seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707
seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707
seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707
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<strong>seven</strong>-o-<strong>seven</strong><br />
<strong>REPORTER</strong><br />
Official<br />
Publication of<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong>, Oakville, Ont.<br />
July - September 2011 Vol. 54, No. 3<br />
Fight For<br />
Pensions<br />
And Benefits<br />
see President’s article pages 2-4
Official publication of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong><br />
Published four times a year<br />
at Oakville, Ontario<br />
“Authorized as third class mail by<br />
the Post Office Department, Ottawa,<br />
and for payment of postage in cash.”<br />
Printed by Thistle Printing Limited<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong><br />
475 North Service Rd. East<br />
Oakville, Ontario L6H 1A5<br />
(905) 844-9451, (905) 844-6431<br />
or 1-800-313-8<strong>707</strong><br />
E-mail: local<strong>707</strong>@cawlocal<strong>707</strong>.ca<br />
Web Page: www.local<strong>707</strong>caw.ca<br />
ExEcutivE OfficErS<br />
Gary Beck — President<br />
Ron Balazs — Vice-President<br />
Dave Millar — Recording Secretary<br />
Nadia Anton-Collins — Financial Secretary<br />
Shawn White — Trustee<br />
Nadine Wildgen — Trustee<br />
Lil Heil — Trustee<br />
Larry Pratt — Sergeant-at-Arms<br />
Bert Tousignant — Guide<br />
Charlie Goode — Retirees’ Chairperson<br />
The <strong>707</strong> Reporter is a publication of the <strong>CAW</strong><br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>, distributed free to members. It is<br />
published four times a year.<br />
Members are encouraged to express their<br />
views on topics which have been addressed in<br />
the <strong>707</strong> Reporter, and to raise other issues for<br />
discussion. Any opinions or views published in<br />
the <strong>707</strong> Reporter are those of the contributor and<br />
are not necessarily the opinions or views of <strong>Local</strong><br />
<strong>707</strong>; the <strong>CAW</strong>, or the Editorial Board, and neither<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>; the <strong>CAW</strong>; nor the Editorial Board<br />
accepts responsibility for them.<br />
Copyright for articles published in the<br />
<strong>707</strong> Reporter remains with the authors of the<br />
individual articles and, as such, written requests<br />
for permission to reproduce any articles, in whole<br />
or in part, should be directed to the author.<br />
The Editorial Board reserves the right to<br />
publish or not. Letters to the Editor must be<br />
signed. Publication of any advertisement should<br />
not be deemed an endorsement of the products or<br />
services advertised.<br />
Editor: ron Balazs<br />
editor@local<strong>707</strong>caw.ca<br />
EditOrial BOard:<br />
Mark Sciberras Bert tousignant<br />
Kenny Hogarth tim Batke<br />
/em cope343<br />
Features<br />
President’s Report .....2-4<br />
Financial Report ...........7<br />
Retirees .................20-26<br />
We Asked ...................38<br />
Page 2 – July – September 2011<br />
President’s Report<br />
By Gary Beck<br />
UAW<br />
Bargaining<br />
The collective agreements in place between UAW members and<br />
their respective employers, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler<br />
expire on September 14, 2011. Bargaining began in July when<br />
UAW President, Bob King kicked off negotiations. Ford, GM<br />
and Chrysler claim they are at a disadvantage compared to the<br />
transplant companies with the lost wages, benefits, pensions,<br />
etc.. Yet they are still showing huge profits. One does not have<br />
to look far to see where these profits are spent with CEO, Alan<br />
Mulally receiving $56.5 million in stock awards.<br />
The companies must remember that were it not for the sacrifices made by the<br />
workers, where would they be today? The message must be sent quite clearly<br />
by UAW President Bob King that if you are going to pay bonuses to your management<br />
team, you had better get off your wallet and pay both the retirees and<br />
active members who work on the line to make your profits.<br />
In Canada, we can only sit back and watch as this drama unfolds before us.<br />
Whatever lies in store for Ford south of the border will have a severe impact<br />
on us in Canada.<br />
Ford Council<br />
In July, elections were held at Ford Council. I congratulate Bob Scott for<br />
being elected as Trustee and Gary Ensell as Member-at-Large. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> will<br />
be well represented.<br />
Congratulations are due to all members of the Executive and they are represented<br />
as follows.<br />
Gary Beck <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Chairperson<br />
Chris Taylor <strong>Local</strong> 200 Vice Chair<br />
Kim Clout <strong>Local</strong> 584 Financial Secretary<br />
Bob Scott <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Trustee<br />
Tim Little <strong>Local</strong> 200 Trustee<br />
Gary Barash <strong>Local</strong> 200 Trustee<br />
Gary Ensell <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Member-at-Large<br />
St. Thomas Plant Closure<br />
It will be a sad day when the last vehicle rolls off the line in St. Thomas on<br />
President’s Report – Continued on Page 3
President’s Report<br />
...continued from Page 3<br />
September 16th. The Ford Motor<br />
Company has refused any<br />
investment in the plant. It states<br />
that it no longer needs the plant<br />
or the line of vehicles. In 2001,<br />
the Auto Pact was ruled illegal<br />
by the World Trade Organization.<br />
Where would St. Thomas<br />
be today if it was still in<br />
place? By the end of this year,<br />
Ford will drop to #5 with GM,<br />
Chrysler, Toyota and Honda<br />
producing more vehicles in<br />
Canada than Ford. <strong>Local</strong> 1520<br />
members deserve better with<br />
a long history of achieving all<br />
levels of quality and productivity.<br />
The Ford Motor Company<br />
has turned a blind eye. It is absolutely<br />
disgusting that it has<br />
turned its back on these members!<br />
President Dennis McGee<br />
and Scott Smith, Chairperson<br />
of <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> 1520 deserve<br />
recognition for the insurmountable<br />
hurdles they encountered in attaining the agreements in<br />
place.<br />
ThyssenKrupp/Budd Canada<br />
I want to thank all those who attended the picket line in<br />
front of ThyssenKrupp’s Oakville site demanding the company<br />
honour its commitments to retirees at the former Budd<br />
Canada (TK Budd).<br />
ThyssenKrupp is trying to renege on its commitment to<br />
some 1,500 retirees, cancelling their healthcare benefits. It<br />
is attempting to dissolve retiree benefits through the Bankruptcy<br />
and Insolvency Act. The <strong>CAW</strong> is currently in court<br />
fighting with ThyssenKrupp Canada in an effort to save these<br />
benefits of the former Budd Canada workers in Kitchener.<br />
The <strong>CAW</strong> demands that this multinational corporation employing<br />
177,000 people in 80 countries and with a net equity<br />
valued at more than $14 billion honour its commitment to<br />
our retirees, some of whom are in long term care homes or<br />
recipients of recent organ transplants on life sustaining antirejection<br />
medication. The plant closed in December 2008 and<br />
the workers were represented by <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> 1451.<br />
Bob Chernecki, Assistant to the President of our National<br />
Union communicated our concerns to Stacey Allerton, Vice<br />
President Human Resources of Ford Canada via an email<br />
indicating:<br />
I write to you concerning the above part supplier (Thyssen-<br />
Krupp) for OAC. This corporation has cut off retiree benefits.<br />
It has restructured the Canadian operations and we are attempting<br />
to deal with this critical matter on behalf of our<br />
members. This is absolutely unconscionable for a corporation<br />
this size to cut off benefits for retirees.<br />
There are over 1,500 retirees in the Budd Canada (Thyssen-<br />
Krupp) system. Following difficult discussions with this corporation,<br />
we were able to secure monies to cover the benefits<br />
until mid-September 2011.<br />
Our union has absolutely no intention of putting up with<br />
this type of arrogance. This action by this corporation violates<br />
the principles of the supplier conduct letter between<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> and Ford. We request that you make contact with this<br />
corporation and advise it that this type of action is unacceptable<br />
and will affect the Ford and ThyssenKrupp relationship<br />
on current and future supplier initiatives. Your Intervention<br />
in this matter is critical. Please contact me at your earliest<br />
convenience.<br />
United Way Benefit Co-ordinator<br />
I want to congratulate Rita Thompson on attaining the position<br />
of Labour Staff Rep with the United Way of Oakville.<br />
Rita has an impressive repertoire within the labour movement<br />
as a result of 33 years of working with the <strong>CAW</strong> and<br />
Ford Motor Company in Oakville. During this time, Rita’s<br />
abilities were never limited to any single specific area but<br />
instead she managed to involve herself by becoming the<br />
Women’s Advocate in the Workplace, as well as the Employment<br />
Equity Representative (positions she held for 13 years).<br />
During those years she worked vigorously by earning the<br />
respect and support of both her peers and the Ford Motor<br />
Company.<br />
Rita was appointed by the Ford Motor Company and the<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> National Office to the position of Workplace Training<br />
Coordinator. In this position, she managed the classrooms<br />
President’s Report – Continued on Page 4<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 3
President’s Report<br />
...continued from Page 3<br />
and organized all the classroom modules. Never<br />
one to sit back, Rita continually challenged herself<br />
by making sure she continued to upgrade her education.<br />
She has spearheaded numerous humanitarian<br />
endeavours within the community, always the one<br />
to lead these efforts. Rita has been honoured with<br />
the Spirit of Courage Award; Volunteer of the Year<br />
Award, Women’s Activist Award and was also nominated<br />
for the Halton Women of the Year Award.<br />
Dates To Remember<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
Sept. 2rd to 5th Labour Day weekend<br />
Sept. 18th General Membership Meeting<br />
Sep. 21st Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
OCTOBER<br />
Oct. 10th Thanksgiving<br />
Oct. 16th General Membership Meeting<br />
Oct. 19th Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
Oct. 29th Retirees’ Honour Roll Dinner/Dance<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
Nov. 16th Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
Nov. 20th General Membership Meeting<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Gary Beck<br />
President<br />
Ford Council Chair<br />
Page 4 – July – September 2011<br />
TOLL FREE NUMBERS TO KEEP HANDY<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Office 1-800-313-8<strong>707</strong><br />
<strong>CAW</strong> National Office<br />
<strong>Local</strong> Calling Area: 905-844-9451<br />
Fax: 905-844-0027<br />
(from 905/519/613/705 calling areas) 1-800-268-5763<br />
<strong>Local</strong> Calling Area: 416-497-4110<br />
W.S.i.B. Hamilton Office: 1-800-263-8488 <strong>Local</strong> Calling Area: 905-523-1800<br />
Green Shield Enquiries 1-800-265-5615<br />
The Ford Benefit Centre 1-866-376-9501 Fax: 1-877-891-5369<br />
caW legal Service<br />
credit union<br />
1-800-465-9701 Fax: 905-842-1389<br />
<strong>Local</strong> Calling Area: 905-842-3101 Call Collect: 0-905-842-3101<br />
Oakville Office: 905-845-3441 / 1-877-894-6625<br />
Brampton Office: 905-790-0344 / 1-877-889-4662
The Union’s Power Comes<br />
From Members On The Floor<br />
Recently we meet with <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> 200’s<br />
bargaining committee to compile our<br />
amendments for our negotiations with<br />
Voith. Both locations are 100 per cent in<br />
support of moving forward to bring back the best collective<br />
agreement we can to the membership of Voith. On August 24,<br />
2011 we will begin our local discussions with Oakville’s management<br />
along with discussions on our outstanding list of grievances.<br />
The strike mandate vote will be held on September 18th<br />
after the regularly scheduled membership meeting.<br />
With Bargaining Units #1 CBA up almost a year from now this<br />
could be the toughest round of negotiations we have ever seen. With<br />
the UAW negotiations ramping up, and another possible downturn<br />
in the U.S. economy lurking around the corner, and our dollar being<br />
so high, it could be the sequel to the movie Perfect Storm.<br />
Going forward we will have to pull all our resources together<br />
from the active workers, to the retired workers, and all our<br />
members who will be on layoff from the plant closure in St.<br />
Thomas to take on the Ford Motor Company. Profits and bonuses<br />
are flowing among the corporate wealthy, and workers<br />
are asked to be happy with what they have received, or asked to<br />
give concessions to help out corporate America.<br />
If it isn’t enough that workers are fighting just to maintain<br />
what we currently have, we are under the threat of globalization<br />
of the world’s economy breathing down our neck. Companies<br />
are trying to push the wages of the workers down, to create<br />
Vice-President’s Report<br />
By ron Balazs<br />
more wealth for the companies they<br />
work for, with the threat of moving<br />
jobs to market’s that will pay less per<br />
hour and disregard the safety of its workers.<br />
In my first term of being a Union Steward, I had a superintendent<br />
in my area that wrote up everyone for everything, the<br />
majority of the time without any pre-investigation at all. His<br />
favorite saying was “discipline would prevail!” The members<br />
of chassis stood together and took this person of management<br />
on. It was a heck of a fight, and took some time, but in the end<br />
he was sent packing back to the good ol US of A. If we band<br />
together with one common goal and take on management we<br />
can do wonders. Make sure we complete our jobs, if we aren’t<br />
able to, then make sure we use the proper channels to challenge<br />
the company by using your union representation e.g. Committeeperson,<br />
Time Standards, Ergo. The Union’s power comes<br />
from members on the shop floor, we as representative’s can tell<br />
the company to go pound salt so many times, but without the<br />
backing of the membership we are doomed. The old saying the<br />
“U in the Union is you” couldn’t say it better.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
ron Balazs<br />
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Bring this ad in to get your <strong>CAW</strong> membership discount<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 5
Isn’t There Any Shame?<br />
Recording Secretary’s<br />
Report<br />
By dave Millar<br />
Is there any shame? Our government has let the people who<br />
built this country down yet again. Recently, at a rally in East<br />
Oakville, retired and active members alike from our local<br />
joined with hundreds of <strong>CAW</strong> activists from southern Ontario<br />
gathered on Winston Park Drive in Oakville to demonstrate<br />
at the ThyssenKrupp facility there. ThyssenKrupp is<br />
a company that had more than $65 billion in sales last year.<br />
Yes, that’s billion and more than $14 billion in profit! Yet<br />
the laws in Canada do nothing to protect the workers in this<br />
country.<br />
I feel a sense of shame knowing that our country does<br />
nothing to protect workers’ rights. Our government lets<br />
down the retired <strong>CAW</strong> workers from the former BUDD<br />
Automotive Plant in Kitchener when they allow a company<br />
like ThyssenKrupp to claim bankruptcy for a specific plant<br />
like the BUDD Plant it had purchased a few years ago only<br />
to shut it down and put its workforce out in the street – the<br />
same workers who worked for parts plant<br />
that contributed to building parts for Ford,<br />
Chrysler and GM at different times.<br />
We are all expected to live up to our<br />
end when we sign collective agreements.<br />
Why are companies given a different set of<br />
rules? We bargain for pensions as a wage in<br />
lieu. Companies have an obligation to pay<br />
their workforce what they bargain for. Pensions<br />
are not something that the companies<br />
give to its members due to their generosity.<br />
Pensions are bargained! Shame on major<br />
corporations for filing for bankruptcy when they know<br />
damn well that the last ones receiving any monies during<br />
the bankruptcy proceedings are the workers and even worse<br />
is the fact that our government does nothing to protect the<br />
workers that put billions of dollars into the pockets of the<br />
corporations.<br />
My government should protect the rights of the people of<br />
the country. Too often we hear stories of how the government<br />
fought to bring jobs to an area by making a city, region,<br />
province, country an attractive place to put its money. Well<br />
by making rules that make it easy to bring a company to<br />
an area, it also has to make it easy to have that same company<br />
close and move away. For example: If company, XYZ<br />
was to bring a plant to Hamilton, Ontario and it also had<br />
a plant in Anaheim, California and had circumstances that<br />
made it difficult to keep two plants open, then the company<br />
would have an easier time closing shop in Hamilton because<br />
it could claim bankruptcy to its Canadian sector and walk<br />
away from all the jobs, pensions, benefits because our government<br />
made it easy for it to do so.<br />
All too often we only worry about ourselves. We take too<br />
much for granted. It is about time some of us got off the<br />
Page 6 – July – September 2011<br />
My government<br />
should protect<br />
the rights<br />
of the people<br />
of the country.<br />
couch and got out and supported<br />
our fellow brothers and sisters<br />
from all unions. This pension<br />
fight is for real. Personally this<br />
summer alone, I have been on<br />
far too many picket lines, rallies,<br />
meetings regarding workers who are losing wages, benefits<br />
and having their pensions attacked. Our members need to<br />
start to pay attention and go and support those that need our<br />
help.<br />
ThyssenKrupp, Air Canada, U.S. Steel, Canada Post,<br />
Bombardier and countless others across the province and<br />
across Canada have treated their workforce horribly this past<br />
year if not longer. The Steelworkers in Hamilton have been<br />
out now for more than 10 months – shame on U.S. Steel!<br />
Air Canada put <strong>CAW</strong> workers in a strike position this<br />
summer. Fortunately for the workers an agreement was<br />
reached before the government stepped in<br />
and via legislation, ordered them back to<br />
work – shame on the federal government!<br />
CUPW workers were on rotating strikes<br />
yet continued to work until the bosses at<br />
Canada Post locked the unionized workers<br />
out – shame on Canada Post and shame<br />
again on our federal government for legislating<br />
them back to work with a worse deal<br />
than what had been offered by Canada<br />
Post. It is not responsible governing that is<br />
taking place. It is a dictatorship! Remember<br />
it is not the Government of Canada anymore. It is Stephen<br />
Harper’s government. arrogance! It is sickening!<br />
Let’s start sticking together brothers and sisters. Unions<br />
are needed now more than ever before. Someone has to<br />
stand up and fight for what is right. Without unions, we are<br />
destined for a $14/hour job and the division between the rich<br />
and poor will continue to grow.<br />
Are you aware that in 1980 it was reported that CEOs<br />
made 42 times as much money as the workers did? In 1990,<br />
they made 85 times as much and in 2000, they made 531<br />
times as much money? Let’s keep in mind the facts that have<br />
been presented to us about how much of the cost of building<br />
a vehicle in a <strong>CAW</strong> plant is. The salary and benefits of<br />
autoworkers in this country are approximately <strong>seven</strong> per<br />
cent of the cost. Where does the other 93 per cent come from<br />
and why don’t the media focus on that huge amount rather<br />
than the pittance that we require as severance for making the<br />
companies rich?<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
dave Millar<br />
recordingsecretary@local<strong>707</strong>caw.ca
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Funds<br />
For The Month Ending<br />
May 2011<br />
Current Year<br />
Month To Date<br />
General Equity – Beginning 2,795,529.25<br />
Revenue for the period 220,075.93 1,236,219.60<br />
Expenses for the period (205,199.57) (1,137,451.41)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 14,876.36 2,894,297.44<br />
Education Equity – Beginning 39,097.60<br />
Revenue for the period 285.70 1,439.90<br />
Expenses for the period (272.24) (272.24)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 13.46 40,265.26<br />
Sports & Equity – Beginning 8,061.15<br />
Recreation Revenue for the period 57.14 14,287.98<br />
Expenses for the period (36.00) (7,650.01)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 21.14 14,699.12<br />
Political Equity – Beginning 50,754.21<br />
Education Revenue for the period 285.70 1,439.90<br />
Expenses for the period 0.00 (940.26)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 285.70 51,253.85<br />
Retirees Equity – Beginning 104,583.50<br />
Revenue for the period 428.57 22,829.09<br />
Expenses for the period (9,443.01) (29,714.10)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End (9,014.44) 97,698.49<br />
New Equity – Beginning 29,644.06<br />
Members Revenue for the period 20.00 105.00<br />
Expenses for the period 0.00 0.00<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 20.00 29,749.06<br />
Picnic Equity – Beginning (39,030.09)<br />
Revenue for the period 3,028.45 12,839.15<br />
Expenses for the period (2,948.64) (6,914.55)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 79.81 (33,105.49)<br />
Building & Equity – Beginning (1,856,238.22)<br />
Building Revenue for the period 17,458.25 65,690.49<br />
Corp Expenses for the period (46,455.87) (197,296.97)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End (28,997.62) (1,987,844.70)<br />
Watch Equity – Beginning (81,745.19)<br />
Revenue for the period 714.25 3,599.75<br />
Expenses for the period (858.56) (2,314.79)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End (144.31) (80,460.23)<br />
Strike Equity – Beginning 40,975.88<br />
Revenue for the period 285.70 1,439.90<br />
Expenses for the period (1,000.00) (2,250.00)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End (714.30) 40,165.78<br />
Human Equity – Beginning (4,565.62)<br />
Rights Revenue for the period 57.14 287.98<br />
Expenses for the period (274.36) (274.36)<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End (217.22) (4,552.00)<br />
Womens’ Equity – Beginning (1,292.80)<br />
Committee Revenue for the period 57.14 287.98<br />
Expenses for the period 0.00 0.00<br />
Equity (Deficit) – End 57.14 (1,004.82)<br />
Total Funds (23,734.28) 1,061,161.76<br />
Respectfully submitted<br />
Nadia anton-collins<br />
Financial Secretary<br />
Financial<br />
Secretary’s<br />
Report<br />
By<br />
Nadia anton-collins<br />
to all Members of local <strong>707</strong> caW:<br />
Welcome back from your summer holiday. Soon schools will be<br />
up and running and kids will be starting a new school year.<br />
So, now we have lived in the 21st century for more than a decade<br />
and yet it seems that working people are still fighting the same<br />
issues as those in the 1920s. Often we hear people speak of the<br />
“good old days.” Well were they really the good old days or simply<br />
a form of dealing with frustrations of the moment? Not much has<br />
changed. As a matter of fact, it has regressed to a past from which<br />
we should have learned. It would be logical to have learned from<br />
the past in order to avoid mistakes previously made. However, that<br />
only happens in fairy tales.<br />
In the global economy, the crashes of stock markets are the ultimate<br />
disaster. Each time I turn towards the electronic media I hear<br />
nothing but more bad news. On a day by day basis, the working<br />
class is the one held accountable for the world economy. In a loud<br />
and clear voice, I ask: “Where are our federal and Provincial<br />
governments and what do they plan to do to ensure some form<br />
of stability in people’s lives?” The stability should come in the<br />
form of job protection, improvements to our healthcare system, and<br />
amendments to our pensions and the right to access free education,<br />
etc..<br />
The way I see it the worse the economy gets, the more taxes (in<br />
all manner and forms) are taken from the working class. Wait – I am<br />
not yet finished. There is also no reasonable access to government<br />
services or assistance program provided. The real amazing thing is<br />
that we now have a majority federal government that does absolutely<br />
nothing for the working class. Is this the Canada we want to give<br />
to future generations or are we ready to demand a positive change?<br />
Provincial elections are scheduled to take place in the fall of<br />
2011. I do hope that people use the right to vote and use that vote<br />
wisely. l l l l l l l<br />
It has been brought to my attention again that many of our members<br />
are unaware of the WSIB requirements. The most fundamental<br />
one is that in order for <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong> representatives to be able to<br />
address any of your concerns with respect to a work related injury;<br />
they need to have “Authorization of Representation.” This means<br />
that WSIB must be provided in writing identification of the representative.<br />
The letter is signed by the injured worker or on a Form<br />
6 that is completed by the injured worker indicating the choice of<br />
representative. When in doubt, please contact the Inplant Representatives<br />
for clarification.<br />
l l l l l l l<br />
As a reminder to those who are not yet aware, your <strong>Local</strong> Union<br />
Hall is also a banquet facility that may be rented for various functions.<br />
Should you require further information, feel free to contact the<br />
local union office for one of us to provide you with help.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Nadia Anton-Collins<br />
Financial Secretary<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 7
Greetings!<br />
Here is an update from the skilled<br />
trades’ arbitration hearing held June 28,<br />
2011. It deals with the preliminary objection<br />
raised by the company that <strong>Local</strong><br />
<strong>707</strong> abandoned the “catch-all” grievance<br />
in 2007. The union is attempting to keep<br />
this grievance alive. At the conclusion<br />
of evidence presented by the union, the<br />
company unexpectedly requested one of<br />
its witnesses be allowed to return to the<br />
stand. Surprisingly, the arbitrator agreed<br />
to this and consequently the company’s<br />
witness shall give additional evidence,<br />
resulting in yet another delay. Once<br />
this “final” witness is finished, we will<br />
present closing arguments and await the<br />
arbitrator’s ruling, which should occur<br />
fairly quickly. The next step will be the<br />
procurement of dates commencing with<br />
the “Hunter” grievance which is a more<br />
particularized one with respect to work<br />
carried out by contractors under the 2004<br />
Flexible Manufacturing Agreement.<br />
2008 Appendix ‘T’<br />
Relief Window<br />
On May 13th, the union was given 30<br />
days’ notification by the company to create<br />
a 2008 Appendix ‘T’ Relief Window<br />
for work in Final during the summer<br />
shutdown period. It was the company’s<br />
intention to utilize outside contractors<br />
in Final on the holiday weekend – not<br />
fully using our skilled trades, but instead<br />
Page 8 – July – September 2011<br />
Skilled Trades Chairperson’s Report<br />
By Gary Ensell<br />
Three Skilled Trades<br />
Arbitration Cases<br />
match them on a one to one basis. This<br />
prompted further discussions with Oakville’s<br />
management and VO people from<br />
Detroit and as a result of these meetings;<br />
we were able to persuade management<br />
to provide work opportunities for all<br />
skilled trades for time that included the<br />
long weekend. Additionally, Appendix<br />
‘T’ full utilization was provided to pipefitters<br />
and tinsmiths with other meetings<br />
leading to VO and management’s agreement<br />
to utilize Ford skilled trades during<br />
the Monday to Friday period of Jun 20th<br />
and 27th. This additional labour created<br />
work opportunities under Appendix ‘M’<br />
for skilled trades in various departments.<br />
The 2008 Appendix ‘T’ Relief Window<br />
language can be found on page 24<br />
of Exhibit B<br />
V229 Body Shop Demolition<br />
During the summer shutdown period,<br />
the heavy demolition equipment commenced<br />
work in the old V229 Body Shop.<br />
The demolition is expected to take up to<br />
three months. As previously reported,<br />
the old V229 Body Shop has been split<br />
into five zones and the demolition will<br />
move from zone to zone. Discussions are<br />
taking place with the company to identify<br />
work that can be performed by the<br />
skilled trades in the completed zones.<br />
Retirement Incentives<br />
During meetings with the company<br />
376 Iroquois Shore Road, Oakville, Ontario<br />
on skilled trades’ numbers for Oakville,<br />
the company stated there is currently<br />
an excess capacity of mechanical trade<br />
classifications by some 10–12 people. A<br />
canvass was requested and conducted to<br />
allow skilled trades in the 55 and 10 category<br />
and for those in regular retirement<br />
categories to identify their intent to retire.<br />
There have been and will continue to<br />
be meetings with union representatives<br />
of St. Thomas, members of the National<br />
Union, the COB staff, and myself on the<br />
St. Thomas global incentives reached in<br />
2009 during <strong>Local</strong> 1520’s negotiations.<br />
The next meeting is scheduled for August<br />
16th at COB.<br />
Ford Council<br />
At the recent Ford Council, there were<br />
interesting discussions about the state of<br />
the auto industry in North America and<br />
the possible negative impact the 2011<br />
UAW/Big Three bargaining may have<br />
on our 2012 <strong>CAW</strong>/Big Three bargaining.<br />
During this Ford Council meeting,<br />
I received an acclamation on the Ford<br />
Council Executive Board and was asked<br />
to chair the <strong>CAW</strong> Ford Skilled Trades<br />
Chairperson’s Master Bargaining Committee<br />
– a duty I accepted.<br />
Skilled Trades’ Start Times<br />
At the January 2011 <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> skilled<br />
trades’ meeting, discussions took place<br />
regarding start times that were changed<br />
quite some time ago with a previous<br />
skilled trades’ chair. I gave my commitment<br />
to the skilled trades at the meeting<br />
to discuss the issues with management<br />
and attempt to revert to the original 7:00<br />
a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. start times.<br />
The company was opposed to this and<br />
claimed that the previous agreement<br />
with the union must continue. Long story<br />
short: Skilled trades have reverted to the<br />
original 7:00 – 3:00 – 11:00 start times.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Gary Ensell<br />
Skilled Trades Chair<br />
(905) 845-2511 ext 3352<br />
gensell@ford.com
Serving the GTA for 27 Years • 5495 Dixie Road, Just Below The 401<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 9
Page 10 – July – September 2011<br />
Vacation Shutdown<br />
Brothers and Sisters:<br />
I hope that everyone had a safe and welldeserved<br />
vacation! Although it lasted only one week, it seemed<br />
that the weatherman this year was extremely kind to us during<br />
the shutdown. Ensure you have scheduled the rest of your<br />
vacation so that you will be able to rest your bodies from the<br />
strenuous work you do each and every day. We deserve to spend<br />
relaxing quality time with our families.<br />
Scheduling Of Work Hours<br />
We have received several complaints from our members concerning<br />
the scheduled hours regarding the inconsistency of start<br />
times on the #3 shift. On June 21, 2011, I met with Brent Merritt,<br />
Lean Manufacturing Manager and the ‘A’ shift committee<br />
to discuss our members’ concerns regarding the fluctuation of<br />
the starting times. We suggested to Brent that in the future, the<br />
company should look towards scheduling a consistent start<br />
time, e.g. if the #3 shift start time is to be 5:30 p.m. then it<br />
should be that for both weeks of the cycle so that our members<br />
can better acclimate themselves to the two week period. Brent<br />
agreed that this would not be a problem.<br />
Laid Off Workers<br />
On May 30, 2011, the company recalled 30 of our members<br />
from indefinite layoff and the remaining 36 were called back<br />
on June 20, 2011.<br />
OKO<br />
(GREENSHIELD)<br />
905 403 0003<br />
Plant Chairperson’s<br />
Report<br />
By Bob Scott<br />
Students<br />
On June 20, 2011, the company<br />
hired 80 students and another 80 one<br />
week later. Two hundred students<br />
were brought in to be given a medical<br />
and 40 remain in a pool to be brought in as needed. Several<br />
of our members expressed concerns that they were not happy<br />
with the process that the company is using to hire students.<br />
It is their belief that the company should hire sons/daughters<br />
of active workers first and then if necessary, go on to nieces,<br />
nephews, friends and neighbours. Labour Relations Supervisor,<br />
David Nangini informed me that the names of the students, who<br />
applied for work, were put into a box and selected by Steve<br />
Joyce in lottery fashion.<br />
Grievances<br />
On June 3, 2011, our Inplant Committee met at the Union<br />
Hall to discuss all outstanding grievances. Regular weekly<br />
agenda meetings are taking place with the company and several<br />
Plant Chairperson’s Report – Continued on Page 11
Plant Chairperson’s Report<br />
...continued from Page 10<br />
grievances have been settled. Our Inplant Committee has set up<br />
regularly scheduled meetings with David Nangini to discuss all<br />
grievances in their respective areas to try and reach a settlement<br />
prior to moving the grievance to agenda. This will also assist in<br />
speeding up the length of time a grievance is in the system. Currently<br />
there are more than 20 termination grievances that need<br />
to be discussed with the company to see whether an agreement<br />
can be reached.<br />
Ongoing Battles<br />
It is imperative that our members inform us if they see vendors<br />
doing work they believe belongs to us. Ben Kuypers, Rob<br />
Aquino and I have had several meetings with the company pertaining<br />
to vendors doing work in the plant that we believe to<br />
be ours. On May 30, 3011, Ben and I met with David Nangini,<br />
Mark Moran, and Joanne Bennett to discuss complaints from<br />
our members about vendors doing our work and not following<br />
the agreement in place pertaining to vendors in the plant. During<br />
this meeting we told the company and notified them that<br />
grievances would be lodged against vendors who did not have<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> support. After this meeting, Ben and I visited the west lot<br />
and found two vendors with a van full of parts and tools preparing<br />
to replace parts on vehicles. After stopping them from repairing<br />
these vehicles, we went back to meet with Mark Moran<br />
again with pictures of the van filled with parts and tools. Ben<br />
notified Mark that grievances would follow. As union leadership<br />
for <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>, we are arguing that our members are<br />
capable of doing any and all work performed in this plant.<br />
Injuries<br />
It is extremely important that our members understand that if<br />
you are injured at work, you must report it immediately. Do not<br />
wait for two or three days to see whether your injury gets better.<br />
In many cases by reporting the injury you may find that there<br />
is a resolve for the reason the injury happened in the first place.<br />
15.26C<br />
Many of our members are still being sent 15.26C notices for<br />
being off work without coverage for more than five days. It is<br />
imperative that we ensure we provide notice to the company if<br />
we are not going to be at work and that our documentation will<br />
follow.<br />
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IMP<br />
On May 19, 2001, Gary Beck, Gary Ensell and I met with<br />
David Nangini, and Gillian Briscoe to discuss the company’s<br />
misuse of the Income Maintenance Program by improper payment<br />
of short workweek funds. We notified the company that<br />
this practice must cease immediately and that a grievance would<br />
be filed to make the IMP whole.<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> – OPCOM<br />
On June 28, 2011, our union’s leadership met with the Plant<br />
Operating Committee to resume a regularly scheduled OPCOM<br />
alternating between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ shifts’ leadership to discuss<br />
issues arising in our plant on a daily basis. The intention of these<br />
meetings is for union leadership and upper plant management<br />
to openly discuss and find resolutions for ongoing problems<br />
that create barriers in the daily operation of the plant. These<br />
meetings will help resolve issues in a more efficient manner.<br />
Ford Council<br />
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Gary Beck for being<br />
re-elected to his position of Ford Bargaining Council Chairperson<br />
and Gary Ensell for being elected as Member-at-Large<br />
for the Council. I, myself was fortunate enough to have been<br />
elected as a Trustee.<br />
Poison Environment<br />
Many members have expressed concern to my office that<br />
they have had enough of rumours, poison, lies and wrong information<br />
spread on the plant floor by certain individuals having<br />
nothing better to do than gossip and slander others for their own<br />
personal agenda. If you believe that people are poisoning your<br />
environment, then tell them to stop or you will file a complaint<br />
against them.<br />
If you have concerns that information being given to you by<br />
an individual or individuals is misleading or inaccurate, you<br />
need to ask your Committeeperson to provide you with the<br />
proper information or call my office at (905) 845-2511 ext.<br />
3350.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Bob Scott<br />
OAC Plant Chair<br />
905-845 2511 ext. 3350 / 905-483-1475 cell<br />
Telephone: 905-849-7560<br />
www.haltonhearing.com<br />
Offers <strong>CAW</strong> LOCAL <strong>707</strong> Union Members Hearing Services<br />
Conveniently Located in Downtown Oakville<br />
c Complete Hearing Tests at no cost to you with a referral<br />
from a Physician. Visit our website to print a referral form<br />
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July – September 2011 – Page 11
I hope everybody had a fantastic summer – clear skies, little<br />
rain, and plenty of sunshine.<br />
Life at Voith has not been without some surprises. For example,<br />
it does not seem to be able to keep its supervisors. Voith<br />
has gone through three supervisors in the month of July alone.<br />
What does this say about management? Something is very, very<br />
wrong. It behoves one to think we are entering into contract<br />
negotiations with this sort<br />
of uncertainty. Where is the<br />
stability that is very much<br />
required to get a fair and just<br />
agreement? Your guess is as<br />
good as mine!<br />
We, the union committee,<br />
are having a terrible time<br />
with Voith management in<br />
Cincinnati. It is becoming<br />
more and more involved in<br />
the day to day operations in<br />
Canada. The only problem is it does not understand Canadian<br />
laws. What may be legal in the U.S. does not automatically<br />
translate as law in Canada. Nice try Voith Cincinnati! It does<br />
not agree with our COLA calculations, so they have been held<br />
up since the start of July. It is the feeling of the committee that<br />
this is a ploy being played out by Voith to set the tone of negotiations.<br />
We are still in a ridiculous discussion regarding our<br />
accrued vacation pay due this year. It does not want to pay it<br />
out in full because it may lose money. How can that be the case<br />
when both sides have known what is due for the year? How is<br />
it possible to pay more? Another ploy of Voith Cincinnati is to<br />
upset the membership. It should be noted that management in<br />
Canada agreed to pay the full vacation suggesting that it is not<br />
really running the show.<br />
Our Bargaining Committee in Oakville has met with our<br />
Windsor Bargaining Committee along with the National Representatives<br />
to iron out master proposals and side issues for each<br />
location. Both Windsor and Oakville are on the same page regarding<br />
the issues with good solid ideas from both sides. We<br />
will have another meeting in September to clean up any “surprise”<br />
issues.<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> – Unit 2 (Voith) membership will hold a strike<br />
vote on September 18th after the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> general membership<br />
meeting. At this meeting we will elect a committeeperson<br />
to replace Gabe who is ill in the hospital and not expected back<br />
Page 12 – July – September 2011<br />
Voith Plant Chairperson’s Report<br />
By Edward Gopsill<br />
Negotiations<br />
Your input is critical as you<br />
cannot go running around complaining<br />
after negotiations have been concluded<br />
that the Bargaining Committee<br />
did not do its job.<br />
at work any time soon. We wish it<br />
could be otherwise, but the prognosis<br />
for him does not look good right<br />
now. We send him our prayers for a<br />
speedy and complete recover. A strike date vote will also be<br />
held and we will discuss the proposals we intend to offer Voith.<br />
The attendance of all Voith members is imperative. Your input<br />
is critical as you cannot go<br />
running around complaining<br />
after negotiations have been<br />
concluded that the Bargaining<br />
Committee did not<br />
do its job. Consensus by the<br />
membership is very much<br />
necessitated as we must<br />
stand together to get the desired<br />
agreement that is fair<br />
to the membership.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Edward Gopsill<br />
Plant Chair/ Unit 2 – Voith Industrial Services Inc.<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>
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July – September 2011 – Page 13
Zone 5 A-Shift Committeeperson’s Report<br />
By Marc Brennan<br />
Brothers and Sisters:<br />
Since being elected to Ford Council, I have had the opportunity<br />
to attend two of its meetings wherein we discussed many<br />
topics pertaining to all Ford facilities and to the members working<br />
there. We will pay close attention to the contract talks between<br />
the Big Three and the UAW as their negotiations will<br />
definitely impact what we in the <strong>CAW</strong> are trying to accomplish<br />
come September 2012.<br />
At the July Ford Council meeting, <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> ensured a prominent<br />
position having three of our members acclaimed as follows.<br />
Gary Beck is the Ford Council Chair. Bob Scott is Trustee. Gary<br />
Ensell is a Member-at-Large.<br />
I offer my congratulations to<br />
all three and look forward to<br />
working with them over the<br />
next three years.<br />
Reductions<br />
With the launch of our new<br />
models comes the company’s<br />
continued desire to reduce<br />
jobs. I know that once again<br />
I sound like a broken record,<br />
but jobs in Final are already overloaded. The best way to avoid the<br />
company from attempting to add work to your job is by following<br />
your OIS sheet. If there are any differences between the work you<br />
are doing and your OIS ensure that your supervisor is made aware<br />
of it so that you are not doing more or less than you should. If the<br />
company is attempting to add work to your job, it must notify you<br />
24 hours in advance and update your OIS sheet. It should also be<br />
noted that the day shift is the lead shift for any job changes.<br />
Pay Discrepancies<br />
The Inplant Committee met with all the managers to discuss<br />
the many ongoing issues currently abounding in the plant. One<br />
of the top issues is that many of our members are not being paid<br />
for the hours worked and that their pay problems were not being<br />
fixed in a timely manner. We have been assured from the plant<br />
manager on down that every effort will be made by his office to<br />
guarantee that the salaried workforce responsible for inputting<br />
our pay, does it right the first time. If there is an issue with it,<br />
then it will be remedied immediately. So if you have a pay issue,<br />
be sure you inform your supervisor once you are aware of it.<br />
Students<br />
More than 160 students were hired this past summer. It definitely<br />
enabled many of our members in Chassis go on vacation. With<br />
only a single week of shutdown, it was necessary to have summer<br />
help. It took some work, but most of the vacation requests have<br />
been authorized. As a reminder for next year, make sure you submit<br />
your request form for vacation by the determined date. This<br />
will give you a better opportunity to get the time you requested.<br />
Facilities In Chassis<br />
A couple of the canteens in Chassis are without chairs and<br />
tables. I had discussions with the company and with the help<br />
of Darrin Caerels, Skilled Trades’ Committeeperson; the company<br />
agreed to move some of the tables from the old paint<br />
facility into the required areas. This took longer than was first<br />
Page 14 – July – September 2011<br />
anticipated due to the power supply<br />
being cut off in the paint department<br />
and then the elevator necessary for<br />
the transportation of the tables was<br />
not working. It is hoped that by the<br />
time this article is being read, the<br />
tables will be in place.<br />
If the company is attempting to add work<br />
to your job, it must notify you 24 hours<br />
in advance and update your OIS sheet. It<br />
should also be noted that the day shift is<br />
the lead shift for any job changes.<br />
Grievances<br />
The Inplant Committee continues to work to resolve all the<br />
outstanding grievances. Over the past few months, we have<br />
been able to clean up many<br />
of them and for those that<br />
are not yet resolved, we continue<br />
to have dialogue with<br />
the company. Your committeeperson<br />
will inform you<br />
if there is a change in the<br />
status of any grievance you<br />
have in the system. In an<br />
effort to try to resolve the<br />
grievances, the Inplant has<br />
met weekly rather than biweekly<br />
hoping to speed up the process.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Marc Brennan<br />
Committee Council Chair
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July – September 2011 – Page 15
Record Temperatures<br />
It’s been a turbulent few months since our last edition of the <strong>707</strong><br />
Reporter. We started out with a very wet spring and early summer;<br />
then really turned up the heat in July to the point of record<br />
temperatures. We welcomed a large number of students that<br />
began working for the summer. The plant only shut down for a<br />
week as opposed to much longer past shutdowns. There were<br />
MOL visits and critical injuries, fires and accidents, chemical<br />
spills and near misses and plenty of more heat related, demolition<br />
related and other issues that kept the union safety office on<br />
its toes to say the least. Let’s take a snapshot of what has happened<br />
since early May.<br />
Injuries And Near Misses<br />
There were unfortunately a number of critical injuries since<br />
the last edition of the <strong>707</strong> Reporter, including a worker who<br />
received a broken limb from impact by a damaged rack door<br />
while trying to open the gate to retrieve parts in the body shop.<br />
Another worker lost consciousness as a result of the heat.<br />
Serious injuries also occurred including a plant visitor who<br />
broke an ankle coming into Gate 12 and a worker, who broke<br />
a finger as a result of a damaged part rack, again in the body<br />
department. Another worker received a serious burn when his<br />
ring made contact with a battery terminal. There were also<br />
reported incidents of workers coming too close to PMHVs.<br />
Cuts, abrasions, bruises, and ergonomic concerns helped keep<br />
the medical department hopping. There is, as we can see always<br />
room for improvement in this injury sphere; but believe<br />
it or not, statistically, we have improved year over year in this<br />
area.<br />
PMHV And Pedestrian Safety<br />
There were a number of notable safety-related incidents<br />
with respect to forklifts and tugs in the plant that could have<br />
had serious implications had the circumstances been slightly<br />
different. It seems that the last few months have highlighted<br />
deficiencies in parts packaging in the body department. Incidents<br />
of unlocked parts bins and parts spilling resulted in work<br />
refusals and near misses. Many concerns have been raised<br />
about stock storage practices in the body shop. Stock has been<br />
left on corners double stacked creating blind spots. We remind<br />
everyone to be on the lookout for potential pedestrian safety<br />
hazards.<br />
There have been major discussions with management about<br />
the preventative maintenance program related to the entire<br />
PMHV fleet. There are many challenges that are arising in this<br />
area, especially related to the age of the fleet, the shrinking<br />
number of mechanics and the scheduling issues. These are be-<br />
Page 16 – July – September 2011<br />
Health And Safety Report<br />
By<br />
Emil<br />
and<br />
Mike<br />
Mesic Gibson<br />
#2 Shift #3 Shift<br />
ing discussed at the highest level of the department, plant and<br />
corporate safety. If your vehicle is not operating safely, please<br />
report the malfunction to your supervisor and do not drive<br />
vehicles that cannot be operated safely. Similar issues are also<br />
arising in other Ford plants.<br />
On a pedestrian safety note, please remember that the basic<br />
plant rules are to walk in designated walkways, wear vests in<br />
red zones, make eye contact with PMHV operators, stay at<br />
least two feet away from PMHVs and do not talk or text on<br />
the phone or listen to electronic devices via headphones while<br />
walking through the plant. As a courtesy, we need to look after<br />
one another on this issue as it takes very little to be seriously<br />
injured (or worse) when walking and working around PMHVs.<br />
Students especially need reminders as they are vulnerable and<br />
Health And Safety Report – Continued on Page 17<br />
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Health And Safety Report<br />
...continued from Page 16<br />
not fully appreciative of all the risks involved with walking or<br />
working around PMHVs.<br />
WHMIS Audit<br />
In the last issue of the <strong>707</strong> Reporter, we discussed the need<br />
to clear out cabinets and shelves of old and unused chemicals,<br />
many of which were no longer compliant to WHMIS legislation.<br />
Thus far, the reaction has been less than stellar. If you have<br />
old chemicals, have them removed. Every chemical that you<br />
work with should be accompanied by a Material Safety Data<br />
Sheet (MSDS) and if it is dispensed, it needs to be labeled with<br />
a workplace label. A WHMIS safety talk was given in June,<br />
which everyone should have read and understood. We will audit<br />
employee WHMIS knowledge in the next couple of months to<br />
gauge understanding and the need for additional training.<br />
Ministry of Labour<br />
And Other Government Agency Visits<br />
The MOL was in the plant as a result of phoned in complaints<br />
regarding ventilation concerns in the finalizing area. During the<br />
visit, a number of orders were also issued related to physical<br />
concerns found on the roof of the plant. There have been additional<br />
calls put into the MOL from our office in relation to the<br />
same ventilation issue as well as concerns with the plant’s heat<br />
stress program and critical injuries already mentioned above.<br />
We expect their visits to occur by the end of August.<br />
The plant was also visited by the Halton Health Department,<br />
which issued orders related to hot water usage in the cafeterias<br />
as well as the TSSA, which issued orders related to the elevators<br />
in the plant.<br />
Heat Stress And Water Testing<br />
In our last report, we briefly discussed the need to look to<br />
negotiations in 2012 to try and improve the heat stress program.<br />
July was a real pressure cooker and illustrated many gaps in the<br />
company’s heat stress program. There were numerous issues<br />
related to delays in bottled water distribution, where sometimes<br />
it took hours for water to be delivered, especially in trim. Disagreements<br />
about when to implement job specific controls (including<br />
additional relief time) were argued before the extreme<br />
heat arrived and resulted in calls to the MOL which have still<br />
(at the time of writing) not been resolved. The heat stress cards,<br />
which were handed out as part of the monthly safety talk in<br />
May provided good information used by many in order to get<br />
some help when suffering physical effects from the stifling heat<br />
and humidity. There were numerous first aid visits as a result<br />
for the heat resulting in one loss of consciousness, as reported<br />
above. There have also been gaps in ice delivery, air conditioning<br />
in canteens not working, water fountains not functioning,<br />
exhaust ventilation not working and personal fans not working.<br />
On the issue of water fountains, the company has again delayed<br />
the testing of the water fountains at a corporate level as<br />
corporate hygiene seeks to revise its global water quality standards.<br />
The fountains have not been tested since 2008. (Cross<br />
connection surveys and back flow prevention testing as mandated<br />
by local authorities has been done.)<br />
Shutdown 2011<br />
The shutdown period was only one week long and its short<br />
duration hampered the plant’s ability to do very many large<br />
improvements. A number of critical items were done, including<br />
the replacement of the roof over the doorline in final and some<br />
workstation reallocation changes and preparatory work for the<br />
launching of the 2012 and 2013 models. A systematic reliance<br />
on pre-task analysis and good communication resulted in no<br />
injuries reported. Adherence to the protag buyoff process also<br />
helped with new tooling implementation. Projects that were not<br />
reviewed by the JH&SC did not launch quite so well.<br />
Ongoing Concerns<br />
There are many open issues that we are constantly pressuring<br />
the company to resolve. One item gets fixed and five more pop<br />
up and everyone knows how difficult it can be to get movement<br />
on certain issues. We do believe that on many frontiers<br />
however, reaction time is improving. It is only thorough our<br />
combined efforts that pressure can continuously be applied to<br />
resolve issues. Open items include Bigfoot collar replacements,<br />
gasoline leaks at Gate 12, demolition hygiene concerns, flooding<br />
and roof leaks, ergonomic issues, reductions and training.<br />
There is never a shortage of work.<br />
We hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer and stay safe<br />
whether at work, rest or play.<br />
Fraternally,<br />
Emil Mesic, Mike Gibson and todd caird and John Mullin<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 17
Sickness And Accident<br />
Benefits<br />
Benefit Representative’s Report<br />
By Mark Sciberras<br />
Our year over year Group Wage Loss Insurance utilization<br />
costs continue to increase. The company continues to<br />
ask why. While the company has not personally asked, it<br />
seems to be concerned about the health of the workforce in<br />
Oakville – just the costs; for if it was concerned about our<br />
health, it might take into consideration the average age of the<br />
worker in Oakville. Very few of us are under 30 years old as<br />
we have not had a new hire since 2003. It may reconsider its<br />
decision to reduce break times and vacation, stop increasing<br />
workloads and attempt to create a more positive working environment<br />
that would decrease Group Wage Loss Insurance<br />
claims; but to do this would require more manpower and<br />
that would increase the company’s costs. Unfortunately, at<br />
present, it seems it can’t get past the immediate costs for if<br />
the company was a little more concerned about the<br />
long term overall health of its workforce, it might<br />
find that it could decrease the amount of group<br />
wage loss claims, which is something we should<br />
want.<br />
If the company was serious about our health, it<br />
would have continued to fund a wellness program<br />
that was slow to start but had great potential. It<br />
would attempt to create better gradual return to work programs<br />
for those with personal injuries or illnesses, e.g. accommodate<br />
alternative work schedules. Currently it seems<br />
the company’s only solution to decrease costs is to have<br />
Great West Life Assurance Company scrutinize more claims<br />
than ever, especially those related to mental health.<br />
While I have stated this previously it is worth repeating.<br />
To ensure you are eligible for S&A benefits while unable to<br />
work due to illness or injury and your claim does not end up<br />
a statistic in one of its cost cutting measures, ensure your<br />
S&A application is completed properly. On your application,<br />
make sure you sign in the two necessary spots and include<br />
direct deposit information or a void cheque. This is the only<br />
way payment can be made as the Ford Motor Company and<br />
Great West Life Assurance do not share your banking information.<br />
Make sure your fully completed S&A application is<br />
passed on to the First Aid Department in a timely manner at<br />
least a month from the commencement of your disability.<br />
While off on Group Wage Loss Insurance, speak to your<br />
doctor about a treatment plan. To qualify for benefits, not<br />
only do you have to be unable to perform your job and have<br />
a clear diagnosis, but you are required to have a treatment<br />
program that is followed, e.g. an individual with a diagnosis<br />
of clinical depression might have a treatment program of<br />
medication and weekly counselling. If you are not engaged<br />
in some type of physician-prescribed regular treatment program,<br />
our Group Wage Loss Benefits could be denied. Also<br />
ensure the doctor completes the form correctly. It should have<br />
Page 18 – July – September 2011<br />
at the very minimum, a medical<br />
diagnosis, the date the symptoms<br />
first appeared, the first medical<br />
attention you sought within five<br />
days of the commencement of your<br />
disability, a regular treatment plan,<br />
the date you were first unable to do<br />
your job due to illness or injury and<br />
the approximate or return to work date. A completed application<br />
done right the first time is the best way to ensure your<br />
claim for benefits is not delayed and withstands the scrutiny<br />
of insurance adjudicators at Great West Life Assurance and<br />
allow you to focus on what is most important – your treatment,<br />
recovery and hopefully a quick return to work.<br />
If the company was serious<br />
about our health, it would have<br />
continued to fund a wellness program.<br />
Sickness and accident Benefits are commonly not paid<br />
for:<br />
c Workplace Conflict – If you are in a conflict with your<br />
supervisor or co-worker, insurance companies traditionally<br />
do not view this as a disability.<br />
c Stress – Insurance companies view it as an everyday part<br />
of life; not a clear medical diagnosis or a disability. To be<br />
eligible for benefits, you must instead have an illness with<br />
a clear medical diagnosis, treatment plan with restrictions<br />
and limitations that prevent you from performing your job.<br />
c Death or a serious illness of a family member – This is<br />
not viewed as an illness to you. Instead it is viewed as a<br />
“life event” by insurance companies unless you are unable<br />
to work because of your own illness with a clear medical<br />
diagnosis, treatment plan with restrictions and limitations<br />
that prevent you from performing your job.<br />
Benefit Information<br />
For updated negotiated benefit information, visit our<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> website at www.local<strong>707</strong>caw.ca. Once on<br />
our home page, click “Representatives” and then click on<br />
“Benefits”. Visit Green Shield’s website at www.greenshield.ca<br />
to sign up for “Online Plan Member Services”.<br />
This provides you with instant access to important benefit<br />
plan information.<br />
Fraternally,<br />
Mark Sciberras<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong> Benefit Representative
We must stress the importance of reporting<br />
a workplace injury in a timely<br />
manner to all parties to ensure your claim<br />
is established. If you sustain an injury,<br />
you must report it to your supervisor or<br />
the medical department immediately.<br />
The medical department will document<br />
your information but this does not automatically<br />
generate a claim. You should<br />
see your family physician with regards<br />
to your injury and have him/her submit a<br />
Form 8 (Physician’s Report of Injury) to<br />
WSIB. Report to the medical department<br />
that you were treated by a physician. This<br />
will then generate a Form 7 (Employer’s<br />
Report of Injury). Failure to report to<br />
your employer that you have seen a physician<br />
could result in delay of your claim.<br />
When the Board has received Forms<br />
7 and 8, a claim will be established and<br />
a Form 6 (Worker’s Report of Injury)<br />
will be mailed to you. It is imperative<br />
that you fully complete this form with<br />
as much detail as you can provide. The<br />
Reporting<br />
Your Injury<br />
WSIB Report<br />
By<br />
“A” Shift “B” Shift<br />
ian Parry chris Mcdougall<br />
details of how you were injured are very<br />
important in assisting the person adjudicating<br />
your claim to have a full understanding<br />
of your job and how you were<br />
injured doing it.<br />
Once the adjudicator has all the pertinent<br />
information, he/she will make a<br />
decision in regards to your claim and<br />
entitlement. Entitlement means many<br />
different things. It could mean that the<br />
Board will pay loss of earnings while<br />
you recover from your injury. It could<br />
mean healthcare benefits, which include<br />
but are not limited to medication expenses,<br />
payment for therapy, e.g. physiotherapy,<br />
chiropractic care, massage therapy,<br />
braces and assistive devices.<br />
Offer Of Modified Work<br />
If you receive a phone call or letter offering<br />
you modified work, do not ignore<br />
it and simply stay off work. The offer of<br />
modified work should correctly reflect<br />
the restriction profile that your treating<br />
physician has provided you with. The<br />
company has an obligation under law<br />
to offer you work that is within your<br />
physical limitations and abilities. You<br />
have an obligation under law to cooperate<br />
with your employer with the early<br />
and safe return to work. Failure to comply<br />
can result in you being found noncompliant<br />
by the Board and could jeopardize<br />
entitlement to your claim.<br />
Medical Appointments<br />
Ford has elected to cover some of the<br />
cost associated with lost time concerning<br />
injured workers’ medical and/or treatment<br />
appointments. Please ensure that if<br />
you have an appointment, you need to inform<br />
the respective disability coordinator<br />
for your shift as early as possible prior<br />
to the appointment. You must provide<br />
documentation for these appointments,<br />
e.g. doctors’ notes, appointment cards.<br />
Do not fall into the 3.9 trap. By this<br />
we mean if you have an appointment in<br />
the afternoon and your supervisor tells<br />
you to leave at 3.9 hours on a day shift<br />
and your appointment is not until later<br />
in the day, the company may not pay the<br />
lost hours. Do not assume that because<br />
your supervisor lets you go at 3.9 hours<br />
that you will be reimbursed for the balance<br />
of that shift.<br />
If you have questions or problems,<br />
please feel free to call our office and we<br />
will be happy to assist you.<br />
Now that summer is coming to a<br />
close, we hope each and every one of<br />
you had the opportunity to utilize your<br />
negotiated vacation time and was able to<br />
enjoy some time away from the day to<br />
day issues of the plant. Time away from<br />
the plant to spend your time with friends<br />
and family can go a long way to recharge<br />
your batteries.<br />
Yours in Solidarity,<br />
ian Parry/Paul Seguro &<br />
chris Mcdougall/debra lefebre<br />
WSIB Reps/Alternates<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 19
Page 20 – July – September 2011<br />
<strong>707</strong> Retirees’ Chapter Report<br />
By charlie Goode,<br />
chairperson<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong><br />
RETIREES’ HONOUR ROLL<br />
DINNER & DANCE<br />
RETIREES, ACTIVE WORKERS,<br />
FRIENDS ARE WELCOME<br />
Saturday, October 29, 2011<br />
Place: <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong> Union Hall<br />
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. l Dinner: 6:30 p.m.<br />
Dancing: 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. l Music: D.J.<br />
<strong>707</strong> Retiree & guest $15 each; all others $25 each<br />
Tickets are available at <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Union Hall<br />
at 475 North Service Road East in Oakville<br />
FORD EMPLOYEES WELCOME!<br />
Do Not Pay Over Your Insurance Coverage<br />
On Any Non-Designer Frame And Lens Package!<br />
We’ll Bill Your Insurance Company Right From Vision Clinic!<br />
Bring In This Coupon And Get<br />
$ 100 OFF<br />
A Complete Pair<br />
If Choosing A Designer Frame Or Upgrading To Specialty Lenses!<br />
AO Safety Ford Safety Glasses, Eye Glasses, Contact Lenses<br />
And Sunglasses Available – All Fitted By Licensed Opticians!<br />
Eye Exams Available On Site By Doctor Of Optometry!<br />
CALL NOW TO BOOK AN EYE EXAM!<br />
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BURLINGTON HAMILTON GRIMSBY<br />
3450 Dundas St. 640 Queenston Rd. 65 Main St. East<br />
(Walkers Line and Dundas ) (Queenston and Nash) (across from Pioneer)<br />
Longo’s Plaza Zeller’s Plaza (905) 945-3344<br />
(905) 319-7559 (905) 561-9911<br />
The Chapter has experienced a<br />
very slow summer during the two<br />
down months, but the fall brings<br />
with it a full schedule. There will<br />
be four conferences. Two delegates<br />
will attend USCO and 14<br />
will attend the Retiree Conference. Two more delegates will<br />
be elected at our September 21st meeting to attend the National<br />
Pensioners and Senior Citizens’ Convention. The major<br />
topic of discussion at these four conferences will probably<br />
be pensions. The delegates are all interested in maintaining<br />
what we currently have and expanding on it if possible.<br />
Dates To Remember<br />
September 2rd to 5th Labour Day weekend<br />
September 21st Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
October 10th Thanksgiving<br />
October 19th Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
October 29th Retirees’ Honour Roll Dinner/Dance<br />
November 16th Retirees’ Membership Meeting<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
charlie Goode<br />
Retiree Chair<br />
WE WILL BEAT ANY COMPETITOR’S PRICE FOR THE SAME PRODUCT!
Retirees’<br />
Tai Chi Classes<br />
By Ed Solecki<br />
Please come and join your retired brothers and sisters<br />
(spouses are invited as well) to our morning tai<br />
chi classes. These classes are great fun, good exercise,<br />
and free of charge. They run each Thursday at<br />
10:00 a.m..<br />
I also would like to remind everyone to purchase<br />
a ticket to this year’s Honour Roll dinner/dance.<br />
Tickets are available from Elke at the Union Hall<br />
and cost $15 per person for a <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> retiree and<br />
his/her partner and $25 each for everyone else. The<br />
function will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Ed Solecki<br />
Retirees’ Recreation<br />
Report<br />
By val Bodiroga<br />
Our next dinner/dance will coincide with the Retirees’<br />
Honour Roll and will take place Saturday,<br />
October 29, 2011. The cost of tickets once again is<br />
$15 each for Retired <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> members and $25<br />
each for all others.<br />
Please make arrangements to purchase these<br />
tickets early as they will not be sold at the door.<br />
tickets are now available for purchase from<br />
Elke at the union Hall.<br />
This year’s picnic was very successful and well<br />
attended. However, our greatest achievement thus<br />
far is that our golf league is running for its <strong>seven</strong>th<br />
consecutive year. It began in 2005 and Brother<br />
Dean Lindsay of the National Office informed me<br />
that he was very proud of the fact that <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong><br />
has been so successful with its golf league. Many<br />
other <strong>CAW</strong> locals had attempted to run such a<br />
league but had all folded after their first or second<br />
year. Yet here we are going strong <strong>seven</strong> years<br />
later and though we are very proud of our National<br />
Union, we are even more thankful to the members<br />
of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> and its Retirees’ Chapter for all their<br />
support.<br />
Please note that the golf league welcomes all<br />
newcomers to this fabulous sport.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
val Bodiroga<br />
Retirees’ Recreation Chair<br />
● FOOT DISORDERS<br />
● CUSTOM FOOTWEAR<br />
● CUSTOM ORTHOTICS<br />
● SPORTS INJURIES<br />
● ARTHRITIC/DIABETIC<br />
● PROBLEMS<br />
● HEEL & ARCH PAIN<br />
● CORNS, CALLUSES,<br />
● NAIL TREATMENT<br />
Services for custom-made Orthotics<br />
(arch supports) can be billed direct<br />
to Green Shield.<br />
No physician’s referral is necessary.<br />
Green Shield Preferred Provider<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 21
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Retirees<br />
Name Master Years date Name Master Years date<br />
William Wilcox K25410 27.9 June 2011<br />
Jose Pacheco K29766 16.8 June 2011<br />
Kathy Ivancak K28821 25.0 June 2011<br />
John Bridge K27429 23.0 June 2011<br />
John O’Quinn K25348 28.0 June 2011<br />
Greg Norris K27937 20.0 June 2011<br />
Dave Wells K23861 30.4 June 2011<br />
Joso Balenovic K27367 22.8 June 2011<br />
Greg Norris K27937 20.0 June 2011<br />
Joe Ferreira K20868 36.0 June 2011<br />
Tony Sucic K19437 37.0 June 2011<br />
Riaz Ahmad K26922 24.0 June 2011<br />
Paul Gebel K21302 35.3 June 2011<br />
Ejaz Hussain K27237 23.0 June 2011<br />
Michael Gyergyai K21450 35.0 June 2011<br />
William MacFarlane K23199 34.0 June 2011<br />
Joe Mugridge K29047 19.7 June 2011<br />
Leister Myers K20357 35.8 June 2011<br />
Stanley Socha K28874 22.2 June 2011<br />
Douglas Stinson K23088 34.0 June 2011<br />
Ronald Toth K29274 17.5 June 2011<br />
Riaz Ahmad (center) is being congratulated on his retirement<br />
from Jim Davis (left) and Alternate Committeeperson Joe Oliveira.<br />
Marian Dominik is congratulated on his retirement<br />
by his friends from Chassis.<br />
Page 22 – July – September 2011<br />
Marian Dominik K26921 24.0 June 2011<br />
James D. Tsougios K24729 29.0 July 2011<br />
Darryl Brick K22085 32.9 July 2011<br />
John Starkey K26771 24.0 July 2011<br />
Rupert Feurtado K23413 34.0 July 2011<br />
Alex MacDonald K14009 45.7 July 2011<br />
Donovan Russell K22807 34.0 July 2011<br />
Ruben Espinola K19812 37.0 July 2011<br />
Paul Daniel K18694 38.5 July 2011<br />
Achille Felice K26709 25.0 July 2011<br />
John Taylor K29098 18.0 August 2011<br />
Jozef Pruc K26723 25.0 August 2011<br />
Richard Lapierre K26649 25.0 August 2011<br />
Richard Jones K26229 26.0 August 2011<br />
Harley Callan K26841 24.0 August 2011<br />
Randy Armstrong K25880 26.0 August 2011<br />
David Prine K25363 28.0 September 2011<br />
Nancy Liu K29178 17.6 October 2011<br />
Gruia Velich K21476 35.5 October 2011<br />
Dale Goulet K28776 30.0 October 2011<br />
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Present this coupon at Swiss Chalet<br />
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Valid<br />
Monday to Saturday 11:30am – 10pm<br />
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Expires: December 31, 2011
Alex Macdonald is congratulated on his retirement by<br />
Committeeperson Joe Benfeitinho.<br />
A well-deserved retirement for Brothers Bill MacFarlane and John O’Quinn – seen here being<br />
congratulated by their many friends from ‘B’ Shift Material Handling. Bill functioned as a steward<br />
for many years and always represented us well and John always had a smile on his face to brighten<br />
our days in the plant. The countdown is over brothers. Enjoy your retirement!<br />
Jimmy Tsougios is congratulated on his retirement by<br />
Committeeperson Joe Benfeitinho.<br />
Congratulations to Ejaz Hussain on his retirement.<br />
He is pictured here with his friends.<br />
Leister Myers is seen here at his retirement party with his friends.<br />
Seen here are Darryl Brick (right), and his wife<br />
and Committeeperson Joe Benfeitinho.<br />
Happy retirement!<br />
Joe Ferreira says, “I will miss you all.” Happy retirement, Joe!<br />
✓ We will bill Green Shield directly<br />
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covered by Insurance Plan<br />
✓ Special discounts for Ford<br />
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July – September 2011 – Page 23
Stan Socha with 22 years of service is seen here with fellow<br />
brothers and sisters and body Committeeperson Brian Haskett.<br />
Greg Norris retires with 21 years of service is seen here with fellow brothers<br />
and sisters and Committeeperson Brian Haskett. All the best Greg!<br />
Page 24 – July – September 2011<br />
We Shall Remember<br />
Name Master Status date Name Master Status date<br />
Joseph Khouri K02269 Retired March 03, 2011<br />
Eliasz Januczkowski K06934 Retired April 07, 2011<br />
Assuntino Marrone K12275 Retired April 18, 2011<br />
Don Pickard K19619 Retired May 04, 2011<br />
Lawrence Hill K29801 Retired May 14, 2011<br />
Alfred Kennedy K28543T Retired May 16, 2011<br />
Joe Da Ponte K22785 Retired May 17, 2011<br />
Steve Baricevic K13067 Retired May 31, 2011<br />
Terence Ford K00918 Retired May 31, 2011<br />
Douglas Thomson K09335 Retired June 04, 2011<br />
John Lindsay K20879T Retired June 05, 2011<br />
Janko Popovic K13845 Retired June 06, 2011<br />
Dennis Fitzer K07966 Retired June 09, 2010<br />
Roland Phair K02287 Retired June 10, 2011<br />
We wish Brother Dale Goulet a happy retirement as he is seen here with his coworkers<br />
in Zone C Chassis, ‘B’ shift and his Alternate Committeeperson, Steve Gebel.<br />
Fred Newport K03944 Retired June 21, 2011<br />
Lorenzo Rossi K20486 Retired June 22, 2011<br />
Leonas Baziliauskas K12244 Retired July 08, 2011<br />
Charles Kolodziej K02874 Retired July 12, 2011<br />
Luben Bisson K05962 Retired July 13, 2011<br />
O. Parno K01139 Retired July 13, 2011<br />
Paul Rouleau K04827 Retired July 20, 2011<br />
Alois Zupanic K13850 Retired July 22, 2011<br />
Alex Dobosi K02865 Retired July 24, 2011<br />
Derek Cranmer K25338 Retired July 24, 2011<br />
Joe Petrone K26352 Active July 27, 2011<br />
Wasyl Kulybanycz K08182 Retired July 27, 2011<br />
Joe Kozelj K13570 Retired July 28, 2011<br />
Dave McCalmont started at the Niagara Glass Plant in 1987. He<br />
came to OAC in 1991 and retires with 24 years of service in total.<br />
Joe Mugridge with 18 years of service is seen here with fellow brothers and sisters<br />
and Committeeperson Brian Haskett wishing Joe a long and healthy retirement.<br />
Dave Wells and friends celebrate his retirement. Happy retirement!
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Ford Employees<br />
Chiropractic Care<br />
Orthopaedic Braces<br />
Acupuncture<br />
Massage erapy<br />
Hamilton Wellness Center is registered with Green Shield<br />
Insurance Company for Direct Billing. erefore all Ford<br />
employees and their families are billed directly so there is<br />
NO out of pocket expense.<br />
440 Main Street East Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1K2<br />
info@hamiltonwellness.com 905 777-Well(9355) Fax 905 777-1500<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 25
I hope that everyone had a great summer and an opportunity to<br />
enjoy the good things life has to offer with your families.<br />
Pensions<br />
Following are some facts we should all be aware of with respect<br />
to pensions in Canada.<br />
c Three out of five Canadian workers don’t have a pension<br />
plan in the workplace<br />
c Less than one in three Canadians can afford RRSPs<br />
c One third of Canadians between the ages of 24 and 64 have<br />
no retirement savings<br />
c 1.6 million Canadian senior citizens live in poverty today<br />
with incomes less than $16,000<br />
c CPP is administered by the federal government and requires<br />
the support of at least two-thirds of the provinces representative<br />
of at least two-thirds of the population in order to effect<br />
changes to Canada Pension<br />
A solution put forth by Harper’s Conservatives is the creation<br />
of Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP). PRPPs are a form<br />
of privatization resulting in higher costs, lower savings with no<br />
guarantees and large profits for financial services.<br />
Canadians are calling for change. Canadian Labour Congress<br />
(CLC) and the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC)<br />
call for a graduated doubling of Canada and Quebec Pension<br />
Plan benefits as the best way to provide retirement security<br />
for everyone. A modest increase in contributions over a period<br />
of several years will produce thousands of dollars annually in<br />
extra benefits for workers once they retire. Doubling the CPP<br />
would cost the government nothing as premiums are paid for<br />
by both the workers and employers. Both the CLC and CURC<br />
campaigns for retirement security have the support of 84 per<br />
cent of Canadians and the majority of the provinces.<br />
Most finance ministers agreed at the June 2010 meeting that<br />
the best way forward is to increase the CPP. Alberta was not in<br />
agreement. Through MP Wayne Marsden, the NDP has crafted<br />
a private member’s bill that would double the CPP.<br />
It is shameful that our government has once again taken the<br />
side of big business on this issue and submitted its plans at the<br />
expense of current and future retirees in this wealthy country<br />
of ours.<br />
The members of Stelco – USW 1005 have been and remain<br />
locked out. Yet they remain solid. Their battle over pension<br />
issues is an ongoing one for years now.<br />
ThyssenKrupp<br />
A demonstration took place August 5th for all former Budd<br />
Canada plant members. The <strong>CAW</strong> is in court battling to save<br />
their post-retirement benefits. ThyssenKrupp in an attempt to<br />
shirk its responsibilities to its retirees is seeking to dissolve<br />
these benefits via the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in spite of<br />
the millions of dollars the parent company is worth. Thyssen-<br />
Krupp is a German multinational company with business ventures<br />
in 80 countries generating CDN $63 billion in sales for<br />
the fiscal year 2009-10. Some of those affected are in long term<br />
care homes, some are organ transplant recipients and on life<br />
sustaining anti-rejection medications. Shame on ThyssenKrupp<br />
Page 26 – July – September 2011<br />
Retirees’ Vice Chairperson’s Report<br />
By arnie de vaan<br />
Pensions<br />
for stooping to this level!<br />
Brothers and sisters we will soon<br />
enter negotiations and as you may<br />
note by what I have written solidarity<br />
amongst us is very important. It<br />
is my hope that when we debate issues confronting us, that we<br />
conduct them in-house and that once the membership has made<br />
its decision, we abide by it and remain united, acting as one.<br />
This is the only road to success.<br />
The next retirees’ membership meeting will take place September<br />
21st at 10:00 a.m.. Elections will take place at that meeting<br />
for two delegates to attend the National Pensioners and Senior<br />
Citizens’ Convention.<br />
Rocking Horse Draw – Fundraiser<br />
In support of Sister Pat Leaver’s medical mission to Africa,<br />
we are initiating a fundraiser. Brother Hardy Jaap, a retiree of<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> and skilled carpenter, has crafted a wooden rocking<br />
horse. He has graciously donated his time, labour and the horse<br />
itself as the prize to be drawn at the Retirees’ membership meeting<br />
at 10:00 a.m. on December 21, 2011.<br />
The rocking horse, which can be ridden, would be a welcome<br />
addition to anyone’s home and available just in time for<br />
Christmas as either a gift for your child or grandchild or even<br />
as an antiquity for your home as it also has a removable rack<br />
on its back which can be used to hold magazines or books. It is<br />
pictured at right and may be viewed at the Union Hall.<br />
The proceeds will be used by Pat Leaver to purchase the<br />
much needed supplies for her next mission to Africa, something<br />
she has been doing for the past ten years. This mission will be<br />
her sixth wherein she comforts children at the burn relief hospital,<br />
takes health and medical supplies along with financial support<br />
for schools. All her time and a great deal of her expenses<br />
have been given freely. I am proud of Sister Leaver’s works and<br />
hope you will support her mission and purchase a ticket.<br />
cost of tickets for the rocking Horse draw is $5 each.<br />
Sister leaver will sell these tickets at both General membership<br />
meetings and retirees’ membership meetings. it is<br />
also hoped that Oac will allow Pat to sell them at least once<br />
each month at the plant gates and answer any questions you<br />
may have about her mission. they may also be purchased<br />
from Elke Moorhead at the union Hall at any time.<br />
Thanks go to Brother Hardy Jaap and Sister Pat Leaver for<br />
their selfless contributions and bringing our local into a global<br />
community.<br />
Special thanks also go to Glen Crocker at J.H. French &<br />
Company Limited (800) 732-0354) for their generous contribution<br />
of the tickets. This printing company located at 293 Mary<br />
Street in Hamilton has gone above and beyond when it comes<br />
to considering the good deeds sacrificed on behalf of our <strong>Local</strong>.<br />
For this good deed alone, J. H. French has saved $100s that<br />
could be better spent on the mission itself and we thank this<br />
company from the bottom of our hearts.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
arnie de vaan<br />
Retirees’ Vice Chair, <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>
Rocking Horse crafted by Hardy Jaap for a lucky recipient of the draw<br />
funding Pat Leaver’s mission to Africa.<br />
Thank You<br />
re: Meeting august 9th, 2011 – discussion for fund<br />
raising of medical mission in africa<br />
Hardy Jaap, I want to thank you so very much for all<br />
your hard work and efforts in making the rocking horse.<br />
You said you’d do it and you did! I am so grateful for<br />
your kindness, but more importantly I hope you realize<br />
how much the proceeds will help the children and the<br />
people on my next medical mission. I know I’ve been<br />
there before and I have experienced the generosity of<br />
people like members of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> who have supported<br />
me from my very first volunteer project in 2000.<br />
Thank you, arnie de vaan for being one of my<br />
strongest supporters! It’s amazing what team effort can<br />
accomplish and thank you Elke Moorhead for your time<br />
and your valuable input and administrative skills.<br />
There are not enough words to tell you what this means<br />
to me. In the “big picture” of things, we are doing this to<br />
help others less fortunate because we have the means to<br />
do it. On a personal note, I have never received such enthusiastic<br />
support and I thank you for that.<br />
Please pass this message and my thanks to Gary Beck.<br />
I know none of this could happen without his support as<br />
President of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong><br />
With much appreciation,<br />
Pat leaver<br />
● on site specialists; including oral surgeon and periodontist<br />
● effective programs for the prevention of dental disease<br />
● up to date restorative options, including dental implants<br />
● removal of teeth under sedation<br />
● the ability to improve the appearance of any smile<br />
● one hour tooth whitening<br />
Located on Lakeshore Road, just south of the QEW, our office<br />
is just minutes from anywhere in the Burlington-Oakville area<br />
and free parking is plentiful.<br />
To work with your busy<br />
schedule, we are happy to offer<br />
extended appointment hours,<br />
including Saturdays.<br />
We will assist you with<br />
processing your insurance claim.<br />
2441 Lakeshore Rd. W., Ste. 27<br />
Oakville, Ontario L6L 5V5<br />
905-825-1102<br />
www.brontedental.com<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 27
Retirees’ Editorial Committee Report<br />
By Ken robertson<br />
You are driving on the QEW to another<br />
tough grind on the assembly line<br />
and on the news you hear the gloom<br />
and doom of the economy. Countries,<br />
provinces, states, and cities are all in<br />
the red. You hear the familiar cry for<br />
restraints and cutbacks from governments<br />
and businesses. While sitting<br />
in traffic you hear talk show hosts and<br />
their guests say that workers are getting<br />
too much. Autoworkers, teachers,<br />
postal workers, garbage collectors or<br />
anyone making a decent wage with a<br />
pension is a villain. By the time you<br />
walk through the gate to help Ford<br />
make a few more million you are depressed<br />
about causing the collapse of<br />
the world’s economy.<br />
Page 28 – July – September 2011<br />
Blame Game<br />
Shame on The RCMP for<br />
holding a 66 year old grandmother<br />
for 12 days at the border because<br />
they thought used motor oil in the<br />
trunk of her car was heroin. Maybe the<br />
RCMP should have used its “sniffer”<br />
dogs. They are better trained to tell<br />
the difference between motor oil and<br />
heroin.<br />
Shame on<br />
Doug Ford for saying<br />
he wouldn’t recognize<br />
Margaret Atwood if<br />
she walked by him. Mr.<br />
Ford, it is one thing to<br />
be arrogant and quite<br />
another to be ignorant.<br />
Before you head to the doctor and<br />
get some anti-depressants, consider<br />
this. the collapse is not your fault!<br />
As a matter of fact, quite the opposite<br />
is true. Financial markets and<br />
governments need more good paying<br />
autoworkers like yourself to stimulate<br />
the economy with your high tax dollar,<br />
your spending power and your ability<br />
to create other jobs with your buying<br />
power.<br />
China is a world power today because<br />
it makes everything we used to.<br />
After the second world war, the plants<br />
that made war machines were transformed<br />
to make everything from cars<br />
to chocolate bars and like China today,<br />
the economy and middle class society<br />
WALL OF SHAME<br />
By Ken robertson<br />
grew. The only recipe for success is<br />
hard work.<br />
The blame lies squarely at the feet<br />
of politicians in Ottawa and Washington<br />
who find it easier to blame the<br />
worker driving down the highway at<br />
6:00 a.m. than their corporate friends<br />
demanding Free Trade deals that allow<br />
the transfer of jobs and wealth abroad.<br />
Thus creating the economic collapse<br />
of our society.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Ken robertson<br />
Shame on The CRTC (Canadian Radio,<br />
television & Telecommunications Commission)<br />
for following a federal government directive to<br />
switch from analog to digital on September 01,<br />
2011. This move will leave more than 2 million<br />
Canadians receiving television signals from<br />
antennas without a TV signal – another gift from<br />
the Tories to big cable companies and satellite<br />
providers.<br />
Shame on<br />
The United Nations<br />
and all world powers for<br />
standing by and doing<br />
next to nothing while<br />
millions (mostly children)<br />
starve in Somalia.<br />
Shame on<br />
Integrated Quality Technologies<br />
for abruptly laying off 1,200<br />
workers without notice, wages<br />
or severance while governments<br />
in Ottawa, Ontario and Quebec<br />
did nothing but give lip service.
57th Picnic At Marineland<br />
Picnic Report<br />
By rita thompson<br />
Well that was a close one! Although it didn’t rain, it sure<br />
looked like it was going to. Unfortunately, it rained enough<br />
the days prior to the picnic necessitating that we cancel the<br />
races and the Tug-of-War event, which is a shame. However,<br />
that didn’t stop the 1,250 people from showing up and judging<br />
by the pictures, “a Good time Was Had By all.”<br />
It’s unfortunate that we had to cancel most of the events<br />
due to poor field conditions. However, we are always able to<br />
do the Egg Toss and this year’s winners were:<br />
1st Place – Larry Brodie and Evan Keranico<br />
2nd Place – Gary Beck and Steve Gardiner<br />
The winner of the Jim MacDonald over 40 Race was Joanne<br />
Dankowich. Although Joanne did not run in the race<br />
(because it was cancelled), she was still presented with the<br />
award in memory of Jim and it was Jim’s wife, Pat MacDonald,<br />
who presented Joanne with the plaque!<br />
On a personal note, I would like to thank my committee<br />
for doing such a great job. Thanks go to Chris Campbell,<br />
Wayne Dort, Bert Tousignant, and Paul Taggart. A special<br />
Pat MacDonald presents the Jim Macdonald over 40<br />
Race award to Joanne Dankowich. They are pictured<br />
with Picnic Chair Rita Thompson on the right.<br />
Bert Tousignant catches egg in<br />
the Egg Toss at the picnic.<br />
thank you goes to all the committees<br />
and chairs of those committees.<br />
We would not be able to do<br />
such a great job without the help<br />
of our volunteers. They are the<br />
backbone of this picnic and they<br />
gladly give up family time to help<br />
out and for that I am truly grateful!<br />
This November ends the term of the Standing Committees,<br />
so I advise anyone wishing to become involved to submit<br />
his/her name at that time and to run for the many positions<br />
out there.<br />
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer and maybe<br />
next year, the sun will shine at local <strong>707</strong>’s 58th annual<br />
Picnic!<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
rita thompson<br />
Picnic Chair<br />
The winners of the Tug-of-War draw at <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>’s picnic<br />
are seen here.<br />
THE FORD/<strong>CAW</strong> EMPLOYEE & FAMILY ASSISTANCE/<br />
SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY PROGRAM<br />
For help or information (confidential)<br />
Contact:<br />
In the Plant: 845-2511 Ext. 3277 Union Office: 844-9451<br />
trevor Mason, Mark Babineau,<br />
caW representative Alternate Representative<br />
Cell: 905-467-3008<br />
IT’S<br />
YOUR<br />
CHOICE<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 29
First, I would like to thank all my co-workers for their support<br />
and encouragement shown me when I decided that I would<br />
once again fully utilize my E.I. benefits as well as our SUB plan<br />
to stay home after the birth of our second child. I am pleased to<br />
say that my decision to do so is one I shall never regret.<br />
Provincial Elections – October 6th<br />
A special strategy session has been called by the <strong>CAW</strong> National<br />
Union for August 27th at the Sheridan in Toronto. At this meeting,<br />
I will push for a priority riding list for the upcoming provincial<br />
election for our workforce in Oakville. The reason I support the<br />
distributions of these lists is twofold. First of all, our current First<br />
Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system resulting in millions of wasted<br />
votes is antiquated; and secondly, the fact that the highest voter<br />
turnout in Oakville for the NDP was during the last federal election<br />
drawing a record of 17 per cent of the vote was hardly impressive.<br />
In the case of our FPTP electoral system, the reason for the<br />
numerous wasted votes is resultant of the inability of constituents<br />
to vote for their preferred party along with their choice<br />
of representative in their respective ridings. This is essentially<br />
what would occur in a proportional representational electoral<br />
system which ensures that the overall party vote would be proportionally<br />
represented within the House of Commons or the<br />
Provincial Legislature, thus ensuring that every vote counts.<br />
Unfortunately, a referendum on this change was turned down<br />
by 57 per cent of the Ontario electorate in 2007 and has not<br />
been adopted as a policy by <strong>CAW</strong> Council or the NDP.<br />
So where does this leave us on October 6th? Many hope for<br />
the orange wave to sweep into Ontario. I however am sceptical<br />
of this unfounded optimism since the vast majority of the new<br />
federal NDP seats were won in Quebec, a region now representing<br />
60 per cent of the federal NDP caucus. The final match<br />
to the NDP surge may be the fact that it’s newly elected interim<br />
leader is a federal politician that had dual memberships with<br />
both the federal NDP as well as the Bloc Québécois, a party<br />
unfairly stigmatized by its policy of separating from Canadian<br />
federalism (the latter, a possible catalyst in the systemic shift of<br />
Quebec voters from the Bloc to the NDP in the last federal election).<br />
Still, regardless of the social policy synergies between the<br />
NDP and the Bloc, one ought to contemplate the Ontario electorates’<br />
perception of hoping for Official Opposition Leader Jack<br />
Layton’s speedy recovery from his battle with cancer to play a<br />
prominent role for the NDP in the upcoming provincial election.<br />
As a rank and file member, I always heard debates of the effectiveness<br />
of the ABC policy and the possibility that people would<br />
simply vote Liberal. Upon undertaking this position, it was the<br />
first question I asked Ken Lewenza when he visited our Hall prior<br />
to the 2007 provincial election. I was assured that a Liberal push<br />
was not at all what was intended by the ABC strategy and that a<br />
list would be provided in the future. In my opinion, if we as the<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> do not stick by our policies in practical ways, we should<br />
Page 30 – July – September 2011<br />
Union In Politics Committee Report<br />
By iain fleming<br />
Anything But Hudak<br />
Some political analysts have looked at historical electoral trends in Ontario<br />
politics and determined that the electorate in this region prefers differing<br />
federal and provincial parties. Once again, I am sceptical!<br />
come up with new policies to replace them prior to dropping<br />
them. Unfortunately, our options at this time are severely limited.<br />
As the elected political representative of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>, it is<br />
my responsibility to make decisions that will benefit our local<br />
membership as well as our retirees and I cannot in good conscience<br />
support an NDP candidate in the riding that represents<br />
our workforce. With the historically dismal results for the NDP<br />
in Oakville due to the affluence in the downtown core, we as<br />
a membership need a representative that will listen to our concerns<br />
and support us in our struggles.<br />
Let’s look at how our priority riding’s federal list panned out<br />
in proportion to the votes cast.<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> Federal Election 2011<br />
Priority Ridings List Vote Results<br />
(please note that the top candidate was our candidate of choice)<br />
NDP Priority Ridings<br />
Parkdale-High Park<br />
X Peggy Nash, NDP 17,015<br />
Gerard Kennedy, LIB 11,328<br />
Taylor Train, CON 5,523<br />
Hamilton Center<br />
X David Chistopherson, NDP 21,114<br />
Jim Byron, CON 9,845<br />
Anne Tennier, LIB 5,062<br />
Hamilton East-Stoney Creek<br />
X Wayne Marston, NDP 18,179<br />
Brad Clark, CON 14,326<br />
Michelle Stockwell, LIB 5,315<br />
Hamilton Mountain<br />
X Chris Charlton, NDP 21,553<br />
Terry Anderson, CON 14,326<br />
Marie Bountrogianni, LIB 7,343<br />
Liberal Priority Ridings<br />
Oakville<br />
Max Khan, LIB 10,320<br />
X Terrence Young, CON 18,265<br />
James Ede, NDP 5,069<br />
Halton<br />
Laurie Connie-Bowie, LIB 8,960<br />
X Lisa Raitt, CON 20,539<br />
Pat Heroux, NDP 6,352<br />
Burlington<br />
Alyssa Brierley, LIB 9,523<br />
X Mike Wallace, CON 23,317<br />
David Laird, NDP 8,511<br />
Mississauga-Erindale<br />
Omar Alghabra, LIB 6,812<br />
X Robert Dechert, CON 10,572<br />
Michelle Bilek, NDP 4,471<br />
Mississauga South<br />
Paul Szabo, LIB 13,970<br />
X Stella Ambler, CON 18,164<br />
Farah Kalbouneh, NDP 5,453<br />
Brampton-Sprindale<br />
Ruby Dhalla, LIB 7,193<br />
X Parm Gill, CON 11,726<br />
Manjit Grewal, NDP 4,634<br />
As a result, I offer the following recommendation:<br />
M/S that the membership of local <strong>707</strong> adopt the aBc<br />
strategy for the upcoming provincial election.<br />
Have your say at the September 18th membership meeting.<br />
All criticism is welcome!<br />
Labour Day Parade<br />
Don’t forget the Labour Day Parade in Hamilton on September<br />
5th. This year, the Hamilton and District Labour Council<br />
will concentrate on activities for kids ranging from face painting,<br />
lion dancing, clowns and even a “reptile” man. USW <strong>Local</strong><br />
1005 will lead the march and food and drinks will be provided.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
iain fleming, UPC Chair
Wal-Mart<br />
As workers we often feel the economic pressures from corporation<br />
and failed government policies in the form of job loss, poverty,<br />
homelessness and other at risk situations and circumstances<br />
that further marginalize us as working class people. In many<br />
sectors of the economy, we have time and time again seen the<br />
suppression of workers’ rights, wages and benefits along with<br />
a continuous decay of confi-<br />
dence in the current system<br />
of capitalism by working<br />
class people.<br />
I write about this to bring<br />
attention to Wal-Mart Canada<br />
and its bid to build a new<br />
80,000 sq. ft. store in downtown<br />
Hamilton at the site<br />
of the former Centre Mall. I<br />
have had many conversations<br />
with working class people<br />
who are so excited about<br />
the jobs, the localization of<br />
cheap goods (most often from China), and the pure joy that they<br />
will have access to a new super store. While I understand that<br />
many families will be able to spread their money further with<br />
some of these cheap goods, I often find myself frustrated that<br />
not enough of these same people are able to make the connection<br />
back to the downward slope we face as these multi-national<br />
companies reduce the standard of living for workers.<br />
Jobs that will be created by Wal-Mart will be lost by smaller<br />
businesses and a shift in shopping habits from other large retailers.<br />
The downtown core of Hamilton has been in a steady<br />
yet slow process to establish itself after many years of decay<br />
as shoppers and residents moved to the suburbs. The very essence<br />
of downtown will be set back with a monster Wal-Mart.<br />
If people want to go to Wal-Mart, it is already accessible in any<br />
direction within a 15-minute transit or car ride from downtown<br />
Hamilton.<br />
This does nothing to address the sexist management behaviours<br />
of Wal-Mart, its anti-union agenda and its disrespect for<br />
suppliers that once depended on Wal-Mart’s distribution network<br />
only to find themselves ordered to cut costs or lose shelf<br />
space. Wal-Mart places so much pressure that it forces these<br />
suppliers to attack working class people in factories with cuts<br />
to pay, reduced benefits and relocation to cheaper labour markets<br />
all to ensure top profit for the world’s largest multi-national<br />
corporation and its shareholders.<br />
Holding such prestige and dominance in the retail market has<br />
forced other fair pay companies to attack their workers in the<br />
race to be competitive with Wal-Mart’s buying power. If Wal-<br />
Mart is to hold such an important influence over the market, we<br />
must demand it respects its workforce, stops union intimidation<br />
tactics, e.g. closing stores to prevent union access, pay fair<br />
wages and benefit packages. This company has been very successful<br />
in the currently capitalistic system; but as we know, this<br />
current system of capitalism always places the working class at<br />
the bottom fighting for crumbs while the owners and managers<br />
reap the rewards.<br />
Human Rights Report<br />
By William O’Neill<br />
We in the auto sector have asked<br />
time and again for workers to support us<br />
by purchasing vehicles or products that<br />
are proudly union-made. If we are to ever<br />
make substantial gains as workers in an<br />
unfair and unjust economic system,<br />
we must unite and support each other.<br />
I encourage you to more closely<br />
examine your own buying habits<br />
and ask the often uncomfortable<br />
questions regarding the source and<br />
the standard of living of the workers<br />
making the products you use monthly in your home. We in<br />
the auto sector have asked<br />
time and again for workers<br />
to support us by purchasing<br />
vehicles or products that are<br />
proudly union-made. If we<br />
are to ever make substantial<br />
gains as workers in an unfair<br />
and unjust economic system,<br />
we must unite and support<br />
each other. This is something<br />
I will try to improve upon<br />
and I encourage each of you<br />
to look closer at the products<br />
and services you use and ask<br />
yourselves if you are helping to support a higher standard of living<br />
rather than helping to reduce the standards of workers.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Billy O’Neill<br />
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July – September 2011 – Page 31
It was so hard to think of a subject to write about because usually<br />
my job deals with negative issues and concerns that are less<br />
than pleasant to say the least. However, I did not want to write<br />
of depressing topics. I wanted to write about happy and uplifting<br />
stuff. This summer has been such a great one, that I’ll try to<br />
keep things light. So I am going to put a different twist to an old<br />
job and think of something new.<br />
Why not discuss the idea of doing some good out there? Do<br />
you know what I mean? Let that person get in front of you instead<br />
of pretending you don’t see him/her; or perhaps hold open<br />
the door for the person who doesn’t say thanks and give him/<br />
her a polite “you’re welcome” and perhaps the next time, he/<br />
she will pay it forward – or how about switching places with<br />
someone from St. Thomas on September 16th, when that plant<br />
closes its doors and you will be out of a job? Oh, oh, I just spoke<br />
negatively. I’ll stop.<br />
However, we do feel lucky don’t we? Who can complain of<br />
the weather? You really don’t want to do that because we will<br />
be in the snow and cold soon enough. It has been one perpetually<br />
nice day after another. Following is a nice story... A woman<br />
I know has a friend who won a huge lottery. My friend tells me<br />
she asked the winner about donations and charities and how<br />
she determines who and how much to donate where. Well, her<br />
friend replied that she meets people everywhere she goes. When<br />
her son was in the hospital, she met a young woman who was<br />
really ill and unable to afford the necessary treatments. Guess<br />
who is paying for her treatments; and the young woman never<br />
even knew who her benefactor was.<br />
We may not have won a lottery but we can feel like a winner<br />
each day by doing something as simple as smiling at someone<br />
or saying “hello” to the elderly person who may not be moving<br />
fast enough for us. Try it. I have and the rewards made me smile<br />
the rest of the day.<br />
I know some of you are thinking, “Oh Lina! Blah, blah,<br />
blah...” So, if it makes you sick, stop reading this article. You<br />
are obviously one of those too far gone for any type of goodwill<br />
or cheer. However, the rest of us do have a common goal to try<br />
to make our space in this big world a little bit brighter. If that is<br />
you, then cheers, my friend. You are not alone. The good outnumber<br />
the bad. This I know.<br />
I have another good story. A woman, whose husband and son<br />
were at McDonald’s one day waiting to be served when she<br />
noticed that everyone had begun to move away, including her<br />
husband. She did not move an inch, but she turned and smelled<br />
this horrid “dirty body” odour and found two poor men standing<br />
behind her. As she looked down at the shorter gentleman<br />
closer to her, she saw he was smiling. He had beautiful sky blue<br />
eyes. “Good day!” he said as he counted his coins. The second<br />
Page 32 – July – September 2011<br />
Employment Equity Report<br />
lina<br />
By<br />
and<br />
Sue<br />
rondeau<br />
Employment<br />
Equity<br />
Rep<br />
teepell<br />
Alternate<br />
Employment<br />
Equity Rep<br />
Negativity<br />
man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. She<br />
could tell that he was mentally challenged and that his friend<br />
was his guardian. The girl at the counter asked them what was<br />
wanted and he replied, “Coffee is all, miss” as this was all they<br />
could afford and they wanted to get inside the warm restaurant.<br />
That was when the woman felt compelled to hug the little man<br />
with the blue eyes and she noted that everyone in the restaurant<br />
was looking at her. She smiled and asked the young woman for<br />
two more breakfasts on a separate tray. She then walked to the<br />
table the men had chosen and placed the tray on the table, putting<br />
her hands on the cold hand of the blue eyed gentleman. He<br />
gazed at her with tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you.”<br />
Some of you have received this story via email. I keep the<br />
good ones and it just had to be repeated. I think one of the best<br />
lessons to ever learn is that of unconditional acceptance. I<br />
don’t think that needs clarification; nor am I going to attempt to<br />
give it. It’s pretty self-explanatory. With so much that is negative<br />
in today’s world, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a<br />
cheerful disposition each day; but, like a friend of mine keeps<br />
telling, his sick daughter puts everything into perspective for<br />
him and his family, regardless of what anyone may throw his<br />
way. Things can always be worse.<br />
Take care everyone and be safe!<br />
Be the change that you want to see in the world... Mohandas<br />
‘Mahatma’ Ghandi<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
lina rondeau, Employment Equity Rep<br />
Sue teepell, Alternate Employment Equity Rep
Following is a letter sent to all <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> Union Presidents,<br />
Recording Secretaries, and Human Rights’ Committees by<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> President Ken Lewenza and National Representative Ken Stuart.<br />
It was dated April 26th of this year and it shows that the <strong>CAW</strong> is<br />
supportive of the LGBT communities everywhere and<br />
informative as well.<br />
Greetings,<br />
Annual Pride Parades<br />
The annual pride parades are a massive<br />
illustration of collective power. It<br />
is one day of the year where LGBT activists<br />
can walk together without fear of<br />
violence, harassment, or abuse – a day<br />
where we fight back against bigoted<br />
employers, hostile co-workers, bullying<br />
in the workplaces and schools, AIDS/<br />
HIV discrimination, tremendously high<br />
suicide rates and smear campaigns. It is<br />
a day when the poverty experienced by<br />
many in our community who are denied<br />
jobs, or fired, or harassed into quitting<br />
must be recognized. Unlike any other<br />
day, we are not isolated but come together<br />
as a community.<br />
Our fight back is creative, it is fun,<br />
and it’s loud. It is unlike any other demonstration.<br />
Perhaps that’s partly why a<br />
million people attend the Toronto Pride<br />
every year and other cities across the<br />
country are increasing in their numbers<br />
as well. Wouldn’t it be great if Labour<br />
Day parades drew these crowds?<br />
Why <strong>CAW</strong> Allies & LGBT members<br />
should attend pride events<br />
As a union we have a long history<br />
of fighting to advance the issues of our<br />
LGBT members. Major gains have been<br />
achieved at the bargaining table, in our<br />
communities and in law. We have proven<br />
that fighting back does make a difference<br />
and pride season is when we continue to<br />
fight back on issues of importance that<br />
affect us here at home but also to take a<br />
stand with and for our brothers and sisters<br />
around the world.<br />
This is an opportunity for you to join<br />
the LGBT community and be part of the<br />
struggle for equality. The pride parade is<br />
a fantastic way for LGBT union members<br />
to get to know each other and to experience<br />
union pride.<br />
We ask our allies and leadership to<br />
come out and show their support. Come<br />
on out and join us. What better way to<br />
tell non-unionized workers that our<br />
union supports LGBT workers, and what<br />
a great way to support your LGBT brothers<br />
and sisters in the workplace. There<br />
<strong>707</strong> Pride Committee Report<br />
are various Pride organizations in communities<br />
across the country. I urge all<br />
local unions to contribute to these organizations<br />
to continue helping to make the<br />
Pride event in your community possible.<br />
You will have the time of your life.<br />
Bring a <strong>CAW</strong> flag or wear a <strong>CAW</strong> tshirt.<br />
It will be an experience you won’t<br />
forget.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Ken Stuart Ken Lewenza<br />
National National<br />
Representative President<br />
l l l<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
the Pride committee<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 33
Brothers and Sisters:<br />
As summer ends and fall is upon us, we at<br />
OAC are starting to kick off our yearly<br />
campaign in support of the United<br />
Way. As you are aware, the United<br />
Way assists one of every three<br />
people in all our communities<br />
and has even helped many<br />
us within the Ford family<br />
as well. The United<br />
Way funds hundreds<br />
of agencies within our<br />
communities, which in<br />
turn assist thousands<br />
of our neighbours and<br />
friends.<br />
Throughout the years,<br />
OAC has continuously<br />
answered the call and together, we<br />
Page 34 – July – September 2011<br />
United Way Report<br />
By Sue teepell<br />
Family and<br />
Cosmetic dentistry<br />
Creating Award Winning Smiles Since 1984.<br />
BEFORE AFTER<br />
BEFORE AFTER<br />
BEFORE AFTER<br />
have raised millions of dollars. Your thoughtful<br />
donations can be sent back into the community<br />
or agency of your choice as designated by<br />
you on your signed pledge form.<br />
Your United Way canvassers will<br />
personally visit you throughout<br />
the campaign and once again<br />
ask you to support this fine<br />
institution.<br />
Again, we thank you for<br />
your kindness and support<br />
by offering assistance to<br />
all our friends, neighbours<br />
and communities.<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Sue teepell and<br />
Steven Gardiner<br />
OAC United Way Campaign<br />
Coordinators<br />
Since 1984, Dr. Vineet Bhandari<br />
has been providing top quality<br />
dental care in a friendly, caring<br />
environment with his team of<br />
dental professionals. Dr. Bhandari<br />
provides cosmetic and preventive<br />
dental treatments and helps his<br />
patients to achieve optimum<br />
dental health.<br />
Dr. Vineet Bhandari<br />
BSc, DIH, DDS<br />
Cosmetic Dentistry<br />
Monday-Friday, 9-5pm<br />
Tuesday, 9-8pm<br />
105 Main St. East, Ste. 1106<br />
905-525-0405<br />
★ New Location ★<br />
45 Stanley St., Ste. 208<br />
Ayr, ON<br />
1-877-564-0405<br />
www.bhandaridental.com<br />
We deal directly with the insurance company.<br />
We have a periodontist on site,<br />
all cleanings 100% covered
2011 Trap Shooting<br />
Tournament<br />
The shoot was held at Galt Sportsmen’s Club on May 07, 2011. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> was well-represented<br />
and did very well. The weather finally cooperated and it showed, with more than 130 shooters from<br />
varying <strong>CAW</strong> locals.<br />
We would again like to thank <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> for its continued support. Special thanks goes to Dominic<br />
Rosati for always putting in so much of his time. Thanks Dom! It was a good time had by all and<br />
we’ll see you next year!<br />
“High Gun” for the<br />
tournament went to<br />
Ralph Zadro who shot a<br />
“96” to lead all shooters<br />
– not bad for a retired<br />
guy!<br />
Team: K-14 – ‘B’ Division 4th place from left to right: Cory Foster, Rob Clark,<br />
Dave Arnold, Lisa Kaposy, and Emilio Attard. Watch out for this team. They<br />
are slowly creeping up.<br />
Team: Subparrs – ‘A’ Division 2nd place from left to right: Rob Clark, Walter<br />
Nikolic, Dave Arnold, Ralph Zador and Bill Cameron. This was a team put<br />
together at the last minute. Well done, boys!<br />
Team: Firing Pins – ‘B’ Division 7th place: Brandon Quinn, Scott Low, Dave<br />
Molnar, Denis Tousignant and Pierre Authier – another team looking for<br />
respect. Well done!<br />
Team: MKX – ‘A’ Division 6th place from left to right: Dario Muglia, Henry<br />
Spekking, Gord Goodale, Don Clark and Denis Tousignant. Finally, we have<br />
another team into ‘A’ division. Good shooting, boys!<br />
Team: Blind Rats – ‘A’ Division champions from left to right: Bruce Smith,<br />
Bill Cameron, Ralph Zadro, Scott Crozier and Joe Schwieg. They finally got it<br />
together. Great shooting, champs!<br />
Missing From Pictures – Team: Blind Boys 3rd in ‘B’ Division: Carl Hendershot, Terry Turner, Jiri Mildner<br />
and Mike Skaljac. They must have all been meditating in the motorhome. Very good shooting!<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 35
Ride To Conquer Cancer –<br />
Thank You<br />
This was the fourth year of doing the ride and as in previous<br />
years, leaving Toronto with 4,610 other riders was<br />
quite invigorating and very emotional after listening to the<br />
speakers prior to our departure.<br />
I couldn’t help but think of the many people that had<br />
succumbed to cancer that I personally knew. Although it is<br />
frustrating that we are still doing research for a cure, in reality,<br />
they have made great strides and hopefully someday<br />
we can see an end to this dreadful disease.<br />
The ride itself was great. The weather was perfect –<br />
not too warm and more importantly, no rain! The only<br />
hard part was sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag.<br />
I must be getting soft in my old age! I used to camp on<br />
a regular basis and thought nothing of sleeping on the<br />
ground.<br />
The organizers take great care of the riders and you get<br />
to meet many different people from all over the province<br />
and even some from the states. It truly is a heart-warming<br />
experience and I am blessed that I can take part in this<br />
event.<br />
Even though it is a little more difficult to get to Toronto<br />
to do the ride, I have already signed up for next year.<br />
Collectively you and many others raised more than<br />
$17.5 million this year. Please know that you are a big part<br />
of this ride and I would like to thank you personally for<br />
your continued support of my fundraising efforts.<br />
Thank you and I hope you have a great summer!<br />
With warm regards,<br />
Ken robertson<br />
Thank You For Award<br />
to the Membership of caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
Hello. My name is Sophie Kurucz and I am a recent<br />
graduate from Thomas A. Blakelock High School. I was<br />
delighted to learn at the reception that I had been selected<br />
as the recipient of the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> <strong>CAW</strong> Walter and May<br />
Reuther Memorial Social Justice Award. I am very grateful<br />
to have received such a wonderful gift and I am very<br />
thankful for your donation.<br />
Next year, I will be studying geography and geology<br />
at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Learning outside<br />
and being right on the Canadian Shield will be ideal although<br />
the black flies and mosquitoes are awful – but I<br />
suppose that comes with the territory. I aspire to become<br />
a geologist and one day work for National Geographic or<br />
the BBC.<br />
I feel very lucky for the opportunities that I have been<br />
given and I want to thank you again for helping me achieve<br />
my goals.<br />
Cheers,<br />
Sophie Kurucz<br />
Page 36 – July – September 2011<br />
WE GET LETTERS!<br />
Thank You For Bible<br />
to: the Executive Board and Membership of<br />
caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
My family and I want to thank you all for the beautiful<br />
bible you sent. It was much appreciated and it was really<br />
thoughtful. It’s nice to know someone cares.<br />
All the best to all of you.<br />
d. Gabrjolek<br />
Thank You For Bible<br />
to the Executive Board and membership of<br />
caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
Thank you so very much for the condolences, the Remembrance<br />
Edition Bible with the personal inscription<br />
and the finished engraved cedar box in memory of my<br />
husband, Glyn Stevenson, who passed away March 27th,<br />
2011. The beautiful verse enclosed in the bible was so<br />
moving and truly fitted Glyn’s situation as he had such<br />
a battle in the hospital for close to a year. The gifts will<br />
be a reminder of the good times and memories Glyn had<br />
belonging to the UAW/<strong>CAW</strong> for over 40 years with <strong>Local</strong><br />
<strong>707</strong>.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Wendy Stevenson & family<br />
Thank You For Supporting<br />
PFLAG Canada<br />
caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
PFLAG Canada is truly grateful for the support of <strong>CAW</strong><br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>. We wish to extend our sincere thanks for your<br />
recent donation of $500.<br />
Your gift will be included with monies raised through<br />
our Communities Encourage Campaign, a program that<br />
funds support, outreach and educational initiatives coordinated<br />
through our national office and communitybased<br />
network. Specifically, the campaign provides for<br />
our toll-free support lines, online resources, leadership development<br />
program and educational materials for schools<br />
and community organizations.<br />
Throughout our organization, we are mindful of our<br />
community partners who make our work possible. Thank<br />
you again for supporting PFLAG Canada and encouraging<br />
a more open and accepting society for gay, lesbian, bisexual<br />
and trans-identified persons and their families and<br />
friends.<br />
In Gratitude,<br />
cherie Macleod<br />
Executive Director<br />
PFLAG Canada
Thank You<br />
to the canadian autoworkers<br />
local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
Thank you for the beautiful<br />
case and white bible dedicated<br />
in memory of Frank Needham.<br />
Frank was in his 94th year and<br />
loved the Lord with all his heart.<br />
We have had sixty-two precious<br />
years of married life and have<br />
been truly blessed. Our daughter,<br />
Brenda Watson and her husband,<br />
Bill join me in thanking you for<br />
this gift we will always treasure.<br />
Margaret Needham<br />
Thank You<br />
to the Executive Board<br />
and Membership of<br />
caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
I would like to say thank you<br />
very much for the holy bible you<br />
sent to me in memory of my husband,<br />
Bill Ions. It meant a lot to me.<br />
Thanks Again,<br />
Joan ions<br />
Thank You<br />
caW local <strong>707</strong> Executive<br />
Board and Membership:<br />
The flower arrangement was<br />
beautiful. Thank you for the kind<br />
thoughts at Easter.<br />
Kim clout, clare & family<br />
Thank You<br />
dear local <strong>707</strong> Executives and<br />
Members:<br />
Thank you so much for the<br />
lovely bible sent to us in memory<br />
of Frank Savoie. Our family will<br />
cherish it always.<br />
Kind Regards,<br />
Edmee Savoie and family<br />
LETTERS... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32<br />
Thank You<br />
I would just like to say thanks on<br />
behalf of our family for the lovely<br />
bible from <strong>CAW</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> given<br />
too my mother on the passing<br />
of my father, Terence Ford and<br />
for the many emails, cards and<br />
flowers from our friends here.<br />
Thanks,<br />
chris ford<br />
Thank You<br />
the Executive Board and<br />
Membership of caW local <strong>707</strong>:<br />
Thank you all for the beautiful<br />
bible which I received in loving<br />
memory of my husband Harry. It<br />
is greatly appreciated.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Mervis Worotynec<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> – It Has Been An Honour<br />
Brothers and Sisters:<br />
I want to thank each and every<br />
one of you for giving me the opportunity<br />
to represent you when I<br />
was elected as a union representative<br />
in the body build department.<br />
For the past 32 years, it was a great<br />
pleasure and I want to thank all<br />
my predecessors and fellow union<br />
reps I have worked with and gained<br />
much experience from and respect<br />
for. It was my passion to spend 30<br />
years as an elected rep on the ‘B’<br />
shift in body build, being elected<br />
to the Ford Bargaining Committee<br />
and <strong>CAW</strong> Council, covering for<br />
the plant chairperson during his absence<br />
and representing you to the<br />
best of my ability while fighting for<br />
your rights – the rights of the working<br />
people and all the members of<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong>.<br />
I want to thank all the union<br />
reps, both past and present for their<br />
confidence in me, especially my<br />
colleagues on the ‘B’ shift, whom<br />
I have worked with in the past as<br />
well as more recently. You all know<br />
who you are. I have and will always<br />
have great respect for you all for always<br />
putting your best foot forward<br />
for the membership you represent.<br />
Keep up the good work!<br />
I want to wish the entire membership<br />
of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>707</strong> longevity with<br />
the Ford Motor Company and may<br />
you and your families have a safe,<br />
long and healthy life together! Remember<br />
that the “U” in Union is<br />
You. So support the union’s leadership<br />
and the brothers and sisters<br />
you work with. We all have work<br />
and continue to work for one reason<br />
– to earn a pay cheque from<br />
Ford – “A fair day’s work for a fair<br />
day’s pay.”<br />
Good luck to you all!<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Paul Gebel<br />
FYI: A few months ago a toll<br />
free number with Ford was negotiated<br />
by Scotty McColeman and<br />
I that the entire membership can<br />
use to call the Oakville Assembly<br />
complex. The number is 1-866-<br />
367-3210.<br />
July – September 2011 – Page 37
WE ASKED YOU:<br />
Page 38 – July – September 2011<br />
Bill Skinner<br />
“I hated it. It went from three<br />
weeks to two weeks to two split<br />
weeks to one week. It’s too short.”<br />
Walter Janicki<br />
“I liked it better before. My dad<br />
worked here and he always had a<br />
three-week shutdown”<br />
Marty Hanc<br />
“I personally liked it. I can take my<br />
vacation time when I want.”<br />
PAUL A. LAFLEUR, B.A., LL.B.<br />
Barrister Solicitor Avocat<br />
General Practice for over 20 years<br />
Real Estate Land & Tenant Law<br />
Civil Litigation Personal Injury Criminal Law<br />
Former 16 year Ford Worker – <strong>Local</strong> 200<br />
<strong>CAW</strong> Legal Services Planholders Welcome<br />
411 Guelph Line ..........................Burlington (905) 632-3842<br />
Fax ............................................................................(905) 632-1930<br />
What did you think about the<br />
one week shutdown?<br />
Brad Childs<br />
“It wasn’t long enough. One week<br />
isn’t enough family time and not<br />
enough for a good holiday.”<br />
Bob Psarakif<br />
“It sucked! With all the weeks we<br />
have lost, it is unfortunate. One<br />
week is not enough time to be<br />
with your family.”<br />
FORMER FORD EMPLOYEE:<br />
Dr. Stan Dubickas<br />
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry<br />
Great<br />
Knowledge<br />
Of Your<br />
Dental<br />
Plan<br />
Direct Billing For Ford/<strong>CAW</strong> <strong>707</strong> Members<br />
c Providing Reliable and Comfortable<br />
Dentistry For Over 27 Years<br />
c New Patients And Emergencies<br />
Always Welcome<br />
c Extended Hours –<br />
Open Saturdays<br />
c Free Private Parking<br />
(905) 333-5553<br />
398 Guelph Line<br />
just south of New Street,<br />
North of Lakeshore
July – September 2011 – Page 39
DEADLINE<br />
FOR THE OCTOBER-DECEMBER<br />
2011 <strong>707</strong> <strong>REPORTER</strong><br />
NOVEMBER 7, 2011<br />
MONDAY,<br />
SEPTEMBER 5th, 2011<br />
HAMILTON<br />
(Assembles west of Locke Street on York, facing east)<br />
Lineup: 10:00 a.m.<br />
Departure: 10:30 a.m.<br />
Picnic after parade at Dundurn Park<br />
FOOD, REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED<br />
Canada Post Corporation<br />
Agreement Number 40065086<br />
2011-2013 <strong>CAW</strong> UNION OR RETIREE MEMBERSHIP CARD MUST BE SHOWN<br />
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS<br />
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 – 10:00 A.M.<br />
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011 – 10:00 A.M.<br />
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011 – 10:00 A.M.<br />
DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UPON MEMBERSHIP ACTION.