UFCW 1518 Update Magazine Summer 2014

UPDATE

U N I T E D F O O D A N D CO M M E R C I A L W O R K E R S U N I O N LO C A L 1 5 1 8

LOCAL 1518

SUMMER 2014

TOGETHER, WE BUILD A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL BRITISH COLUMBIANS

Standing Proud WITH OUR MEMBERS

INSIDE News .................................................................... 5 Retail News........................................................16 Health Care .................................................... 19 Industrial............................................................ 25 Education.......................................................... 32

Ivan Limpright, President Frank Pozzobon, Secretary-Treasurer

Ivan Limpright attended World Pride, hosted this year in Toronto. UFCW played a leading role at World Pride with local union members, activists and leaders from across Canada attending.

UPDATE U N I T E D F O O D A N D C O M M E R C I A L W O R K E R S U N I O N LO C A L 1 5 1 8

Your Local 1518 Executive Board Members:

Ivan Limpright, President, Abbotsford Frank Pozzobon, Secretary-Treasurer, New Westminster Nan Fredericks, (Recorder) Mackenzie Co-op, Mackenzie

President Ivan Limpright Secretary-Treasurer Frank Pozzobon

Vice-Presidents

Rod Anderson, PriceSmart, Coquitlam Bruce Armstrong, Safeway, Vancouver Lorraine Ausman, Cranbrook Home Support, Cranbrook Susan Baylyn, Save-On-Foods, Victoria Ken Bellows, Colonial Farms, Armstrong Harminder Bhupal, Safeway, New Westminster Connie Buckner, Cowichan Home Support, Duncan Wally Chan, Safeway, Vancouver Laura Cipolato, Save-On-Foods, Vancouver Ravi Dhindsa, Sunrise Poultry, Surrey Dave Diamond, Save-On-Foods, Kelowna Sherry Earl, Overwaitea Foods, Fernie Don Fordyce, Save-On-Foods, Penticton Christine Holowka, Save-On-Foods, Prince George John Howarth, Coopers Foods, Kamloops Danette Lankmayr, Safeway, Surrey Michelle Metcalfe, Shoppers Drug Mart, Burquitlam Kari-Ann Neave, Overwaitea Foods, Burns Lake Larry Ransom, Save-On-Foods, Port Alberni Wes Schellenberg, PriceSmart, Clearbrook Eleanor Smith, Penticton Home Support, Penticton Jennifer Vecchio, Nelson Home Support, Nelson Dave Wilson, WE Insurance, Vancouver

Chief of Staff James Raposo Directors Kim Balmer – Assistant to the President Brian McHaffie Andy Neufeld Kim Novak Monica Staff Donna Tremblay Union Representatives: (Lower Mainland/Squamish/Fraser Valley) Dave Archibald Darrell Causey Melinda Driedger Tony Evangelista Michelle Fedosoff Brian Nasu Dayna Nicoll Kamloops Shari Jensen Kootenays Fred Scott

LOCAL 1518 SERVICE DIRECTORY

Okanagan Bruce Temple Ed Cabral

ALL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES – UNION HEADQUARTERS 350 Columbia Street, New Westminster, B.C., V3L 1A6 Phone: 604-526-1518 | Fax: 604-540-1520 Toll Free 1-800-661-3708

Northern British Columbia Lorrain Ausman Jason Frank

HEALTH AND WELFARE TRUST Safeway Members 1-888-310-1318 ext. 3381 Overwaitea Food Group Members 1-877-643-7200

Vancouver Island Kerry Brewster Patrick Johnson

DENTAL PLAN 1-888-818-3368 UFCW 1518 PENSION 1-888-345-8329

Health & Safety Larry Stoffman

HEALTH CARE SECTOR MEMBERS 1-800-367-8111

Member Benefits John Autin Denise Gibson

HEALTH CARE BENEFIT TRUST 1-888-736-2087 MUNICIPAL PENSION PLAN 1-800-668-6335 EDUCATION 1-800-661-3708 © UPDATE is a publication of UFCW 1518 design by talkingdog.ca

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064629

JOIN-A-UNION. COM 1-888-581-1518 WEBSITE www.ufcw1518.com

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A M E S SAG E F RO M YO U R P R E S I D E N T

Ivan Limpright, President, UFCW Local 1518

How our values make us a more effective union

OUR EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OPERATE IN ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA, AND THIS MEANS THAT WE ALL MUST ADAPT TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH IT.

Trustworthiness

To effectively represent members of our union, we need to have strong relationships, including the working relationship we have with employers.

As part of our own change for the better, we introduced the shared goals and values to improving our relationship with employers and our conduct with each other.

Accountability

THESE ARE THE VALUES OF OUR UNION: Mutual Respect • • • •

We will work collaboratively towards solutions.

We will actively listen to one another to find common understanding.

We will be considerate and treat each other with dignity.

We will focus on the issues and reserve judgment.

Honesty and Integrity • •

•

We will act in a truthful and ethical manner.

We will act in a fair and equitable manner and not take advantage of each other.

We will be transparent in our processes and consistent in our actions.

• • •

• • •

We will act in good faith and be honest in our intentions and our actions.

We will have respectful and candid discussion.

We will have confidence that the information we are sharing is accurate and truthful.

We will take responsibility for our words and our actions.

We will address issues effectively and in a timely manner.

We will follow through with our commitments.

What it means is that when problems do arise, that we represent ourselves with integrity, honesty, and respect.

This leads to better outcomes for our members and more creative problem solving.

We encourage you to be involved in this very important process. It is important that we all embrace these shared goals and values, and be mindful of them with your co-workers.

The result will be a better, more positive workplace, more customers, more hours, and a better future for all of us.

OUR EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OPERATE IN ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA, AND THIS MEANS THAT WE ALL MUST ADAPT TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH IT.

In solidarity,

President Ivan Limpright placing the sticker on the window of the union office certifying that UFCW 1518 is a living wage employer

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UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

INSIDE NEWS

Family Picnic a Huge Success

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UFCW and World Pride New Member Orientation Supreme Court Victory for Walmart Workers

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RETAIL

Sobeys-Safeway Weekly Pay Grievance

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Sobeys Announces Closure of 50 Stores Sobeys Voluntary Severance Grievance Coopers Negotiations Head to Final Offer Selection

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HEALTH CARE

Resources for Health Care Members

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How Pensions Contribute to the Economy Information about Leave of Absence

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INDUSTRIAL

Congratulations to New Chief Shop Stewards eCycle Members Win with Union NDF Builds Strength

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HEALTH & SAFETY Heat Stress Information

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EDUCATION

Education & Scholarships

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UFCW 1518

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UFCW 1518 Family Picnic a huge success!

ON JUNE 1, UFCW LOCAL 1518’S FIRST ANNUAL LOWER MAINLAND FAMILY PICNIC, CELEBRATED THE KIDS AND SPOUSES, MOMS AND DADS, SISTERS AND BROTHERS AND LOVED ONES OF OUR HARDWORKING MEMBERS. “It was great to see so many members and their families turn out, and to have such great weather too,” said Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518.

“The union Christmas party we hold for members and families each December at the Burnaby Village

Museum has been a huge success, and we would like to have a summertime event for our members as well, so we’ll look at what we can do to make it even better in 2015.”

“Of course, the Women’s Rights Committee of your Executive Board did all the planning and hard work for the picnic, and a big thank-you to them for putting this event on, and to all our members for coming out!” he said.

A huge thank you to UFCW 1518 members in the Lower Mainland who volunteered to put on this year’s family picnic. The event held in New Westminster was attended by families of over 100 members. If you would like to volunteer to organize a family picnic in your community, please contact the union office.

Top left, President Ivan Limpright on hot dog duty. Above, a pug absolutely thrilled by how many people gave him bits of popcorn. Middle right, Secretary Treasurer Frank Pozzobon hands out popcorn to children of UFCW 1518 members.

Top right, boxes of vinegar and oil made by Ivan.

Bottom right, Members signing up to get more information about a leukemia fundraiser.

2014 HAS BEEN A PRIDE SUMMER FOR UFCW MEMBERS FROM ACROSS CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, WHO UNITED IN JUNE WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MARCHERS ON THE STREETS OF TORONTO FOR THE LARGEST GLOBAL PRIDE PARADE EVER HELD IN NORTH AMERICA. THE PARADE WAS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WORLD PRIDE FESTIVAL IN TORONTO, ONE OF THE LARGEST GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS OF PRIDE EVER HELD.

UFCW and PRIDE Flying the rainbow flag at World Pride

UFCW Local 1518 President Ivan Limpright and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Pozzobon were in attendance, where UFCW Canada played a leading role. Local Union members, activists, and leaders loudly displayed their Pride by marching and celebrating with LGBTQ brothers and sisters from around the world.

“From the World Pride Human Rights Conference to the countless other Pride activities we were involved in,” says Ivan Limpright, “we demonstrated that our union supports the advancement of LGBTQ rights and equality.”

“UFCW 1518 and UFCW Canada stand with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* and Queer community in pride and solidarity,” he said. “We are proud of our diverse membership

and know that there is still work to be done to end homophobia and transphobia in workplaces. We know that human rights and workers’ rights are connected.”

“I am so proud of our great union for taking a leading role in this year’s Pride Parade, and for displaying a tremendous show of solidarity throughout the entire World Pride festival,” says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. “Now is the time to celebrate our victories in the struggle for LGBTQ rights, and to strengthen our bonds of friendship with the LGBTQ community so that true equality becomes a reality for everyone,” Brother Meinema adds.

As this issue of Update is prepared, the Vancouver Pride Parade is slated for August 3rd, and UFCW 1518 members are invited to join our multi-union delegation to the parade.

(Please email lcipolato@ufcw1518. com for more information.)

The Vancouver Pride Parade was granted civic status in 2013, and is now considered one of Vancouver’s flagship events.

For information on other Pride events taking place across B.C. this summer, please check out this link: http://www.ufcw1518.com/prideseason-starting-events-across-bc

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Help UFCW 1518 support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by roaring with pride with our BC Lions!

Saturday, June 28, 3:00pm

Friday, July 25, 7:00pm

Sunday, August 24, 4:00pm

Friday, November 7, 7:00pm

 

UFCW 1518 AND THE B.C. LIONS HAVE ONCE AGAIN JOINED FORCES TO NOT ONLY PROVIDE DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR SELECT B.C. LIONS GAMES IN THE 2014 SEASON, BUT TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF CANADA AT THE SAME TIME. UFCW 1518 members will be able to get $10 discounts on tickets for the following B.C. Lions games: · Sunday, August 24 at 4:00pm vs.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (defending Grey Cup champs) · Friday, November 7 at 7:00pm vs. Calgary Stampeders You’ll save $10 per ticket no matter where you buy your tickets in the stadium. $3 from every ticket sale will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.

To order and for assistance with seating, please contact Steve Balletto of the B.C. Lions at 604-930-5454 or e-mail sballetto@bclions.com You can also order online at www.bclions. com/ufcw1518 and then enter promo code UFCWTIX for the discount.

(The discount will be applied at checkout please note that there is a $1.25 Ticketmaster charge for each ticket ordered online...you can avoid this charge by ordering your tickets directly from Steve Balletto as per above.)

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UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

New Member Orientation Learn about what your union does for you, and get $50!

These are just some of the positive feelings members walk away with.

“We really want our members to understand the value they get from belonging to the union,” says Frank Pozzobon, UFCW 1518’s Secretary-Treasurer, “and getting answers to your questions makes going to work that much better.

Understanding your contract and your rights at your workplace is very important, and your union is here to assist you with just that!”

If your hire date is after January 2012, you’ve passed your 4-month probation, and you’ve paid your union initiation fee, please feel free to attend! All members will receive a $50.00 cheque just for coming out.

NMOs are held in every UFCW 1518 sector. If you would like more information about NMOs or how and when you can attend one, please contact your Union Representative.

ON MAY 14, THE UNION HELD ONE OF A NUMBER OF WELL-ATTENDED NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION (NMO) MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THIS YEAR. The purpose of NMO meetings is to help members understand their contract and their rights, as well as the advantages and benefits provided by the union. NMOs empower members to take a stand in their workplace, to share thoughts, ideas, and issues in a fun and safe environment.

After attending the NMO, one member said, “I feel like I learned so much, and I don’t feel alone anymore.”

Top, Lucas Lo and Cyrus Pereira of PriceSmart #2256 (Vancouver - Grandview Hwy). Right, Helen Ly of PriceSmart #2256 (Vancouver - Grandview Hwy)

Shoppers Drug Mart Members in White Rock Ratify New Agreement ON JUNE 22ND, LOCAL 1518 MEMBERS AT SHOPPERS DRUG MART 273 IN WHITE ROCK VOTED 88% IN FAVOUR OF TERMS FOR A NEW CONTRACT. The new deal is for three years, and includes retroactive wage increases for 2014, and further

increases in the remaining two years of the contract. The new contract will expire on December 31, 2013.

The Union Negotiating Committee members are Ruth Rolson-Wynhoven and Lori Rushton, assisted by James Raposo, UFCW 1518 Chief of Staff.

L-R: James Raposo (UFCW 1518 Chief of Staff) with Ruth RolsonWynhoven and Lori Rushton of Shoppers Drug Mart #273 (White Rock)

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Activists call for equality for First Nations children on June 11 anniversary

JUNE 11 MARKED THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF RECONCILIATION WITH ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES, AND UFCW LOCAL 1518 AND UFCW CANADA ACTIVISTS JOINED SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES ACROSS CANADA TO WALK AND SEND A MESSAGE CALLING FOR AN EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN. Led by UFCW 1518 President Ivan Limpright, UFCW 1518 staff and activists held a brief march in New Westminster to send a letter to Prime Minister Harper asking him and his government to recognize that the dreams of First Nations children matter too.

“First Nations children get less funding for services like education, health, and child welfare than other children enjoy,” said Ivan Limpright. “We are asking the Prime Minister and his government to address this with meaningful action on behalf of First Nations communities everywhere.”

Ivan also talked about his recent experience at a meeting held at a former First Nations residential school, at which one of the survivors who had attended the school described his personal struggles with the painful and difficult experience of a childhood scarred by the residential school system.

The walk and send-a-message initiative is an annual highlight of the Our Dreams Matter Too campaign. The campaign is led by UFCW Canada’s national partner, the First Nations Children and Family Caring Society (FNCFCS),

to provide First Nations children with equal opportunities to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of their cultures.

Photo: Above, Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518, leads march on National Day of Reconciliation. Below, letter sent to PM Harper.

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Rally for IKEA members as employer lockout passes one year L-R: Sean Leger (shop steward at Safeway 191 who also works part-time at IKEA), Laura Cipolato (UFCW 1518 Union Representative), Kim Balmer (UFCW 1518 Director), and Brian Nasu (UFCW 1518 Union Representative).

MAY 13 MARKED ONE YEAR OF WORKERS AT IKEA’S FLAGSHIP STORE IN RICHMOND, BC BEING BEHIND PICKET LINES AFTER THE COMPANY SERVED LOCKOUT NOTICE ON ITS EMPLOYEES IN MAY 2013.

represents the 350 workers at IKEA. “We have put two company offers to a vote,” she said, “and our members rejected them both times.”

Dawson, who is a former IKEA employee, said the company has consistently tabled offers which included concessions in hours or work, allowances, benefits and classifications, as well as a tiered wage system which was a major issue at the bargaining table six years ago when the workers went on strike to back their demands.

“The company has showed little interest in dealing with our issues at the bargaining table,” she said. “They seem intent on following their agenda which involve cutbacks. Our members are not interested in going backwards,” she said.

The Richmond store is one of two unionized IKEA locations in Canada. The other is in Montreal.

The workers are members of Teamsters Local 213, and they ask that we continue to support the locked-out IKEA workers and to please not shop at any IKEA location until the Richmond IKEA dispute is settled.

IKEA served the lock-out notice after workers twice rejected offers by the company which called for a variety of concessions and a proposed return to a tiered wage system.

“We have been negotiating with the company for some time now,” said Anita Dawson, business representative with Teamsters Local 213 which

$20.10 - the 2014 Living Wage in Metro Vancouver Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

This year is the first—since we began to do this calculation in 2008—that has seen the living wage rise over the $20 mark.

When affordable housing, child care and public transportation are made available, family expenses are reduced and the living wage is moderated.

For example, if the provincial government introduced a $10/Day Child Care Plan, it would allow the Metro Vancouver living wage to fall by $3.57 per hour.

The living wage is a call to large public and private sector employers to pay a wage that can sustain families.

But it is important to recognize that the living wage can be achieved through a combination of wages, employer-paid benefits and public policies that improve affordability and quality of life for lower-income families.

THE 2014 METRO VANCOUVER LIVING WAGE, RELEASED APRIL 29, FINDS THAT TWO PARENTS WORKING FULLTIME NEED A WAGE OF $20.10 PER HOUR TO COVER THE REAL COSTS OF SUPPORTING A FAMILY OF FOUR.

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You can learn more, and download a guide to help you calculate the living wage for your community at policyalternatives.ca/livingwage2014.

That’s what it takes to provide a basic level of economic security and cover rent, food, transportation and other essential expenses. But it still represents a bare bones budget without the extras many of us take for granted.

The 2014 living wage is up from $19.62 last year—an increase of 2.4%, outpacing Vancouver’s general inflation rate of 0.2%. The increase is largely driven by higher child care fees and shelter costs, the two biggest expenses for a family, which rose by $48 and $50 per month respectively.

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Members continue to save and change lives $2.6 million raised for blood cancer research, education, and outreach

UFCW Locals 1518 & 247 at the annual “Light the Night” leukemia research fundraiser, Stanley Park, Vancouver

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THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF UFCW CANADA ACTIVISTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND LOCAL UNIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE ONCE AGAIN MADE UFCW CANADA THE LARGEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISING ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY SUPPORTING THE LIFE-SAVING RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH EFFORTS OF THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF CANADA (LLSC).

At the 25th Annual UFCW Canada Leukemia Gala held on June 20 in Toronto, UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema announced that UFCW Canada had raised $2.6 million in support of LLSC research, education, and outreach over the past year. The funds are used not only to find a cure and better treatments for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, but also to raise awareness of these diseases and to reach out to those suffering from blood cancer.

“For many people,” says Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518, “it’s often difficult to know whether the donations of time and money and energy are making a difference, but there is just no question that the work we have been doing for Leukemia & Lymphoma research has had a very positive impact.”

“New treatments are being discovered, sufferers are being cured, cancers are going into remission and studies of new drugs are all adding to improved outcomes,” says Limpright. “But these new discoveries and results are only possible if funding is provided, otherwise research would come to a halt. UFCW 1518 members and UFCW members across Canada contribute largely in this battle through fundraising efforts that go towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, the union’s charity of choice. We will continue to be active in our fundraising, and remain hopeful that advances in research will continue to save lives and that one day a permanent cure to these life threatening diseases will be found.”

The Leukemia Gala annually celebrates the incredible fundraising efforts of UFCW Canada members and Local Unions, which have been ongoing since the 1980s. Every year UFCW Canada members, family, and allies organize and participate in numerous fundraising activities such as raffles, community picnics, 50-50 draws, car washes, baseball tournaments, ride-a-thons, marathons, relays, and Light the Night walks to raise money for the fight against blood cancer.

Altogether, the overall total raised by all UFCW Canada efforts since the mid-1980s has now reached over $31 million. This enduring effort has made UFCW Canada the LLSC’s most valued partner, as our union continues to be the largest annual supporter of the Society’s lifechanging and life-saving efforts.

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Metro Vancouver Alliance Working for the common good UFCW LOCAL 1518 IS PROUD TO BE A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE METRO VANCOUVER ALLIANCE (MVA), A COALITION OF CITIZENS’ GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD. IT IS A NONPARTISAN, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS MANY CONSTITUENCIES – FAITH GROUPS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND COOPERATIVES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (STAFF AND STUDENTS) AND ORGANIZED LABOUR – AND SEEKS TO INFLUENCE THOSE DECISION-MAKERS WITH THE POWER TO MAKE THINGS BETTER IN OUR REGION.

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Municipal elections are coming up this fall, and local politicians will face MVA’s organized and informed coalition of voters, with strategies in hand for solving local problems.

They will be asking every candidate of every party if he or she will commit to concrete solutions – not just to campaign slogans.

MVA’s sister organizations in cities like London (and now throughout the UK), Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and dozens of others have tallied remarkable achievements in improving the lives of their citizens. London Citizens, for example, was successful in persuading London’s 2012 Olympic Organizing Committee to be a living wage employer. Closer to home, the alliances in Spokane and Puget Sound together spearheaded a $1.1 billion jobs bill set to create 20,000 new jobs over three years in the hard-hit construction industry. Through the methodical hard work and creativity of hundreds of engaged citizens, decisions like these, If you ever wished you big and small, have been made for knew of a way to really neighbourhoods and “make a difference,” if families just like ours.

Now it’s our turn. you ever wondered where The Metro Vancouver to find people of like Alliance is now on mind who actually had a the map. Its member organizations together real project to contribute are seeking solutions to, look no further. for the problems many of us face, and will challenge decisionmakers to implement those solutions.

MVA welcomes all who are interested in this kind of “engaged citizenship” with people from all walks of life.

If you ever wished you knew of a way to really “make a difference,” if you ever wondered where to find people of like mind who actually had a real project to contribute to, look no further. Bring your energy and your desire for a better world to an alliance of citizens with the tools and the strategies to make change happen.

MVA offers training sessions for community leadership free to anyone who belongs to its member organizations.

UFCW Local 1518 members are encouraged to join in the work of the Alliance.

To learn more, please email metrovancouveralliance@ hotmail.com

Through the diligent work of lead organizer Deborah Littman, MVA has grown from the seed of a handful of founding organizations 5 years ago to its current membership of more than 40 groups and institutions.

MVA celebrated a milestone on March 19 with its public Founding Assembly at the Maritime Labour Centre. The event brought together more than 600 delegates and dozens of community leaders, including BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, Catholic Archbishop Michael Miller and Anglican Bishop Melissa Skelton, and North Vancouver mayor Darrel Mussatto.

Through the fall and winter of 2013, member organizations conducted “listening campaigns,” a series of conversations among their own members about the pressures and problems facing people in their everyday lives.

The listening campaign had revealed many issues that demand attention in the region, but there were four themes that were prominent across all constituencies: poverty, affordable housing, access to public transit, and social isolation. MVA’s volunteers have now established research/ action teams on each of these issues, which will determine what kind of specific, achievable changes could ease those pressures on Metro Vancouver’s citizens and their families.

No city is a perfect place to live, but MVA recognizes that every urban centre faces its own specific kinds of problems. The strength of MVA’s strategy is that it asks a straightforward question of local people: what kind of changes would make your life better? Its philosophy says that as a coalition, as citizens united, we have the power to lobby for those changes.

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Protest in Jonquière, Quebec. After the company illegally closed the store and threw 190 union members out of work, workers and supporters create a giant human “unhappy face”, in mocking reference of Walmart.”

Supreme Court victory – 9 years later – for Walmart workers in Jonquière

THE OLD SAYING, “JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED”, COULD HARDLY BE MORE TRUE FOR THE WALMART WORKERS IN JONQUIÈRE, QUEBEC, WHOSE STORE WAS CLOSED BY THE COMPANY IN 2005 AFTER THEY JOINED UFCW LOCAL 503.

A recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling has confirmed that Walmart acted illegally when it laid off all 190 employees and announced it was closing the store, just as the Quebec Minister of Labour was preparing to appoint an arbitrator to impose a first collective agreement at the store.

In the eyes of UFCW Canada, the Supreme Court ruling is a historic and positive milestone in protecting workers’ rights, and will likely compel employers to justify their actions if they decide to close a store.

Indeed, some corporations will now think twice before throwing their employees out of work. ”The Supreme Court ruling sends a message that no one is above the law,” says Paul Meinema, the National President of UFCW Canada. “Year after year, Walmart uses dirty tricks to stop its associates from exercising their democratic right to join a union, and that’s exactly what happened with the employees at the Jonquière store. By clarifying that employers must respect the law and the rights of their employees when making business decisions, this ruling serves as a major positive landmark,” Meinema adds.

Because it was impossible to order the employees be re-hired, the Supreme Court ordered the case be sent to an arbitrator who will determine appropriate compensation for the workers, possibly with damages and interest.

If you’re good enough to work in Canada, you’re good enough to stay in Canada inclusive to immigrants, refugees and workers.

Darla Tomeldan, a legal Geoff Meggs, Vision Vancouver City Councilor and advocate from UFCW 1518 member, with Jenny Jiang of UFCW 1518 the West Coast Domestic Workers’ Association noted that over 300,000 migrant workers are now living and working in Canada. 44,000 of those migrant workers are in the food and accommodation sector. Unfortunately, many of these workers are vulnerable to abuse by their employers because they do not know their rights or are too afraid to exercise them.

Jenny Jiang, a UFCW 1518 member who attended the forum, noted, “I am lucky to work in a unionized environment. As a shop steward, I encourage my coworkers to take educational courses on their labour rights in Canada and language classes to improve their English, which are offered for free by the union.”

Councillor Meggs, a fellow UFCW 1518 member, urges the “union movement as a whole to support Temporary Foreign Workers. The labour movement should step in and educate members about the abuses these workers face by their employers.”

ON JUNE 2, UFCW 1518 JOINED A GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS FROM LABOUR, COMMUNITY, AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS IN A PACKED ROOM AT VANCOUVER’S JOYCE COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR A CITY DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION. Many participants were calling for changes to the temporary foreign worker program, demanding respect for migrant workers, and a pathway to residency and citizenship.

Ivan Limpright, President of Local 1518, supports the call for solidarity with workers across sectors and status in B.C. “Permanent or temporary, every worker in this province deserves the right to dignity and fairness in the workplace,” he says. “We have two farms where temporary foreign workers have joined our union, and we continue to do outreach through our Migrant Worker Support Centres in B.C. and across the country with our Agriculture Workers Alliance.”

“If temporary foreign workers are good enough to work here, they are good enough to stay in Canada,” says Limpright.

Vancouver City Councillors Geoff Meggs and Tony Tang hosted the event, with the goal of soliciting feedback on how to make the city of Vancouver more

Spotlight on UFCW 1518 Professional Division Dan Goy & Baja Amigos/South Fraser Tours AFTER DECADES OF ACTIVE SERVICE AND WORK IN THE BOTH THE LABOUR AND POLITICAL MOVEMENT, DAN GOY DECIDED TO PACK IT ALL IN AND BECOME A SELFEMPLOYED ENTREPRENEUR. DAN JOINED UFCW 1518’S PROFESSIONAL DIVISION, AND OPTED FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. SUPPORTED BY HIS WIFE LISA, THEY STARTED BAJA AMIGOS RV CARAVAN TOURS WHICH OPERATES NOVEMBER THRU MARCH IN MEXICO, AND SOUTH FRASER TOURS IN METRO VANCOUVER WHEN THEY RETURN FROM MEXICO.

enrolled in the SEEDS (Self Employment & Entrepreneurial Development Society) program and Baja Amigos was born.

Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours

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This business has Dan and Lisa working as Wagon Masters and Tour Guides as they lead groups of Snowbird RVers across Baja Mexico from the US border to Cabo San Lucas and return several times each winter.

“While there are RV Caravan Tours available around the world, including several competitors on Baja, we decided smaller was better,” says Dan. Dan and Lisa operate with a 15-person van pulling a travel trailer. This meant they could offer hosted on-tour excursions and keep the numbers to smaller groups, usually six RVs.

Dan and Lisa first travelled to Baja and Mexico in 1985 in a camper van with two young children, and had been returning each winter after their kids had graduated and moved out of the family home. In 2009 Dan 14

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Spotlight on UFCW 1518 Professional Division Dan Goy & Baja Amigos/South Fraser Tours “Baja has so much to offer those RVers looking for a camping experience with rugged beauty, sensational sunrises and sunsets, and immersion in the local culture on the magnificent Baja peninsula,” says Dan. “We (Baja Amigos) have added tours with a sub-contractor (friends Dom & Diane Fraser) and now take more RVers to Baja than any other tour operator – 42 RVs last season!”

South Fraser Tours Following their first season of Baja Amigos, Dan and Lisa wanted to keep their large van working, so they created South Fraser Shuttles & Tours.

In 2010, they ran a few shuttles and one local wine tour. In 2011, they focused on wineries, hooked up with Team Buy and Surrey.com, hosted numerous wine tours, and made no money!

“But,” says Dan, “we were now in business, and the wineries we visited were very pleased with our business model targeting Metro Vancouver RVers, who tend to buy lots wine AND return to these same wineries.”

“Last season, we ran 33 wine tours, and this summer we are busier than ever!” says Dan. “The local wineries right here in Metro-Vancouver continue to be one of our best kept secrets, but probably not for long.”

For more information on Baja Amigos, please check out www.bajaamigos.net or call 1-866-999-BAJA (2252).

For more information on South Fraser Tours, please check out www.southfrasershuttlesandtours.com or call Dan direct at 604-839-2879.

Dan’s involvement in the labour movement includes elected and salaried positions with the IBEW, BCGEU, CUSW, TWU, PSAC, ACTRA and UBCP. Dan has also worked as a staff member for NDP Cabinet Ministers and MLAs, including several elected roles.

Lisa worked for years at various Dan & Lisa Goy in Cabo San Lucas bakeries and deli’s, including Safeway. OPTIONS in Surrey was her last employer as she worked as a cook at a North Surrey High School Day Care

On The Road With Baja Amigos.

program. Lisa also year’s actively involved in Girl Guides of Canada and raising the kids.

The Professional Division of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1518 (UFCW 1518) represents over 50 small businesses and several hundred of their employees. Professional Division members of UFCW 1518 are a diverse group, with professions ranging from Web Design to Barbershops, Insurance agencies to Graphic Design, woodworking to travel agencies, and many other unique small businesses.

Chaberton Estate Winery tasting room

NEWS

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

UFCW 1518 R E TA I L F O O D S Sobeys-Safeway weekly pay grievance

Arbitrator Ready rules in favour of bi-weekly pay, with conditions

“I find that Safeway’s proposed bi-weekly payroll violates Article 7.01 of the UFCW 1518 collective agreement and Article 6.12 of the UFCW 247 collective agreement.”

ON JULY 16, THE UNION RECEIVED THE AWARD FROM ARBITRATOR MR. VINCE READY ABOUT SOBEYS WEST’S (D.B.A. SAFEWAY) UNILATERAL MOVE TO A BI-WEEKLY PAYROLL.

Safeway’s announced changed violates the collective agreement and that Safeway should have provided more notice to the unions and employees. Ready said in his ruling: “I find that Safeway’s proposed bi-weekly payroll violates Article 7.01 of the UFCW 1518 collective agreement and Article 6.12 of the UFCW 247 collective agreement. The parties in their respective collective agreements clearly turned their minds to the frequency with which employees are to be paid. Consequently, this is not an issue that Safeway can unilaterally change without the agreement of the Locals. Certainly how frequently employees are paid is of considerable importance not just to the employees but also the unions who represent them.”

“Further, on matters that impact the payment of wages, even when that is just the frequency of the payment, an employer should provide as much notice as reasonably possible. I find that Safeway should have provided more notice about the intended changes.”

However, Ready held that there were compelling, unique circumstances to allow for a bi-weekly payroll.

Ready agreed with Safeway that the move to Sobeys IT platform was necessary and that Sobeys IT platform was unable to do a weekly payroll without enormous costs. He agreed there had been a material change in the circumstances since the collective agreement was ratified and that such a change has had a significant impact on Safeway operations in British Columbia.

Arbitrator Ready said: “I accept the evidence that the change of payroll platform, the inability of the Sobeys’ SAP payroll system to accommodate a weekly payroll, and the prohibitive

In his award, Ready found Safeway’s decision to go to a bi-weekly payroll violates the collective agreement. But, unfortunately, he exercised his authority to amend the collective agreement to allow for bi-weekly payroll.

BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS

R E TA I L F O O D S

When Safeway announced in June it would be converting to a bi-weekly payroll, the union immediately grieved to protect the rights of our members.

In the grievance, we took the position that such a move would violate Article 7.01 of the collective agreement and demanded an immediate halt to this conversion. We further raised the issue that Safeway had not complied with other legal requirements, such as its obligations under section 54 of the Labour Relations Code.

UFCW Local 247 also immediately grieved and took issue with the lack of notice under the Code.

Safeway, UFCW 1518 and UFCW 247 agreed to an expedited hearing on July 11 before arbitrator Vince Ready, one of the most respected and experienced arbitrators in the Province. The reason the parties agreed to an expedited hearing was so that the parties would receive a decision prior to the initial implementation of the bi-weekly salary in mid-July. In his award, Ready found that even if the parties had proceeded to a full hearing his decision would not have been any different.

In his award, Ready agreed with the unions that 16

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

cost of a separate weekly Safeway payroll. I find that that impact on Safeway operations in B.C. would be significant and the harm suffered by the employees to be relatively minor.”

While Ready found that a bi-weekly payroll should be allowed due to the unique circumstances before him, he also found that he ought to impose conditions that would minimize the adverse impact on our members.

Dismissing Safeway’s concerns, he ordered both a voluntary bridging loan and a part-time vacation bank.

In his ruling, Ready wrote: Bridge Loan:

Safeway will offer a one time bridge loan, equivalent to one week of gross earnings payable on the employee’s first “missed” deposit date. If employees choose to utilize this loan, equal payments will be made over the next 20 weeks (10 pay periods). I will leave the details of the bridge loan to the parties to work out.

Sobeys increases dividend to stockholders and announces closure of 50 stores THE COMPANY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN AN EARNINGS RELEASE IN JUNE FROM EMPIRE INC., PARENT COMPANY OF SOBEYS. This closure announcement does not include any Safeway locations in British Columbia. Of the 30 stores closing in western Canada, the Fort St. John Sobeys location is the only location closing in British Columbia.

“We remain concerned by some of the recent moves made by Sobeys. We will continue to advance the interests of Sobeys workers and the future of the Safeway banner in BC,” said Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518.

The company made the announcement as its earnings results showed quarter profit up to $131.3 million and revenue up to $5.94 billion.

Voluntary Severance grievance at Sobeys West (d.b.a. Safeway) The union has filed a policy grievance with Sobeys West (doing business as Safeway) over the issue of voluntary severance. During the course of bargaining in 2013, the employer committed to provide voluntary severance as part of the contract terms.

We have asked for the employer to immediately provide voluntary severance in according to what was agreed to in 2013.

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Part time Vacation bank:

Safeway will calculate the part time vacation pay based on prior year’s gross earnings as stated in the collective agreement and create a bank of those funds which can be taken as a lump sum (current practice) or withdrawn when vacation time off is taken. I will leave it to the parties to work out any Collective Agreement language that may need to be modified. If the parties cannot agree on the amending language I will remain seized to determine how the Collective Agreements are to be modified.”

Obviously we are disappointed by Ready’s award, notwithstanding the significant conditions attached to the bi-weekly payroll. The union’s legal counsel reviewed the decision and determined there are not sufficient grounds to appeal the award, given the limited nature of appeals of arbitration awards involving the exercise of an arbitrator’s discretion.

We will immediately start working with Safeway to implement the bridge loan and the part-time vacation bank.

R E TA I L F O O D S

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

Coopers Union Negotiating Committee: L-R Shari Jensen (Union Representative), Ronda Melbourne of Cooper’s #148 (Vernon), Brenda Higgins of Cooper’s #165 (Maple Ridge), Betty Ohashi of Cooper’s #104 (Kamloops), and Frank Pozzobon, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW 1518

Contract negotiations with Coopers heading to final offer selection PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT COOPERS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ARE PROCEEDING TO FINAL OFFER SELECTION. The Final Offer Selection process is outlined in Letter of Understanding #1 of the current Coopers Collective Agreement.

In Final Offer Selection both the Union and Employer will have the opportunity to present their own

final offer on the outstanding items to a third party arbitrator who will then make a binding decision.

This process is being used because the current negotiations are for a re-opener of the Coopers Collective Agreement; the full contract does not expire until February 28 2019.

The Union Negotiating Committee for Cooper’s bargaining

is Brenda Higgins of Cooper’s #165 (Maple Ridge), Ronda Melbourne of Cooper’s #148 (Vernon), and Betty Ohashi of Cooper’s #104 (Kamloops), assisted by Shari Jensen (Union Representative) and Frank Pozzobon (Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW 1518).

If you have any questions on Coopers Negotiations please contact your Union Representative.

Shoppers Food Mart (Mackenzie, B.C.) members ratify new contract

RATIFICATION MEETING,

R E TA I L F O O D S

Hornby Island Coop members accept terms for new contract

NEGOTIATIONS FOR UNION MEMBERS EMPLOYED AT SHOPPERS FOOD MART IN MACKENZIE CONCLUDED THIS SPRING WITH A NEW CONTRACT IN PLACE. Members at the store in Mackenzie voted in favour of accepting the terms of the new contract.

Highlights of the contract include: • • • •

Hornby Island-style: Charlie Wood and Amanda Millen joined by other members of Hornby Island Coop at their contract vote and ratification meeting, where they voted to accept terms for a new contract . Members received retroactive pay, overtime improvements for truck drivers, and wage increases of 2%-2%-2% in each year of the three-year contract.

three-year contract; wage increases of .50 cents/.50 cents/.75 cents in each year of the contract; signing bonus up to $400 for all members; improvements to contract language.

The new contract will expire on April 4, 2016.

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H E A LT H C A R E

UFCW 1518

Community Health Care members: Resources for you at ufcw1518.com

Simply go to the www.ufcw1518.com and click on “Your Workplace”, then “Health Care (HEABC)”, and you will be able to access all kinds of information, including: • your Union Representative and their contact info; • your Collective Agreement; • BC Care Aid Registry link: cachwr.bc.ca (all Community Health Workers must be registered here); • Hours Investigation Form; • Hours Investigation results; • Classification Review form; • Joint Community Health Retraining Fund application; • Care Aid Registry Removal information; • Community Health Disability Management link: www.CommHealthDM.ca

“I’ve asked that we continue adding relevant information for our Health Care sector members,” says Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW Local 1518. “This is a terrific resource for our members who are looking for info on a wide variety of topics,

Ivan Limpright, President

everything from their contract to Hours Investigations, retraining, and much more.”

I switched for a reason.

WE’LL HAVE YOUR BACK IF THINGS GET TOUGH UNION BENEFITS: As a member of UFCW you’re entitled to lending discounts, better rates, waived fees and peace of mind.

1.888.963.2000 | www.ComSavings.com

H E A LT H C A R E

COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE UNION WEBSITE WWW.UFCW1518.COM CONTAINS A VARIETY OF USEFUL INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND FORMS DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO YOU AND YOUR JOB.

ATTENTION COMMUNITY HEALTH MEMBERS

Community Health re-training funds available IF YOU WERE LAID OFF AFTER JANUARY 28, 2002 DUE TO RE-TENDERING, CONTRACTING OUT, OR BUMPING FROM A HEALTH CARE JOB IN THE COMMUNITY SUBSECTOR, -orIF YOU ARE A CURRENT EMPLOYEE IN A COMMUNITY SUBSECTOR JOB AND ARE INTERESTED IN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAINING COSTS.

A” at the back of the Facilities or Community Subsector Collective Agreements. For example: Resident Care Aide, Community Health Worker, Unit Clerk, Maintenance Worker.

5. Can I receive funding for a part-time training program?

Yes. 6. My job was not contracted out. However, I was laid off because I was bumped by an employee who lost their job due to contracting out. Am I eligible for retraining funds?

Yes.

The retraining funds are available as a result of a settlement between health unions, health employers and the BC Government related to a June, 2007 Supreme Court of Canada ruling on Bill 29. You can obtain further information and an application form posted on your union’s website or by contacting the Fund Administrator at 604-291-9611, or e-mail: fund2011@bcgeu.ca

7. My retraining program has a prerequisite course. Can I apply for funding for the prerequisite?

Yes. All applicants are limited to a lifetime maximum of $10,000. You must successfully complete the prerequisites before additional funding will be approved.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS H E A LT H C A R E

8. Can I apply for retraining funds if I am receiving EI, LTD, CPP Disability Pension or other financial support?

Yes, however your EI, LTD, CPP funds may be reduced by the amount of the retraining funds you receive.

1. What does “laid off due to contracting out” mean?

It means that the job you were doing was eliminated, and your old job is now being done by a private contractor.

2. What does “re-tendering” mean?

“Re-tendering” is defined as occurring when employees are laid off as a direct result of a Health Authority re-tendering a contract for services previously held by their Employer.

9. Can I go to a private Post Secondary Institution?

No, except in unique circumstances or when the course is not offered at a public institution.

All final decisions to be made by the Joint Community Health Retraining Fund committee.

3. What is the maximum amount of money that I can receive?

There is a lifetime maximum of $10,000. The money can only be used for tuition and related fees, books and required supplies.

10. Are casual employees eligible for funding?

Yes, providing the applicant has one year of service with their current employer and has completed the probationary period.

4. What job classification will be eligible for Training Funds?

You may access training funds to become qualified for any of the jobs listed in “Schedule 20

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

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submitted by the Municipal Pension Board of Trustees

You’re a savvy investor, and here are three reasons why.

ONE: Every two weeks, you invest in your future through your pension plan. You’re not spending that money on another latte – you are prudent.

TWO: You do not have all your eggs in one basket.

In fact, you can boast that you have a diversified real estate portfolio. Your portfolio is also a great example of responsible investing, showing that you are socially responsible.

THREE: You are investing in the economy – locally, provincially and internationally – and you are an employer of thousands. Income and spending in BC is about $1.3 billion (yes, billion) higher each year because of the savings in the BC public sector pension plans, created by retirees spending their pension dollars. This savings effect supports around 8,000 jobs per year. That, friends, is enough to support a city the size of Cranbrook. And, on top of all that, $775 million in income and approximately 5,000 jobs are supported through low management fees. Basically, you are a mogul. A smart mogul.

The truth is, investing can be complicated, and frankly, the riveting details of pension plans don’t exactly compete with the latest episode of The Bachelor.

(Actually, they don’t even compete with the Legislature Channel).

No worries – that’s why you rely on the experts to handle all the details. Delegating is everything. It’s wise though, to know at a high level, how it all works.

Let’s take a look at how the contributions you and your employer make are turned into a guaranteed monthly pension benefit that will last your entire life.

YOUR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

How contributions boost the economy and turn into pensions While you are toiling away and making those contributions, you’ll be glad to know your pension plan isn’t just sitting around twiddling its thumbs.

When you retire, the money you receive in your monthly pension benefit will be mostly funded by investment returns earned on the money you and your employer contributed to the Plan over the course of your career.

Approximately three-quarters of your pension will be paid for by investment returns. The contributions from members and employers are placed in a diverse portfolio of investments to maximize the value of the entire pension fund. That is why your Plan can provide a guaranteed pension benefit for your entire life.

Think about it – that’s an amazing value to you and your family. Just as awesome is the fact that your money is also benefitting your community and the economic well-being of the country.

The higher savings rate of BC’s public sector plan members will result in around $60 billion more

H E A LT H C A R E

How your pension plan proves you’re a financial whiz

investment and just over $85 billion added to the total GDP of Canada between 2012 and 2035, according to a recent study by the Conference Board of Canada.

How does it work? Let’s look at one of the many investments managed by the British Columbia Investment Management company (bcIMC). With a global portfolio of more than $110 billion, bcIMC is one of Canada’s largest institutional investors, helping finance retirement benefits of more than 522,000 plan members.

Here are a few in Metro Vancouver:

Support your investments

Savvy investments – from tourism to tech

• • • • • • • •

Next time you book a vacation, consider staying at a Delta hotel. In 2007, bcIMC purchased the Delta management company. Today, bcIMC directly owns 11 of the 43 Delta properties across Canada, and owns two properties in BC as a franchisee (Victoria’s Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa and the Grand Okanagan).

Bayview at Coal Harbour (apartments) Residence Inn Vancouver(Marriot Hotel) Northwoods Business Park (industrial, retail, residential) Braid Street (residential, retail, office) Yaletown 939 (apartments) 745 Thurlow (office) 3030 East Broadway (suburban office) Metropolitan (apartments)

A smart investor diversifies, and while bcIMC maintains a portfolio of tourism focused holdings like the Delta hotel properties, they also own commercial real estate.

One example of their many investments in real estate is the Broadway Tech Centre located in Vancouver. This compound will be completed in 2014 with 1.1 million square feet of leasable area in eight buildings, including offices, production, retail and a 5,000 square foot daycare center. When bcIMC bought the land in 1995, the long-term strategy was to redevelop the property and increase the use and value of the investment. Tenants include HSBC Bank Canada, BC Assessment, Bell Canada, Coastal Contacts, Nintendo Canada and British Columbia Lottery Corporation. The property has a zero per cent vacancy rate and occupancy costs are less than similar options in the downtown core.

These hotels create jobs. Recent renovations to the two BC hotels created 75 full-time and 60 part-time jobs in 2012. Overall, Delta employed 1,397 people in BC in 2011. Developing properties like the Delta hotel creates revenue and ensures long term growth of BC’s $13 billion tourist industry, and adds value to your plan’s investment portfolio, which helps fund your future pension.

Responsible and diversified real estate investments H E A LT H C A R E

Seventeen per cent of real estate assets managed by bcIMC are located in the province, and the properties are chosen with long-term sustainability and desirability in mind. Two thirds of the portfolio is aligned with national and international environmental certification programs for commercial buildings such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the Building Owners and Managers Association Building Environmental Standards (BOMA BESt) and Hotel Association of Green Key programs. `The properties selected are often near existing transit to align with the bcIMC environmental stewardship model and to make locations attractive to business. The goal of these investments is to create long-term sustainable cash flows to fund pension benefits. The BC real estate portfolio is diversified to best protect the investment value. Properties of mixed and different use are included to keep the level of risk low. For example, a temporarily low vacancy rate on an apartment building can be balanced by high demand on suburban office space.

Chances are, as you travel around BC’s cities, you will pass by one of the many properties your pension funds have helped finance and develop.

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UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

Construction created jobs, and now there are 45 permanent operation jobs and 4,000 employees at tenant companies. Complementary businesses, like food services and retail, have also developed to serve the center. The Broadway Tech Centre model has been so successful, bcIMC is taking the model to the 745 Thurlow development.

Think big: sound global investments

To protect the pension plan investments from changes in a specific country’s economic environment, the Plan also invests beyond Canada’s borders to keep asset portfolios balanced.

The Plan manages risk by ensuring it has a diverse global portfolio – if one country’s economy tanks, other parts of your investment remain safe.

Puget Sound Energy is a good example of a bcIMC global investment. In 2009, in partnership with the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, Macquarie Group, and Alberta Investment Management Corporation, bcIMC acquired this Washington power company, investing $535 million. Puget Sound Energy serves nearly 1.1 million electric customers through internal power generation, contracted power generation, natural gas, coal, and wind. Puget owns three wind farm facilities in Washington making it the second largest utility producer of wind power in the United States. The facility employs 2,800 people, and in 2012 BC supplied

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about 50 per cent of the natural gas supplies purchased

by Puget.

Learn more Your pension plan is a valuable asset, to you, your family and your community. Find out more about your pension at StraightTalk, mpp. straighttalk.pensionsbc.ca

PENSION FACTS • • • •

Your pension plan investments are managed by the fourth largest pension fund manager in Canada; Assets under management by bcIMC on behalf of BC public sector pension plans exceeds $86 billion; About 75 cents for every dollar of your future pension benefit will be paid for by investment returns; The large scale and professional management of the Plan enables it to operate very efficiently.

So you have the comfort of knowing your contributions aren’t being eaten up—or driven up—by high investment management fees. In fact, the total cost of investment management and pension administration for the Plan is significantly less than what most individual investors pay.

Important information about leaves of absence and vacations that you should know IF YOU ARE A HEATH CARE MEMBER COVERED BY THE COMMUNITY SUBSECTOR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, YOU CAN REQUEST A GENERAL ‘LEAVE OF ABSENCE’ (LOA) WITHOUT PAY. After you submit your request, it will be either approved or denied by your employer depending on the availability of other employees who are able to cover your work. (See Article 20.5 of your Collective Agreement.)

Please be aware that if you exceed 20 LOA days within a year, you will be billed for benefits for each day you have gone over. (See Article 20.6 of your Collective Agreement.)

Regular workers are entitled to take vacation time based on years of service. (See Article 18 of your Collective Agreement.)

If you have been denied a general LOA and told you must use your vacation days first (as you have not booked or used them entirely for the year), please call your Union Representative immediately as this is a violation of your rights under the Collective Agreement.

H E A LT H C A R E

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

Phase I

Community Health Disability Management team is here to help

Effective March 31, 2014, Community Health members working in all provincial Health Authorities, and covered under the Health Community Subsector collective agreement, will be referred to the EDMP if they are off work, or struggling at work, due to medical and/ or non-medical barriers. Members who miss one shift due to an occupational injury/illness, or five consecutive shifts due to a non-occupational injury/illness, will be referred and required to participate in the program. This applies to you if you work for Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Northern Health, Interior Health, Island Health or the Provincial Health Services Authority.

YOUR UNION HAS WORKED WITH THE OTHER UNIONS IN THE COMMUNITY BARGAINING ASSOCIATION (CBA) AND WITH EMPLOYERS TO DEVELOP A JOINT ENHANCED DISABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (EDMP).

EDMP is designed to assist you when you are absent from work or struggling at work due to an occupational or non-occupational illness or injury.

Community Health Disability Management (CHDM) and the CHDM team is your union representation in the Enhanced Disability Management Program.

EDMP has been negotiated by your union and employer and forms part of your collective agreement.

If you are a Community Health member, under the Health Services and Support Community Subsector collective agreement, and have questions about EDMP, their website contains valuable information and resources for you at www.commhealthdm.org

Phase II

Discussions continue with HEABC, the affiliate employer representatives and the unions, to move forward with implementation of the EDMP in affiliate worksites. Further information will be communicated and posted to the CHDM website as it becomes available.

You are employed by an affiliate if your direct employer is not one of the health authorities described above.

H E A LT H C A R E

Check your pay stubs for pension plan deductions

It is extremely important that Community Health Care Workers check their pay stubs to ensure that if you are signed up for the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), your employer is taking off the proper MPP deductions. While rare, it has happened that a member discovers the employer has not taken any MPP deductions off of their pay. To avoid this scenario, please check your pay stubs on a regular basis.

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INDUSTRIAL

UFCW 1518

Members at Sunrise Poultry narrowly vote to accept terms for a new contract Sunrise Poultry, produces a wide variety of raw, ready to cook and fully cooked fresh and frozen poultry and meat

products for retail, food service and commercial customers.

Members brought a broad cross-section of issues to the table through a union negotiating committee made up of members from the plant assisted by union representative Brian Nasu.

Congratulations to UFCW 1518’s newest Chief Shop Stewards!

ELECTIONS WERE HELD RECENTLY FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF SHOP STEWARD AT THE LILYDALE TURKEY PLANT AND SUNWEST FOOD PROCESSORS, WHERE ADAM MATRAN AND RAJIV MEHRA HAVE BEEN ELECTED RESPECTIVELY BY THEIR CO-WORKERS TO REPRESENT MEMBERS OF LOCAL 1518.

Adam has been working for Lilydale Co-Op Turkey Plant since 2006, and Rajiv has been working for Sunwest Food Processors since 2008.

Rajiev describes the work environment at his worksite before he became involved with the union. “I was being harassed by my

manager daily, and I was also injured on the job,” he says. “The union did everything to get me back to work.”

When Rajiev received an e-mail from the union informing him about free shop steward education courses, he decided to take one online. He was tired of people shaking with fear every day when certain managers walked by. “I made up my mind to do something good and better for the plant,” he says.

“So I ran in the election for Shop Steward.”

Adam is motivated with the same energy to support his coworkers at Lilydale. “These folks deserve better treatment,” says

Adam. “Bullying and harassing behaviour is unacceptable. I am standing up to stop that.” Adam is looking forward to being the Co-Chair of the Health and Safety Committee at his workplace, “I can’t believe how many people are being injured at work. I’m hoping to make a change.”

Adam and Rajiv will be joining hundreds of other UFCW Local 1518 members who are active and passionate about making their workplace and union stronger. If you are interested in becoming a Shop Steward, talk to your Union Rep and sign up for some of our educational and training courses.

INDUSTRIAL

AFTER A SET OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER, SUNRISE MEMBERS RATIFIED A NEW AGREEMENT THAT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO WORKING CONDITIONS AND WAGES.

eCycle Solutions members win gains through joining UFCW 1518 INDUSTRIAL

AFTER A PRODUCTIVE SET OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER, ECYCLE MEMBERS RATIFIED A NEW TWO- YEAR AGREEMENT THAT INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO WORKING CONDITIONS AND WAGES.

By working together, eCycle members were able to achieve concrete resolutions to almost all of those issues.

President Ivan Limpright sees the result as a major win for our members.

eCycle Solutions, located in Chilliwack, recycles and warehouses electronic recyclables from across BC, and operates some of the most advanced and secure electronics recycling facilities at 6 locations across Canada.

Members brought a broad cross-section of issues to the table through a union negotiating committee made of eCycle members Nick Rushiti and Tony Tomlinson, assisted

by Bruce Temple and Kim Balmer.

“When we work together we can positively change our working conditions,” said Limpright. “Our union is fundamental to making the lives of British Columbians better. “ UFCW 1518 is proud to have helped workers at eCycle who joined our union in 2013. If you know of anyone who wants to have a union at their workplace please refer them to www.Join-a-Union.com.

Johnston’s Packers members ratify new contract UFCW 1518 MEMBERS AND JOHNSTON’S PACKERS OF CHILLIWACK AGREED TO TERMS FOR A NEW CONTRACT IN LATE JUNE, WITH MEMBERS VOTING TO RATIFY THE CONTRACT BY 95%.

“Congratulations to our members at Johnston’s Packers,” said Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518. “The improvements won in this contract came about because of the clear support of the members for their Union Bargaining Committee, and we know from past experience that kind of support always makes a positive difference.”

Highlights of the new deal include: • • • • •

four-year contract, with wage increases on 2%-2%1.5%-2% in each year; retroactive pay back to December 31, 2013; contract language improvements including new probationary period language, and troubleshooter process language; boot allowance improvements; duties now listed under “levels”

Johnston Packers is a local, independent company providing custom slaughtering services that employs approximately 100 UFCW 1518 members in the Fraser Valley.

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UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

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UFCW CANADA ACTIVISTS FROM ACROSS CANADA GATHERED IN VANCOUVER, JUNE 6 TO 8, AT THE 28TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DEFENSE FUND (NDF) CONVENTION TO BUILD STRENGTH, FAIRNESS, AND SOLIDARITY. Over the past three decades, the NDF has provided UFCW Canada members and their Local Unions with extra financial resources and bargaining strength when faced with a strike or lockout. The NDF Convention also provides delegates from UFCW Canada Local Unions the opportunity to share industry insights, review bargaining trends in UFCW Canada core industries, and learn new strategies to advance fairness for UFCW Canada members and all working people.

UFCW 1518 President Ivan Limpright welcomed the delegates to Vancouver, and talked about the importance of the NDF for UFCW members across Canada.

“We’re here to make sure that employers know we think workers are worth more, not less, and that we’re prepared to fight to make that point,” said Limpright.

“There are too many politicians in power in this country, starting with our Prime Minister, who want us to be disconnected,” he said. “They don’t see a problem with the fact that for the average worker, real income measured against inflation has been dropping for decades now, or that slashing basic services like health and education means we all pay a price, and no one moreso than workers.”

“Well, we’re better than that,” said Limpright, “and the creation and success of the NDF proves that. A movement by workers and for workers and funded by workers to support workers. We really are all in this together.”In his opening address, National President Paul Meinema welcomed the delegates to an ever-stronger NDF — stronger still with thousands of retail-sector members and their Local Unions recently joining the NDF. “It is very inspiring to see how the NDF has become a leading force for change and fairness over the past 28 years. The NDF is essential to making sure that all our core industries are places where people can provide for themselves, raise a family and retire with dignity.”

Brother Meinema also thanked the delegates for their support of the Together Fairness Works media and grassroots campaign, launched last fall, to fight back against the antunion, anti-worker agenda. He also shared the results of a

new survey that shows the campaign has been very effective in raising public awareness that unions are vital in providing fairness for all working people and families in Canada.

“This convention is all about building on that progress, on taking our member-to-member engagement and mobilization strategies to the next level,” said the UFCW Canada leader to the more than 200 convention delegates.The national president’s remarks were followed by a presentation

by UFCW V.P. Mark Lauritsen on the impact of globalization on the packing house sector. Brother Lauritsen is the UFCW Director for the Food Processing, Packing and Manufacturing Division. He was followed by Dr. Elaine Bernard, Director of the Labor & Worklife Program at Harvard Law School. Sister Bernard encouraged delegates to engage their co-workers, families, and neighbours about the fairness unions bring to members — and to the larger community.

For the balance of the convention, delegates joined their respective sector councils for the packinghouse, hospitality, soft drink, flour milling and retail industries. Within these breakout meetings, delegates also participated in Together

Fairness workshops to help them empower and engage their fellow members to campaign against the ultra-conservative, anti-worker agenda.

Top, L-R: UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema, Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW Local 1518, welcomed the 200 conference delegates to Vancouver. Bottom, L-R: Kevin Sparkes of Sunrise Poultry, Shari Jensen (UFCW 1518 Union Representative), and Kathy Curr of Colonial Farms in Armstrong.

INDUSTRIAL

National Defence Fund Convention builds strength, solidarity and fairness

J&L Beef member’s picnic INDUSTRIAL J&L Beef members organized and put on a picnic at Bear Creek park in Surrey on April 13, with over 50 members plus family attending. UFCW Local 1518 provided a cake (union-made) and some prizes to help with the celebration. With their contract expiring August 31, J&L Beef members are getting ready for negotiations with proposal submissions, and were reviewing the comparison chart of what’s in their contract and the contract UFCW 1518 members work under at Sunrise Poultry.

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THE VERDICT BY THE B.C. LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD (BCLRB) THAT MEXICO HAD BLACKLISTED MEXICAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA SUSPECTED OF BEING UNION SUPPORTERS ROCKED THE B.C. LEGISLATURE IN LATE MARCH, AS THE OPPOSITION DEMANDED ACTION FROM PREMIER CHRISTY CLARKE TO TELL MEXICO TO STOP THE BLACKLISTING. “The B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled that the Mexican government had blacklisted a Mexican seasonal worker from returning to Canada because of suspected union sympathies,” explained NDP Leader of the Opposition Adrian Dix during Question Period on March 26.

“I’m asking the Premier, given in this case we’re talking about the blacklisting of people who are asking for their basic employment rights…. That’s what we’re talking about. Will the Premier, given the decision and the ruling of B.C. Labour Relations Board, take action to ensure that workers in that situation get the same rights as every other worker in British Columbia?....Will she take action? Will she join with me, for example,

in sending a joint letter to the Mexican consulate saying that this practice is completely unacceptable to her?”

“We absolutely on this side of the House believe that every worker in British Columbia has the right to be protected,” answered the premier. “Every worker in British Columbia deserves to know that the law is there to protect them. We believe in that. We stand for that, and those rules exist across the board to protect people no matter where they come from.”

As for sending any letter to the Mexico government, the premier declined to commit, while scrambling to respond without specifics. “We have responsibilities to fulfill.

We intend to fulfill them.

We want to ensure that every worker in our province, whether they are temporary or whether they are permanent, has their rights respected as they should be.”

The blacklisting charges were brought to the BCLRB by UFCW Canada Local 1518, which represents members at Sidhu and Sons Nursery Ltd. in the Lower Mainland.

The BCLRB delivered its ruling on the blacklisting charges on March 20, 2014.

INDUSTRIAL

Blacklist verdict rocks BC Legislature

The Mexican Consulate’s blacklisting of migrant farmworkers sparked protests at the Consulate offices in downtown Vancouver. A coffin represented the death of migrant workers’ rights

H E A LT H & S A F E T Y

UFCW 1518

Breast cancer research study for female shiftworkers ARE YOU A WOMAN WHO WORKS SHIFTS AND LIVES IN THE LOWER MAINLAND? YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A SLEEP IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM THAT MAY IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND HELP REDUCE BREAST CANCER. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT WOMEN SHIFT WORKERS EXPOSED TO LIGHT AT NIGHT ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR BREAST CANCER.

participation will help us better understand how to prevent breast cancer in shift workers for the future.

HEALTH & SAFETY

If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to participate in the study: • Are a woman between 40-65 years of age • Work rotating shifts or permanent nights at least three times per month for at least two years • Currently living or working in the greater Vancouver area If you meet these requirements, you may qualify to participate in the study. For more information, please contact Carola Muñoz at 604-822-1315, or email shiftworkers.cancerprevent@ubc.ca

With your help, we hope to learn more about how to prevent breast cancer in shift workers for the future.

Why should I take part?

Better sleep not only helps reduce stress and mood disorders, but also may improve weight management, memory, heart health, and overall quality of life. Your

Powell River “Walk for Truth” event takes on asbestos ON JULY 12, OVER 100 PEOPLE TURNED OUT IN THE SUMMER HEAT FOR AREA FUND’S THIRD ANNUAL “WALK FOR TRUTH” EVENT IN POWELL RIVER. PARTICIPANTS WALKED 2 KILOMETERS CARRYING SIGNS ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF ASBESTOS AND TOSSED 107 DAISIES INTO MCGUFFIE CREEK IN HONOUR OF THE 107,000 PEOPLE THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) ESTIMATES DIE EACH YEAR DUE TO ASBESTOS. Larry Stoffman, UFCW Local 1518’s Director of Health & Safety, is an expert in asbestos-related disease and was one of the guest speakers at the event. Stoffman pointed out that all workers have a right to know: • where all materials containing asbestos are located in their workplace; • that all such materials are labelled; • that strict controls are in place to eliminate ALL exposure.

AREA is the Asbestos Related Research, Education & Advocacy Fund, and it works to create awareness of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos-related diseases are the #1 occupational killer in BC and each year the number of deaths continues to climb.

We are all at risk for exposure to asbestos; products containing asbestos are in our homes, our work places and our public buildings. Walk for Truth raises awareness of the hazards of asbestos, honours all asbestos victims and raises funds for asbestos-related research, education and advocacy projects.

Larry Stoffman, UFCW 1518 Director of Health & Safety and expert on asbestos-related diseases was a guest speaker. Participants walked with signs about the hazards of asbestos

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Heat Stress: Cool Solutions UFCW 1518 MEMBERS AND OTHER WORKERS REQUIRE INCREASED PROTECTION TO PREVENT OCCUPATIONAL HEAT STRESS, AND THE SHOCK OF EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH HEAT AT A VANCOUVER GROCERY STORE THIS SUMMER DROVE HOME THIS REALITY.

Temperatures were recorded as high as 37C, and members complained of the effects of heat stress. Workers subjected to excessive heat have died, including Kim Warner, 44, who died in 2001 from heat stroke in Barrie, Ontario during a 12-hour day shift at a Weston Bakeries plant in temperatures estimated at 49C. Lack of water and rest breaks also

contributed to this fatality.

Two and a half years later Weston Bakeries was fined $215,000 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Who is at risk?

Kim Warner’s death was not an isolated incident. His death is but one of an estimated 220 workers in Canada and the United States who die annually from occupational heat stress.

If you believe you are being subjected to excessive heat (or cold in the winter), it is very important that you contact your union Health & Safety Committee co-chair or

Union Representative and report what is happening.

The employer has a legal duty and obligation to provide a safe workplace, and this includes not subjecting members to excessive heat. If the employer does not do so, WorkSafe BC should be called in immediately.

In the absence of proper heat stress controls and lack of response to expressed concerns, as a last resort workers should exercise their right to refuse unsafe work under the Health and Safety Legislation for B.C. (Sec. 3.12) or the Federal Code (Part 2).

This isn’t just good advice — it may literally save lives!

BC Federation of Labour WorkSafeBC’s failure to pursue criminal charges over two fatal sawmill explosions in Burns Lake and Prince George triggered a review of WorkSafeBC’s practices, and while the WorkSafeBC Review opens the door to increased enforcement and prosecution, it doesn’t go far enough says the B.C. Federation of Labour.

“Increased enforcement and prosecution of negligent employers is fundamental to improving worker safety and compliance with the law,” said Irene Lanzinger, B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary Treasurer. “While we are encouraged that the Report takes initial steps in that direction, it fails to take the bold steps necessary to make substantial change.”

The B.C. Federation of Labour provided recommendations to government that would ensure that negligent employers were held accountable for workplace serious injuries and deaths.

The Macatee Report incorporates some of the BCFED’s recommendations, including providing the WCB with stronger and more effective enforcement tools, and putting systems in place to make it possible for the prosecution of negligent employers.

However, the Report is missing key measures recommended by the BCFED that are required to achieve the successful prosecution of negligent employers,

such as a dedicated Crown Prosecutor, a Crown charge assessment policy specific to workplace death, and education for prosecutors, police services and WCB investigative officers around criminal negligence from a workplace health and safety perspective.

“We urge the government to turn their attention to these outstanding demands,” said Lanzinger. “To really make a meaningful impact, prevention, enforcement and accountability must work hand in hand.”

Despite advances on the enforcement side, the Macatee Report takes a big step backwards with the introduction of worker ticketing.

“The BCFED is vehemently opposed to the recommendation regarding on-site ticketing of workers,” said Lanzinger. “It is the employer who has the power and legal responsibility to create and enforce a safe workplace.

All this does is shift the blame and responsibility from the employer to the worker.

“This recommendation is an insult to the seriously injured workers of Babine & Lakeland Mills, and the families of those workers who were killed.”

HEALTH & SAFETY

WorkSafeBC review takes first step towards improved enforcement, but needs to go further

EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS Shop Steward courses underway in 2014 UFCW 1518

The union has been offering 1-day Shop Steward courses at different locations around the province this year, and members interested in taking such a course are encouraged to sign up via the union website (www.ufcw1518. com) or by calling the union office (604-5261518 or toll-free 1-800-661-3708).

“Members will find the instruction and training you receive to be worthwhile and rewarding,” says Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518.

“Virtually all the Local 1518 members who have taken our Shop Steward training in the past have commented on what a positive experience it was for them. The skills you

learn and the experiences you gain in union education courses such as this are tools that can empower you and your co-workers, both on the job and off.” Further information on Shop Steward courses and union education can be found at www.ufcw1518.com.

Prince George Shop Stewards school, May 2014. L-R: Cindy Graham (Save-On #998), Christine Holowka (Save-On #967), Cheryl Fillion (Save-On #968), Sharon Barnes (Save-ON #965), Kaci Martens (Save-On #968), Michael Oke (Save-On #968), Raj Sharma (Save-On #967), Mary-Lou Fonda (Overwaitea #23), Karen Scott Wade (Overwaitea #23), and Lorraine Ausman (Union Representative)

UFCW 1518 Scholarships

UFCW 1518 is pleased to make a number of scholarships and bursaries to our members and their families.

“The value of education and personal development is in fact invaluable,” says Ivan Limpright, President

of UFCW 1518. “As tuition and education costs continue to soar, these scholarships provide members and their families with valuable financial assistance. If you (or your children) are attending or planning to attend post-secondary schools in

THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION, LOCAL 1518, OFFERS 20 SCHOLARSHIPS OF $1,000 EACH TO STUDENTS BEGINNING OR CONTINUING STUDIES IN A FULL ACADEMIC PROGRAMME OF STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF B.C., UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, OR AT A COLLEGE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.

B.C., I urge you to apply for any and all of the scholarships that fit your needs.”

You can find more information and/ or apply for all of these scholarships online by going to ufcw1518.com/ scholarships.

good standing. Those who wish to be considered must give full details of their own or their parents’ membership in the Union.

To obtain an application for UFCW Local 1518 scholarships, contact your nearest high school, college, or university or you can contact UBC Enrolment Services.

Contact:

10 Awards are made to students entering from grade 12 and 10 awards are made to continuing students. The awards are normally made to the applicants with the highest standing in the final examinations. Students entering from Grade 12 are considered on the basis either of standing received by recommendation, or in the January or June government examinations.

To be eligible, candidates must be a member, or the son, daughter, or legal ward of a member of the Union in

UBC Enrolment Services 1200-1874 East Mall , Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 Phone: 604-822-9836 Email: questions@askme.ubc.ca

Scholarship application form and deadline also available at: www.students.ubc.ca/finance/types-of-financialsupport/scholarships-awards/affiliation-awards/

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My UFCW 1518 webCampus experience James Putnam, Local 1518 UFCW LOCAL 1518 AND UFCW CANADA MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RAVING ABOUT THE UNION’S GROUNDBREAKING ONLINE EDUCATION PROGRAM, WEBCAMPUS, WHICH OFFERS FREE ONLINE COURSES TO ALL UFCW CANADA MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

The webCampus Human Rights & Diversity course helped me realize how important it was for me to give a voice to those who grow our food.

“But at its root this project was about respect. Respect for all workers and human beings, who are deserving of dignity regardless of where they were born. The webCampus Human Rights & Diversity course helped me realize how important it was for me to give a voice to those who grow our food. Simply put, how can I expect

my children to one day work in an environment of dignity and respect if I don’t work today to help create such a culture?”

“Of course a huge asset for me in the creation of this project was the Design Your Own Webpage and Blog course. I knew nothing about blogs before taking the course, and while searching for a unique way to demonstrate my learning, I realized that I could not only talk about an issue that is important to me, but also do it

Since I began this project, I have learned so much about blog creation. It’s knowledge that I will use in life and be able to share with my two young daughters.

in a creative way. Since I began this project, I have learned so much about blog creation. It’s knowledge that I will use in life and be able to share with my two young daughters.

As a member of the UFCW for over 24 years, I have truly benefitted from the opportunities afforded to me by webCampus and my union. I would like to thank UFCW Canada for helping me learn and grow in new ways.”

E D U C AT I O N

While many UFCW Canada members take webCampus courses out of personal interest, others see them as a way to develop their professional skills and add job qualifications to their resume.

Local 1518 member James Putnam, for instance, has applied his webCampus learning experience to complete a Mohawk College Labour Studies Certificate.

James, who works at Sobeys in Vancouver, has taken over fifteen webCampus courses. He decided to apply the skills that he learned in the webCampus course Design Your Own Webpage and Blog to raise awareness of migrant worker issues. As part of his Mohawk College Labour Studies project, James created a blog and Twitter account to write about the plight of temporary foreign workers in Canada.

“The part of my project that I am most proud of,” says James, “is the blog post I wrote about the history of Chinese railway workers in Canada. A union’s future lies in fostering and representing a diverse membership, and we need to understand our country’s history to know that diversity has always been an issue in the Canadian workforce. I was able to provide a local perspective on the rail workers who laboured in my community after volunteering at my local Heritage Centre. My blog post demonstrated that we all in some way have a personal connection to the issue of temporary foreign workers.”

in age from 6 to 24 — attending school in Mexico, Guatemala, the Philippines, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and El Salvador.

scholarships

E D U C AT I O N

UFCW CANADA BEGGS, DOWLING, & MATHIEU SCHOLARSHIPS

5 scholarships of $1,000 are awarded each year by UFCW Canada to active members in Western Canada and their family members for those attending full-time studies at a Canadian university, college, or other recognized postsecondary institution. To apply, simply go to www.ufcw. ca , click on the “UFCW Canada scholarships” link, and complete the online application.

In a span of three years, over 13,500 scholarship applications from around the globe have been received.

COLUMBIA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline for application is September 30.

The Columbia Institute is committed to lifelong learning that benefits all segments of society, and has two scholarships for which UFCW 1518 members can apply. 14 “Lifelong Learning” scholarships of $1,000 are available each year, and the “Dennis McGann Bursary” of $1,000 is available to students studying Communications.

UFCW INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, the UFCW International awards 2 scholarships worth $8,000 (4 years X $2,000) to two UFCW Canada members, or their dependants. Please visit www. ufcw1518.com/education/scholarships for application and eligibility information, or e-mail scholarship@ufcw. org with any questions you may have.

Qualifications:

24 or older, BC resident, Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, Not currently enrolled in a training or academic program (pre-requisite courses do not count as enrollment).

Deadline for application is June 3.

If you are unable to apply online, you may request an application by writing to: UFCW International Union, Attn: Scholarship Program 1775 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

Contact:

awards@columbiainstitute.ca Phone: 604.408.2500 Fax: 604.408.2525

UFCW CANADA MIGRANT WORKERS SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, UFCW Canada grants 20 scholarships to migrant or temporary foreign workers in Canada, and their families.

Details:

The Columbia Institute is committed to lifelong learning that benefits all segments of society. At Columbia, we recognize that the skyrocketing cost of education makes it difficult for working people and mature students to return to the classroom for retraining and skills upgrading.

The Columbia Institute Awards program is one of the few scholarship programs designed to support the financial needs of adult learners interested in re-training and skills development. Join the growing community of Columbia Award winners.

Qualifications:

Any migrant or temporary foreign worker in Canada can nominate a family member in their home country for the scholarship. The nominee must be between 4 and 25 years of age; attending or planning to attend an educational institution; and is either the child, grandchild, sister, brother, niece or nephew of the nominator.

Deadline to apply for the 2014 round of Migrant Workers Scholarships is December 31, 2014.

Applications may be submitted via mail to: Attn: Awards Columbia Institute 1200 - 1166 Alberni St. Vancouver, BC V6E 3Z3 For more information, please go to: www. columbiainstitute.ca/scholarships

To find out more about the UFCW Canada Migrant Workers Scholarships program, and to download applications or apply online, visit ufcw.ca/ migrantscholarship. The 20 recipients of the 2012 UFCW Canada Migrant Worker Scholarships were all nominated by a family member working as a migrant or temporary foreign worker in Canada. The recipients are a diverse group of young people from the Global South, ranging 34

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518

Dennis McGann Bursary

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Details:

You can upload your application/essay via the online application, email, or mail to: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Dick Martin Scholarship Award 135 Hunter Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1M5

Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant who is enrolling or enrolled in full or part time Communications studies at an accredited public post-secondary institution in Canada. Financial need must be demonstrated. This bursary also considers community service.

The Columbia Institute is committed to lifelong learning that benefits all segments of society. At Columbia, we recognize that the skyrocketing cost of education makes it difficult for working people and mature students to return to the classroom for retraining and skills upgrading.

The Columbia Foundation, the Canadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia (CUPE BC), Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM), NOW Communications, and the McGann family have established the Dennis McGann Bursary. This exciting new bursary program is designed for those studying or planning to study Communications who demonstrate a commitment to the issues and actions affecting working people.

Applications may be submitted via mail to: Attn: Awards Columbia Institute 1200 - 1166 Alberni St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3Z3 For more information, please go to: www. columbiainstitute.ca/scholarships

CCOHS DICK MARTIN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Qualifications:

Available to any student enrolled, either full-time or parttime, in an occupational health and safety related course or program leading to an occupational health and safety certificate, diploma or degree at an accredited college or university in Canada. Programs include mine safety, occupational or industrial health and safety, industrial hygiene, safety management or other related safety degree program.

Contact email: scholarship@ccohs.ca Contact phone: 800.263.8466 For more information, please go to: http://www.ccohs. ca/scholarship/entries/

Details:

To apply for the award, post-secondary students are invited to submit an essay on a topic that best fits their aspirations in the field of OH&S. Entries will be judged

scholarships

Qualifications:

on their knowledge of the subject matter, understanding the principles and values of Dick Martin, and understanding the role of CCOHS.

RETAIL MEAT PROGRAM THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY (FOR MEMBERS OF UFCW 1518)

If you are interested in committing to a 9 month program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to enter employment as a meat cutter, then an excellent opportunity awaits you! Through the generosity of Local Union 1518 and a partnership with Thompson Rivers University, you have an opportunity to complete a certificate in Retail Meat Cutting with full tuition and partial living expenses covered

by Local 1518 during the 9 month program.

What you need to do: • •

Complete an application form Complete the reference form (have an employer, former employer, a former teacher, a minister, or anyone that you feel can speak about your character complete this form)

Once Thompson Rivers University receives your application package there will be verification of your standing with your union. You will then complete an Accuplacer assessment that will assist us in determining your writing and math skills. Admission requirements into the program are a minimum of grade 10 math and english skills. If your test results are lower than the admission requirements, Thompson Rivers University will assist in directing you to appropriate upgrading programs.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to launch a career in a solid industry that is always seeking talented and dedicated people. Your Union will support you while Thompson Rivers will assist you in obtaining that goal.

For further information, please contact Ken Jakes at: 250828-5351, or email: kjakes@tru.ca.

E D U C AT I O N

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1518