[LabComm] office workers vote to leave IWA

[Bev Humphries]

The support staff at the B.C. Teachers' Federation were successful in their 
bid to leave IWA Local 1-3567.

See the news release below.

NEWS RELEASE

May 26, 2004                                            For immediate release

Office workers win right to leave IWA, form new union

After a lengthy process, the support staff at the B.C. Teachers' Federation 
office have voted to leave the International Wood and Allied Workers, Local 
1-3567, and form their own independent union.

The 145 members, mostly female, were determined to leave the IWA Local 
1-3567 because of what they saw as the local's unprincipled actions. 
Collaborating with healthcare privatization and their undemocratic 
processes did not sit well with the majority of the membership. "We're 
proud that we've taken a strong stand for democratic unionism," said Bev 
Humphries, president of the new union.

After considering submissions from both unions, the LRB ruled that the 
representation vote, held by the LRB on February 26, 2004, be counted. The 
count took place May 25, 2004, with the result that the support staff at 
the BCTF will be represented by the Teachers' Federation Employees' Union 
(TFEU).

The TFEU will hold its first AGM on June 24, 2004. The interim executive 
foresees a positive future working in solidarity with the labour movement.

"We look forward to a smooth transition," said Humphries. "TFEU will work 
diligently to represent all members fairly in accordance with the 
collective agreement."

-30-

For more information, see our web site at http://www3.telus.net/newunion/



_____________________________________________________________
Bev Humphries
Communications and Campaigns Division
B.C. Teachers' Federation
100-550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC  V5Z 4P2
604 871-1875, F: 604 871-2289
E-mail: <mailto:bhumphries at bctf.ca>bhumphries at bctf.ca
Toll free: 1-800 663-9163
<http://www.bctf.ca/>http://www.bctf.ca
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