seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707

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I hope that everyone had a great summer and an opportunity to enjoy the good things life has to offer with your families. Pensions Following are some facts we should all be aware of with respect to pensions in Canada. c Three out of five Canadian workers don’t have a pension plan in the workplace c Less than one in three Canadians can afford RRSPs c One third of Canadians between the ages of 24 and 64 have no retirement savings c 1.6 million Canadian senior citizens live in poverty today with incomes less than $16,000 c CPP is administered by the federal government and requires the support of at least two-thirds of the provinces representative of at least two-thirds of the population in order to effect changes to Canada Pension A solution put forth by Harper’s Conservatives is the creation of Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP). PRPPs are a form of privatization resulting in higher costs, lower savings with no guarantees and large profits for financial services. Canadians are calling for change. Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) call for a graduated doubling of Canada and Quebec Pension Plan benefits as the best way to provide retirement security for everyone. A modest increase in contributions over a period of several years will produce thousands of dollars annually in extra benefits for workers once they retire. Doubling the CPP would cost the government nothing as premiums are paid for by both the workers and employers. Both the CLC and CURC campaigns for retirement security have the support of 84 per cent of Canadians and the majority of the provinces. Most finance ministers agreed at the June 2010 meeting that the best way forward is to increase the CPP. Alberta was not in agreement. Through MP Wayne Marsden, the NDP has crafted a private member’s bill that would double the CPP. It is shameful that our government has once again taken the side of big business on this issue and submitted its plans at the expense of current and future retirees in this wealthy country of ours. The members of Stelco – USW 1005 have been and remain locked out. Yet they remain solid. Their battle over pension issues is an ongoing one for years now. ThyssenKrupp A demonstration took place August 5th for all former Budd Canada plant members. The CAW is in court battling to save their post-retirement benefits. ThyssenKrupp in an attempt to shirk its responsibilities to its retirees is seeking to dissolve these benefits via the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in spite of the millions of dollars the parent company is worth. Thyssen- Krupp is a German multinational company with business ventures in 80 countries generating CDN $63 billion in sales for the fiscal year 2009-10. Some of those affected are in long term care homes, some are organ transplant recipients and on life sustaining anti-rejection medications. Shame on ThyssenKrupp Page 26 – July – September 2011 Retirees’ Vice Chairperson’s Report By arnie de vaan Pensions for stooping to this level! Brothers and sisters we will soon enter negotiations and as you may note by what I have written solidarity amongst us is very important. It is my hope that when we debate issues confronting us, that we conduct them in-house and that once the membership has made its decision, we abide by it and remain united, acting as one. This is the only road to success. The next retirees’ membership meeting will take place September 21st at 10:00 a.m.. Elections will take place at that meeting for two delegates to attend the National Pensioners and Senior Citizens’ Convention. Rocking Horse Draw – Fundraiser In support of Sister Pat Leaver’s medical mission to Africa, we are initiating a fundraiser. Brother Hardy Jaap, a retiree of Local 707 and skilled carpenter, has crafted a wooden rocking horse. He has graciously donated his time, labour and the horse itself as the prize to be drawn at the Retirees’ membership meeting at 10:00 a.m. on December 21, 2011. The rocking horse, which can be ridden, would be a welcome addition to anyone’s home and available just in time for Christmas as either a gift for your child or grandchild or even as an antiquity for your home as it also has a removable rack on its back which can be used to hold magazines or books. It is pictured at right and may be viewed at the Union Hall. The proceeds will be used by Pat Leaver to purchase the much needed supplies for her next mission to Africa, something she has been doing for the past ten years. This mission will be her sixth wherein she comforts children at the burn relief hospital, takes health and medical supplies along with financial support for schools. All her time and a great deal of her expenses have been given freely. I am proud of Sister Leaver’s works and hope you will support her mission and purchase a ticket. cost of tickets for the rocking Horse draw is $5 each. Sister leaver will sell these tickets at both General membership meetings and retirees’ membership meetings. it is also hoped that Oac will allow Pat to sell them at least once each month at the plant gates and answer any questions you may have about her mission. they may also be purchased from Elke Moorhead at the union Hall at any time. Thanks go to Brother Hardy Jaap and Sister Pat Leaver for their selfless contributions and bringing our local into a global community. Special thanks also go to Glen Crocker at J.H. French & Company Limited (800) 732-0354) for their generous contribution of the tickets. This printing company located at 293 Mary Street in Hamilton has gone above and beyond when it comes to considering the good deeds sacrificed on behalf of our Local. For this good deed alone, J. H. French has saved $100s that could be better spent on the mission itself and we thank this company from the bottom of our hearts. In Solidarity, arnie de vaan Retirees’ Vice Chair, CAW Local 707
Rocking Horse crafted by Hardy Jaap for a lucky recipient of the draw funding Pat Leaver’s mission to Africa. Thank You re: Meeting august 9th, 2011 – discussion for fund raising of medical mission in africa Hardy Jaap, I want to thank you so very much for all your hard work and efforts in making the rocking horse. You said you’d do it and you did! I am so grateful for your kindness, but more importantly I hope you realize how much the proceeds will help the children and the people on my next medical mission. I know I’ve been there before and I have experienced the generosity of people like members of Local 707 who have supported me from my very first volunteer project in 2000. Thank you, arnie de vaan for being one of my strongest supporters! It’s amazing what team effort can accomplish and thank you Elke Moorhead for your time and your valuable input and administrative skills. There are not enough words to tell you what this means to me. In the “big picture” of things, we are doing this to help others less fortunate because we have the means to do it. On a personal note, I have never received such enthusiastic support and I thank you for that. Please pass this message and my thanks to Gary Beck. I know none of this could happen without his support as President of Local 707 With much appreciation, Pat leaver ● on site specialists; including oral surgeon and periodontist ● effective programs for the prevention of dental disease ● up to date restorative options, including dental implants ● removal of teeth under sedation ● the ability to improve the appearance of any smile ● one hour tooth whitening Located on Lakeshore Road, just south of the QEW, our office is just minutes from anywhere in the Burlington-Oakville area and free parking is plentiful. To work with your busy schedule, we are happy to offer extended appointment hours, including Saturdays. We will assist you with processing your insurance claim. 2441 Lakeshore Rd. W., Ste. 27 Oakville, Ontario L6L 5V5 905-825-1102 www.brontedental.com July – September 2011 – Page 27
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Page 5 and 6: The Union’s Power Comes From Memb
Page 7 and 8: CAW Local 707 Funds For The Month E
Page 9 and 10: Serving the GTA for 27 Years • 54
Page 11 and 12: Plant Chairperson’s Report ...con
Page 13 and 14: Canada’s Largest Volume Ford/Linc
Page 15 and 16: 35 TIME WINNER OF THE PRESIDENT’S
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Page 21 and 22: Retirees’ Tai Chi Classes By Ed S
Page 23 and 24: Alex Macdonald is congratulated on
Page 25: Hamilton Wellness Center for all yo
Page 29 and 30: 57th Picnic At Marineland Picnic Re
Page 31 and 32: Wal-Mart As workers we often feel t
Page 33 and 34: Following is a letter sent to all C
Page 35 and 36: 2011 Trap Shooting Tournament The s
Page 37 and 38: Thank You to the canadian autoworke
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