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PACKING HOUSEUFCW Local 832 members working at Maple Leaf Lagimodiere attend a proposal meeting on April 17.Obey Now, Grieve LaterInsubordination could result in discipline.On average, a worker spends about36 hours a week on the job. Thismeans you spend over seven hoursof your day with co-workers and managers.It is not uncommon that you mightnot agree with what your supervisor said.What you need to consider is that underthe collective agreement the employerhas the ‘right to manage’. For example,management has the right to direct andcontrol working operations, to requireemployees to observe employer rules andregulations, to hire, to layoff, to assignemployees working hours, to transfer, topromote, and to demote. But, in doing so,the employer must act reasonably, fairly, ingood faith and cannot violate any articlescontained in the collective agreement.For instance, if you have received trainingon a specific piece of equipment andyour manager asks you to fill in for aco-worker, who is sick, and you refuse; itcould result in a discipline for insubordination.If your supervisor asks you to assistin another department, and you get angryand leave the building, it could result ina discipline for absent without leave.The union wants to advise you that agood rule of thumb to use is ‘obey now,grieve later’. If you believe a companyrequest is a violation of the agreement,contact your union rep at the end of yourshift to report the situation. The matterwill be investigated, and the union will filea grievance on your behalf if warranted.However, you do have the right to refusework you think is unsafe. In this case, youmust follow the steps legislated under theWorkplace Safety and Health Act. Workersin Manitoba have three health and safetyrights guaranteed to them by law.• Right to Know• Right to Participate• Right to RefuseBoth union and non-union workers areprotected by health and safety legislation.Remember, the union is here to helpyou—don’t be disciplined for insubordination.Know your contract and if youthink your rights have been violated, callyour union representative.Union Office NumbersWinnipeg: 786-5055/1-888-832-9832Brandon: 727-7131/1-800-552-1193Thompson: 778-7108/1-800-290-2608UFCW Local 832 President Robert ZieglerLocal prepares for Maple Leaf negotiationsWhile the expiry date on the currentcollective agreement is not untilDecember 31, 2011, the local hasstarted preparing for a new contract for membersat the Maple Leaf Lagimodiere plant inWinnipeg. UFCW Local 832 President RobertZiegler and Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Traegermet with the shop stewards on April 4 todiscuss ideas and look at areas of improvementin the collective agreement. Fromthat meeting, a list of items was presentedto the membership at a proposal meetingon April 17. Members then had a chance tomake further suggestions and talk aboutwhat they would like in their agreement.President Ziegler explained to the membersthat he is trying to secure dates with thecompany to start negotiations prior to thesummer, when dates become more difficultto arrange due to vacations. He expressed tothe membership that it is the intent of thenegotiating committee to have a new agreementratified before the current one expires,or exercise your right to strike if one is notreached.The negotiating committee for the union willbe President Ziegler and Secretary-TreasurerTraeger along with chief shop steward FrankKirouac and assistant chief shop steward RoseBatenchuk. The remaining spots will be madeof members in various departments. Updateson negotiations will be sent to members andonline at www.ufcw832.comBig SMILES inSt. Malo asfacility growsBig changes are occurring at EPIC de St.Malo/Smile of St. Malo this year as a newresidential building will be built. The new3400 square foot residence will have stateof-the-artequipment to assist the staff toprovide safer services to residents with higherneeds. The new residence will create threeto four full-time and one or two part-timepositions. The residence will be located at7 St. Hilaire Street in St. Malo.Along with the new residence come changesto its day program. Changes will also beEpic Opportunitymembers ratifytwo-year dealThe 34 UFCW Local 832 membersworking for Epic Opportunities(formerly Hope Centre) in Winnipegvoted April 18 to ratify a new two-year collectiveagreement.Members will receive a two per centwage increase, retroactive to January 1,2011 and a lump sum payment. Memberswho are past probation but with less thanone year of service will receive $100, thosewith one to five years of service will receive$175, and those with five or more yearswill receive $250 less statutory deductions.Other improvements to the collectiveagreement includeed the use of a personalvehicle for performing work relatedfunctions is now strictly voluntary for allemployees. Members with three years ofservice or more will see their employerRRSP matching go from 2.5 per cent tofour per cent.The new collective agreement will expireon December 31, 2012. Members shouldreceive the new agreement within the nextmonth.taking place over the summer and into thefall. With more rural municipalities signingup SMILE of St. Malo to manage their recyclingprograms, an expansion is underwayto ensure they have the appropriate space toexpand this type of work. Upgrades at thefacility will speed up the process of sorting,bailing and shipping of recyclables. TheSmall but strong unitACL Virden members find their jobs rewarding.The Association for CommunityLiving (ACL) Virden is dedicatedto assisting people with physicaland developmental disabilities achieve anindependent and productive life withinthe community. ACL Virden has fourresidential homes, a day service, anda secondhand store. A small but strongunionized workplace employs approximately35 members who help clients inreaching this objective.As one steward generalized the feeling,“Our job has its challenges but therewards outweigh the trials. To see a client’sface light up the first time he or shegoes shopping is a great feeling.”It is nice to know that there are workplaceswhere individuals mean it whenthey say, “I love my job.” Don’t get theCAREupgrades will also increase the safety of thoseperforming the duties. Along with the recyclingprogram, the centre also has contractsfor sewing, packaging, and woodworking.The St. Malo facility began operating in1974, when its first day program was introduced.The first residential care facilityopened up in 1975.wrong impression it was not always ideal.Since joining UFCW Local 832 in 1989,the union and management have workedtogether for the betterment of the staff andclients.Linda McIntosh, shop steward, has workedat ACL for over 12 years. “To know that Ihave scheduled wage increases, health andwelfare benefits, dental, and job securitybecause of the union, makes it easier tocome to work and give the clients 100 percent of my time,” she said. “It is a fulfillingjourney for both the client and me. Ihave even learned a lot from these unique,inspirational individuals. I know we makea difference in each other's lives. To me,seeing the smile on a client’s face thatcompleted a simple task is what makesthis so much more than just a job.”14 UNION MAY 2011 UNION MAY 201115