THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LOCALS 175 & 633 UFCW CANADA

VOLUME XIVNO. 4

AUGUST2005

Locals 175 & 633Locals 175 & 633 making a differencemaking a differencePAGES � - ��

President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

Secretary-Treasurer’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

FUNDRAISING REPORTLocals 175 & 633 Contribution totals $250,000 for 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . �

Ted on the roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

Fundraising Walks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

Ninety-two golfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HEALTH & SAFETYLocals 175 & 633 – making a difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

CONFERENCES2005 Staff Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

NEGOTIATIONS Offer affecting 30,000 UFCW retail members rejected. . . . . . . . . ��

New agreement for food workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��

Car rental workers win first contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��

First agreement at Super C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��

Canada Safeway workers in North West Ontario ratify new contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��

New contract for members at Southampton Flour Milling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

Members at North American Lumber unanimously ratify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

New agreement at McDaniel’s YIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �

Eight hundred poultry workers secure new contracts . . �

TRAINING & EDUCATIONMembers and Stewards Course Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��

UFCW LOCAL 175President

Wayne HanleySecretary-Treasurer

Jerry CliffordRecorder

Betty PardyExecutive Assistants

Shawn Haggerty, Jim Hastings,

Teresa Magee

UFCW LOCAL 633President

Dan BondySecretary-Treasurer

Marylou MallettRecorder

Neil Hotchkiss

PROVINCIAL OFFICE2200 Argentia Road

Mississauga L5N 2K7 905-821-8329

Toll free 1-800-565-8329Fax 905-821-7144

Benefits RepresentativesSherree Backus,

Emmanuelle Lopez-TambascoBenefits Intake Representative

Brenda Simmons

Communnications RepresentativesCheryl Mumford, Jennifer Tunney

Health & Safety RepresentativeJanice Klenot

Senior Legal CounselGeorgina Watts

Legal CounselMichael Hancock, Naveen Mehta,

Rebecca WoodrowLegal Representative

Fernando Reis

Organizing RepresentativesSteve Robinson, Kevin Shimmin

Pay EquityMichael Duden

CENTRAL EAST REGIONDirector

Luc LacelleUnion Representatives

Jehan Ahamed, Mona Bailey, Tim Deelstra, John DiFalco, Paul Jokhu,

Anthony DiMaio, Rob Nicholas

CENTRAL WEST REGION412 Rennie StreetHamilton L8H 3P5

905-545-8354Toll free: 1-800-567-2125

Fax: 905-545-8355Director

Harry SuttonUnion Representatives

Joe DeMelo, John DiNardo, Linval Dixon, Rick Hogue, Fernando Reis,

Dan Serbin, Kelly Tosato

� Graphic design - ARTiFACT graphic design

CONTENTS

cep Local 571

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONDirectorSharon GallUnion RepresentativesJudith Burch, Matt Davenport, Sylvia Groom, Angela Mattioli, Roy Reed

EASTERN REGION20 Hamilton Avenue NorthOttawa K1Y 1B6613-725-2154Toll free 1-800-267-5295Fax 613-725-2328DirectorDan LacroixUnion RepresentativesSimon Baker, Chris Fuller, Paul Hardwick, Marilyn Lang, Daniel Mercier, Jacques Niquet

NORTH WEST REGIONRoom 21, Lakehead Labour Centre929 Fort William RoadThunder Bay P7B 3A6 807-346-4227Toll free 1-800-465-6932Fax 807-346-4055DirectorShawn HaggertyUnion RepresentativesColby Flank, David Noonan

SOUTH WEST REGION124 Sydney Street SouthKitchener N2G 3V2519-744-5231Toll free 1-800-265-6345Fax 519-744-8357DirectorRay BromleyUnion RepresentativesWendy Absolom, Kevin Dowling, Angus Locke, Julie Johnston, Rick Wauhkonen

TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTRESuite 700, 1450 Meyerside DriveMississauga L5T 2N5905-564-2500Toll Free 1-800-728-8902Fax 905-564-2898Director of EducationVictor CarrozzinoEducation RepresentativesGeorgina Broeckel, Gail Carrozzino,Kelly Provost-Nicholas, Ashleigh Vink, Dave White

WAYNE HANLEY

Pres

iden

t’s M

essa

ge

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Plan now for Fall events

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. Labour Day Weekend is fast approaching, as is the planning

for this year’s many festivities. It was inspiring to see so many of our members turn out for last year’s parades and events. The “We will organize Wal-Mart” signs were very successful and garnered a lot of interest from other unionized workers and the public.

Supporting Labour Day activities is important because it sends a strong message – that Ontario’s hardworking men and women are a significant element of society and a force to be reckoned with.

I hope to see even more members out this year so please check with your regional office or district Labour Council for events in your area.

I want to thank everyone who came out to leukemia fundraising activities over the summer. The staff and I are always impressed with the generosity and dedication of the members and we appreciate your continued support.

After Labour Day, of course, is the beginning of school. For college and university students, the start of a new school year often brings stress over exorbitant tuition fees. In the Secretary-Treasurer’s column, Jerry Clifford discusses the poorly-funded education system in Ontario and the students burdened with the cost.

To help mitigate high costs, the Local offers several means of furthering your education. In the past year, the Training & Education Centre continued its impressive work by establishing High School Credit courses online and dramatically increasing the number of other online courses available. Last year, 4,447 members participated in courses offered through the local union. In the first six months of 2005 alone, more than 3,760 members took part in courses and we hope to see more every year.

In March, Mohawk College and the local union reaffirmed our mutual commitment to labour education and the Locals’ Labour Studies Certificate Program. During 2004, more than 3,300 members attained college credits by taking courses through the Local.

I believe that offering these college credit courses is helpful to members who want to attend a post-secondary institution. It can lower tuition costs by reducing the number of credits you need to satisfy your diploma requirements and it gives you a head start on Labour Studies.

For those pursuing college or university, the Local awards 56 scholarships every year to members or their family members. Each year it is inspiring to receive your applications and know that so many people are pursuing their educational goals.

I encourage you and your co-workers to take advantage of any courses that interest you. Also remember that your immediate family members can take these courses free of charge as well.

Published six times yearly. ISSN no. 1703-3926

CHECKOUT is an official publication of Locals 175 & 633 of theUnited Food & Commercial Workers.

Web site: www.ufcw175.comE-mail: membership@ufcw175.com

AUGUST 2005

THE STAFF AND I ARE

ALWAYS IMPRESSED

WITH THE GENEROSITY

AND DEDICATION OF

THE MEMBERS AND WE

APPRECIATE YOUR

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Are you moving?Secretary-Treasurer’s M

essage

JERRY CLIFFORD

�

Ontario post-secondary students pay the second highest tuition in Canada. A

university student in the 1990-91 school year paid $1,680 for a full year’s tuition. For the school year ending in 2005, students shelled out an average of $4,960 for just one year.

Many take out loans and work part-time jobs to afford their schooling. Mid to low income families face increasing difficulty in sending their children to school because their income does not increase at anywhere near the same rate (295 per cent since 1990) as tuition fees.

And these statistics only represent the people who attend college or university. There is an enormous number of potential students who, because of finances, simply cannot attend. It is estimated that of children from low-income

families, who live beyond commuting distance to a university, only 3 per cent will end up attending a post-secondary educational institution.

Post-secondary education is becoming accessible only to those with money. The Ontario government must do more to assist and educate anyone who wants to pursue post-secondary education. Though a two-year tuition freeze was instituted last year, it is not enough. In Quebec, college is free for residents. University tuition fees average only about $1,890 per year, as a tuition freeze has been in place for 15 of the last 20 years.

Nor does the student loan system work. The level of debt accrued by Ontario students is unacceptable and often a difficult burden after graduation. Debt

I ENCOURAGE THOSE OF YOU ATTENDING, OR PLANNING TO ATTEND, COLLEGE OR

UNIVERSITY TO APPLY FOR ONE OF THE UFCW SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are moving or planning to move, please let us know so we can continue to send you Locals 175 & 633 publications, such as Checkout, as well as important documents relating to your union membership. Please mail your new address to us at Locals 175 & 633 UFCW Canada, 2200 Argentia Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2K7, or call us at 905-821-8329 or 1-800-565-8329. If you prefer, e-mail: membership@ufcw175.com

If you participate in pension or other benefit plans, through your collective agreement, you should also notify these offices of your address change. As various workplaces have different administrators for pension and benefit plans, you will need to speak to your workplace benefits administrator to find out the contact information for these plans.

levels for graduating students are out of hand. The average Canadian student debt is $25,000 for a four-year program. That’s a 300 per cent increase from 1990. Compare the fact that in 1982, female undergrads had a debt equivalent to 17 per cent of their average first-year (post-grad) earnings. In 1995, their debt rose to 51 per cent of that same income.

As long as the government contin-ues to reduce funding for post-sec-ondary education, the students will be the ones shouldering those costs.

I encourage those of you attending, or planning to attend, college or university to apply for one of the UFCW scholarships. The UFCW National scholarship deadline is September 30. You can download forms for this scholarships online from www.ufcw175.com or ask your Union Representative. Information on the 2006 UFCW International Scholarship will be available later in the fall.

Source: Statistics Canada

LETT

ERS

AUGUST 2005 �

J Attention:Dan Lacroix Regional Director

Dear Sir:

On behalf of myself and my parents, Phillip and Heather Alguire, I would like to thank you and the union for one of the ten Locals 175 & 633 Mattie Mckay/Pat Thompson/Julius Hoebink/Clarence Gibson Scholarships awarded in the Eastern Region.

These funds were used in my education at Brock University. I also would like to thank the union for the wonderful meal and permitting me to stay at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston before returning to St. Catharines. My parents also appreciated the invitation to the meal and spending some time with myself and sister, as I do not get home very often.

It was wonderful to hear at the presentation that this union believes in pursuing higher educational goals. Thank you.

SincerelyBrandon Alguire (son of Phillip Alguire, who formerly worked at A&P in Cornwall)

J Ms. Julie JohnstonSouth West Regional Office

Dear Ms. Johnston:

I would like to personally thank you for presenting me with the UFCW Canada Beggs, Dowling and Mathieu Scholarship 2005. I would also like to thank your efficient, amicable and professional staff for all their assistance over the past few months. Most of my family have been union members, and I am very proud to hold a scholarship in that name. It is a great honour to be presented with such an award and I only hope that I can live up to its standards. I will do my absolute best to represent the union well and live as an example of what solidarity and unity can accomplish. Once again, thank you and best wishes in all your endeavours.

SincerelyJohn F. CappucciFormerly of Zellers store #1339 in Windsor

J Mr. Jehan AhmedMr. Anthony DiMaioMississauga Provincial Office

I am writing on behalf of the Labour Fair Committee, the students of the college and our staff to thank you for your talk at George Brown.

This year, in over 80 classroom sessions, we had a brilliant and substantial roster of unionists and community-based activists who not only showed solidarity with working people but also brought crucial learning to our students. Your perspective is one that we want to ensure our students get a chance to hear during their program. And, thanks to you, our 13th annual Labour Fair was also our biggest ever.

As I sat in on many of the classes, I kept being struck by what excellent role models that union speakers are for our students – committed, eloquent and passionate about your work, and impressively expert on so many aspects of our working lives. I saw students ask interesting questions, perhaps question their negative stereotypes about unions a little more deeply and engage with some tough issues. But most of all, I saw many of them expand their awareness and accept the importance of unions for working people.

In the class that you did for Sam Lampropoulous, Sam took a quick census before the Labour Fair, and only 3 of the 35 students felt that unions are useful. But Sam assures me that he is certain many more students are much clearer and more accepting of unions than before they heard your talk.

We were really impressed that you and Anthony took the time to design some interactive work – it really challenged and engaged the students. The evaluations that the students wrote were very positive, and as one student said about your session: “It was smooth sailing!”

We really appreciate your generosity in taking time from your incredibly busy schedule and your other pressing duties to shine a labour light on occupational and social justice issues for our students.

We hope your experience with George Brown was an excellent one for you too, and I am enclosing an evaluation form that will help us improve the Labour Fair next year. I hope you will take this opportunity to jot down a few suggestions or comments on it for our planning for next year’s Labour Fair.

Thank you again for your contributions, and please le me know if there is anything the School of Labour can do for you or your union. You can call me at 416.415.5000.

In solidarityMaureen HynesCo-ordinator, School of Labour, George Brown College

FUNDRAISING

�

Locals 175 & 633 contribution totals $250,000 for 2005

Fundraising

To purchase a HOPE beach towel, contact your Union Steward or Union Rep. All proceeds go directly to the LLSC.

Again this year, our local union members contributed an astounding amount – $250,000 to fund research to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The 2005 total for UFCW members across Canada was $908,000.

Locals 175 & 633 members contrib-uted the $250,000 through payroll deduction programs, as well as other fundraising activities.

Thank you to everyone who donat-ed! All funds are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) which was formerly the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada. The LLSC is a registered Canadian charity, which allocates money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.

HEAL

TH &

SAF

ETY

AUGUST 2005 �

FUND

RAIS

ING

reportTed on the Roof TED DAWES, a Local 175 member at MINUTE MAID in

PETERBOROUGH, spent the May long weekend on the roof of MORELLO’S YOUR INDEPENDENT GROCER (YIG). This is the 4th

annual Ted on the Roof event and this year Ted raised $10,500 for leukemia research.

Ted climbed on to the roof – with the help of local firefighters – on Friday, May 20 at 4 p.m. and came down on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. The Peterborough Fire Department was on hand for Ted’s stint on the roof and when he climbed back down.

The fundraising for this event included an extensive campaign of radio interviews, posters, newspaper coverage and TV interviews. This year, Ted and his many generous supporters raised $10,500 – the largest amount ever. The last three years raised $17,500.

The community support was unprecedented as Spike and numerous friends came out to support the event.

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Every year, Locals 175 & 633 members and their fami-lies participate in the LLSC’s annual walks to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. The walks take place across the country, and have traditionally been held on the first Sunday in June. Through donations and sponsorships, the walkers raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.

This year, for the first time, an evening walk called “Light the Night” was held in Oshawa on Wednesday, June 1, 2005. It attracted more than 500 participants and raised an astounding $68,000. It was the 10th annual Local 175 fundraising event held in Oshawa.

OSHAWA walkers registered at the UFCW tent.

PAUL MEUNIER, who works at Coke, and his wife LYSE, were two of the participants in the THUNDER BAY walk. It was held on June 5, 2005 and raised $2,028.

Volunteers & participants made the OSHAWA walk an overwhelming success.

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising Walks

AUGUST 2005

Foursomes at the Central West tournament included MAPLE LEAF PORK members LIONEL MACEACHERN, ARCHIE ALTERBERG, ANDREW RESTON and JAKE GUITAR. . .

Ninety-two golfers participated in a tournament at the Tyandaga Municipal Golf Course, on May 29, 2005. It was organized by the Central West Region and raised $12,000.

Numerous trophies and prizes were awarded including low gross winner to Jim Bradshaw and ladies low gross to Lynda Clifford. Next year’s tourna-ment is May 28, 2006. . . . as well as FOOD BASICS members MATT

MERK, FRANK DEFELICE, TODD SETTEL, and MITCH STORE.

Ninety-two golfers

FUND

RAIS

ING

Union Rep JUDITH BURCH coordinated the OSHAWA walk on behalf of Locals 175 & 633.

On June 12, 2005, 55 walkers participated in the LONDON walk, raising $16,368.99. The walkers who raised the most money were RUTH BANCROFT, $1,710 and SARAH KELLY, A&P #112, $1,601. Below, a dozen walkers supported by family, friends and volunteers, raised $1,400 in HAMILTON.

HEALTH & SAFETY

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Cargill members building a safer workplaceMeat packing plants are notoriously dangerous places to work because of cold temperatures, slippery floors, sharp knives and whirring machines. The safety record at Cargill Foods in Rexdale, however, is very good and much of it is due to the hard work of the dedicated Health & Safety Committee.

Mike DeMarco has been the workers co-chair on the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) for almost 12 years now. He is certified by the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) as both a worker H&S member and a fork lift truck instructor. In the latter role he is responsible for teaching all new employ-ees, and those returning after layoffs of six months or more, the safe handling of lift and low Ryder trucks. To keep his skills & knowledge current, he takes re-certification training every two years.

Other worker members on the Cargill JHSC, as of June 2005, are: Anton Cercic, Jack Palomaki, Magnola Richardson, Dave Tapan and Randy Valdez. JHSC’s are required, by Ontario law, to meet once every three months. Most union com-mittees meet monthly. The Cargill committee actually meets every two weeks to ensure they’re in control of every potential problem, and their hard work has been rewarded. “We’re proud of the fact that workers come to us as soon as there’s a problem,” Mike says. “Management listens to us and workers know the issue will be resolved right away.”

In addition to making the plant a safer & healthier place to work, Mike also cooks burgers & sausages at the annual Cargill BBQ. This year the event raised $1,250 to fund research to find a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers.

Health & Safety Update: Locals 175 & 633 – making a difference

Increases in pensions for injured workers For decades, our local unions have been demanding fairer pension pay-ments for injured workers. Finally, on June 1, 2005, at ceremonies to hon-our injured workers, the Ontario gov-ernment announced improvements.

The changes, retroactive to January 1, 2004, will result in increased pay-ments for 3,000 of Ontario’s injured workers and their survivors. Formerly, a pension from the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board was reduced by $1 for every $1 received from the Canada Pension Plan.

At last – safer working conditions for ag workersOntario’s agricultural workers have suffered innumerable injuries and deaths because their workplace, which is inherently dangerous, has never been covered by health or safety legislation.

At last, thanks to continuing pres-sure from the UFCW, the Ontario government plans to include agri-cultural workers in the Occupational Health & Safety Act. These workers still won’t have the right to form a union and bargain before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, but at least they’ll have more protection now that the employer is required to provide more than “voluntary” health & safety protections. The legislation will also extend to migrant workers, who can be particularly vulnerable to abuses by unscrupulous employers.

Volunteers at the Cargill BBQ included, from left: Albert Romita, Mike DeMarco, Monica Kaczala, Union Reps Anthony DiMaio and Jehan Ahamed, and Rakesh Sharma. Back row: Pat DeMarco.

CONF

EREN

CES

�AUGUST 2005

The agenda for the annual conference was packed with numerous educa-tional and informational sessions to enable staff to better serve the mem-bership.

Sheridan College instructors LeslieButler and Kathryn Hughes conducted interactive sessions on running more effective meetings. Naveen Mehtaand Fernando Reis, both of the Local 175 legal department, explained best strategies and practices related to grievances and the Hospital Labour Dispute Arbitration Act (HLDAA). Organizing department reps Kevin Shimmin and Steve Robinson dis-cussed the value and methods of organizing unorganized workers in Local 175 or 633 workplaces. South Central Director Sharon Gall pre-sented a quiz on the intricacies of the A&P contract language and Central West Director Harry Sutton updated staff on issues relating to the PharmaPlus collective agreement. President Wayne Hanley reported on recent ini-tiatives within the local unions, which include improved servicing standards and a Youth Scholarship program.

Herb MacDonald, who retired on July 7, 2005, was recognized for his dedication at a retirement presenta-tion. “Brother MacDonald has worked tirelessly from the time he joined the

Benefits Department,” says President Wayne Hanley. “Because of his dedi-cation, many members have received

2005 Staff Conference

Bylaw & Policy Conference UpdateThe changes to the policies and bylaws, which were passed by the del-egates at the biennial conference on April 23, 2005, were approved at the regular membership meetings held across the province in June 2005. The members of both Locals 175 & 633 voted, more than 98 per cent, in favour of accepting the amended bylaws and policies.

benefit payments that they would have been denied without Herb’s intervention.”

For all the most recent UFCW news, including negotiations, visit our

NEGOTIATIONS

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In a series of meetings held in early 2005, Locals 175 & 633 members at Zehrs, Loblaws, Fortinos & Real Canadian Superstores (RCSS) voted, as indi-vidual bargaining units, to commence early negotiations. Members of UFCW Locals 1977 and 1000A also voted in favour. The result was that that the four major UFCW Local Unions in Ontario, representing 30,000 retail work-ers, joined together – for the first time in retail history – to face this common employer.

The strategy of opening negotiations in 2005, well in advance of the vari-ous contract expiry dates, offered an opportunity to see what the employer would offer, without the threat of a strike or lockout. It also had the potential for improving the current collective agreements, without giving up any of the things already negotiated into those contracts.

The 70-member Union negotiating team and the employer held meetings for 12 days in May and early June. The offer put forward by the employer was unacceptable to the negotiating committee members in every respect. They voted, unanimously, on June 1, 2005, not to take the offer back to the mem-bership for a vote. Information meetings concerning the employer’s offer were held throughout the province in mid June and the current collective agreements remain in force until their expiry dates in 2006 (2007 for Fortinos).

30,000 UFCW retail members enter into early bargaining

“The unity with which the Local Unions approached these negotiations and the unanimous decision that the employer’s offer was not sufficient, sends a strong message to the company – we will not accept an inadequate settlement for our members,” says President Wayne Hanley.

Union Rep Sylvia Groom, President Wayne Hanley, and South Central Regional Director, Sharon Gall (right) join Fortinos members John Walsh, Nancy Melcore, Andre Morano, Mary McCabe, Paul Braga, Pamela Clarke, Justin Pace, and Gabe Stanziani.

Eastern Regional Director, Dan Lacroix and President Wayne Hanley along with Madeleine Devereaux, Bob Gagnon, Lou Butler and Vivian Dunse represented Ottawa-area Loblaws members on the negotiating team.

President Wayne Hanley (back row) joins the Locals 175 & 633 Zehrs/RCSS team consisting of Lisa Courtemanche, Executive Board VP, Carolyn Levesque, Denis Kendall, Union Rep Julie Johnston, Joe Fields, Mike Milkens, Pat Vanderprit, Robert Hamilton, Dave Balsam, and Executive Assistant to the President, Teresa Magee. Absent from photo: Maureen Street.

Web site: www.ufcw175.com.

NEGO

TIAT

IONS

AUGUST 2005 ��

Canada Safeway workers in North West Ontario ratify new contractMore than 300 members at three stores secured a new four-year collective agreement at ratifica-tion meetings held June 5, 6 and 7, 2005. The new contract covers bargaining unit members in Dryden, Fort Frances and Kenora. Highlights include:

• Lump sum payments, based on hours worked, ranging between $200 and $750.• All bargaining unit members who are over scaled Tier 1 workers receive an increase of

25 cents per hour on their Tier 1 rate of pay in the first, second and fourth year of the agreement.

• Night Stocking shift premium increases to 75 cents per hour, up from 50 cents.• The company will contribute to CCWIPP and the UFCW Dental Plan. • Improved language covers seniority, Tier 1 and Tier 2 hours, uniforms and job classifi-

cations as well as general clarifications throughout.

Union Negotiating Committee: Dan Belluz (Fort Frances), Lisa Leef (Kenora), Brian Livingston (Dryden), Jillian Lowe (Kenora), Michelene McKinnon (Fort Frances), Donna Pihulak (Dryden), Union Rep David Noonan and North West Regional Director (and Executive Assistant) ShawnHaggerty.

New agreement for food workersAfter turning down a previous offer from the company, approximately 257 workers at Cornwall’s Prince Foods facility secured a new four-year contract on May 28, 2005. Contract highlights include:

• Entry level hourly wage increases rang-ing between $1 and $2.70 plus hourly shift premium increases to $1 per hour for hours worked on Saturday and Sunday, plus workers employed as of March 18, 2005, receive a $200 sign-ing bonus upon ratification and a $400 bonus on the third anniversary of the agreement.

• Evening and night shift premiums increase by 5 cents per hour each year.

• Employer contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 20 per cent.

• Improvements in safety boot & tool allowances, vacation entitlement and language.

Union Negotiating Committee: Mary Brisbois, John O’Keefe, Gilles Grenier and Union Rep Daniel Mercier.

First agreement at Super C On May 15, 2005, approximately 55 mem-bers in Rockland secured their first contract. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of up to $2.20 per hour over the term of the agreement.

• Additional shift premiums of 75 cents for lead hands and 95 cents for the night shift.

• Workers scheduled to relieve a higher rated position receive a $40 weekly premium or $60 to relieve the Department Manager.

• Health and Welfare coverage includes dental, paid sick leave, life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), short and long-term disability (full-time only), extended health care and an employee assistance program.

• The company agrees to contribute to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) starting May 8, 2008.

• Contract language establishes seniority, hours of work, overtime, vacation enti-tlement, leaves of absence and provides a grievance and arbitration process.

Union Negotiating Committee: Denis Proulx, Kim Trites, Union Rep Daniel Mercier and Eastern Regional Director Dan Lacroix.

Car rental workers win first contract Approximately 50 recently-unionized workers at Aviscar in Ottawa ratified their first collec-tive agreement on May 16, 2005. The three-year contract includes:

• Wage increases for workers at the end rate of their progression grid totalling 11.25 per cent plus significant increases to all progression rates.

• Inclusion of the workers’ health and welfare coverage in the collective agree-ment.

• Important grievance language gives workers the ability to fight for their rights in the workplace and seniority language recognizes length of service for job postings, vacation selection and layoffs/recall.

• Clauses covering hours of work and overtime.

• Important “No Harassment/Abuse” language protects workers and ensures each is treated with dignity and respect.

Union Negotiating Committee: Said Roble, Omar Salad and Union Rep Simon Baker.

Former member now minister of LabourFormer Local 175 A&P mem-ber, Steve Peters was appoint-ed Minister of Labour in June 2005. He was a St. Thomas, Ontario alderman and still work-ing at A&P in 1991 when he was elected mayor – the youngest in Canadian history. Subsequently, in 1999, he was elected to the Ontario legislature, later becom-ing the disabilities critic and then Minister of Agriculture.

NEGOTIATIONS

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New contract for Members at Southampton Flour MillingWorkers at the facility voted in favour of a new three-year agreement on May 25, 2005, which provides:

• Annual ATB hourly wage increases of 35 cents plus increases in company contri-butions to the pension and dental plans.

• Additional increases in the Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and prescrip-tion drug coverage.

Union Negotiating Committee: Lloyd Ens and Union Rep Angus Locke.

New agreement at McDaniel’s YIG Approximately 100 members in Ottawa ratified a new collective agreement on June 5, 2005. The contract, which is retroactive to June 1, 2004, includes the following highlights:

• Full-time wage adjustments totalling $1,250.

• A wage increase of 50 cents per hour to part-time end rates, plus an additional adjustment of $150-$575.

• The night crew and Front End Coordinator hourly shift premiums increase to 90 cents and 75 cents respectively.

• The boot allowance increases to $100 for full-time workers and $45 for part-time.

• Improved contract language covers time limit extensions, bereavement leave, job classification, guaranteed employment for 12 full-time workers and voluntary recognition of the collective agreement should the existing store close and a new YIG opens in Nepean.

Union Negotiating Committee: Danny Ewing, Frank Lepore, Union Rep Paul Hardwick and Central East Regional Director Luc Lacelle.

Eight hundred poultry workers secure new contracts

Members at North American Lumber unanimously ratifyLumber workers in Fort Frances voted in favour of a new two-year contract on May 15, 2005, which includes:

• ATB wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, retroactive to April 1, 2005, and 2 per cent in the second.

• Dental plan contribution increases to 30 cents by the final year.

• Company will contribute up to 4 per cent toward the workers’ RRSP pension.

• A new Safety boot allowance of $75 for all employees.

• The addition of one floater holiday for full-time workers with 24 months con-tinuous service and three floating holi-days for full-time workers with 10 years of service.

Union Negotiating Committee: Tracy Groves, Lisa Peake and Union Rep Colby Flank.

More than 700 members working at Sun Valley Foods in London ratified a four-year contract on May 15, 2005. Highlights include:

• Wage increases totalling $1.65 per hour.• Maintenance workers receive an

additional increase of 50 cents per hour in the first year of the agreement.

• A 30-cent increase to CCWIPP contribu-tions.

• All workers with five or more years seniority receive one additional floater day for a total of three per year.

• Life Insurance for a worker’s spouse increases to $10,000 and to $5,000 for dependants.

• Company contributions of 1 cent per hour per worker to the Local’s Training & Education Fund.

• Improved bereavement leave language providing three days leave.

• Cross training language for both regular and overtime work, and many more changes.

Union Negotiating Committee: Edward Amaral, Larry Douglas, Mark Ennett, Vicki Kelly, Paul Manning, Local 175 Recorder BettyPardy, Mike Tielemans and Union Rep KevinDowling.

Three weeks later, on June 4, 2005, approxi-mately 100 workers at Cuddy Foods, also in London secured a new four-year collective agreement, which provides:

• Wage increases of $1.30 per hour for Groups 1, 2 & 3 over the term of the agreement with the first raise retroac-tive to June 2, 2005, and $1.70 per hour for Groups 4 & 5, with the first raise retroactive to June 2, 2005.

• Increased starting rate.• Pension contribution improvements. • Increased Life Insurance and AD&D cov-

erage to $50,000 per worker. • Spousal life insurance increases to

$7,500 and workers’ children are now covered for $5,000.

• Bereavement leave entitlement increases to three days in the event a sister- or brother-in-law or son- or daughter-in-law dies.

• Improved language regarding negotiat-ing and health and safety committees, steward representation, grievance filing, hours of work and overtime, seniority, layoffs & recall, and job postings.

Union Negotiating Committee: Bob Geromette, Gord Gripp, John Keys, Gary Wightman and Union Rep Kevin Dowling.

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Members and Stewards Course AwardsThese one-week programs are held at the Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Centre in Mississauga. The course costs, materials and instruc-tion plus lost wages, per diems, trans-portation and accommodation are all part of the program.

Member Scholarships is an introduc-tory course for new computer users and ran from June 12-17, 2005. It also has a very good introduction to union history and structure including the role and basics of stewardship.

Steward Scholarships, which ran June 19-24, includes union history and activities, arbitrations and cur-rent issues in the Labour Movement. It also covers training in the new technology – such as e-mail and the Internet – that stewards may use to fulfill their responsibilities.

If you’d like to apply for the next courses, which will be repeated again in the fall, contact the Training Centre for information about applications and deadlines.

Upcoming Stewards Conferences September 10-11: North West Region, in Thunder Bay

October 15-16: South West Region, in London

November 5-6: Eastern Region, in Kingston

November 26-27: Central West Region, in Niagara Falls

Participants in the 2005 Spring Stewards Scholarship program were front row, from left: Gordon Gripp, Cuddy Foods; Steve Hands, North American Lumber: Antonio Nigro, Cargill Foods; and Ahmed Hussein, Hertz; Back row: Kelly Provost-Nicholas, Local 175 Instructor; John Caldeira, Quality Meats; Shirley Jones, Fortinos #59; Jamie Hickman, Horizon Plastics; Elizabeth Lougheed, The Richmond RetirementResidence; Anne Quigley, A&P #179; Dan Goulet, Coca-Cola; Tim Lacasse, Silverstein’s; Eric Mann, Dresden Industrial; Donald Culliton,Maple Leaf Pork; Steve Robinson, A&P #83; Gordon Kennedy, P&H Foods; Brian Courchaine, YIG; Larry Fisher, Worker-Advocate & Instructor.

Participants in the 2005 Spring Members Scholarship program were, front row, from left: Mike Racaniello, Food Basics #871; Debbie Ross, Food Basics Pharmacy #959; Lorraine Forbes, A&P #424; Gerald Stevason, Horizon Plastics; Back row: Jason Wilson, Conagra Foods; Joan Gibson-Sills, Maplewood Nursing Home; Frank McNutt, Pharma Plus; Sophia Verrydt, Pharma Plus #1263; Grace Patsy Rocheleau, Season’s Restaurant; John Bennardo, Pepsi Cola Thunder Bay; Gualberto Rodriguez, Maple Lodge Farms; Sylvia Muste, Pinty’s; Dave White, Local 175 Instructor.

AUGUST 2005

Return postage will be paid by:

UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERSLocals 175 & 6332200 Argentia RoadMississauga, OntarioL5N 2K7

Canada Post Corporation Publication Agreement No. 40064671

Your Home... Your Course... Your Pace...Course content is available 24/7 for you to access from your place, to work at your own pace.

LOCALS 175 & 633 are the pioneers of distance education for the labour movement in Canada. We are continuously improving and expanding our courses. Join us!!!

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2005

All courses are credited through Mohawk College.

OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 2, 2005

E Microsoft Access - Part IIE Microsoft Excel - Part IE Microsoft PowerPointE Microsoft Word - Part IE Aids AwarenessE Health & Safety - Part IIE Intro to Hazard Analysis &

Critical Control Points (HACCP)E Labour History - Part I

E Metal Working FluidsE Multiple Chemical SensitivityE Reducing Injuries - Patient Handling - Part IE Stress in the WorkplaceE Work OrganizationE Dyes and Fabric TreatmentsE Man-Made Mineral FibresE Flammables & Combustibles

For course descriptions and to self-register for courses, please go to http://campus.ufcw175.ca and click on sign up.To speak to someone for more information or to sign up call 1-800-728-8902 ext. 221

SEPTEMBER 6 – OCTOBER 4, 2005

E ABCs of ComputingE Internet 101E Microsoft Access - Part IE Microsoft WindowsE Web Design - Making a Web PageE Health & Safety - Part IE Hours of WorkE Hazards of MouldE Infectious DiseasesE Intro to the Food & Retail SectorE Intro to the Union & StewardshipE Safe Food HandlingE WHMISE Biological HazardsE Dusts & FibresE Emergency PreparednessE Personal Protective Equipment

NOVEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 1, 2005

E ABCs of ComputingE Internet 101E Microsoft Excel - Part IIE Microsoft Word - Part IIE Health & Safety in the Food & Retail SectorE Heat & Cold StressE Labour History - Part IIE Machine GuardingE Microsoft OutlookE Reducing Injuries - Patient Handling - Part IIE Violence in the WorkplaceE WHMISE Hand ToolsE Confined SpacesE PesticidesE Office Layout & Design

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We strongly recommend that “beginners” take the Internet 101 and ABCs of Computing courses first.

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