IUOE News Fall 2013

District One
“Right to Work” comes
to Canada, while TFW
changes still need
improvement
Don Swerdan,
Member Representative
There has been a lot of activity and negotiations that have
occurred during over the past few months, and as I did not
catch up with you in the last issue, let me report on some of
what has been going on.
First, the IUOE. General Convention took place during the
last week of April. This was my first General Convention and
was pleased to meet with a number of Business Agents from
across Canada and the U.S. I was
astounded to hear how similar the
issues are between our countries.
It was overwhelming to hear of the
current “Right to Work” legislation
that certain U.S. states are adopting,
and how there are concerted efforts being made by certain
parties to deliberately weaken and destabilize the Unions.
This mentality and legislation is making its way into
Canada, with Ontario being the first—and I’m sure not the
last—out of the gate as a “guinea pig” for this legislation.
It is clear that the current Federal government is supporting
the ‘Right to Work’ approach when you consider, for
example, Bill 377. This Bill seeks, in the apparent guise of
transparency, to have all Unions submit to a regime of regulatory
requirements at considerable expense to our membership
that NO other “organization” is required to abide by.
As you’ve seen with the recent scandals in the Senate, even
the Government (who allegedly wrote the legislation for Bill
“This ‘Right to Work’ mentality
and legislation is making its way
into Canada, with Ontario being
the first guinea pig”
377) is not required to submit to the scrutiny they seek to
impose on Unions.
This latest attempt at Union busting cannot be swept under
the carpet by our “elected” officials. These are issues that will
affect every working Canadian, as well as many others.
Temporary Foreign Workers and the rules by which they
can be placed in Canada, their wages, and the enforcement on
how employers treat these workers are just the “thin edge of
the wedge” if both the Provincial and Federal government
have their way.
Yes, Local 115, through considerable efforts by Brothers
Brian Cochrane and Wayne Mills and staff, have elevated the
issue of the Federal Governments L.M.O.’s (Labour Market
Opinions), H.R.D.C.’s policies on the review of the opinions,
and the treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers to the
national stage.
But, while some changes were made as a direct result of this
Local’s effort, the battle is far from over.
There are many cases where the
employment of Temporary Foreign
Workers is necessary, but they should
not be employed before a call for hiring
goes out to local communities, first
nations, across the provinces and country, and then the U.S.
The newest changes to the TFW program seek to ensure
this happens, and let’s hope it does, as this would be the most
effective change in terms of ensuring Canadian jobs stay go to
Canadians. This Local will continue to press for training to be
provided to Canadians before going offshore for workers.
On the recent bargaining front, I assisted Brother Stewart
Miller and am pleased to report that Local 115 was successful
in ratifying a new and first Collective Agreement with Fraser
Richmond Soil and Fibre’s Richmond and North Vancouver
locations.
Congratulations Stewart and, on behalf of all Local 115
members, let me welcome all these new members!.
These are not work boots.
To some, your used work gear may represent their family’s next meal. They are an education they
12 News October 2013
can obtain and provide their children. They are an opportunity they otherwise may never have. So
don’t throw them away. IUOE Local 115 is collecting used construction and work gear for the
Burnaby Association for the South East Side, and distributing them to people in need
who want to get to work, but need your help to get them safely equipped to do so.
Contact Brother Don Swerdan on 604-473-5208 to see how you can give your
old gear new life, and change those of less fortunate fellow workers.