[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] B.C. Federation of Labour E-News, January 12, 2007

[bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net]

Stories

Labour, environment and community groups draft response to provincial
government's review of BC's growing log export crisis
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/671> 

Jobs, community and sustainability missing from provincial government
report

Nanaimo-The B.C. Federation of Labour today hosted an all-day meeting
including 40 representatives from BC's forest unions, local governments,
community groups and environmental organizations to formulate a response
to the provincial government's review of BC's growing log export crisis.

The meeting focussed on recommendations in a recent report regarding
BC's log export regime.

"When we're working together -- community, environment and labour -- we
know we'll be heard," said Sinclair. "It tells the government and forest
corporations, not only are we together, but we're not going away until
this crisis is solved." Read more. <http://www.bcfed.com/node/671> 

Lower Mainland mayors join labour call for $10 minimum wage - new poll
shows 79.3 percent of British Columbians in support
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/662> 

Vancouver - Two Lower Mainland mayors are joining the B.C. Federation of
Labour's call for a $10 minimum wage in the wake of new polling that
shows 79.3 percent of British Columbians support the change.

"A commitment by the Premier to raise the minimum wage to $10 from $8
and eliminate the training wage would be a great Christmas gift to
thousands of British Columbians who now live below the poverty line,"
said B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair. "

It's time to share the gains of a strong economy."

Sinclair released details of a poll of 601 British Columbians conducted
between November 23rd and November 30th that showed 79.3 percent support
for a lift in the minimum wage to $10. There was 73.5 percent support
for elimination of the training wage. Read more.
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/662> 

B.C. government backtracks on commitment to child care
<http://www.bcgeu.ca/3844> 

Minister ignores advice from own Finance Committee and Progress Board



B.C.'s minister responsible for child care has misled parents and
ignored advice from it's own agencies in Friday's surprise announcement
of funding cuts to child care, said the B.C. Government and Service
Employees' Union (BCGEU) today.

"The provincial government told parents and care providers in September
that they would maintain child care services until at least the end of
the school year, and they've gone back on their word," said BCGEU
president George Heyman. "Now the minister says that some of these
services will be cut, months earlier than their original funding
commitment. Read more from the BCGEU. <http://www.bcgeu.ca/3844>  

What's your health care worth? <http://www.bchealthconversation.ca/>  

Did you know?

*	As a percentage of BC's economy, public spending on health care
stayed almost the same between 1991 and 2006. 
*	Every thirty seconds, a US citizen goes bankrupt as a result of
the health care costs associated with a major illness. 
*	Knee replacement surgery in a public hospital averages $8,000
compared to $14,000 to $18,000 in a private surgical facility. 
*	

It's time for a discussion based on useful facts, not hysterical
numbers. Click here to learn more. <http://www.bchealthconversation.ca/>


High Rolling CEO's are just the tip of the iceberg
<http://www.usw.ca/program/content/3831.php> 

High-rolling chief executives are in the news lately. Recently, for
instance, Home Depot announced that it has deposed its CEO, Robert
Nardelli. The board of the building-products' giant, which after WalMart
is the United States' second largest retailer, said it asked for
Nardelli's resignation after the company's share price fell by 9-per
cent on his watch, compared to a 188-per cent rise for rival Lowe's over
the same period.But Nardelli is not going away hungry. His total
severance package has been calculated at $210 million US. Recently, Hank
McKinnell was bounced as CEO of drug multinational Pfizer after his firm
lost $137 million US in share value under his leadership. McKinnell has
also landed on his feet, going away with a $210 million US package. Read
more from the USW. <http://www.usw.ca/program/content/3831.php> 

Climate change and working families' pocketbooks to top NDP priorities
in Parliament <http://www.ndp.ca/page/4753> 

VANCOUVER - In his opening address at his caucus' winter retreat, NDP
leader Jack Layton blasted both the Conservatives and the Liberals for
failing on the environment and in protecting hardworking middle-class
families. 

"Working people know that air and water pollution combined with
corporate foot dragging and government inaction is leading us to extreme
climate change. It's hurting our health and our economy," said Layton.
Read more. <http://www.ndp.ca/page/4753> 

Steelworkers Thank Thousands who Supported Goodyear Strikers: 86-Day
Strike Ends with Settlement Ratification
<http://www.usw.ca/program/content/3806.php?lan=en> 

TORONTO - United Steelworkers' (USW) National Director Ken Neumann said
Monday that last week's ratification of the continent-wide agreement
with Goodyear Tire and Rubber would not have been achieved without the
support of thousands of working people, their organizations and others
who supported the Goodyear strikers in Canada.

"The solidarity and commitment of working people, not just in our union,
but across the country, made it possible to settle this 86-day strike,"
said Neumann. "We have shown that companies that seek to destroy
generations of progress for the people who produce the goods that create
wealth in North America will be challenged and pushed back." Read more.
<http://www.usw.ca/program/content/3806.php?lan=en> 

Events

Sustainable Energy Forum <http://www.bcfed.com/node/668> 

Your Vancouver Opposition MLAs Invite You to a Sustainable Energy Forum

A discussion of BC Hydro, water rights, energy policy, climate change
and coal power.

Wednesday, January 17, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

Heritage Hall Mezzanine 3102 Main St. Vancouver 

Learn more. <http://www.bcfed.com/node/668> 

New Westminster Forestry Public Forum <http://www.bcfed.com/node/670> 

Western Forest Products has announced it will close its New Westminster
Saw Mill. What does this mean for our community? 

Wednesday, January 17th 7 - 9 pm

Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Avenue, New Westminster

Learn more. <http://www.bcfed.com/node/670> 

Basic OHS Course Greater Vancouver <http://www.bcfed.com/node/617> 

Thursday February 15, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

The goal of this introductory Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) course
is to introduce new Committee members and worker representatives to the
basic principles of workplace health and safety. Learn more.
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/617> 


Advanced OHS Course Greater Vancouver <http://www.bcfed.com/node/619> 

Tuesday February 20, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

The Advanced OH&S Course has been designed to allow participants to
develop the tools, resources and strategies to build on their successes
and to tackle the tough OH&S issues at their workplaces. Learn more.
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/619> 

Accident Incident Investigations OHS Course Fernie
<http://www.bcfed.com/node/661> 

Friday February 23, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

An accident or near miss incident happens at your workplace. An
investigation by the employer and the OH&S Committee must take place. It
is your responsibility to gather the facts, objectively assess those
facts and arrive at appropriate measures to prevent any further
injuries. Learn more. <http://www.bcfed.com/node/661> 

Publications

Gordon Campbell's Year: An Unauthorized Annual Report
<http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/01/03/Campbell/> 

The special year end video message on Premier Campbell's website
concluded by saying: "Reach out and help someone who isn't quite as
fortunate as you are."

That came from the premier who has presided over a doubling in the
number of homeless
<http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/homelessness/pdfs/HomelessCount2005Bulletin.pdf>
, while welfare rates were frozen, or in some cases cut.

That came from the premier who announced rental assistance for
low-income workers, but said those on welfare need not apply as they are
ineligible.

That came from the premier who had to be told by Ted Hughes that his
cuts to child protection services were wrong.

The written version of the premier's year-end message
<http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006OTP0187-001541.h
tm>  came in the form of an opinion editorial that described 2006 as the
"year of the agreement." That description is bound to evoke memories of
2002, when Campbell presided over the year of the broken contract. Read
more at thetyee.ca. <http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/01/03/Campbell/> 

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