouver - A new poll of Port Alberni residents has found that more than half believe they may be forced to move out of town if raw log exports, which have triggered widespread layoffs, continue to drain jobs from the Alberni Valley.

As a result, more than 73 percent support the current protests against log exports, including blockades, which have set the scene for a major public meeting in Alberni tonight.

"The people of the Alberni Valley don't buy the line that some log exports are necessary to protect jobs," said B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair.  "They want action to protect their community and are clearly prepared to support escalated protests, if that's what it takes, to protect their families and their community."

The poll of 400 residents, conducted by Strategic Communications between April 26 and 28, was jointly sponsored by the Federation, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the United Steelworkers which represent the forest workers in the province.

"The people of the Alberni Valley feel betrayed by the provincial government," said CEP Western Regional President, Dave Coles. "They clearly understand the forest policy is designed to benefit the companies, not communities."

"It's clear from these results that the people of the Alberni Valley want the lion's share of any money flowing back from a softwood lumber agreement to benefit communities, not companies," said Steve Hunt, Western Canada Director of the Steelworkers.  "If stronger action is required to protect resource communities, we're prepared to take it."

The poll found that:

56.7 percent of respondents picked raw log exports as the most important of four major economic issues facing the community;
50.6 percent say they may be forced to move away if the exports continue; 
80 percent of respondents believe that raw log exports are bad for Port Alberni, with almost two-thirds saying that raw log exports are "very bad" for the community; 
73.8 percent support protests, including blockades, against raw log exports which are being conducted in Port Alberni at this time; and 
73.2 percent believe provincial Liberal forest policy changes have benefited forest companies, not workers or communities.
Raw log exports are the focus of a major community meeting planned for Port Alberni tonight. Full details of the poll are attached.

The poll of 401 Port Alberni residents 18 and older was conducted between April 26 and April 28, 2006.  Respondents were selected by the random household selection method.  The overall results are considered accurate to within ±4.8 percent, 19-times-in-20, of those that would have been obtained had the entire population of Port Alberni been interviewed.  The margin of error is larger for sub-groups of the survey population.

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Events

Nowar Nowhere Walk for Peace, Justice and Sustainability
Saturday, June 24, 2006

Information	

NOWAR NOWHERE
Walk for Peace, Justice and Sustainability

Labour Gathering Point:  Canada Place at Noon
Peace Walk starts at 1:00 pm
Rally at Sunset Beach - 2:00 pm

There will be Music, Speakers and Food

Please join us and bring your banners

Download a pdf copy of notice:  Nowar Nowhere Poster <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/ec7uidvsbb3jggcr7rxfwjtdm4hpbj6tpo6mhhfj55vnufk4zjrrc2gh4puldmaqd3x7wrwlluhv2m/0140-06-not-nowar%2bnowhere.pdf> 

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Labour Peace Forum
Sunday, June 25, 2006

Information	

The Labour Peace Forum will take place on the University of British Columbia Campus in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
on June 25 and 26, 2006. It is organized as part of World Peace Forum 2006 which runs from June 23 to 28 in Vancouver

Download the brochure for more information on the program and registration: LPF_Brochure_Ver17.pdf <http://www.bcfed.com/NR/rdonlyres/ef77dboagxerfoewazmvuh3kn63oxivtzqji3iln2efei4ouanwt2ogejyyijmp56ssfu5tywfvwyb/LPFBrochureVer17.pdf>  
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Miners' Memorial Day
Saturday, June 24, 2006

Information	

For further info call Barb @ 250-336-2445
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Location	

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Publications

Employers with labour shortages need to look in the mirror 	
Jim Sinclair, President
B.C. Federation of Labour	

6/7/2006	

"If you don't like your job, you're always free to quit and find another."

That's the classic employer response to discontented workers, particularly in times of high employment and especially when they're talking union.

But more and more BC employers are finding too many workers ready to take that advice as the economy heats up. 

A Canadian worker confronted with low wages, poor working conditions or an abusive employer can and will exercise his or her God-given right to quit.

Rather than raise wages or improve working conditions, more employers are looking overseas for help - or seeking government intervention to push down labour standards rather than responding to labour market shortages with improved wages.

The result is dramatic growth of guest worker programs in agriculture and construction that see indentured workers imported from Mexico, Costa Rica and other countries on term contracts.

If they don't like their jobs, too bad.  They can quit, but if they do, they're put right back on the plane to unemployment at home. 

This reality was underlined in a recent Business in Vancouver review of the issue by reporter Peter Mitham.  "The labour market has been getting tighter and tighter," one greenhouse manager told him.  "It's been getting more and more difficult to get workers."

Hiring guest workers imposes housing and other costs on employers that add between $3 and $3.50 an hour to base wage costs of $8.50. But Mitham learned that "employers consider the cost worthwhile compared with having to replace local workers who frequently disappear after just a few days' or weeks' worth of work."

It's a modern form of slavery that deserves to be stamped out.  Foreign workers employed under this program live in a legal limbo, outside normal employment standards and vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. 

The program not only puts downward pressure on the wages and working conditions of workers outside the affected industries, it opens the door to unfair competition by employers who try to squeeze their captive workforce past all normal limits.

In one instance last year, a group of guest farm workers found conditions so intolerable they actually went on strike and demanded to be sent home.

Early this month InTransit BC confirmed that 50 workers from Central and South America are working on the RAV line, claiming these construction labourers are uniquely skilled in the operation of "sophisticated" tunnel boring machines. 

The machines may be sophisticated but the pay and benefits are medieval.  One Costa Rican confirmed to Global News that he is being paid only $1,000 a month plus room and board, well below minimum wage and a far cry from the $18 to $21.50 an hour claimed by InTransit.

Representatives of the BC Building Trades Council showed reporters the list of workers they could dispatch to the job, but these workers would be free to insist on decent wages, safe working conditions and other benefits that could eat into InTransit's profit margin. And like most Canadians, they won't work a six or seven-day week.

Yes, tunnelling is tricky, dangerous work, but the BC workers who built our hydro dams, mines, rail tunnels and countless other excavations are up to the job.

There's no doubt Canada needs more workers to fill positions in agriculture, construction and other key industries.  But those workers should be recruited through the usual immigration processes and granted the full protection of Canadian law while they are here.

Employers in sectors with labour shortages need to look in the mirror to find solutions and stop asking for subsidies in the form of guest worker programs and exemptions from employment standards.

If the real cost of a guest worker is $3 to $3.50 above minimum wage, then employers should offer that wage to workers already in Canada and see if that changes the equation.  They should invest in training and other benefits to encourage worker loyalty.  And they should seek to turn ethical employment practices into as powerful a consumer marketing tool as organic production.

The same employers who are now crying about skills shortages are many of the same ones who applauded the destruction of the Industry Training Authority and the firing of more than 100 province-wide staff.

Immigration has been and remains a critical contributor to our country's well being.  Most of us are here today because of it, but guest workers do not become nation builders, rather the most easily exploited labour force and that should be unacceptable to all of us. 

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Subscription Information

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cope 15

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