Picket support for CUPE 1816 members

Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

On July 7 at 6 am more than 600 members of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1816 were locked out by their employer, Pacific Blue Cross.

The New Westminster & District Labour Council stands in solidarity with these members and the strong stand they have taken to protect their benefits. We have passed motions and written to CEO Jan K. Grude and the seven members of the Board of Directors with labour ties to abandon their demands for concessions, and now we are planning to join the picket line in support of CUPE 1816 members and to show the strength and unity of the labour movement to this employer. 

Please join President Lori Mayhew, our delegates and affiliated unions, and the Vancouver and District Labour Council, together our Labour Councils will walk the line in solidarity with CUPE 1816 members who work at Pacific Blue Cross to provide health, dental, life and disability coverage for more than two million individuals and union members in BC. Bring your banners, flags, signs and solidarity:

Thursday July 20 at 5:30p

4250 Canada Way, Burnaby (Pacific Blue Cross Headquarters)

Corner of Willingdon and Gilmore

Please share this widely with your members and contacts.

In solidarity,

Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer

105-3920 Norland Avenue

Burnaby, BC V5G 4K7

Phone: 604-291-9306

www.nwdlc.ca

Facebook: nwdlc  Twitter: @nwdlc

Appeal for Fire Aid

July 14, 2017

I’m writing to BCFED affiliates to ask you to consider sending a message of solidarity and a helping handto those who have been affected the rampage of wildfires by donating to the fire appeal campaign of the Canadian Red Cross in British Columbia.

We’ve all watched in horror as rampaging fires have swept through so many BC communities—and threaten many more. Thousands more British Columbians face emergency evacuation orders to leave behind their homes and communities at a moment’s notice. Homes and cherished possessions have been lost, livelihoods impacted, families uprooted and the fabric of communities deeply torn.

At the same time, we’ve also seen the great commitment of working people to battle the blazes and help those affected. Hundreds of wildfire fighters and other firefighting personnel are displaying great courage and determination on the front lines of this tragedy. 

Other emergency responders are assisting with evacuations and community safety. Resource and construction workers whose jobs have been impacted are volunteering to help with fire suppression. And many more are playing an active role in delivering emergency services and disaster relief, and providing comfort to those affected.

A number of unions have also made important contributions by supporting those amongst their membership working to end the disaster, and those hurt by it.

The Red Cross is on the ground providing much needed help to those impacted by the disaster. They have a special BC forest fire appeal, and donations can be made online at redcross.ca. Likewise, donation information is also available on the organization’s web site.

The Federation will contribute to the appeal. Both myself and Secretary-Treasurer Aaron Ekman have already made personal donations. I would ask that your union join the BCFED in making a difference by contributing and encouraging your members to do so too individually.

Yours truly,

Irene Lanzinger
President

SECURIGUARD – AIRSIDE ESCORTS VANCOUVER –

RATIFICATION RESULTS

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Please be advised that the proposed Tentative Agreement was accepted by
the Membership. 

Thank you to the Negotiations Committee for their support and dedication
throughout the process.

In Solidarity,

Tania Canniff, General Chairperson
Transportation District 140, IAMAW

Organizing 1 Program

July.13, 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The IAMAW Local Lodge 16 is seeking members to apply for the Organizing 1 Program at the Wipinsinger Education Centre. This program promotes the mentorship and development of organizing activists and will take place August 20th-26th 2017. Anyone interested should submit a letter of interest to the LL16 President no later than July.24, 2017. 

Please submit letters of interest to president@iamaw16.ca stating name, contact information and any details about your grounds for participating. We encourage members to become involved and thank the applicants in advance.

In solidarity,

Daniel Zamorano

Recording Secretary IAM & AW

BCFED eager to work with new NDP government to improve worker safety after recent succession of tragic accidents

NEWS RELEASE
**For Immediate Release**
July 11, 2017

With a week left before the swearing-in of Premier John Horgan and a new cabinet, the BC
Federation of Labour says it’s gearing up to work with the new government to address workplace health and safety issues, where urgent action is required.

“While BC has been gripped with the change in government over the past four weeks, there have been a succession of tragic workplace accidents where workers have been killed or seriously injured,” says Irene Lanzinger, president of the labour federation.

“With a new government committed to improving safety to protect workers, we’re optimistic that we can make headway,” Lanzinger says. “There are significant opportunities for government, the Workers’ Compensation Board, the labour movement, and employers to work together to ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the work day.” 

In the last 45 days, tragic accidents that have resulted in the death or serious injury of workers include:
• three deaths including a Kamloops mill worker, an agricultural worker in the North
Okanagan, and a transport worker who was run over at a Richmond cargo handling facility;
• high profile injuries sustained by two traffic flaggers who were run down by a speeding
motorist at a Burnaby road construction site;
• a roofer who was seriously injured in a three-story fall from a Victoria construction site
where a safety harness was not used nor were guard rails in place; and
• two workers who were hurt in an explosion at a natural gas facility outside Fort St. John.

In the same time frame, details emerged about the paltry fines levied on employers who are found to be at fault for on-the-job deaths or injuries. In one circumstance, a Revelstoke logging company was fined $13,800 for an accident that killed an employee. No penalty was imposed on a Chilliwack construction company after an accident caused by faulty equipment killed one worker and seriously injured another.

“Clearly more needs to be done to keep workers safe on the job and fairly compensate those who
are killed or injured,” Lanzinger says.

For more information contact Stephen Howard, Communications Director, 778 879 0707.

BC jobs numbers grow, but part-time work, concentration in Lower Mainland pose challenges, says BCFED

**For Immediate Release**

July 7, 2017

An increase of 20,000 jobs in BC for June is a positive sign for the economy, though the BC Federation of Labour says that underneath the strong monthly results reported today by Statscan are continued challenges addressing the high level of part time work in the province’s overall employment numbers.

“All of the new jobs created were full time which tend to be higher paying and better able to support families and communities, so that’s a good thing” says BCFED President Irene Lanzinger. 

Though Statscan reported a small drop in June part-time employment, Lanzinger cautions that BC continues to have the highest level of part-time work as a percentage of overall employment of any province in Canada. “The propensity of low-paying part-time jobs in our economy is an ongoing issue for business, government and labour to address,” she says.

Meanwhile, Lanzinger says the numbers also show job growth continues to be concentrated in Vancouver. “The Lower Mainland is booming, but other regions aren’t enjoying the benefits of employment gains,” she says.

Related to jobs, Lanzinger notes that wage data released separately by Statscan shows that BC ranks fifth in Canada in Canada for average weekly earnings, while the province has the highest cost of living in Canada.  “It’s a sign of a disconnect in our job market and helps explain why issues around affordability figured prominently for working people in the May provincial election,” she says

For more information contact Stephen Howard, Communications Director, 778 879 0707

GENERAL MEETING

JULY. 18th, 2017 TUESDAY
15:30 PM Doors open at 15:00PM
7980 RIVER ROAD, RICHMOND, BC

AGENDA ITEMS

• Financial Report
• Chief and District Reports
  
• IAMAW Transportation District 140 Convention Notice of Motion:
  The Executive Board of Local Lodge 16 advises to send two (2) guests to the Transportation District 140 Convention in Toronto, Ontario from October 23rd2017 to October 26th2017 .Lost time, travel expenses and per diems included.
  
• IAMAW Screeners Conference Notice of Motion:
  The Executive Board of Local Lodge 16 proposes to send six (6) delegates, one (1) from a class 3 airport, one (1) from a class 2 airport and four (4) from a class 1 airport to the IAMAW Screeners Conference. Lost time, travel expenses and per diems included.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The General Meeting is open to all bargaining units and the members of Local Lodge 16. It is encouraged for all members to attend and participate. Please note that the quorum requirement, as per ARTICLE D SECTION 3 of the IAMAW Constitution, is set at 20 members. 

Join us on July 18th 2017 for complimentary Coffee and Doughnuts.

In solidarity,

Daniel Zamorano

Recording Secretary IAM & AW

Organizing Committee

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

In accordance with section G of Local Lodge 16 bylaws;

“Members of the Organizing committee shall be available for organizing drives, and shall work under the direction of District Lodge 140, the Canadian Vice President and/or the Grand lodge Organizing Department”,

Local lodge 16 is seeking volunteers to join our organizing committee.

In addition to the above mentioned Organizing committee members will also assist in identifying potential organizing drives.

If interested please contact me.

Rick Singh

President

I.A.M.A.W Local Lodge 16

president@iamaw16.ca

778-847-1016

SECURIGUARD – AIRSIDE ESCORTS

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are pleased to advise the Membership that a Tentative Agreement was reached between the IAMAW and Securiguard Services Ltd., on July 4, 2017, for all of the IAMAW in the Airside Escort Bargaining Unit in Vancouver, which the Bargaining Committee is recommending for ratification.

Highlights of the Memorandum of Agreement include:

One (1) Year Term – Expiring June 30, 2018
General Wages Increases as follows:
• 1.00% Effective July 1, 2017 – Static/Silver Certification – Level 4
• 5.00% Effective July 1, 2017 – Gold Certification – Level 4
• 5.00% Effective July 2, 2017 – Lead Certification – Level 1
Break Relief Coverage Ratio of 1 to 6
Improved Overtime Provisions
Introduction of an Overtime Bank
Annual Reimbursement of BC Security Workers License
Overnight Shift Premium
Vacation % Improvements to Article 22
Shorter Qualifying Periods for Health & Welfare and BCMSP Benefits

Further details will be available early next week, outlining the highlights and information concerning Ratification dates and Information Sessions for each Bargaining Unit.

A comprehensive Ratification Package is available from your Negotiations Committee Representatives for the Membership to review prior to ratification. 

The Ratification Vote will be held in the Local Lodge 16 offices, Room B4212, 4th Floor, Domestic Termination Building on July 12, 2017 between 12:30 and 20:30. Representatives from your Negotiations Committee will be present to answer your questions.

We want to thank the Membership for their support and patience during this process.

Together, standing strong as one Union and speaking with one loud voice, we can improve our standard of living.

In Solidarity,

Tania Canniff, General Chairperson
Transportation District 140, IAMAW