Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The BC Summer Institute for Union Women offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment in which union women can develop their skills as workers, activists and leaders.

Sponsored by the British Columbia Federation of Labour, the Institute will be held at the University of Victoria (UVIC), Wednesday July 4, 2007 through Sunday July 8, 2007

Our theme, Strong Women Taking Action, reflects labour’s commitment to providing women with both the skills and strategies to take on the challenges we face in today’s world. We need the world to hear more women’s voices speaking out on issues that matter to women, issues like: pay equity, a higher minimum wage, universal childcare, health care, and violence against women.

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Come out and help with this $10 minimum wage campaign event and see a Giants hockey game.

• Where and when: Pacific Coliseum, Friday, April 27th at 6 p.m.

The B.C. Fed Young Workers Committee are going to distribute the $10 NOW Campaign material and gather signatures on a peition at the Pacific Coliseum. Unions are being asked to help out with this important campaign.  People will be meeting at the main entrance to the Pacific Coliseum starting at 6 p.m. before the Giants game at 7:30.

Anyone who helps with the petition blitz will be given a ticket to the Giants playoff game against the Prince George Cougars (popcorn not included.)

Here are some photos taken at recent PSAC events in Vancouver and Victoria … click the thumbnails for larger versions.

On April 4^th PSAC, affiliated Union, and Victoria Labour Council members attended an event coordinated by the BC Fed to bring attention to Dr. Keith Martin’s (MP for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca) voting record on Bill C-257. Dr. Martin had originally voted in favor of the Bill only to amend his position at final reading. Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, Jennifer Burgis, NDP Candidate for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca and Kay Sinclair all spoke of the need for Anti-Scab Legislation and how disappointing it was that Dr. Martin amended his position at the last minute.

Dr. Martin also addressed the crowd of angry constituents with a excuse that Essential Services designation somehow played an important role in his change of position. This was really frustrating for the unionized workers present as it has been made abundantly clear that essential services designations would not be affected by this anti-scab legislation.

Over 140 delegates, guests and observers attended the PSAC’s 2nd Pride Conference which was held in Vancouver on March 30-April 1, 2007, and chaired by Kay Sinclair and Ed Cashman, REVP for Ontario. Participants attended workshops and regional caucuses, debated resoultions, and elected two LGTB members to the PSAC Equal Opportunities Committee. At left, members of the BC caucus. Visit the national website for a report and some more photos.

Members from the Nanaimo area took a Grievance Handling and Understanding / Interpreting the Collective Agreement course, March 31 - April 1. The GH/UICA course, which was facilitated by PSAC Regional Rep. Dave Jackson, gives members the skills and knowledge to effectively solve problems in the workplace and explores key provisions in our various Collective Agreements.

Via BC Federation of Labour

• Saturday, March 31, 11am – 12:30pm
• Burrard Bridge, Vancouver
• Gather at 11am at Seaforth Peace Flame Park (south end of bridge by Cornwall Ave.)
• Calling parents, grandparents, early childhood educators and child care supporters to span the bridge sidewalks with signs and songs!

March 30-31 marks the elimination of federal-provincial childcare funding agreements by the Harper Conservatives. It also marks the closure of several childcare resource and referral centres in BC and the elimination of critical services to working families as a result of funding cuts by the Campbell Liberals.

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Relatives, unions decry declining standards.

Did Amarjit Kaur Bal, Sarabjit Kaur Sidhu and Sukhwinder Kaur Punia die in vain? The results from a meeting held March 15 in downtown Vancouver may determine the answer to that question.

• B.C. Fed submits recommendations to improve working conditions & safety of BC farmworkers
• Read a history of BC farmworkers

Family members of farmworkers killed in the roll-over accident of an overloaded labour contractor’s van last week and leaders of the B.C. labour movement met on the morning of March 15 with Minister of Labour Olga Ilich and Minister of Agriculture Pat Bell in Vancouver. They presented a comprehensive list of 30 proposals to remedy safety and employment standards abuses in B.C. fields and greenhouses. The submission to the ministers also calls on the government to strike down a controversial memorandum signed by the BC Liberals and the province’s large agricultural organizations, which critics say has paved the way for lax enforcement of safety and employment standards protections in the industry.

Read more at thetyee.ca.

The B.C. Federation of Labour is stepping up efforts to gain a much-needed pay raise for BC’s lowest paid workers by winning an increase in the provincial minimum wage.

Please join us on:

• DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2007
• TIME: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
• PLACE: BROADWAY AND COMMERCIAL SKYTRAIN STATION

Together with members of our Young Workers Committee and special guests like NDP MP Libby Davies, we’ll be distributing campaign materials and getting signatures on our $10 NOW petition.

Visit bcfed.com for more information about the $10 Now campaign.

via BC Federation of Labour

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers need your support!

Saturday, March 24^th, 11AM - 1PM, Vancouver International Airport Terminal

• Save the jobs of 700 Aviation Maintenance Professionals in Vancouver
• Help us put an end to the corporate race to contract Aviation Maintenance in Canada to lowest foreign bidder
• Ensure that the security and safety of the flying public is paramount

Speakers:

• Angela Schira, Secretary Treasurer, B.C. Federation of Labour
• Carlos Da Costa, Transportation Coordinator, IAMAW Member, Local Lodge 764, IAMAW
• Peter Julian, Federal NDP, Member of Parliament BC NDP MLA
• Jim Coller, PDGC, District Lodge 140, IAMAW

Gathering Point: 10:30 Sea Island Elementary School, corner of Miller Road and Templeton. Lots of Parking. Rain or Shine, Dress accordingly.

March and Demonstration: 11:00 am Vancouver International Airport Terminal in the grass area across from the Airport RCMP Station which is located at the West End of Miller Road, right hand side of the outgoing Domestic Departures Ramps.

A coalition of 22 social advocacy groups has appealed to the B.C. Liberal government to raise welfare rates and the minimum wage, and to eliminate the $6-an-hour “training wage” in the next budget later this month.

The Raise the Rates Coalition wants the shelter and support parts of income assistance boosted by at least 50 per cent, and wants the government to make it easier to qualify for welfare.

• Read more background information and sign the petition at the BC Federation of Labour website.

The groups have also repeated the call to boost the minimum wage from $8 to $10 an hour.The groups have sent an open letter to the premier saying the present environment keeps thousands of young people and families in B.C. in perpetual poverty.

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TO: Executive Officers

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

RE: Count Me In Campaign

The Federation is now seeking candidates for the positions available in our Count Me In program during the upcoming federal election campaign. I would appreciate your assistance to circulate the attached job posting as widely as possible.

Each of these positions is a term position under the Federation’s collective agreement. The starting and end dates for some of these positions will be varied to reflect the actual timing of the election.

In solidarity, Jim Sinclair,President

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It’s time to raise the province’s $8 per hour minimum wage and eliminate the even lower $6 an hour training wage for new entrants to the labour force, says the B.C. Federation of Labour.

President Jim Sinclair wants the government to boost the base wage to $10 an hour.

“It’s time to share the gains of a strong economy,” he said.

Sinclair said a poll conducted last fall shows nearly 80 per cent of those surveyed support a $2 jump in the minimum wage, and 73.5 per cent agree it’s time to eliminate the training wage.

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Regional Executive VP Kay Sinclair drafted the resolution below for the BCFL Convention last week. It hit the floor on Friday and was passed.

Emergency resolution #12 - Status of Women Canada

Because the Conservative government is cutting the budget for Status of Women Canada by $5 million dollars and announced this week it is closing 12 regional offices including Vancouver and Toronto - the two largest; and

Because the cuts and closures will result in the loss of workers’ jobs and the important community and social development work in support of women’s equality;

The Federation Will, with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), condemn the actions of the Harper government in cutting funding for the Status of Women, call for the immediate cancellation of the cuts and closures and the reinstatement of the community liaison and equality work; and

The Federation Will call for the immediate resignation of Bev Oda, Minister responsible for Status of Women Canada, and call upon Harper to appoint a woman Minister who actually understands women’s issues and supports women’s equality (someone from outside of the Conservative government), who is supported by feminist and equality-seeking women’s groups.

PSAC

Strike Up The Band! 50 Years of Making Trouble For All The Right Reasons

• Date: Thursday, November 30, 2006 Time: 8 pm
• Venue: The Orpheum Theatre Admission: $35 (plus gst & service charges)
• Tickets:604.231.7535 or www.ticketstonight.ca
• Information: www.thefestival.bc.ca

The BC Federation of Labour celebrates its 50th anniversary Thursday, November 30, 2006, with a star-studded gala at the Orpheum Theatre, produced for the Federation by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

The gala concert will be a highlight of the Federation’s 50th Annual Convention, taking place November 27 through December 1, 2006, at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme of the anniversary convention is “A Proud History. A Strong Future.” |inline

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 402 has established, through the BC Federation of Labour, a memorial scholarship for a union woman to attend the “Women In Leadership” course at the Canadian Labour Congress Harrison Winter School, January 21 - 26 2007.

The scholarship will cover the costs of tuition, accommodations and meals for this event.

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Vancouver - It’s time to scrap the training wage and raise BC’s minimum wage to $10.00 per hour says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

“BC’s lowest paid workers deserve a raise,” Sinclair said. “Minimum wage earners working full-time should earn enough to stay above the poverty line. That can only be achieved by immediately raising the minimum wage to at least $10.00 per hour.”

“The provincial government likes to crow about a booming economy, but it’s only booming for a few. BC’s lowest paid workers have been left behind,” Sinclair said. Sinclair’s comments came on the fifth anniversary of BC’s last increase to the minimum wage.

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The BC Federation of Labour is seeking young workers (18-30 years old) to facilitate workshops in high schools about workplace health and safety. The goal of this Project is to educate workers and students about Occupational Health and Safety hazards and solutions and thereby contribute to preventing injuries, illnesses, diseases and deaths in BC workplaces. We currently seeking to identify young workers who are interested in facilitating these workshops.  The goal is to have a diverse group of facilitators from across the province.

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The British Columbia Federation of Labour (BC Fed) is offering numerous upcoming Occupational Health and Safety Educational opportunities. These courses are single day events at a cost of $85.00. The following is a list of courses being offered

Registration forms can be obtained through the BC Fed’s website or by contacting James Little at the BC PSAC office. For further information, please visit the BC Federation of Labours Occupational Health & Safety Education Resource Center.

“Premier Campbell, give low income British Columbians a raise.”

Here’s a Labour Day challenge to Premier Gordon Campbell: give low income British Columbians a raise.

BC’s unions are challenging the Premier to take three simple steps to tackle inequality, poverty and homelessness: first, eliminate the training wage; second, raise the minimum wage, and third, increase welfare payments.

Polls show that despite strong economic growth, a majority of British Columbians feel the benefits are passing them by. They’re right.

In May 2006, Statistics Canada figures showed that BC’s average wage for full-time workers is below the Canadian average. So are personal savings and per person disposable income. Premier Campbell may believe BC is the “best place on earth,” but that’s hard to square with the fact that BC has the highest poverty rate in Canada.

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updated June 7th

Solidarity Works is a three-week hands-on training program sponsored by the BC Fed designed to equip young people with labour education, practical experience and activist skills to demand their working rights.

In the first week of the program, young workers gather in a retreat-like educational setting to discuss topics and learn skills dealing with rights in the workplace, social justice history in Canada, anti-oppressive organizing for unions and in the community, and economics and the impact of corporate globalization.

Following that, to put the education into action, participants spend about two weeks in placements with unions and social justice organizations in the community, working on various projects. During the placements, young workers have: coordinated festivals, organized workshops for youth, helped out on organizing drives in workplaces, planned direct action outside establishments with poor working conditions, supported local and national women’s groups, set up youth committees in their unions, produced radio shows and short films, researched and produced action kits, and lobbied for increased workers’ rights and wages at arbitration and minimum wage board hearings.

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Last year 188 workers died due to job-related injury or disease, the highest level in 25 years, and a 40 percent increase from the previous year. This included 43 forestry workers, 39 workers in the construction sector and 11 young workers.Sadly, despite our warnings, this is a clear indictment of the BC Liberals’ agenda of cuts and deregulation. Workplace inspections by WCB have fallen by 44 percent since 2001, and the resulting value of penalties has dropped by 57 percent.

This week the B.C. Federation of Labour has been lobbying MLAs about the immediate need to restore protections of workers’ health and safety, and the need to restore dignity to compensation and benefits for injured workers and their families.

This Friday, April 28th, is the annual Day of Mourning where we will join together to “fight for the living and mourn for the dead.”

We are encouraging all of you to participate in various events throughout your community. Here is a list of Day of Mourning events in BC (pdf).

Your presence will send an important message to politicians and employers that we won’t stop fighting until workers’ health and safety is fully protected.

via BC Federation of Labour

In 2005, 188 workers were killed on the job in BC including 12 young workers.

The B.C. Federation of Labour, the Vancouver & District Labour Council and the New Westminster & District Labour Council invite you to pay tribute to workers killed and injured on the job.

Friday, April 28 2006

• 7:45 am - Gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery
• 8:00 am - Procession to Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
• 8:45 am - Day of Mourning Ceremony - VCEC - 999 Canada Place

For more information, visit the BCFL website for a listing of Day of Mourning events around the province.