[LabComm] BCGEU LABOUR DAY MESSAGE

[Miotto, Anita]

BCGEU LABOUR DAY MESSAGE

Workers at TELUS, COMINCO and CBC need our support 

Their struggles belong to all of us

George Heyman
BCGEU President

Business spokespeople often insist unions are a thing of the
past-perhaps necessary once but no longer needed by workers, and
certainly not welcome in the competitive global business environment.

On Labour Day-the one day set aside to honour workers and our
contribution to the economy, society and history-it's a good time to
reflect on what nonsense this is.

Thousands of workers in British Columbia are locked out of their
workplace or on strike because their employers want more power, or more
money. If these workers can win the job security, wage increases and
respect they deserve it will only be because they have unions.

At TELUS, for example, workers have had no wage increase for five years;
more than 3,000 workers have been laid off. Yet, the company made
profits of more than a billion dollars in the last two years alone. Top
managers enjoyed wage increases of 54% to 88% and CEO Darren Entwhistle,
after only four years on the job, is eligible for a gold-plated pension
of $700,000 a year.

The company has demanded the right to contract out work, planning to
send jobs to the Philippines. Telus locked workers out when they refused
to sign a contract on these terms.

It's a similar story at COMINCO where workers tightened their belts to
help the corporation during the lean times. Now, corporate profits have
soared. COMINCO earned more than $450 million in the first six months of
this year, but the company will not provide the wage increases and
pension improvements the workers deserve.

CBC management has a similar vision. They demand the "flexibility" to
keep many workers constantly on short term contracts, but still expect
creativity, loyalty and commitment.

Support the workers at COMINCO, CBC and TELUS when you get the chance.
These disputes are symptomatic of a business environment where private
and public employers alike want a union-free workplace where they can
wield more power, at the expense of the workers who deliver the
services, create the products and generate the profits.

For info on Labour Day events around BC, visit www.bcgeu.ca

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