|
|
08/31/10—CLAC Mourns Passing of Its First President
Ingersoll, ON—CLAC mourns the death of the union's first president, James Joosse, who passed away on August 29, 2010, in his 86th year. He served as CLAC’s president from 1952 to 1957 before resigning in order to continue his studies. He was instrumental in the formation of CLAC as an alternative labour movement emphasizing the principles of justice in the workplace, the protection of the vulnerable, and providing encouragement and inspiration to workers. CLAC awarded James Joosse the title of honourary president in 1967 in celebration of his work for the union. Read More..
|
|
08/27/10—Orchard's Employees Awarded Increases
Grimsby, ON—Employees of The Orchard’s Retirement Residence in Vineland received an interest arbitration award that recognizes their hard work and contribution to the lives of residents at The Orchard’s. Approximately 30 employees provide nursing and dietary services to residents of the retirement home. Read More..
|
|
08/25/10—NAC Employees Vote in Favour of New Contract
Morriston, ON—Employees of North America Construction (NAC) voted almost 70 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides total package increases of up to 7 percent. The workers are members of Construction Workers Local 52, affiliated with CLAC.
Read More..
|
|
08/20/10—CLAC Disagrees with McGuinty’s Money Management
Grimsby, ON—Don’t balance the budget on the backs of health care workers, CLAC is advising the Ontario government. Talks are underway between labour unions in the broader public sector and the government to see how Finance Minister Dwight Duncan’s proposed two-year freeze to public sector wages, announced in the March provincial budget, can be achieved.
Read More..
|
|
08/17/10—CLAC Helps Block LIUNA Attempt at Monopoly
Chatham, ON—CLAC joined with the Operating Engineers union and non-union contractors to successfully block an attempt by the Labourers International Union of North America (LIUNA) to create a monopoly on municipal construction work in parts of Ontario. CLAC and its allies appeared before Essex County Council who unanimously rejected LIUNA’s proposal for a monopoly by LIUNA signatory companies on all heavy civil and ICI construction in Essex County in return for contributing funds to municipal infrastructure projects. Read More..
|
|
08/04/10—Significant Increases for Glamorgan and Mayfair Employees
Calgary—Local 301 members employed by Glamorgan Care Centre and Mayfair Care Centre, owned by Travois Holdings Ltd., recently ratified new collective agreements that provide them with significant wage increases. Longer term employees will receive an increase of up to eight percent in the first year of the contract. The agreement also provides improvements to sick pay benefits. Read More..
|
|
07/27/10—Teleflex Workers Choose CLAC
Langley, BC—Workers at Teleflex Canada in Richmond voted in favour of CLAC to represent them as their union yesterday. CLAC came out on top over the Steelworkers in a vote count conducted under the supervision of the BC Labour Relations Board. The Teleflex workers will become members of Service, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, Local 501, affiliated with CLAC. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
07/13/10—New Legal Advice Opens Up Construction Work in Hamilton
In the latest issue of Guide magazine (July / August 2010), CLAC reported on the monopoly that the Carpenters’ Union held concerning all public construction work in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. The agreement shut out all contractors who were not affiliated with the Carpenters’ Union from bidding on work as long as three Carpenters’ Union affiliated contractors bid on the jobs. The restrictive bidding practice was costing city of Hamilton taxpayers millions of dollars more for public construction work. Read More..
|
|
|
|
07/09/10—CLAC Cheers Forthcoming Release of Cuban Political Prisoners
Ottawa—CLAC is deeply encouraged by the announcement made yesterday in Havana of the forthcoming release of 52 political prisoners in Cuba. While it remains to be seen whether or not the members of independent trade unions are part of the 52, there is hope that these men, who have been in prison for over seven years, will be released.
Read More..
|
|
07/05/10—CLAC Members Protest Lack of Government Funding
Kincardine, ON—CLAC members care for seniors—why doesn’t the government? This slogan, emblazoned on a banner carried by CLAC members and supporters in front of a nursing home in Kincardine, sums up the frustration front-line caregivers experience every day in long term care facilities across the province. Approximately 30 people, including a resident of the home, conducted an information picket and protest on June 30, 2010, to raise awareness about the Ontario government’s lack of funding for senior care. Read More..
|
|
07/02/10—Union Choice Comes To Saskatchewan
Saskatoon—Saskatchewan construction workers can finally choose which union they want to represent them with the coming into force of amendments to the Saskatchewan Construction Industry Labour Relations Act (Bill 80) on July 1, 2010. The Saskatchewan government approved an Order in Council providing for proclamation of the act. Bill 80 was passed in the legislature on May 20, 2010. Read More..
|
|
06/30/10—Ontario Locals Discuss Upcoming National Convention
Cambridge, ON—Board members from all Ontario locals gathered together recently at the union’s Cambridge office to receive and discuss information regarding CLAC’s upcoming National Convention, which will be held in Vancouver in October, and to share this information with their local members. The meeting was the first time board members from all Ontario locals had gathered together. Read More..
|
|
06/28/10—Trillium Court Workers to Conduct Information Picket
Kincardine, ON—CLAC members employed by Trillium Court Seniors Community in Kincardine will conduct an information picket on June 30, 2010, in front of the home starting at 1:00 p.m. The front-line caregivers aim to raise awareness in the community of the need for the government to set minimum standards of care for residents of long term care facilities. Read More..
|
|
06/24/10—Job Satisfaction is Moderated by Good Workplace Practices: Long term Care Study
A study of 160 nurses in five nursing homes in Cleveland and Vancouver has presented findings “on the ability of nursing staff to interact with residents in a way that positively affects the nurse’s well-being and occupational satisfaction.” The goal of the study was to “examine the relationships between individual characteristics [age, gender, etc.], work demands, work resources, and conflict resolution strategies on the one hand and nursing staff outcomes such as psychological morale, burnout, and job satisfaction on the other.” Read More..
|
|
06/18/10—Cedarwood Employees Ratify Agreement
Winnipeg—Employees at Cedarwood Supportive Housing in Steinbach, Manitoba, recently voted unanimously to ratify a renewal of their collective agreement. The employees, members of Education, Service and Health Care Union, Local 306, were facing difficult times in their niche of housing for seniors. Ultimately, they were able to retain their unique benefits, and secured wage increases of up to seven percent over three years. Read More..
|
|
06/17/10—LMS and CUC Employees Join CLAC
Winnipeg—Employees at LMS Reinforcing Steel and Canadian Union Construction (CUC) recently chose CLAC as their union. A strong majority of employees signed membership cards, and CLAC was granted automatic certification for both firms by the Manitoba Labour Board. Read More..
|
|
06/14/10—Helping the Children of Cold Lake Play
Edmonton—Hundreds of Local 63 members have been working in the Cold Lake area and now they are helping hundreds of children play. The local recently made a $1,000 donation to Cold Lake Elementary School to help it construct a new playground. Read More..
|
|
|
|
06/08/10—Triton Employees Join CLAC
Edmonton—Employees of Triton Maintenance Services Inc., working in the town of Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, recently joined Local 63. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board certified the local to represent them. Negotiations for a first contract between CLAC and the company are ongoing, with hopes to bring them to a conclusion and subsequent ratification vote shortly. Read More..
|
|
06/07/10—CH2M Hill Employees Ratify New Agreement
Edmonton—Employees of CH2M Hill Construction Canada Ltd. working near Empress, Alberta, recently voted 83 percent in favour of accepting a new collective agreement negotiated on their behalf by Local 63. The contract includes wage increases of 2.5 percent, with a wage review in August 2010, as well as increases to the employees’ retirement package to six percent, paid by the employer. The company is involved in various industrial construction projects in Alberta. Read More..
|
|
06/04/10—Positive Relationship Results in Gains for Sheepskin Employees
Edmonton—Sheepskin Scaffold and Contracting Ltd. and Local 63 recently came to terms for a new collective agreement subsequently ratified by the membership. The contract runs to June 2012. Members working for Sheepskin in the Wood Buffalo region (Fort McMurray) will receive a 7 percent increase while those in the rest of Alberta will receive a 2.5 percent improvement in wages. Wage rates will be reviewed again in August 2010. Read More..
|
|
06/03/10—Bill 21 Barely Scratches the Surface
Mississauga—“CLAC is pleased that the McGuinty government is finally looking at the issues surrounding the regulation of retirement homes,” says Hank Beekhuis, Provincial Director of CLAC (the Christian Labour Association of Canada). “Our union has made numerous submissions to the Ontario government beginning as early as 1984 to alert them to the plight of seniors whose only regulation in retirement homes was the Landlord and Tenants Act and the local Fire Codes.” Read More..
|
|
06/03/10—Mapleview Electric Employees Ratify New Contract
Vaughan, ON—Employees of Mapleview Electric voted 98 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides a total package increase of over 18 percent. The 36-month agreement includes wage increases of 11 percent and a new boot allowance as well as increases in safety equipment allowance, health benefits coverage, pension contributions, and holidays. Read More..
|
|
06/02/10—Gisborne Sprinkler Fitters Join CLAC
Edmonton—Gisborne Fire Protection Alberta Ltd. employees recently voted 84 percent in favour of representation by Local 63. Gisborne has been operating in Alberta since 1985. The employees are involved in fabricating sprinkler modules in the company’s shop in Nisku or on construction project sites and installing sprinkler systems. They have already started to take advantage of some of the benefits of being certified with CLAC by using the training centre in Edmonton for CSTS training. Negotiations for a first contract will get underway shortly. Read More..
|
|
05/26/10—GAMS Employees Ratify Contract
Cambridge, ON—Local 150 members employed by Ground Aerial Maintenance Services LTD recently ratified a renewed collective agreement. The new contract includes improvements to working conditions, increases to wages, and the addition of Family Day as a statutory holiday.
Read More..
|
|
05/25/10—Local 52 Members Ratify New Contracts
Mississauga, ON—Employees of AW High Voltage Contracting Limited voted in favour of a renewed collective agreement that provides them with an overall wage increase of nine percent over three years. The Local 52 members work in and around the greater Toronto area and expressed great appreciation for the speedy negotiations and fair wage increases during difficult economic times in Ontario. Read More..
|
|
05/21/10—CLAC Applauds Pen Canada for Stance on Free Expression in Cuba
Mississauga, ON—CLAC congratulates PEN Canada on the launch of its "Freedom to Write in the Americas" campaign. The campaign, aimed at promoting free speech and respect for the rights of journalists and citizens to express themselves without fear of violence or intimidation, is a sign of growing recognition of the need for basic freedoms in the Americas and, in particular, Cuba.
Read More..
|
|
05/20/10—A Day to Honour PSWs
Mississauga, ON—Yesterday marked the first ever Personal Support Workers Day, officially recognized as such by the Ontario government. Personal support workers (PSWs) provide front-line health care to Ontario residents. Read More..
|
|
05/19/10—Wage Increases at JV Driver Steel Shop
Edmonton—Local 56 members employed by JV Driver Steel Shop heavily endorsed a negotiated settlement providing wage increases of 1.75 percent, effective May 1, 2010, and 2.25 percent effective November 1, 2010. Additional classifications were also added to the agreement to allow for upward mobility for skilled tradespersons. Read More..
|
|
05/18/10—Increases for We Care Employees
Langley, BC—Over 100 Local 501 public health workers voted in favour of a new three-year contract with We Care Home Health Services in Vancouver. Wage increases total close to eight percent over the term with increases in vacation accrual and mileage reimbursement along with better sick day provisions. As well, a new matching RSP plan was introduced whereby the employer will match personal contributions up to a maximum of three percent of wages.
Read More..
|
|
05/07/10—CLAC Suggests Protesters Should Question Building Trades Track Record
Saskatoon—CLAC believes workers protesting against Bill 80 in front of the CLAC office should really be asking protest organizers how they could lose market share despite having a monopoly on organizing construction workers in Saskatchewan. Bill 80 proposes to let Saskatchewan construction workers choose, for the first time in 18 years, which union they want to represent them. Read More..
|
|
04/30/10—Upper Canada Glass Employees Ratify New Contract
Richmond Hill, ON—Members of Construction Workers Local 52 employed by Upper Canada Glass voted unanimously in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides a total package increase of over four percent. The 24-month agreement includes wage increases and improvements to boot allowance, safety clothing allowance, and premiums.
Read More..
|
|
04/30/10—MHC Services Employees Ratify Settlement
Langley, BC—Members of Local 501 employed by MHC Services Corp., a division of Marquis Services, recently ratified a mediated settlement by an 80 percent majority. The parties were unable to reach agreement during negotiations and requested the assistance of the mediation division of the Ministry of Labour. Special thanks to bargaining committee members Nelly Yong and Theresa Davies for their support and hard work. Read More..
|
|
04/28/10—Day of Mourning
Langley, BC—CLAC representatives attended national Day of Mourning ceremonies in Vancouver and two other locations in BC, joining forces with labour and industry leaders and members of government in remembering workers who have lost their lives on the job. Hosted by WorkSafeBC President Dave Anderson, the sombre ceremony included an emotional tribute by the daughter of a fatally injured logger.
Read More..
|
|
04/26/10—Chatham Retirement Resort Employees Ratify Contract
Chatham, ON—Last week, employees of Chatham Retirement Resort voted 98 percent in favour of ratifying a renewal collective agreement. The employees, who are members of Local 303, had been without a contract since September 2009 due to prolonged and at times difficult negotiations. The renewal agreement provides a four percent increase over the two-year duration of the contract along with increases to the health benefit plan, life insurance, bereavement leave, uniform allowances, and shift premiums. Read More..
|
|
|
|
04/23/10—Increases for Flint Oilsands Employees
Fort McMurray, AB—Employees of Flint Oilsands Construction Ltd. recently ratified a new collective agreement that will provide them a two percent increase to base wage rates. The contract also includes an increase to employer contributions for the health and welfare plan. The 200 Local 63 members employed by the company are working on phase 1 of the Statoil Hydro Demonstration Plant near Conklin, Alberta.
Read More..
|
|
04/21/10—Site C Dam a Big Opportunity in BC
Langley, BC—On Monday, the BC government announced plans to push ahead with the huge Site C dam project on the Peace River in northeastern BC. At an estimated cost of $6.6 billion, the dam will generate 900 megawatts of electricity when it comes on line in 2020, enough to power 410,000 homes. BC Hydro is forecasting electricity demand growing by 20 to 40 percent over the next 20 years, and Site C will go a long way to providing clean electrical sustainability in the province. Read More..
|
|
04/20/10—New Contract for Triton Maintenance Employees
Fort McMurray, Alberta—Over 50 maintenance workers employed by Triton Maintenance Services Inc. strongly ratified a renewal collective agreement, which will cover them for the next two years. The new contract provides immediate increases to maintain the current health and welfare benefit plan, a two percent wage increase in the first year of the agreement, and a wage review for the second year.
Read More..
|
|
04/20/10—CG Employees Ratify Agreement
Edmonton—Construction Workers Union Local 63 members employed by Continental Group Electrical Motor Services (Northern) Ltd. (CG) ratified a one-year renewal collective agreement. Currently, approximately 50 CG employees are performing electrical motor installation and maintenance, electrical construction, and maintenance services on the Suncor refinery in Sherwood Park. Read More..
|
|
04/07/10—Mainland Civil Employees Ratify Contract
Langley, BC—Local 68 members employed by Mainland Civil Works Inc. recently ratified a three-year contract renewal, which will see wages rise by a minimum of eight percent over that time. Increases to the health and welfare plan were also negotiated along with a safety allowance.
Read More..
|
|
04/05/10—Local 68 Miners Awarded Wage Increases
Tumbler Ridge, BC—Members of Local 68 working at the Wolverine Coal Mine in Tumbler Ridge were awarded a seven percent wage increase over two years as well as other benefits in a recent arbitration decision. The wage and benefit negotiation was submitted to arbitration by Local 68 and the Western Coal Corporation.
Read More..
|
|
04/01/10—CKHA Employees Firmly Endorse CLAC, Reject OPSEU
Chatham, ON—Yesterday, service unit employees of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) voted overwhelmingly to keep Local 303 as their union. By a count of 208 to 88—over 70 percent of those who voted—employees rejected the efforts of OPSEU, the raiding union, to take over representation rights.
Read More..
|
|
04/01/10—CLAC Says Carpenters’ Union’s Monopoly No Joke for Taxpayers
Grimsby, ON—CLAC says the Carpenters’ Union’s monopoly is directly responsible for raising taxpayers' costs in the city of Hamilton. "To the Carpenters’ Union, it appears that some workers are more equal than others," says Andrew Regnerus, CLAC’s Ontario construction coordinator, referring to a recent decision to disqualify four contractors from bidding on a water treatment facility in Hamilton. The decision is the result of an agreement between the city and the Carpenters’ Union that allows only contractors affiliated with the Carpenters’ Union to bid on public work. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/22/10—General Maintenance Services Employees Ratify Wage Review
Sarnia, ON—Employees of General Maintenance Services voted in favour of a wage review settlement negotiated on their behalf by Constructions Workers Local 53. The three-year contract was originally settled in 2009 and provided a wage increase for the first year of the agreement as well as a one percent increase to employer-paid pension contributions; improvements to safety training funding; and increases to boot, tool, and meal allowances.
Read More..
|
|
03/22/10—New Contract for Flint Maintenance Employees
Fort McMurray, AB—Over 200 maintenance workers employed by Flint Maintenance Services Ltd. strongly ratified a two-year renewal collective agreement. The employees, members of Local 63, provide a variety of maintenance services on Canadian Natural Resource Limited’s Horizon project north of Fort McMurray. Read More..
|
|
|
|
03/18/10—Time to End Seven Years of Wrongful Imprisonment
Ottawa—CLAC is calling on the government of Canada to publicly denounce the arrest and imprisonment of 75 trade unionists, journalists, and human rights activists in Cuba on this day seven years ago. "We have recently seen the death Orlando Zapata, a trade union activist, and there are other prisoners close to death," says Brian Dijkema, CLAC's international representative. "It would be appropriate for our government to publicly make known its concerns for the remainder of the political prisoners in Cuban jails on this black day." Read More..
|
|
03/09/10—Vacation Bank Maintained, Wage Increases at Fellowship Towers
Toronto—Employees of Fellowship Towers ratified a renewed collective agreement negotiated by their union, Health Care and Service Workers Union Local 304. The new contract, approved by 95 percent of those voting, provides employees with 6.5 percent in wage increases over 3 years as well as improvements to benefits and in-lieu of benefit premiums and shift premiums. Other improvements include a new weekend shift premium of $0.25 per hour.
Read More..
|
|
03/09/10—Workplace Democracy Prevails
Cambridge, ON—The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) decided to honour the wishes of 24 employees working at Anne Hathaway Residence in Stratford. The employees had participated in an OLRB-supervised vote on February 9, 2010, and by a margin of 86 percent had decided to leave their current union in order to join Grand River Valley Health Care Employees Union Local 305. Since 2002, the employees had been represented by OFHCW Local 1100 of the Labourers' International Union (LIUNA). Read More..
|
|
03/05/10—CLAC Applauds Show of Democracy, Support for Sydenham Hospital
Wallaceburg, ON—CLAC strongly supports the current Ontario Healthcare Coalition panel tour as it canvasses opinion and public feedback from northern and rural Ontario communities. The panel made its first stop in Wallaceburg and heard from citizens, community groups, and organizations about the possible closure of the emergency department at Sydenham Hospital. Read More..
|
|
|
|
03/03/10—CLAC Applauds Increased Capital Investment in BC Budget
Victoria—CLAC supports the additional increase of $1.9 billion in accelerated infrastructure spending announced by Finance Minister Colin Hansen in the provincial budget today. The BC government remains committed to investing $20.7 billion over three years on schools, roads, hydroelectric projects, and other infrastructure.
Read More..
|
|
|
|
02/26/10—Edmonton Local Works to Assist the Disadvantaged
Edmonton—Solidarity Local 104 is working with two separate inner city agencies, the Bissel Centre and the Native Healing Centre, to provide personal protective equipment and training services for members of Edmonton’s most disadvantaged community. “The support and generous contribution offered will make a big difference in their lives,” says Mark Bubel, the Bissell Centre’s employment services manager. Read More..
|
|
02/26/10—It’s About Time!
Grimsby, ON—CLAC applauds the recent announcement by Gerry Philips, minister responsible for seniors, to move toward regulating retirement homes. “CLAC has been urging the government to regulate these facilities for over 20 years,” says Hank Beekhuis, CLAC’s Ontario provincial director. “The current hodgepodge of municipal regulation is simply too inadequate and poorly enforced.” Read More..
|
|
|
|
02/22/10—Ber-Mac Employees Ratify Contract
Calgary—Following a four-week negotiation process, Local 63 members employed by ABB Ber-Mac voted heavily in favour of ratifying a renewed 21-month collective agreement. The journeyperson and apprentice electricians and instrumentation technicians manufacture, maintain, and install specialized electrical and instrumentation equipment, particularly for the oil and gas industries. Read More..
|
|
02/23/10—Increases for Willbros Employees
Fort McMurray, AB—About 200 CLAC Local 63 members employed by Willbros Construction Services (Canada) LP ratified a renewal two-year collective agreement. The employees perform pipeline construction and maintenance work on oilsands plant sites in the Fort McMurray area.
Read More..
|
|
02/19/10—New Agreement for Ledcor Employees
Calgary—Following a 4-week negotiation process, Local 63 members employed by Ledcor Construction Limited voted 75 percent in favour of ratifying a renewed 2-year collective agreement. Employees covered by the agreement include journeyperson carpenters and apprentices, cement finishers, surveyors, and labourers who work in the commercial construction sector across Alberta, focused primarily in the Calgary and Edmonton regions. Projects the members are working on include the Epcor Tower and the recently completed Art Gallery in Edmonton and The Bow tower and CrossIron Mall near Calgary. Read More..
|
|
02/18/10—Second Annual Meeting with Alberta MLAs
Edmonton—CLAC hosted its second annual meeting with Alberta MLAs at an open house held at the union’s Edmonton office. “The open house was a valuable opportunity to provide leaders in government with a fresh perspective on labour relations in Alberta,”says Paul deJong, CLAC’s Prairie provinces director.
Read More..
|
|
02/17/10—Local 68’s Newest Members Ratify Contract
Langley, BC—The 40 CLAC members employed by Scott Construction, who recently joined Local 68, ratified their first contract. The agreement provides immediate wage increases for all classifications, an improved benefits package, and increased employer retirement plan contributions.
Read More..
|
|
02/10/10—Buy Low Employees Ratify New Agreement
Calgary—Following a four-month negotiation process, Local 56 members employed by Buy Low Foods Ltd. voted heavily in favour of ratifying a renewed collective agreement. Buy Low employees supply grocery, frozen, dairy, bakery, meat, and produce products to hundreds of grocery and convenience outlets from BC to Manitoba. Read More..
|
|
02/09/10—Warming Up the Winter for Charity
What better way to warm up the winter than by having a chilifest. Members of Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, employed by Maple Court Villa in Walkerton, Ontario, held the event to raise money and awareness for osteoporosis. Tending to the needs of the elderly on a daily basis, the employees of this nursing home are well-acquainted with the debilitating illness. Read More..
|
|
02/05/10—Local 53 Members Ratify First Agreement
Chatham, ON—Following certification in the last half of 2009, Local 53 members employed by Postma Heating and Cooling voted heavily in favour of ratifying their first collective agreement. The contract includes an immediate wage increase of approximately five to eight percent as well as improvements to vacation, benefits, boot allowance, overtime provisions, and contract language regarding seniority and layoffs. Read More..
|
|
02/01/10—Kiewit Energy Employees Ratify New Agreement
Fort McMurray, AB—Local 63 members working for Kiewit Energy on the Kearl Lake oilsands project froth plant site ratified a new collective agreement. The contract provides an immediate 3.6 percent wage increase, with an additional 3.4 percent increase in the spring when construction of the plant begins. In addition to the wage increases, members will enjoy improved shift schedules and be enrolled in the CLAC Pension Plan.
Read More..
|
|
01/27/10—CLAC Participates in Virtual Career Mining Fair
CLAC is participating, along with major employers in the mining sector, in the first virtual career mining fair, which will run from January 27 to February 26, 2010. Workers interested in employment in the mining sector can visit many potential employers and submit resumes online. Read More..
|
|
01/21/10—CLAC Clarifies Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Proposal
CLAC has sent a further submission to the Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Board to clarify its proposal on a tiered wage for younger workers. CLAC is recommending a $0.57 cent increase in Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage for younger workers, a smaller increase than that proposed for older workers in order to increase youth employment. Studies have shown that youth employment rates decrease as minimum wage rates increase. Read More..
|
|
01/19/10—Partnership with MSEC Pays Off
Langley, BC—A partnership between the BC Training Centre and the Métis Skills and Employment Centre (MSEC) is starting to pay off for CLAC members. In 2008, an agreement worked out between CLAC and MSEC allowed CLAC members to participate in fully funded, provincially accredited carpentry level 1 courses provided by MSEC. As a result, 23 members achieved their certification at MSEC’s school in Abbotsford. Last summer, the program was expanded to include carpentry level 2 courses, and another 10 CLAC members graduated with their certificate. Read More..
|
|
01/15/10—CLAC Expands Alberta Training Centre
Edmonton—CLAC officially opened the 11,000 square-foot expansion to its training centre today. The new West Building was built to accommodate the need for 12 additional welding booths, five classrooms, a large bay for scaffolding training, and space for aerial platforms and skid-steer training. The largest training room has been named the Frank Kooger Hall, in honour of CLAC’s late former Fort McMurray regional director. Read More..
|
|
01/08/10—Hardy Terrace Nurses Secure Increases
Mount Pleasant, ON—Registered staff at Hardy Terrace, a long term care facility, unanimously approved a renewed collective agreement. The two-year contract includes wage increases ranging between six percent and over nine percent over the life of the agreement. Read More..
|
|
01/08/10—CLAC Applauds Extension of EI to Self-Employed Workers
Beginning January 30, 2010, self-employed workers will be eligible to receive employment insurance benefits, a long overdue benefit for this vulnerable class of worker and a position strongly supported by CLAC. In the past people who worked for themselves were ineligible for EI payments because they did not meet the traditional definition of an employee receiving a salary with automatic payroll deductions for this insurance. Read More..
|
|
01/04/10—Giving Back to the Community
Tumbler Ridge, BC—Local 68 recently donated $3,000 to provide team jerseys for the Tumbler Ridge Raptors, a local minor hockey league team. “We consider it an imperative to give back to the community and are pleased to contribute to such a positive and worthwhile organization," says Colin McComb, BC representative. "Local 68 and its members are proud to support Tumbler Ridge Minor Hockey. We wish the Raptors a safe and successful season.” Read More..
|
|
12/18/09—Ontario Health Care Locals Host Provocative Speaker
Grimsby, ON—Attendance at the annual general meetings of Local 302 and Local 305 were both at record highs this year due to the inclusion of dynamic guest speaker Michael Lewis, whose presentation was titled, “And Other Duties As Assigned.” Lewis filled the room with laughter while providing members with a thought-provoking perspective on how to deal with the stress that comes from working in the health care field, where every day can hold a very different routine. The local boards thank all those who attended this year’s dinner events and encourage all members to take part in the 2010 meetings.
Read More..
|
|
12/16/09—Nursing Home Workers Reject OPSEU
Owen Sound, ON—Employees of Mapleview Nursing Home soundly rejected an attempt by OPSEU to represent them in a vote held at the home recently. Support for staying with CLAC Health Care and Service Workers, Local 304, was overwhelming. Read More..
|
|
12/15/09—Canonbie Employees Ratify New Agreement
Fort McMurray, Alberta—Local 63 members working for Canonbie Contracting Ltd. on the Suncor Firebag Stage 3 project ratified a new collective agreement. The new contract provides a five percent wage increase immediately with an additional two percent effective March 1, 2010. In addition to the wage increases, members will enjoy improved break periods and travel provisions. Read More..
|
|
12/14/09—Local 304 Members Support Schizophrenia Society
Mississauga, ON—The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario has $500 more this year to help persons and their families who suffer with this mental illness, thanks to the generosity of members of Health Care and Service Workers, Local 304. Each year the local selects a cause to support, and Sarbjit Gainda and Maureen Alexis, executive board members of the local, were pleased to present the donation to the society. Read More..
|
|
12/04/09—CLAC Proposes Increase in Saskatchewan's Minimum Wage
Saskatoon—An article written by Angela Hall, published in the Leader-Post, comments on CLAC’s submission to the Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Review Board. The submission, which can be read at http://www.clac.ca/minimumwage, outlines CLAC’s four recommendations for improving employment conditions and alleviating poverty. Read More..
|
|
|
|
11/27/09—Chartwell Employees Join CLAC!
Brampton, ON—Employees of Greenway Retirement Village voted unanimously in favour of joining Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304. “The employees of Greenway chose to join CLAC based on what they read and heard the union’s principled and hands-on approach to representation,” says Stephen Bromell, Ontario representative. Read More..
|
|
11/23/2009—New Contract for Kingdom Construction Employees
Puslinch, ON—Employees of Kingdom Construction completed ratification votes in both Sudbury and Windsor recently approving a renewed collective agreement negotiated on their behalf by Construction Workers, Local 52. The new contract, supported by 83 percent of those voting, provides employees with over 8 percent in wage increases over 3 years as well as improvements to benefits and live-out provisions. Other improvements include an increase in vacation pay and clothing allowance.
Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/05/09—New Contract for Livingstone Manor Workers
Listowel, ON—Employees of Livingstone Manor Retirement Residence enthusiastically and unanimously voted to accept a new collective agreement, which provides them with a 2.5 percent wage increase despite the difficult recessionary climate. The employees, who are represented by Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, also were pleased to receive an increase in statutory holidays as well as improvements to sick time benefits. Read More..
|
|
11/04/09—Two more CLAC Scholarship Winners
Dana Nowak, of Kitchener, Ontario, and Kendall Wieler, of Winkler, Manitoba, have each won a $1,500 CLAC scholarship. CLAC awards 12 scholarships annually to members currently working for CLAC-organized employers, or their spouses or children. It considers applicants who support CLAC’s objectives of bringing respect, dignity, and fairness to the workplace community and a cooperative approach to labour relations.
Read More..
|
|
10/27/2009—Educational Assistants Ratify Renewal Agreement
Winkler, MB—Educational assistants represented by Education, Service, and Health Care Union, Local 306, recently ratified a new three-year agreement with Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) that contains several significant improvements. Adjustments include increased paid compassionate leave, improvements to vacation pay for long term staff, and access to an unpaid three-month leave every ten years. The agreement emphasizes relevant education and increases wages to reflect those of neighbouring divisions. Read More..
|
|
10/23/2009—Employees' Patience Rewarded with First Contract
Barrie, ON—Employees of Whispering Pines Residences, a retirement home in Barrie, Ontario, were awarded a first collective agreement through interest arbitration, which will provide them with wage increases ranging between 7.3 and 10.5 percent over the contract's three-year term. The employees are members of Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, joining the union in January 2008. The agreement also includes holiday improvements, significant benefit coverage enhancements, improved sick time provisions, extra vacation time, and clear language guidelines to ensure fair processes regarding scheduling, call-ins, and seniority provisions. Read More..
|
|
10/23/09—Maple Court Employees Ratify Agreement
Walkerton, ON—Employees of Maple Court Villa, members of Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, ratified a renewed collective agreement. Employees maintained a number of key components with the new three-year contract and negotiated wage increases of 6.2 percent over the term.
Read More..
|
|
10/21/09—Alicia Runco Wins CLAC Scholarship
Edmonton—Alicia Runco has won a $1,500 CLAC scholarship. Alicia is the daughter of Debra Runco, a CLAC member and front-end senior specialist at the Hampton Market Save-On Foods in Edmonton. Alicia is currently in the Education Program at Grant MacEwan College. Read More..
|
|
10/15/09—CLAC Demands End to Violence Against Workers in New Brunswick
Edmonton—CLAC demands that building trades workers in New Brunswick end their violent demonstrations against an Alberta subcontractor working at the Canaport LNG plant in Saint John. The demonstrators have tried to stop employees of Integral Energy, an Alberta company working non-union in New Brunswick, from going to Canaport by blocking their buses, including throwing objects off highway overpasses and breaking bus windows. Most of Integral’s workers at Canaport are from Atlantic Canada and some are members of CLAC.
Read More..
|
|
10/15/09—Justin Dyck Wins CLAC Scholarship
Winnipeg—Justin Dyck of Niverville, Manitoba, has won a $1,500 scholarship from CLAC. Justin is the son of Brenda Dyck, a member of Local 306 employed by the Hanover School Division. Justin will pursue his degree at the University of Manitoba. Read More..
|
|
10/14/09—CLAC Nation Building Together Gathering Opens Today
Edmonton—A conference featuring leaders from Aboriginal communities, government, labour, and industry opens today in Edmonton to develop ways to strengthen partnerships on economic development and employment opportunities for Aboriginals. CLAC is hosting the conference, which runs from October 14 to 16 at the Mayfield Inn & Suites. Read More..
|
|
10/14/09—Stop Your Stinkin' Thinkin'
Owen Sound, ON—Members of Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, held their annual meeting recently. After the business meeting, during which Paula Murray from Saugeen Valley Nursing Home was elected to sit on the local board, members were encouraged to stop their stinkin' thinkin' by dynamic speaker Michael Lewis. Read More..
|
|
10/09/09—Justin Lewis Wins CLAC Scholarship
Fort McMurray, AB—Justin Lewis of Sydney, Nova Scotia, has won a $1,500 CLAC scholarship. Justin is the son of Local 63 member Craig Lewis and is a first-year student at St. Francis Xavier University where he is pursuing a degree in human kinetics. Read More..
|
|
10/07/09—Matthew Heinemann Wins CLAC Scholarship
Abbotsford, BC—Matthew Heinemann of Abbotsford has won a $1,500 CLAC scholarship. Matthew graduated from Abbotsford Senior Secondary in 2006, and after a few years in the workforce he decided on a career in the trades, partly because of the opportunities he envisioned as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement. He is enrolled in the Trades and Technology faculty at the University of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack where he is beginning his plumbing apprenticeship. Read More..
|
|
10/01/09—CLAC Calls for Democracy at Niagara Health System
Grimsby, ON—CLAC is demanding that workers at Niagara Health System's (NHS) seven facilities be allowed to choose which union they want to represent them in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation. CLAC is attempting to sign up enough NHS workers to hold a vote on whether they want CLAC or the incumbent SEIU to represent them. Read More..
|
|
10/01/09—Royal Ready Employees Ratify Contract
Oakville, ON—Employees of Royal Ready Construction voted unanimously in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides a total package increase of over 11 percent. The three-year agreement includes wage increases and improvements to holidays, boot allowance, and employer contributions to the pension plan. Read More..
|
|
09/29/09—Construction Employees Ratify First Collective Agreement
Woodbridge, ON—Employees of Can-Am Pipe Works Ltd. voted unanimously in favour of a first collective agreement, which provides total package increases of 19 percent or greater to employees over the life of the three-year agreement. The contract includes increases to wages, clothing and protective equipment allowances, and benefit and pension packages. Read More..
|
|
|
|
09/25/09—CLAC Calls on G20 Leaders to Resist Protectionism
Ottawa—CLAC calls on all the world leaders attending the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh to avoid implementing protectionist measures as a means of dealing with the global economic downturn. CLAC's comments echo statements made by the International Trade Union Confederation, which represents 170 million workers globally, calling for the G20 meeting to be a “jobs summit.”
Read More..
|
|
|
|
09/17/09—New Contract Saves Jobs
Blenheim, ON—Local 519 members employed by MPP Canada voted two to one in favour of ratifying a renewal collective agreement. According to Ryan Griffioen, Ontario representative, the three-year agreement is a responsible contract for some very trying times. Read More..
|
|
09/16/09—CLAC Donates Building to Safety Village
Chatham, ON—CLAC turned over the keys to a new building—a miniature replica of its Keil Drive office in Chatham—to the Chatham-Kent Children's Safety Village. The union and its affiliated locals constructed the building as a response to a call for community involvement in the Safety Village project.
Read More..
|
|
09/15/09—Positive Gains for VON Nurses
Chatham, ON—Registered practical nurses employed by VON Chatham-Kent, members of Southwestern Ontario Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 303, have ratified a new two-year collective agreement. The contract provides significant improvement in both compensation and workplace conditions. Read More..
|
|
09/14/09—Annual BC Stewards Conference Gets Underway
Whistler, BC—CLAC is hosting its annual conference for BC stewards from September 14 to 16 in Whistler. Over 100 CLAC members from across BC, who are elected stewards, will spend time enhancing their representation skills in a series of workshops and presentations from labour relations experts. Read More..
|
|
09/10/09—CLAC, Industry, and Aboriginal Leaders to Meet
Edmonton—Representatives from CLAC and its signatory companies are joining in a gathering with leaders from Aboriginal communities, government, and industry to develop ways to strengthen partnerships on economic and employment opportunities for Aboriginals. Topics include building strategies for partnerships, economic and labour force development, training, and consultation. The gathering and trade show will take place October 14 to 16, 2009, at the Mayfield Inn & Suites in Edmonton. Read More..
|
|
09/09/09—Million-Hour Safety Milestone Reached
Edmonton—CLAC congratulates members of Local 56 in Edmonton employed by OEM Remanufacturing, who reached the milestone of 1,000,000 hours worked without a lost time incident. This is the second time these members have achieved this remarkable accomplishment, repeating a feat they first reached in August 2007. Read More..
|
|
09/08/09—CLAC Wants EI Reform Process to Continue
Ottawa—CLAC is calling on all federal parties to continue the process of Employment Insurance reform. It prepared a brief to the committee struck by the federal government and Liberal party to study EI reform and is concerned that political parties have lost interest in this important issue. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
09/03/09—CLAC Says Fraser Institute Wrong on Unions
The Fraser Institute's recent report, Labour Relations Laws in Canada and the United States, is a welcome contribution to the ongoing discussion about the role and importance of unions, workers, and employers and the laws that facilitate their relationships. Unfortunately, the study fails to support its conclusion that workers organized by unions lead to labour market inflexibility, which in turn leads to lower productivity, which leads to lower economic growth. The report’s overarching conclusion and bias is that it is good public policy to institute laws that diminish the ability of unions to represent workers. But behind the report’s number crunching, graphs, and research lies a flawed understanding of the purpose of labour unions and their contributions to a productive and flourishing society. Read More..
|
|
09/02/09—CLAC Supports Continued Capital Investment in BC Budget
Victoria—CLAC is pleased that Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced in the provincial budget that the BC government remains committed to investing $21.6 billion in public infrastructure and job creation despite projected budget deficits over the next several years. The BC government is also accelerating infrastructure spending announced previously in order to support the economic recovery.
Read More..
|
|
08/07/09—CLAC Calls on Ontario Government and OPSEU to Help Students
Mississauga, ON—CLAC is calling on the Ontario government to change its decision not to pay its summer students their vacation and statutory holiday pay. CLAC also asks the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the union representing government summer students, to waive and refund union dues since OPSEU cannot prevent the Ontario government from refusing to pay students. Read More..
|
|
08/03/09—RNs Ratify New Contract
London, ON—Registered Nurses represented by Southwestern Ontario Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 303, employed by Chateau Gardens Nursing Home unanimously ratified a new two-year collective agreement. The contract keeps them in step on all levels with provincial wage rates for RNs in long term care. Read More..
|
|
|
|
07/17/09—Library Technicians Ratify Agreement
Winkler, MB—Library technicians represented by Education, Service and Health Care Local 306 ratified a new three-year agreement with Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) that contains several significant improvements. Adjustments include improvements to vacation pay for long term staff, increased paid compassionate leave, and access to an unpaid three-month leave every ten years. The contract also has several new provisions for gaining credit on the wage grid while also increasing wages to reflect those of neighbouring divisions. Read More..
|
|
07/10/09—Old Labour, Not Unions, Is the Problem
Mississauga, ON—In this summer of labour discontent, it’s time to mix literary allusions and report that the death of unions is much exaggerated. Pundits are climbing all over themselves to point at strikes in British Columbia, Windsor, and especially Toronto to conclude that unions are anachronisms that should be confined to the dustbin of history. Read More..
|
|
07/09/09—Can't Believe Everything You Read
Chatham, ON—It was with both surprise and disappointment that I read the recent announcement that the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has clawed its way back to a financial surplus, after only six months ago informing the public of a $6-million deficit.
As a representative of the union that represents over 400 of the Alliance's employees, I have to shake my head when reading that Mr. Tremblay credits factors such as the recommendations of the Deloitte Report, variable staffing patterns and absenteeism management for bringing finances into line. I find it shameful to give credit to a report that included little to no employee consultation and did not consider ramifications or consequences of recommendations such as the closure of the medicine floor at Sydenham. Read More..
|
|
Chartwell Employees Join CLAC
Oakville, ON—Employees of Chartwell Classic Oakville have unanimously decided to join Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, affiliated with CLAC. "The Chartwell employees chose CLAC to represent them largely because of their past experience with CLAC in other workplaces. Read More..
|
|
06/17/09—Self-Employed Workers Union Supports Access to EI
Ottawa—Canada's only union for self-employed workers is asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff to include self-employed workers as they discuss changes to Canada's Employment Insurance scheme this week. April numbers from Statistics Canada show that job creation in the current economic climate is led by self-employment. Read More..
|
|
06/10/09—Industrial Cleaners Ratify Agreement
Meaford, ON—Members of Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 304, employed by Canada Catering, voted 71 percent in favour to renew their collective agreement. "Our bargaining committee did an excellent job given the difficult economic conditions," says Michael Glockner, Ontario representative. Read More..
|
|
06/04/09—Leacock Care Employees Ratify New contract
Orillia, ON—Employees of Leacock Care Centre voted over 90 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides a total package increase of between approximately 4.5 to 6.5 percent. The 26-month agreement includes wage increases and improvements to bereavement leave, benefits, and credit for related RPN experience.
Read More..
|
|
05/26/09—New Contract for Belleville's Volunteer Firefighters
Belleville, ON—Fifty volunteer firefighters in Belleville reached a new three-year collective agreement with the city. Council members voted on Monday to approve the new contract. Although a tentative settlement was reached on April 9, the details were kept confidential until both sides had a chance to vote on the settlement. Read More..
|
|
05/20/09—Pro Electric Employees Strong in Support
London, ON—Following a secret-ballot ratification vote, PRO Electric Inc. employees have a new three-year contract negotiated on their behalf by Construction Workers Local 53. Employees voted unanimously in support of the agreement, which provides them with wage increases of nearly 11 per cent to the base journeyman rate along with increases to vacation pay, working foreperson premium, yearly tool allowance, and training funds for employee skill and safety courses. Other important improvements were made to reimbursable mileage provisions and clarification of travel pay language.
Read More..
|
|
05/15/09—We Care Vernon Workers Choose CLAC
Kelowna, BC—CLAC proudly announces that the facility workers at We Care Vernon have chosen CLAC to represent them as their union. CLAC won the vote over a competing bid by BCGEU in an election supervised by the BC Labour Relations Board. We Care facility workers will become members of the Service, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, Local 501, joining other We Care workers who are already members of Local 501. Read More..
|
|
05/15/09—CONMED Employees Ratify Contract
Grimsby, ON—Employees of CONMED Health Care Group voted 90 percent in favour of a new
contract that will give them substantial wage and language improvements during the three years of the contract. This multi-location collective agreement covers the 600 employees working at Billings Court Manor in Burlington, Millennium Trail Manor in Niagara Falls, and Maple Park Lodge and Crescent Park Lodge in Fort Erie. Wage increases range from approximately 8 to 13 percent during the life of the agreement.
Read More..
|
|
|
|
05/04/09—Mclean Taylor Employees Show Strong Support for First Agreement
St Marys, ON—Employees of McLean Taylor, a construction firm, have overwhelmingly approved their first collective agreement with 97 percent voting in favour of the three-year contract. The settlement provides these Local 53 members with dramatic increases to their monetary package, including increases to wages, pension contributions, safety footwear and clothing allowances, travel pay, and vacation pay. Read More..
|
|
04/24/09—Sinopec Sued to Recover Wages Fraudulently Appropriated
Fort McMurray, AB—CLAC announced today that Huang Yungang, a Chinese welder and former CLAC member who worked on the Horizon Project in 2007, is suing Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Company Ltd. and a number of its affiliates (collectively called Sinopec) to recover wages that he asserts were fraudulently appropriated by Sinopec. He filed a statement of claim today in the Court of Queen's Bench in Calgary seeking to recover about $42,900 he claims is owed to him. Read More..
|
|
04/22/09—BC Premier Visits CLAC Members
Vancouver—CLAC members working for Peter Kiewit Sons welcomed BC Premier Gordon Campbell when he visited the site where the new Port Mann Bridge will be built. Campbell announced that the bridge would be completed a year earlier than previously announced. The bridge and Highway 1 upgrade will employ about 4,000 CLAC members during construction. Read More..
|
|
04/21/09—Leading Cuban Labour Leader to Visit Ottawa
Ottawa—Pedro Pablo Alvarez, secretary general of the United Council of Cuban Workers, will be visiting Ottawa from April 21 to 24 to brief Canadian parliamentarians and describe the continued denial of basic human rights in Cuba. Mr. Alvarez's visit is being co-sponsored by CLAC and the Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL), an independent think-tank. Read More..
|
|
04/17/09—New Contract Ratified at Cedarvale
Keswick, ON—Employees of Cedarvale Lodge, a nursing and retirement home, voted unanimously in favour of a renewed collective agreement providing a wage increase of five percent over the contract’s two-year term. The new agreement also includes increases to the in-lieu premium for part-time employees, the introduction of a new weekend premium, and improvements to the uniform allowance and health benefits. Read More..
|
|
04/09/09—Construction Trades Job Fair in Cornwall
Cornwall, ON—CLAC will be hosting a job fair for construction trades persons on May 6, 2009, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Ramada Inn & Conference Centre located at 805 Brookdale Ave., in Cornwall. The union is seeking qualified journeyperson and apprentice electricians, plumbers/pipefitters, and sheetmetal workers for projects in Cornwall, most notably the city’s hospital expansion, and for other potential projects in eastern Ontario. Read More..
|
|
04/01/09—New Agreement for GMS Workers
Sarnia, ON—Employees with General Maintenance Services have a new contract after voting in favour of accepting a settlement negotiated on their behalf by Local 53. The new three-year agreement provides employees with an immediate three percent wage increase, with wages for 2010 and 2011 to be negotiated each year. Employer-paid benefits such as health care benefits and vacation pay remain unchanged. However, an additional one percent increase in employer-paid contributions to employee pensions is scheduled for 2011. Safety training funds, boot and tool allowance, and meal allowances were also improved. Read More..
|
|
04/01/09—Patience and Support Pays off at Aurora
Aurora, ON—Employees of Aurora Resthaven, a long term care home, voted over 98 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, which provides a total package increase of between approximately 8 to 13 percent. The three-year agreement includes wage increases, the addition of family day, an increase to the weekend premium, benefit increases, and extra vacation time. Read More..
|
|
03/26/09—CLAC Supports Infrastructure and Health Care Spending in Ontario Budget
Toronto—CLAC supports the Ontario government's budget proposal to spend $32.5 billion on infrastructure and add 1,750 long term care beds across the province by 2012. CLAC officials were at Queen's Park attending the Ministry of Finance budget lockup.
"The 1,750 additional beds are welcome but the reality is Ontario needs 10 times that number to accommodate the growing number of baby boomers requiring long term care," says Hank Beekhuis, CLAC's Ontario director. Read More..
|
|
03/11/09—Looby Construction Employees Ratify First Agreement
Chatham, ON—After several months of negotiations, employees of Dublin-based Looby Construction Ltd. have their first collective agreement after voting 93 percent in favour of accepting a settlement negotiated on their behalf by Local 53. The three-year contract provides them with secure wage rates and scheduled increases as well as provisions for employer-paid benefits, training funds, boot and clothing allowance, and daily expense allowance. Importantly, employees will receive employer-paid contributions for retirement savings for the first time. Read More..
|
|
03/05/09—Medicine Closure Equals ER Closure in Wallaceburg
Chatham, ON—After receiving particulars on medicine unit layoffs earlier this week, CLAC Local 303 is criticizing the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) for acting too soon. The local represents 450 employees of the service unit at CKHA, including approximately 90 in Wallaceburg.
Read More..
|
|
02/26/09—CLAC Mourns BC Member Sam Fitzpatrick
Langley, BC—The CLAC family is mourning the loss of Sam Fitzpatrick who tragically lost his life on February 22, 2009. Sam was working at the East Toba hydroelectric project when an accident occurred. Sam’s brother, Arlen, was working with him but escaped injury. The Fitzpatricks were employees of Peter Kiewit Sons and members of Local 67. Both had previously worked on the Sea to Sky Highway. The brothers had also worked for CLAC signatory company Frontier-Kemper.
Read More..
|
|
02/25/09—New Contract for Lode-King Workers
Winkler, MB—Production employees at Lode-King Industries have ratified a renewal of their collective agreement. The workers are represented by the Lode-King Worker's Association (LKWA), CLAC Local 204. Significant improvements will be made to the overall compensation package in the first year of the agreement, with workers keeping up with CPI in the second year and a guarantee against wage rollbacks in the case of significant deflation. Adjustments were also made to premiums, equipment allowances, and language relating to layoffs. Read More..
|
|
02/20/09—Custodial Staff Ratify New Agreement
School custodial employees represented by CLAC voted 78 percent in favour of a renewal of their collective agreement with the Hanover School Division (HSD). The previous agreement expired June 30, 2008. Highlights include a wage increase of 55 cents per hour (but no less than 3 percent) in the first year of the agreement, 2.75 percent in the second year, and 3 percent in the third year. Adjustments were also made to bereavement leave, sick leave, and paid time on Christmas Eve day.
Read More..
|
|
02/18/09—Medicine Department Closure Not the Answer
Chatham, ON—After receiving the news several weeks ago that the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) proposes to close the medicine department at its Wallaceburg campus, CLAC is letting the public know that the planned moves are unacceptable. CLAC Local 303 represents approximately 450 employees of the service unit.
Read More..
|
|
02/17/09—CLAC Supports Infrastructure Stimulus in BC Budget
Victoria—CLAC supports the $14 billion in infrastructure spending announced today in the BC budget by Finance Minister Colin Hansen. It is also supportive of additional health care spending of $4.8 billion over three years and 2,000 additional places for apprenticeships next year. CLAC representatives were in Victoria to take part in the budget lockup for stakeholders. Read More..
|
|
|
|
02/04/09—Quarry Employees Ratify New Agreement
Aurora, ON—Employees of Lafarge-Coldwater and Lafarge-Brechin voted overwhelmingly in favour of two renewed collective agreements, which provide total package increases of over seven percent over the three-year terms of the contracts. The agreements include increases to wages and the clothing and protective equipment allowance, the addition of Family Day to the statutory holiday provisions, and improvements to benefits. Read More..
|
|
01/29/09—More Bad News for Sydenham Campus
Chatham, ON—After receiving Tuesday’s Small Emergency report commissioned by the Local Health Integration Network, hospital employees at the Sydenham campus in Wallaceburg were met by further grim news. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, after commissioning a separate report to address cost-cutting measures, revealed plans to close 10 medicine beds at Sydenham, while sending a further 10 to the Chatham campus. This will close the medicine floor altogether. Read More..
|
|
01/29/09—Workers Ratify Win-Win Agreement at King Nursing Home
Bolton, ON—Employees of King Nursing Home Inc., represented by Local 304, affiliated with the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), voted 96 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement. The contract provides wage increases of 8.25 percent over the 3-year term for most classifications, with additional hourly increases for all registered nurses and registered practical nurses. Read More..
|
|
|
|
01/27/09—Levels of Care and Job Security Are Paramount Concerns
Chatham, ON—The Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) board was presented with the Small Community Hospital Emergency Department study findings in a recent public meeting. The report covers facilities in Leamington, Petrolia, and Wallaceburg, the latter of which is part of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). CLAC Local 303 represents approximately 450 employees of the service unit at CKHA, with about 90 in Wallaceburg. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/16/08—Vision Employees Ratify Contract
Sarnia, ON—Employees of Vision Nursing Home have a new collective agreement after ratifying a three-year contract providing wage increases of over 13.9 percent for registered practical nurses, 10.5 percent for health care aides and personal support workers, and 8.5 percent for all other employees. Read More..
|
|
12/09/08—Quail Creek Ratifies First Contract
Renfrew, ON—The 18 employees of Quail Creek Retirement Residence unanimously ratified a first collective agreement recently. The ratification marks the end of a process first begun in December of last year when Quail Creek voted in the union. Read More..
|
|
12/08/08—CLAC Gets Vedder Transport Drivers Major Increases
Langley, BC—Drivers at Vedder Transportation voted to ratify a new collective agreement that gives them increases of between 20 percent and 24 percent over three years. The Vedder drivers are members of the Transport, Construction & General Employees' Association, Local 66, affiliated with CLAC. Read More..
|
|
|
|
12/01/08—Nadeco Inc. Renews Contract
Guelph, ON—Employees of Nadeco, a heavy civil construction company, voted 100 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, providing wage increases tied to CPI increases annually over the contract’s three-year term. Other highlights include increases in paid sick days, travel cost allotments, holidays, and safety wear allowances. Read More..
|
|
|
|
11/26/08—Unanimous Approval for Nursing Home Contract
Lucknow, ON—Registered nurses at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home unanimously approved the settlement reached for a renewed collective agreement, providing a wage increase of 11 percent over a period of two years and improvements to benefits and vacation time. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/18/08—CLAC Mourns Loss
Langley, BC—The CLAC family is mourning the loss of two of its members who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on the British Columbia coast on November 16. Jerry Burns and Matt Sawchenko were on their way to the East Toba hydroelectric project when the accident occurred. Burns and Sawchenko were employees of Peter Kiewit Sons and members of Local 67. Both had previously worked on the Sea to Sky Highway. CLAC is helping the families cope with their loss. Read More..
|
|
10/29/08—Maple City Employees Ratify New Two-Year Agreement
Chatham, ON—Over 20 employees at Maple City Retirement Residence have a new union contract. Members of the service unit—comprised of guest attendants, dietary staff, housekeeping, and activation workers—unanimously ratified a two-year contract. In addition to a 5.2 percent raise in wages over the life of the agreement, workers will enjoy improvements to the benefit plan, the vacation grid, pension contributions, and the in-charge premium. A weekend premium will also be introduced and increased in the second year. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/01/08—Wage Increases for Copper Terrace Nurses
Chatham, ON—Registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) at Copper Terrace Long-Term Care Facility voted recently to approve a renewed collective agreement. The nurses, represented by Local 303, voted unanimously in favour of accepting the contract, which will provide wage increases of over 15 percent during the three-year term of the renewal. Read More..
|
|
09/30/08—CLAC Mourns Frank Kooger
Fort McMurray, AB—The CLAC family lost one of its leaders when Frank Kooger, regional director for Fort McMurray, Alberta, passed away suddenly on September 26. Known for his boundless energy, enthusiasm, and sense of humour, Frank was one of CLAC's most popular representatives. He was a mentor to his younger colleagues, CLAC's resident "ideas man," and instrumental in the union’s growth in industrial construction. Read More..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/18/08—Brick Making Plant Votes Unanimously in Favour
Brampton, ON—Employees of Brampton Brick, a brick making plant, voted 100 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, providing wage increases of 6 percent over the contract’s three-year term with additional hourly increases to pension contributions. Other highlights include increases in benefits, vision care coverage, bereavement entitlements, and safety wear allowances.
Read More..
|
|
09/15/08—WB & B Employees Ratify First Contract
London, ON—At a recent meeting, employees of Woodstock-based WB & B Masonry Inc. voted 80 percent in favour of ratifying a first collective agreement. The contract provides these new members of Construction Workers Local 53 with an immediate wage increase of two to four dollars per hour, regular yearly raises, the introduction of a pension plan and a benefit plan, improved vacation pay, and increased holiday time. Read More..
|
|
09/11/08—Nursing Retirement Home Votes 100 Percent in Favour
Thornbury, ON—Employees of Errinrung Thornbury Inc., a nursing and retirement home, voted 100 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, providing wage increases of 8.35 percent over the contract’s three-year term (for most classifications), with additional hourly increases for all registered nurses and registered practical nurses. Other highlights include increases in benefits, vision care coverage, life insurance benefit, and vacation entitlements.
Read More..
|
|
09/08/08—New Contract for OEM Remanufacturing
Edmonton, AB—Members of CLAC Local 56 working at OEM Remanufacturing Company in Edmonton voted 71 percent in favour of a new collective agreement, providing wage increases between 23.5 percent and 31 percent over the duration of the approximate three-year contract. The new agreement also sees improvements in pension, benefits, apprenticeship funding, vacation and general holidays, shift premium, as well as a 4 percent retroactive pay adjustment back to April 7, 2008. Read More..
|
|
|
|
08/29/08—Contract Settlement for Retirement Residence Employees
St. Catharines, ON—The nearly fifty employees of the Heatherwood Retirement Residence and the adjoining St. Catharines Place Retirement Residence, recently voted to accept a new three-year agreement. The contract provides wage increases of 3 percent per year and moves pension contributions up to the top standard for that industry, matching contributions of 4 percent (formerly 3.25 percent). Read More..
|
|
8/26/08—CLAC Supports Freedom of Association Rights for AMAPCEO
Mississauga, ON—In the face of reported efforts by the Ontario government to force the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO) into the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), CLAC supports AMAPCEO in its fight to uphold its right of freedom of association and maintain bargaining rights for the 10,000 employees it represents. Read More..
|
|
|
|
8/15/08 - HCH Employees Ratify Contract
Brampton, ON—Employees of Holland Christian Homes, a nursing and retirement home, voted 83 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement, providing both total package increases between 9.5 percent and 14 percent and wage increases from 8 percent to 12 percent over the contract’s three-year term. Read More..
|
|
8/14/2008 - Unanimous Support for New Agreement
Vineland, ON—Employees of the United Mennonite Home for the Aged voted 100 percent in favour of a renewed collective agreement. The agreement provides a wage increase of 8.35 percent over the next three years and includes special adjustments for RNs and RPNs as well as changes to sick day and vacation provisions. Read More..
|
|
8/1/08 - Fiddick's Employees Ratify Agreement
Petrolia, ON—Over 100 employees at Fiddick’s Nursing Home and Retirement Home have ratified a new three-year agreement. The contract features wage increases of 8.5 percent for nursing home employees and up to 13 percent for retirement home employees. Registered practical nurses in the retirement home gained adjustments totalling over 11 percent, while those employed in the nursing home will see increases over 15 percent over the life of the agreement. Read More..
|
|
7/31/08 - New Contract for Penn-Co Workers
Blumenort, MB—The 60-plus employees at Penn-Co Construction in Ontario and Manitoba recently voted 100 percent in favour of their new collective agreements with the company. “This level of support is virtually unheard of, and we take it as a firm vote of confidence in the work of the bargaining committee and the company,” says Geoff Dueck Thiessen, CLAC's Mantioba regional director. Read More..
|
|
7/28/08 - Electricians Ratify New Contract
Windsor, ON—Local 53 electricians, affiliated with CLAC, voted in favour of a new collective agreement. Employees of Poirier Electric and Lighting Maintenance Services recently voted 89 percent and 100 percent in favour of their respective settlements, ending some difficult rounds of negotiations, due in large part to the area’s slowing construction market. Read More..
|
|
7/23/08 - New Contract at St. Andrew's
Chatham, ON—Employees at a Chatham retirement home have approved a new contract which will give them increased wages, vacation time, and pension. The 40 employees at St. Andrew’s Residence are represented by CLAC Local 303. They met last night to approve the settlement. Read More..
|
|
7/18/08 - Staffing Levels Cornerstone to Improving Long Term Care
Grimsby, ON—The Sharkey Report is yet one more study in a long list of reports going back over 25 years. “The bottom line is always the same: staffing, staffing, staffing,” says Hank Beekhuis, CLAC’s Ontario provincial director. CLAC is the fourth-largest union in long term care. “It seems that government funding never catches up to growing resident needs or long term care expansion. It’s always too little, too late,” he says. Read More..
|
|
|
|
7/15/08 - Dietary Employees Ratify New Contract
Scarborough, ON — The dietary department employees of The Wexford Residence unanimously voted in favour of a renewed collective agreement. The contract provides wage increases of 7.5 percent over the contract’s three-year term, with an additional 30 cents per hour for all classifications upon ratification. Other highlights to the contract include a $250 lump sum payment for all part-time employees, increases in vision care coverage, bereavement leave, vacation, paid holidays, and the introduction of a weekend premium. Read More..
|
|
|
|
7/2/2008 - Construction Workers Ratify contract
Windsor, ON—Employees of Ben Bruinsma and Sons Ltd. voted unanimously to accept the terms of a new one-year contract negotiated by Construction Workers Local 53. The agreement features a 50 cent per hour increase, which employees voted to direct in whole to hourly pension contributions. Read More..
|
|
6/18/2008 - Ready Mix Employees Ratify First Contract
Toronto—Employees of Royal Ready Mix unanimously ratified their first collective agreement negotiated on their behalf by Local 52. Drivers and yard employees accepted a collective agreement that provides wage, benefit, and other monetary increases of more than 12 percent over three years, including increases to vacation pay entitlement and the introduction of an employer-paid pension plan. Read More..
|
|
6/17/08 - Kanyou Believe it!
Langley, BC—The employees of Kanyon Ridge Traffic Control have voted in favour of representation by CLAC, Local 68. The vote was counted against the wishes of Labourers International Union, Local 1611, which claimed to have a collective agreement with Kanyon Ridge. Read More..
|
|
6/17/2008 - Graceview Workers Ratify Contract
London, ON—Employees of Graceview Enterprises Limited, a general contractor based in Belmont, voted unanimously to accept a collective agreement settlement negotiated by Local 53. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of $2.85 per hour over the life of the agreement. Read More..
|
|
6/16/2008 - Daycare Workers Ratify Contract
Windsor, ON—Workers employed by a local daycare centre ratified a contract that will provide them with a three percent wage increase over four years. Employees of the Delta Chi Beta Childcare Centre voted unanimously to accept a collective agreement settlement negotiated by Southwestern Ontario Health Care and Service Workers Union, Local 303. Read More..
|
|
6/6/2008 - The Good and Bad of Bill 26
Edmonton—Bill 26—Labour Relations Amendment Act 2008—was rammed through the Alberta Legislature on June 5 at 3:40 a.m. after only seven hours of debate. Passing this bill, which the government says introduces "revisions that would protect public safety, build fair workplaces for employees, and promote healthy competition in the construction sector," with so little debate is an abuse of power by a government determined to repay its friends in the Merit Contractors Association. Read More..
|
|
6/5/2008 - Maples Home Employees Ratify New Contract
Tavistock, ON—The almost 70 employees of The Maples Home for Seniors have a new collective agreement. Workers at both the nursing and retirement homes ratified a new three-year contract that provides wage increases of 8.25 percent for the nursing home employees and 8.75 percent for retirement home employees. Read More..
|
|
|
|
5/15/2008 - New Contract for Nursing Home Employees
Ridgetown, ON—Workers employed by The Village Retirement Residence (Revera) ratified a new three-year agreement, consisting of general wage increases of 8.35 percent for personal support workers, registered practical nurses, guest attendants, dietary, housekeeping, and laundry aides. Read More..
|
|
05/12/2008 - New Contract for Boonstra's One Hour
Flamborough, ON - Technicians and Installers employed by Boonstra’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, a top-rated heating and air conditioning company in the Hamilton area, unanimously ratified a three-year renewal of their collective agreement. Read More.. | |