Local Voice July 2011

Local Voice
Volume 6 | Issue #3 Summer 2011

Quarterly publication for members of the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 378
Resilience,
Change and Growth
ALSO INSIDE
Message From President David Black This Green House Building a Fairer B.C. Energy Policy in B.C. Changes in Political Landscape
CONTENTS
In This Issue
3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
EDITORIAL COLUMN by President David Black TRANSLATIONS BC FORUM MEMBERShIp FORM CANADIAN LABOUR CONgRESS CONvENTION REpORT pRESIDENTS WORD KEEpINg OUR EyES ON ICBC ThIS gREEN hOUSE by Charley Beresford jUAN LINARES hISTORIC ChANgES TO ThE FEDERAL pOLITICAL LANDSCApE by Jeff Gillies REpORT ON COUNCIL BUILDINg A FAIRER, MORE EqUAL B.C. By Adrian Dix WISCONSIN yOUTh ACTION COMMITTEE by Stephen Von Sychowski CLEAN ENERgy ACT NEEDS RENEWINg by Marvin Shaffer STAFF pROFILE: SARAh MELSNESS BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS ARE yOU READy FOR RETIREMENT? by Lori Mayhew BARgAININg UNITS ORgANIzED LAUghTER
11
Juan linares
13 14
12
Historic Changes to Canadian Politics
15 16 18
19 20 22 23 24
19
Sarah melsness: Generational Values
presidents Opening Message

The Canadian Office and professional Employees Union, Local 378 is affiliated with The Canadian Office and professional Employees Union, the British Columbia Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress. Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, Executive Board Members: president: David Black Secretary-Treasurer: Lori Mayhew vice presidents: jeff gillies (ICBC), gwenne Farrell (Utilities), heather Lee (Combined Units) Accenture Business Services Directors: Melanie greenlaw, Lucas Meyer BC hydro Directors: Calvin jonas, Sharon Thomas ICBC Directors: yasmin Carroll, Karin Cirez, Mike Ferguson, joyce galuska, Trevor hansen Utilities Director (Fortis, Terasen): Tim Bouzovetsky Combined Units Directors: georgi Bates, Colleen Finn, Laurie Kirk, Stephen von Sychowski, Tim Weigelt COPE 378 Communications & Campaigns: Sage Aaron, jarrah hodge COPE 378 Senior Union Representatives: Brad Bastien, jaime zygmunt, Dave Mcpherson COPE 378 Union Representatives: jackie Brown, vic Foth, jack gerow, Barry hodson, Kerrie Irving, Barbara junker, pat junnila, Sarah Melsness, glen MacInnes, Bonnie Merriman, Brian Nelson, Kevin payne, Kelly quinn, Karen Rockwell, Kevin Smyth COPE 378 Administrative & Office Staff: joanne Banfield, Karen Caston, Elaine Chilman, Lise Cluff, Adele Earwaker, yudon garie, valerie LeBlanc, Shelley Lockhart, Carol McLuskie, Karen McRae, Amandeep Sandhu, Kim Smith COPE 378 Financial Staff: Linda Allan, Sandi Malhame, Donna Morris, Bee prentice COPE 378 Financial Controller: Wendy ham, CgA Occupational Health & Safety & WCB Appeals: Steve Milne LTD Trust Administrator: jim Moynham
COpE 378 Local voice is the official quarterly magazine published for the members of the Canadian Office and professional Employees Union, Local 378. ISSN 1918-9753 COpE Local 378 voice Letters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity and clarity. please contact COpE Local 378 for permission to reprint articles, graphics, or photographs. Address all correspondence to: COpE 378 Communications 2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way Burnaby, BC v5g 1j9 phone: 604-299-0378 Toll Free: 1-800-664-6838 Fax: 604-299-8211 visit COpE 378s website at www.cope378.ca Or contact us via email at editor@cope378.ca Editor: Sage Aaron
n May 3rd, 2011, I stood beside COPE 378 SecretaryTreasurer Lori Mayhew and signed my oath of office as president. I was first elected to COPE 378s Executive Council soon after I started with ICBC in 1995, and elected as to the Executive Board in 2001. Im proud to have played a part in the remarkable changes COPE 378 has undergone during that time. We have grown, we have skilled up, and we have modernized. Im honoured to continue this tradition of evolution under my leadership. Our newly elected Executive Council met for a special two-day meeting in May and it was clear we were ready to hit the ground running. We have a potent mix of seasoned, knowledgeable members and energetic, creative young people among our activists and leaders. This incredible group of people is ready to take on the challenges that face this organization and our membership. There is no denying we face challenges. The last fiscal year was hard on our operational finances, as you will see from our yearly Financial Report supplement included in this magazine. The report outlines the perfect storm that converged on our finances, of legal costs brought by employers, operational restructuring, the global financial crisis, and public sector wage freezes. But, its not all bad news. Our Defence Fund recently hit a historic $20 million. The contrast gave us pause, and we are looking at ways we can stabilize our operations while providing optimal services to our members. COPE 378 weathered the financial storm in part because of the diversity of bargaining units that make up this union. To fortify this resilience we must expand our membership. Im committed to making organizing a cornerstone to our unions operations. Each department will have a role to play in finding new members and expanding COPE 378s advocacy and protection. As our union grows, so will our influence and effectiveness. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to focus on these priorities as president of COPE 378. Your support makes this work possible and I look forward to the change we will make together.
David Black President, COPE 378
USW 2009
COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011 | 3
French
Tagalog
Translations of the Presidents Message
Spanish
vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011
COPE 378 Local Voice
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RETIRED OR AppROAChINg RETIREMENT
BC FORUM
YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN BC FORUM:

It is COPE 378 policy to pay for the first years BC FORUM membership for retired COPE 378 members with at least 20 years service. Retired members wishing to have their first years membership paid by the local should forward a completed membership application form to the COPE 378 Burnaby office with their request for processing.
1. Helps to build solidarity across the generations, strengthens the labour movement, and supports the fight for a civil society and social justice for retired workers, active workers who are 50 or older, and our families. 2. Includes free $2,500 coverage in BC FORUMs Group Accident Insurance Plan with world-wide death and disability coverage to age 86 (the maximum we were able to negotiate). 3. Entitles you to special negotiated group rates on many products and services, including: Home and tenant insurance Extended health and dental coverage Travel package discounts and insurance Professional financial planning and advice Income tax services 4. Includes a free subscription to the BC FORUM newsletter, The Advocate, keeping you in touch with issues that affect retired workers and our families.
BC
Keep building the movement join or renew today!

of group negotiations. Membership dues are $20 a year or $49 for three years. Your membership includes free coverage under BC FORUMs $2,500 group accident insurance plan. Optional benefits include homeowner, tenant, extended health, dental, and travel insurance. Members also have access to financial advice and planning, discounts on selected travel packages and income tax services. Our newsletter, The Advocate, will inform you about current initiatives. There are more than 100,000 retired union members in B.C. Together, we can be a powerful voice for the well-being of our families. Join or renew by sending in the form below, or online at www.bcforum.ca.
FORUM is a registered non-profit society for retired union members, and active members age 50 and over. We are dedicated to representing the interests and well-being of members, their families and spouses. Membership in BC FORUM allows you to realize the kind of savings on programs, services and products that are only possible through the power
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B.C. Federation of Retired Union Members #200 - 5118 Joyce St., Vancouver, V5R 4H1 604 688-4565 1 800 896-5678 Fax: 604 430-5917 bcforum@bcfed.ca www.bcforum.ca q New q Renewal Name:
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12 The Advocate, May2011

6 | vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice
Canadian Labour Congress Convention Report
LABOUR MOvEMENT
he 26th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress was held in Vancouver in May. COPE 378 sent twenty-one representatives, who joined with 2,500 other delegates from unions across Canada. Mayor Gregor Robertson gave the keynote address on Monday, May 9, telling the convention that Vancouver is one of the most liveable cities because of our unionized workforce. He said local unions stepped up to the plate during the recent Olympic Games and he thanked the CLC for its contributions to electing a progressive government in his city. In the afternoon Charles Ferguson, Academy Award-winning director of The Inside Job, spoke, warning delegates that without change America should expect another devastating financial collapse within 15 years. The sheer concentration of wealth and political power among a very few people, and the ongoing social and educational distress among so many does not bode well for America, he warned. Tuesday began with a panel presentation called What Derailed the Post-War Social Contract? which featured economists Jim Stanford, Armine Yalnizyan, and Pierre-Antoine Harvey as well as author Grace-Edward Galabuzi. Journalist Wendy Mesley moderated the presentation. Later, the first woman to lead an international labour organization, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Sharan Burrow, spoke on issues facing the global union movement. On Tuesday evening, over 100 delegates attended a Young Workers Forum, featuring a panel including COPE 378 Executive Board member Stephen Von Sychowski. The panel spoke about many issues, including the plight of migrant workers and the response to attacks on employment standards. Wednesdays resolutions on organizing gave the assembled trade unions the opportunity to discuss the need to grow the membership of the labour movement. COPE 378 President David Black spoke passionately to the resolution, calling on the affiliates to put more energies, efforts and resources into organizing. That afternoon, federal NDP Leader Jack Layton was warmly received by convention. Layton promised that his 103-member caucus would be allies to the labour movement and work to hold Harper accountable. Layton was followed by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. You were at our side in Wisconsin, in Indiana and Ohio
when we called. You kept your promise of solidarity. For that, your brothers and sisters to the south say thank you and we will stand beside you whenever you call, for as long as you need us, Trumka said. Later, elections were held for CLC officer positions. President Ken Georgetti, Executive Vice-Presidents Barbara Byers and Marie Clark Walker, and Secretary-Treasurer Hassan Yussuff were all re-elected by acclamation to their positions. COPE 378s Stephen Von Sychowski was elected to a three-year term as Alternate Vice President for Youth. On Thursday, BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix spoke to delegates, promising that if his party is elected he will reinstate card-check certification for unions. Later on, COPE 378 Executive Board Member Joyce Galuska (ICBC) spoke in favour of a composite resolution called Justice for First Nations, looking at the shameful legacy of murders of Aboriginal women on the Highway of Tears in Northern B.C. Thursdays panel on political engagement featured Vancouver City Councillor Andrea Reimer, lobbyist Robin Sears, and former Premier Mike Harcourt. The day corporations advocate for the NDP, you can stop being involved in party politics, Sears said when asked about whether unions should back a political party. Reimer added We should be proud to make a point and take a side. The convention closed on Friday after digital media consultant Juliette Powells presentation on new medias role in social change.
David Black
Joining 2,500 other delegates from across Canada, COPE 378 sent twenty-one representatives to the May 2011 Convention. text
DAvID BLACK
presidents Word
By DAvID BLACK, pRESIDENT
We are flexible. We are resilient. We are responsive and unafraid to embrace change to serve our members better.
ne thing that never changes is the need to change. And since I was first elected to the Executive Council in 1995 its fair to say much has changed in the way this union manages our budget and operations. We now use independent auditors to review our books. Our Defence Fund is over $20 million for the first time in the unions history. We own a fully leased building which generates income for the unions holding company. Despite COPE 378s solid financial foundation, we were not spared the aftershocks of the economic downturn, or from the attacks of extremely litigious employers. Employers have been fighting us harder than ever in the courts and at the Labour Relations Board. We will never back down from a fight when our members jobs are at risk, but our legal costs have skyrocketed. Theres no easy solution. Employers wont stop trying to erode bargaining unit rights. COPE 378s challenge is to structure our operations, organizationally and financially, in a way that best serves our members. To do so, we need to ask ourselves serious questions. Members pay 1.5 per cent of their income in union dues. Currently one tenth of that revenue goes to our Defence Fund, as mandated by our constitution. But how many of our members feel their jobs are more secure because our Defence Fund is over $20 million instead of the $15million it was at a few years ago? Is this the best use of our members dues? I believe we can provide more for our members with the assets we already have, and the dues we already collect. Our Executive Board and Council will examine these issues and bring recommendations for changes to the way we use dues to our 2012 Convention. I have no doubt about one thing COPE 378 must do to solidify our footing in every way: we must organize.
We must grow and diversify our membership. One of the reasons we weathered the financial storm as well as we did was because of the breadth of our membership. If we dont grow were either shrinking in absolute terms, or staying the same size and losing influence as the economy and workforce grows. Employers tell us we are competing with non-union workforces who get smaller paycheques and little or no benefits. The best response to this is to reduce the number of people without unions who work for inferior wages and benefits. The labour movements most valuable service to society is when we elevate standards of living for everyone. We will work from strength by focussing on those sectors were already active in, such as the financial services sector, before expanding to new sectors. Financial employees are unionized in other parts of the world, but not yet Canada. COPE 378 is uniquely positioned to provide our services and advocacy to these workers. It wont be easy. No union in B.C. is signing up new members in droves. Organizing new members today is not only harder, but more costly. As with the workplaces we already represent, employers are willing to spend more to fight us. They have government on their side the B.C. Liberals have changed the Labour Code to the employers advantage. But organize we must. Weve already added new members to our union. COPE 378 now represents the Casino Surveillance Operators in B.C., the first surveillance operators in B.C. to become unionized. We hope many more will follow. In my long experience with COPE 378, Ive learned this union possesses unique strengths. We are flexible. We are resilient. We are responsive and unafraid to embrace change to serve our members better. These strengths will allow us to meet our challenges head on so we can continue to serve our members, and to contribute to a stronger and more just society.
One of the reasons we weathered the financial storm as well as we did was because of the breadth of our membership. David Black
David Black
Keeping our Eyes on the ICBC Transformation project

By jEFF gILLIES, ICBC vICE pRESIDENT
ICBC
COPE 378 resolutely rejects that there is any need to downsize at ICBC, and wants to see the Corporation retract their proposed staff reductions. Jeff Gillies
n early May, the CBC ran a story about ICBCs oncoming Transformation Program, an issue that has long been on the minds of COPE 378s members at ICBC. The initial story reported rumours, mistakenly attributed to our union, that the Corporation would be cutting as much as thirty per cent of its workforce due to the Transformation Program. When CBC reporter Eric Rankin came to COPE 378 for comment, President David Black said this was not what the union understood from the Corporation, but no matter what the outcome, the Program would be closely watched by the union to ensure our members protection. ICBC denied the CBC story, saying their planned staff cuts would only be about ten per cent and that they were confident this downsizing could be handled by attrition. ICBC spokesman Mark Jan Vrem leapt to reassure smaller communities like Kamloops that they would not see their Claims Centres and all the attendant jobs disappear. COPE 378 resolutely rejects that there is any need to downsize at ICBC, and wants to see the Corporation retract their proposed staff reductions. The irony was that the story broke only a few days before COPE 378 and the Corporation were to meet to discuss the Transformation Program and the resultant changes to the claims adjusting job hierarchy. Details of the Program and the proposed claims hierarchy had not yet been introduced into formal bargaining. Unfortunately, at the meeting the union was disappointed to learn ICBC had shared much of this information with COPE 378 members prior to discussing it with the union committing what we believed was an unfair labour practice.
COPE 378 is not against modernization or improved services at ICBC. Our members are keen to do their best work for B.C.s driving public. However, the Corporation must manage this change in a way that is respectful of both the drivers who depend on ICBC and the people who work at ICBC, making it the success story that it is. The Corporation has repeatedly promised the union and our members that they will be good Change Managers. While the union is pleased to have these assurances, we want them to demonstrate their goodwill by revising their downsizing projections. Our largest concern is that the Corporation believes the Transformation Program to be a magic wand. Our members face daunting workloads and as a result the Corporation has seen low employee engagement scores. The Transformation Project is not a cure-all, especially if it is not handled in a way that takes utmost care to support all of our members through the process. ICBC still has more work to do, especially to address systemic problems which have nothing to do with modernization.
Jeff Gillies, COPE 378 Vice President, ICBC
gREEN jOBS
This green house: Building Fast Action on Climate Change and green jobs
By ChARLEy BERESFORD, ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR, COLUMBIA INSTITUTE
Given the financial pressure of increasing energy bills, and the need to dramatically reduce GHG emissions across the country, the time to act is now.
The Columbia Institute supports community leaders with cuttingedge research on emerging issues through their Centre for Civic Governance, and research and education for investment decision makers on responsible investing. The Institute helps build capacity in communities through their scholarship program and selected community capacity grants. Columbia Institute is a national charitable organization established by Working Enterprises, a group of companies owned by the labour movement, including COPE 378.
hese days, amid record high unemployment and increasing financial challenges for working people, weve become accustomed to hearing dire warnings about the threats and impacts of climate change. Enormous challenges with no easy answers. We each want to be able to respond, but our time and bank accounts are already stretched, and we know that its going to require action from more than just us. Green jobs, good unionized jobs in fields that contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality, are quickly presenting themselves as an effective way to make this happen. A new study by the Columbia Institute, This Green House: Building Fast Action on Climate Change and Green Jobs, outlines how local governments can take a leadership role. Energy use in buildings accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. Energy-efficiency retrofits offer a fast and affordable way to cut GHG emissions, conserve energy, save you money on your utility bills, and increase the value of your home. Not only that but energy efficiency retrofits create jobs 20 jobs for each $1 million invested. Thats significantly more than the 5.2 jobs created for each $1 million invested in the oil and gas industry. Workers, consumers, communities and the environment all benefit its a win, win, win, win situation. The major barrier is that a typical retrofit with changes like upgrading hot water tanks, home heating and cooling systems, and improving weatherization and insulation of homes will cost a homeowner about
10
$6,000, and most people dont have that kind of money sitting around. However, at current energy prices that investment could double in return ($12,000) over 25 years and, with rising energy prices, could save even more over time. Municipal leadership on retrofit financing presents a tremendous opportunity for Canadian municipalities to lead the way in creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gases by making these retrofits feasible and affordable. With municipal financing, homeowners can access loans that will be paid off with small annual payments on their property taxes. Even better, loan payments can be made through energy bill savings. Because municipalities are giving loans and not grants to homeowners, theres no net cost to municipalities and taxpayers. This Green House demonstrates the best practices in retrofit programs across North America while also doing the legwork to figure out the unique opportunities and obstacles for creating more green jobs in each province. With municipal energy efficiency financing, fast action on climate change is within the reach of most communities and homeowners. Given the financial pressure of increasing energy bills, and the need to dramatically reduce GHG emissions across the country, the time to act is now. These minor changes in our homes, supported by local governments, can have a mighty impact.
Download the Executive Summary or the Full Report at www.columbiainstitute.ca
juan Linares: A Miners Courage
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITy
ome acts of bravery are simple. Some are awe-inspiring. And many acts of bravery are resolute decisions which must be made again and again each day. When a small group of Canadian trade unionists gathered to meet Juan Linares at the United Steelworkers District office in Burnaby, they heard a story of stoical, defiant bravery. Linares, a union official with Mexican miners union Los Mineros, had spent two years, twenty months and two days in prison. Charges were dropped, but Linares was not released. Only coordinated protests at Mexican embassies in over thirty countries were enough to force the Caldern government to let him go. The protests were timed to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the explosion at Grupo Mexicos Pasta de Conchos mine. That explosion killed sixty-five miners. Napoleon Gomez, the leader of Los Mineros, decried the accident as industrial homicide. Gomez was accused of corruption, and the Mexican government repeatedly tried to remove him from his elected position in his union. Death threats followed, and Gomez fled to safety in Canada. In 2008, Linares flew to Vancouver to visit Gomez during the BC Federation of Labour convention. Upon his return to Mexico Linares was immediately seized and incarcerated in the Reclusio Norte Prison, where he stayed until February 24 of this year. Linares had not lost his sense of humor. Napoleon would call me often, Linares said. He would ask me if I need anything. I would tell him I want more smoked salmon, referring to the gift brought to him by the Canadian delegation of trade union leaders in 2010, including former COPE 378 president Andy Ross. Linares was tested severely in prison. He was offered escalating bribes to renounce his union and Gomez. The last offer reached an astounding two million dollars. Linares was unmoved: I told them, you want me to sell my dignity. The strain of his ordeal was clear when Linares thanked the Steelworkers and the other assembled unions for their support. The government tried to destroy democratic unions and the working class in Mexico, said Linares. I thank Napoleon for his work and support. He was only ever guilty of working for Mexican working people. The campaign to find justice for Napoleon Gomez and the miners represented by Los Mineros has been long fought. Steelworker Director Steve Hunt said they and other supporting unions had found it difficult to get traction. But when the Mexican government arrested Juan Linares, Hunt said, they made a tragic mistake. They wouldnt do it over again. The blatant
injustice of Linares arrest elevated the campaign and helped the Los Mineros cause gain international attention. Money laundering charges against Gomez were dropped in 2010. When Linares finished speaking, Norman Garcia, a retired Steelworkers staff representative, reminded everyone that Canadian unions working under the rule of law have no idea of the opposition independent Mexican unions face. Industrial workers like miners face fear just to do their jobs, to go down into that dark, Garcia continued. I think it makes them strong trade unionists. Juan embodies an unforgettable lesson: sometimes, like a miner, we have to face down fear to stick with the union, and to see it through.
Juan signing his own Free Juan Linares t-shirts
Bottom Photo (l-r): Stephen Hunt, USW Director, District 3; David Black, President, COPE 378; Juan Linares, President of the Oversight and Justice Council; Los Mineros and Napoleon Gomez, General Secretary, Los Mineros
11
pOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
historic Changes to the Federal political Landscape

By jEFF gILLIES, CO-ChAIR OF COpE 378S pOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Bottom Photo: Jack Layton at Vancouver Rally supporting locked out postal workers, June 17th
If you are interested in becoming part of the Political Action Committee, please contact jgillies@ cope378.ca.
he COPE 378 Political Action Committee has been very busy over the last few months. Weve just finished working on the recent federal election, and weve been preparing for the provincial and municipal elections in British Columbia. When the polls closed on the evening of the federal election on May 2, 2011, Canadians and union members received some of the most exciting news in years: Jack Layton and the NDP had become the Official Opposition in Ottawa. After an incredibly hard fought six-week campaign, the NDP secured 103 seats in the House of Parliament, a gain of 67 seats. There were gains in almost every part of the country, including in B.C., where New Democrats were elected to three new seats. The most important gains, however, happened in Quebec where the seat total jumped from one to fifty-nine. This historic breakthrough turned the NDP into a true national party overnight. There were other breakthroughs as well. For the first time ever, the average age of a Member of Parliament has fallen below 50 years old, in large part due to the election of many younger NDP Members of Parliament. The NDP caucus is 40 per cent women, a first for any national political party in Canada. Unfortunately, Stephen Harper managed to secure his coveted majority. The Conservatives increased their seat total to 167. The challenge for the NDP is now one of aggressively pointing out the failings of the Harper government over the next four years, and offering Canadians an alternative vision of governance. They have already begun this work by vociferously opposing backto-work legislation imposed on postal workers by the Harper government. Essentially, the NDP must become the government in waiting. To do so they will need to solidify their support in Quebec and grow their support elsewhere. This will take a lot of work but must be done to show the rest
of Canada that the NDP, not the Liberals, are the true alternative to the Conservative party. It seems very likely there will be a provincial election in B.C. in the fall of 2011. Although the fixed election date is for May 2013, Premier Christy Clark has indicated she wants to hold an election prior to this date. Over the next couple of months, the Political Action Committee will be preparing for a fall election. Leading up to this election we will contact the unions membership in a number of different ways to ensure our members understand how a change in government will positively affect our communities, and our collective agreements. By the time Local Voice reaches doorsteps, COPE 378s members will have received ballots for the HST referendum. Our Executive Council passed a motion opposing this regressive tax. We are encouraging everyone to vote Yes to scrap the HST. For more information on the HST and its detrimental effects on working families, visit the BC Federation of Labours HST campaign page at www.HSTinBCfacts.ca. B.C. municipal elections will take place on November 19th, 2011 and we hope COPE 378 members will have a strong presence in the municipal elections. As in previous years, the Political Action Committee encourages our members to run for municipal government. If a candidate is interested in COPE 378s support, that candidate must also have their Labour Councils endorsement. If you are interested in becoming part of the Political Action Committee and/or getting involved in political process, please email jgillies@cope378.ca.
leARN moRe
www.HSTinBCfacts.ca
12
Two Day Meeting of Newly Elected Council
REpORT ON COUNCIL
Time to orient new Councilors and refresh the knowledge of returning ones.
n May 26-27 COPE 378 held its first meeting of the new Executive Council in Burnaby. This special, constitutionally-mandated, two-day meeting was an opportunity to orient new Councilors and refresh the knowledge of returning ones. To help with that goal, former President Andy Ross was on-hand to give two workshops: one on union structure and another on meeting procedures and rules of order. After Andys first presentation, Communications Officer Sage Aaron spoke briefly about the steps the union is taking to publish the COPE 378 history book for ereaders, and plans for an interactive multi-media timeline online using the books material. Thursday morning finished off with an in-depth tutorial on financial literacy from labour lawyer and former VanCity Board member Catherine McCreary, who went over the locals finances and gave councilors tips on how to interpret and analyze financial documents. In the afternoon, council elected their new vice presidents from the Executive Board, acclaiming all three nominees: Gwenne Farrell for Utilities, Jeff Gillies for ICBC, and Heather Lee for Combined Units. The election was followed by Political Action Committee Co-Chair Jeff Gillies, who recapped recent events from the federal election and provincial by-election in Point Grey. After Jeffs report, Council warmly welcomed the last speaker of the day, BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix, who received a standing ovation. David Black noted that this was the third time Dix had met with COPE 378 members in the past few months, while all our attempts to meet with Premier Clark and Minister Coleman had been rebuffed. Dix began by reiterating his promise to bring Accenture members back into BC Hydro. We will do it; you can count on us, he continued, pointing out that crown corporations like BC Hydro and ICBC are key to supporting B.C. families, communities, and the provincial economy.
After urging members to oppose the HST as a regressive tax that must be defeated, Dix said it was time to bring change to B.C., and that he needed the help of every person on Council to improve voter turnout. Friday morning began with an address from Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, who also discussed the HST, pointing out that members should not be fooled by Premier Clarks attempts to sugarcoat the tax: The HST is bad economics, he said, noting the $8billion in tax cuts B.C. families have paid to corporations due to Liberal tax policies. Theyre operating on a flawed idea that giving corporations money will cause them to create jobs, which weve seen doesnt work, Sinclair argued. He urged COPE 378 members to vote yes in the summer referendum in order to scrap the HST. Sinclair also answered members questions and reiterated many important points that he had previously outlined in his op-ed which ran in the Spring issue of the Local Voice, including the problems with smart meters and the need to bring Accenture workers back into BC Hydro. To finish off the meeting, David Black gave his Presidents report, entitled: Our Future. Our Union: A Vision for COPE 378. Black outlined COPEs priorities, including growing the union and protecting more vulnerable workers through organizing, looking for ways to increase financial efficiencies, continuing to reduce our carbon footprint, recruiting and training more job stewards, and developing member activism.
The next Executive Council meeting will be held on October 3, 2011.
13
pOLITICS IN B.C.
Building a fairer, more equal B.C.

By ADRIAN DIx, MLA vANCOUvER-KINgSWAy, LEADER OF ThE NEW DEMOCRAT OFFICIAL OppOSITION
British Columbia
Adrian Dix
ts no secret that Christy Clarks Liberals may call an election this fall, breaking their own fixed election law in the process. If they do, theres a lot at stake. And perhaps nothing better captures the stakes than the issue of fairness and equalityespecially when it comes to taxes. Almost everythingincluding stress levels, obesity, literacy, rates of criminality and addictionis affected by how equal a society is. Put simply, when inequality increases, bad things happen that affect all of us. Unfortunately, after ten years of Liberal rule, B.C. has become a much, much less equal society. The Liberals narrow focus on tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy has allowed a small minority of British Columbians to reap enormous benefits, while those with lower incomes fall further and further behind. A recent study on taxes showed just how this agenda benefits the few at the expense of the many. Youd think income tax cuts would be good for everybody, right? But when you combine them with the introduction of user fees and other costs imposed by the Liberals, you accelerate a widening gap between rich and poor, with middle income earners struggling to get by. The biggest beneficiaries of Liberal tax cuts are high income British Columbians: the top ten per cent of earners have had their annual tax bill reduced by $9,200, while the top one per cent have enjoyed a whopping $41,000 reduction in taxes each year. The benefits drop significantly as you move down the income scale: middle income earners got a $1,200 reduction, while for low income earners it was only $200.
For those who earn less, these small gains have been wiped out by a host of increased costs. For example, Hydro rates have gone up an average of $180 per year in the last ten years. That pretty much takes care of the tax break for low income earners right there. But the list of increases goes on. Tuition fees have doubled, adding an average of $2,300 per year to the cost of an education. Long term seniors care fees have been increased by 93 per cent or as much as $13,500 per year. Pharmacare deductibles have increased by $200 a year. Numerous health services are no longer covered by medicare, including eye exams, physiotherapy and chiropractic care. The net effect is that lower income earners are worse off than they were before, while those with the highest incomes are much better off. We need to reverse this trend. That is why we have been fighting the HST, because it is a massive shift of the tax burden away from big corporations and onto the backs of families. That is why I will continue to fight for everyones right to join a union and for unions right to free collective bargaining. That is why I will roll back corporate tax breaks to pay for programs that help young people get the education they need. I intend to make ending inequality a key issue in the next election. I will be proposing specific policies to achieve that goal. There will be a clear choice between the Liberals narrow agenda of favouring corporations and the wealthy over working families and a New Democrat agenda that reduces inequality and builds a better B.C. for all of us.
...you accelerate a widening gap between rich and poor, with middle income earners struggling to get by. Adrian Dix
14
Wisconsin: A Shocking Attack and an Inspirational Fight Back
FIghTINg BACK
Everybody was involved young, old, union, business people from all walks of life came out to fight back, said Bolton.
ince this spring, labour activists around the world have had their eyes on Wisconsin. In January, newly-elected Republican Governor Scott Walker, riding high on a national wave of GOP midterm support, introduced a budget repair bill that would strip collective bargaining rights from all public sector unions in the state in the name of austerity. This was a direct attack on unions finances in response to their tendency to support Walkers political opponents. More importantly, it was an attack on workers livelihoods and basic right to negotiate wages and working conditions. The response from labour and allies against the bill was swift, overwhelming, and truly inspirational. Teachers, firefighters, and other public sector workers across the state joined with students, businesses, and members of the general public to protest. Thousands, including Canadian allies, protested outside and peacefully occupied the State Capitol for days, regardless of the weather. Mark Brooks, from the Utility Workers Union of America and a delegate of the ICEM North America Region, was one of the participants. COPE 378 President David Black and Vice-President Gwenne Farrell attended a meeting of ICEM North American Region in Ottawa earlier this month, where Wisconsin Steelworkers representative Mike Bolton told those in attendance that this Republican attack saw unions work together who hadnt even spoken to each other in 25 years. Everybody was involved young, old, union, business people from all walks of life came out to fight back, said Bolton. The extreme legislation and subsequent protest caused a dramatic drop in the polls for Walker and his allies in Wisconsin. But despite overwhelming public opposition and attempts by the Democratic minority to delay the vote, Walkers party eventually passed it.
vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011 |
As soon as the law was drafted, Wisconsin unions began recall campaigns and were successful in forcing new elections for six Republicans. After facing court challenges, the law took effect on June 29. Unions are now focused on turning enough Republican seats in the Senate in order to block any further antilabour legislation until the next election in 2012. At the Canadian Labour Congress Convention in May, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka thanked Canadian unions for their continued solidarity in Wisconsin. He pointed out that Walkers bill is part of a larger attempt by corporate-backed politicians to take away the power of unions under the guise of austerity. Echoes of Walkers strategy ring in the Harper Conservatives Bill C-6, their punitive legislated contract leveled on the Canadian Union of Postal Workers during Canada Posts lockout. B.C.s seen a similar issue, with the Liberal government continuing to outsource unionized public sector jobs and refusing any wage increases for those jobs remaining. Now the global labour movement has been united and reinvigorated. With new connections to allied groups around the fight in Wisconsin, the movement will need to keep up the momentum. States like Michigan and Ohio are facing very similar attacks, and if they arent stopped it will be a signal to anti-union legislators in Canada. The challenges we face today here and around the world are tough, Trumka told the CLC Convention, We need todevelop a global strategy to coordinate and unite working people with every bit as much agility and reach as the multinational corporations we deal with. And our bar for measuring progress will bethe number and quality of jobs, good jobs around the world.
15
Rally outside the Capitol, Feb 26, 2011 Middle Photo Credit: Guy Caron, CEP Right Photo Credit: Mark Brooks, UWUA
yOUTh ACTION COMMITTEE
youth Action Committee Lives Our Motto: Talk Action = Nothing

By STEphEN vON SyChOWSKI
Talk Action NoTHING
ts been an exciting few months for young workers at COPE 378, both at the Local level, and in the broader labour movement. Committee Co-Chairs Stephen Von Sychowski and Georgi Bates started the year taking on new responsibilities with the Vancouver & District Labour Council (VDLC). Stephen was elected 2nd Vice President, while Georgi was elected Chair of the VDLC Young Workers Committee and its representative on the VDLC Executive Board. Stephen was also re-elected as Chair of the BC Federation of Labour Young Workers Committee. Both committees have grown significantly over the past six months. In February, Stephen was elected Alternate Vice President for Youth by approximately one hundred young delegates to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Convention in Vancouver. At the convention the Vancouver Sun interviewed Stephen, CLC Youth Vice President Eli Goree, and BC Fed Young Workers Committee Co-Chair Kassandra Cordero about the relevance of unions to young people today. COPE 378s Executive Board elections also proved exciting for younger members. Five people under the age of 30 ran for the Board, and four were elected. Young workers now make up a record twenty per cent of COPE 378s Executive Board. During all the many elections, COPE 378s Youth Action Committee (YAC) continued to campaign on some of the most important issues facing youth. While Christy Clark was busy trying to steal the credit for the long overdue minimum wage increase,
young workers were mobilizing for another fight: to protect Grants Law. This safety legislation was won by the activism of youth across B.C. after the workplace death of a young man named Grant DePatie. The legislation is being lobbied against by big business, particularly Macs Convenience Stores, who want to water it down in order to increase profitability at the expense of workplace safety. YAC members and others wrote hundreds of letters, protested outside of a Macs, and spoke against the changes to the legislation at public hearings. The Employee Action & Rights Network (EARN) has been another focus of COPE 378s youth committee. EARN continues to grow, with hundreds joining through the $10 NOW campaign in the wake of the minimum wage victory. EARN is on the lookout for bad bosses to take on, and is pushing towards a goal of 5,000 members. This years Young Workers Retreat at Camp Jubilee was the biggest yet. Participants attended classes ranging from Introduction to the Labour Movement, Green Jobs and the Economy, and Feminism and the Labour Movement, as well as Political Action and Mobilizing Young Workers, (the latter two courses facilitated by Georgi and Stephen respectively). All signs point to a provincial election later this year. YAC held an election campaigner training session and will be gearing up for political action while continuing with its other campaigns. It should be a busy summer, and an even busier fall. After all, Talk Action = Nothing. If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Action Committee, email yac@cope378.ca
Left Photo (l-r): Stephen Von Sychowski; Heather Lee, COPE 378 Vice President; and Georgi Bates
Right Photo: COPE 378 young workers with former President Andy Ross and former Vice President Bob Derby
16
yOUTh ON BOARD
New Board, young Members

COPE 378s young Executive Board members are a diverse and dynamic crew. Youth Action Committee Co-Chair Georgi Bates provided her own answers and interviewed her fellow young Board members on how they started with the union, why they felt the need to get involved and what theyve gained from the experience. georgi Bates, Capilano University: Simply put, I got involved with COPE 378 because someone took the time to ask me if I would be interested. Ive always been an activist and advocate for social and human rights, and I quickly learned that the values of the labour movement were a natural fit for me. Its important for young people to understand our history - what rights we have from being union members, and why trade unions were formed. Our past helps us understand what a future would look like if we didnt fight against issues like two tier wages or attacks on pensions. In February of 2010 I worked as a coordinator during the Hertz strike along with a few other members of the Youth Committee. It was an invaluable experience. I learned the deep meaning of solidarity, and it cemented for me how important and relevant unions are, especially now. It was tough strike but despite the challenges, our members worked together and fought to protect their rights. Im proud of all our members at Hertz, and was thrilled to have played a part in the positive outcome. Melanie greenlaw, ABSU: I grew up in a union family, and from an early age I knew the union was where I was meant to be. I ran for the Executive Board because I wanted to champion for workers rights. I knew being on the Board would be a way for me to accomplish that. Young people need to be involved with their unions because if we arent, the union movement will disappear and our hard won rights will go with it. Young workers are the future of the union movement and have to be supported through training and mentoring. There are many challenges facing young workers starting out in the union - the first being able to get a union job and a position as a regular employee. We need to concentrate on organizing to make sure there are more union jobs for young people, and to push back on the abuse of casual, or part-time temporary designations.
Trevor hansen, ICBC: I got involved because this was my first union job and I wanted to know what my dues were supporting, so I became a job steward. I also wanted to show interest at work above and beyond what my day job required. I can honestly say theres no higher form of engagement in your workplace than by getting involved with the union! Its important for younger people to get involved because were automatically at a disadvantage when we join the workforce. Its like were stepping into a game already underway, we only know half the rules, our opponent wrote the rule book, and theyve been known to cheat. Sadly, we can be taken advantage of and often we dont even realize it. Whether its de-mystifying the collective agreement for someone, defending a co-worker, attending an educational course, or even after a day of collective bargaining, my time with the union is well spent. Ultimately, the more I get involved, the more rewarding it gets. Stephen von Sychowski, Coast Mountain Bus: I knew from day one I wanted to get involved with my union. My previous activist experience, family history, and involvement with the Vancouver & District Labour Council Young Workers Committee all pointed in this direction and Ive never looked back. Young workers sometimes face some barriers to union activism. Many of us start as casuals in our worksites, and getting involved can be risky with some employers if you are still on probation or are not a regular employee. Sometimes young workers face ageism: the idea that because they are young they arent competent or dont have the necessary knowledge, experience, or skills to do the job. Weve been lucky COPE 378 has given young activists strong and consistent support. My involvement with the labour movement has given me inspirational, educational, and life changing experiences, from my trip to South Africas World Festival of Youth and Students, to seeing grievances move to positive conclusions, or seeing campaigns like Grants Law or $10 NOW bear fruit.
Email the Youth Action Committee at yac@cope378.ca
DID You KNoW:

Five people under the age of 30 ran for the Board, and four were elected. Young workers now make up a record twenty per cent of COPE 378s Executive Board.
17
ENERgy pOLICy
Clean Energy Act Needs Renewing

By MARvIN ShAFFER
Clean Energy Act is what needs renewing; governments cost-be-damned policies play significant role in forcing BC hydro costs and rates higher
I
Originally printed in the Vancouver Sun on June 7, 2011
f it is not already a fundamental law of economics it should be: When government says we must pay whatever it takes, we inevitably pay too much. So it is with the B.C. governments energy policies. In the Clean Energy Act, the government told BC Hydro it has to be self-sufficient. It wasnt talking about ensuring a reliable supply of energy. Self-sufficiency as defined by the government is simply a requirement for BC Hydro to buy more long-term firm electricity supply than its own, well-established reliability criteria says it needs and that the B.C. Utilities Commissionthe independent government agency tasked with regulating energy utilitieswould support. Moreover, it has to do that regardless of the cost. On top of that, the government legislated that BCHydro has to buy insurance even more electricity that it does not need. What this insurance is for has never been made clear, but the effect of self-sufficiency and insurance is to force BC Hydro to buy or develop the equivalent of two Site C dams more than is actually needed to ensure a sufficient, reliable supply for British Columbians. The fact that the electricity BC Hydro is being forced to buy is costing more than double what the electricity is worth, now and in the foreseeable future, does not seem to matter. The legislation is absolute. BC Hydro must acquire this extra electricity supply whatever its impact on costs and rates. BC Hydro has to do a lot more as well. Under the Clean Energy Act, the government directed BC Hydro to buy private power for export, with BC Hydro providing the transmission, backup and other services needed to make the private power a marketable product. The legislation does not require BC Hydro to do this at a loss, but there is no provision to ensure that BC Hydro is fully compensated for the value of the services it provides and risks it assumes. In case BC Hydro is hesitant, government has explicitly legislated the right to force BC Hydro to buy private power for export, regardless of the risks or impacts on BC Hydros own trading opportunities. The Clean Energy Act goes even further. It directs BC Hydro to proceed with literally billions of dollars of investments without any independent review by the BC Utilities Commission or anyone else. So the billion dollar smart meter initiative is going ahead, without independent scrutiny of its thin business case based more on the identification of illegal marijuana growing operations than anything else.
The Northwest Transmission line is going ahead without any consideration of the tens of millions of dollars per year that BC Hydro will lose to supply each new mine the transmission line is being built to connect. Under BC Hydros industrial rate schedule, in accordance with government legislation, the mines will pay less than one half of the cost of the new supply BC Hydro will have to acquire to provide the very large amounts of electricity the mines consume. Also going ahead without B.C. Utilities Commission review and approval are purchases of private power under the recent 2010 Clean Call, despite their high cost and relatively low value. All of which brings us to the most interesting, some might say ironic, current situation. Having done all this, the government now is not pleased with the impact its cost-be-damned policies are having. BC Hydro rates are forecast to increase over 50 per cent in five years; over 100 per cent in 10 years. The government realizes that something has to be done: BC Hydro cannot be allowed to raise its rates that much. So a panel of government officials has been formed to review and make recommendations on BCHydros costs and rates. The political spin accompanying the announcement of this review is that the government is taking on BC Hydro. In fairness, it can be tempting to bash BCHydro. No doubt some executive salaries are out of line and some discretionary costs could be reduced. However, one can only hope that the panel recognizes the need to investigate the governments own major role in driving up BC Hydros costs and rates. The temptation to look for a few million dollars of savings in salaries and operating costs should not cloud the need to address the billions of unnecessary costs being forced on BC Hydro by the provincial government. The stated objective of the review is to ensure that BC Hydros costs are minimized and benefits are maximized. That cannot be done with the self-sufficiency, insurance, export and myriad other requirements and projects government has imposed without regard to impact and cost. The main provisions of the Clean Energy Act should be repealed. The government panel would do a great service by addressing why that is necessary and what should be instituted in its place.
Marvin Shaffer is an adjunct professor at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University and the author of Lost in Transmission: A Comprehensive Critique of the BC Energy Plan
18
Sarah Melsness Union Representative
STAFF pROFILE
hen Sarah first started working at Coastal Community Credit Union at the age of twentyfive, she made her willingness to stand up to the employer known in her first week. I read the collective agreement and went to my manager to tell him I thought my pay was wrong, she laughs. I think my manager was a little shocked. Then I went on to challenge the pay issue with the HR department. She won her challenge. And she surprised few people when she was elected as a job steward shortly thereafter, and became chief job steward within six months of starting at her first union job. We didnt have a job steward in our office, recalls Sarah. The manager was encouraging this one person to run, and I didnt like that. So I asked a colleague if she would run for steward with me so there would be an election, and we both won. The management favourite didnt. In 2009 Sarah participated in a three month mentorship program, which was spearheaded by COPE378 Vice President Heather Lee (then Vice President of COPE 15). The program brought her into the union office, working as a temporary union representative. When a position opened up at COPE 15, Sarah applied and became the youngest rep in the office. Its interesting, when I became chief job steward, we didnt have a lot of younger people involved with the union, she says. But I noticed a change when I became an activist. I think I helped other young people feel comfortable in the union, when they saw someone their age involved and active. We have more young stewards now. Sarah credits the strong mentorship she had from the staff and board at COPE 15 (which merged with COPE 378 in 2010) for helping her learn the skills necessary to move from job steward to union representative. Jack Gerow was a fantastic mentor. He encouraged me to be analytical and assertive, and gave me responsibilities which helped me grow my skill set. Im
grateful I get to work with people who have had such long careers in the labour movement, she says. While she may have learned the nuts and bolts of working for a union from the mentorship program, Sarah credits the values her family instilled in her for her strong belief in equality and justice, and for her belief in the labour movements place in society. My dad is a journeyman carpenter, and became a trustee of his union in the 1990s. But even before he joined that union my parents would talk about the benefits unions provide to people, especially families, she explains. Sarah learned of a symmetry within her family history when she began her mentorship at the COPE 15 office: her grandfather was her age when he began signing collective agreements as District Secretary for his union, the International Woodworkers of America (IWA). Her grandfather took on challenges well ahead of his time for the 1940s, including encouraging members of Vancouvers multicultural communities to join the IWA. Sarah plans to carry on her familys tradition of strong values with her own 21-month old daughter.
Sarah Melsness
Starting as the youngest rep in the COPE 15 office and helping other young people in the Union, Sarah is committed to sharing her strong values with her daughter.
19
BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS
BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS: SUMMER 2011 EDITION

By CAROL MCLUSKIE AND KIM SMITh
ABSU
The employer took the union to mediation in May. Mediation was not successful. Bargaining for this unit has broken off.
COAST MOUNTAIN BUS CO.

The collective agreement for the COPE 378 members at Coast Mountain Bus Co. expired on March 31, 2011. Proposals are currently being formulated from the survey results. Bargaining is expected to begin in September 2011. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Kevin Payne, Executive Board member Stephen Von Sychowski, Executive Councillor Ray Manning and job stewards Ron Williams and Doug Fergus.
BCAA
The partial decertification of the West Vancouver (Park Royal) office is continuing. COPE made its final submission on June 8, 2011. It is now up to the Labour Board to decide the outcome.
BC COMpUTERIzED DISpATCh
Bargaining for the members of this bargaining unit is now complete. The members voted in favour of ratifying a five-year collective agreement. Some of the highlights of the deal are: Increases to pension and benefits in the first two years, a $150 signing bonus and increases in 20122014 based on the CPI index.
COLLEgE OF REgISTERED NURSES OF BC
The collective agreement for the members at this unit expired on September 30, 2010. Dates have been scheduled for bargaining to begin September 15 & 16, 2011. Union Representative Barry Hodson will be doing the bargaining for the Union.
BCgEU
COMMUNITy SAvINgS CREDIT UNION
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2010. The new collective agreement has been ratified and is now in the process of being updated for distribution to members. The bargaining committee consists of Sherry Baker, Karon Hardy, Sarah Maglio, Carrol Edwards-Alternate and Bonnie Merriman, Union Representative.
The collective agreement expires on June 30, 2011. A tentative agreement has been reached and ratification will have taken place by the time Local Voice goes to print. Loralee Dallas and Graeme Hutchison are the bargaining committee members with Union Representative Jack Gerow as the chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee.
BEACh pLACE vENTURES (BLACKTOp TAxI)
CUpE LOCAL 454
The collective agreement expires June 30, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer and bargaining surveys will be sent to members shortly. The bargaining committee consists of Trish Wilson and Union Representative Jackie Brown.
At present the union is in talks with the membership to start bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Barbara Junker and Kathleen Ladislaus.
CUpE BC AND LOCALS
BERLITz
More info at cope378.ca
A membership meeting was held to review the bargaining proposals and a notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer. The parties have agreed to exchange proposals in July and tentative dates have been set for September to begin bargaining. The bargaining committee includes Union Representative Karen Rockwell, and job stewards Jennifer Williams and Colin Patterson.
The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2010. A membership meeting was held on March 16, 2011 to introduce the bargaining committee, and hear the memberships concerns and input. The union has suggested June 29 & 30 for bargaining and are awaiting confirmation from the Employer. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Barbara Junker, Executive Councillor Nadine Ford and job steward Lori Watt.
DA TOWNLEy & ASSOCIATES
BONNyS TAxI
The collective agreement expires June 30, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer and bargaining surveys will be sent to members shortly. Preparations will be under way to elect the unions negotiating committee at that time. The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representative Jackie Brown.
The parties have exchanged proposals and met more than eight times. The union is set to meet with the membership to discuss their next steps. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Glen MacInnes, Executive Board member Colleen Finn and job steward Lina Johal.
FORTIS BC
BURvIC hOLDINgS
The union is scheduled to meet with the members on July 5, 2011 to discuss the status of bargaining as there is an ongoing issue with the status of the lease of the building the clinic occupies. Bargaining is on hold at this time.
The bargaining committee has changed since the COPE elections. The new committee is scheduled to meet on June 27 and 28 to prepare to meet with the employer thereafter to discuss amalgamation with the FortisBC Energy Inc., (formerly Terasen), bargaining units. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Kevin Smyth, Executive Councillors Kari Campbell and Richard Gaylard, and job stewards Kate Koczor and Rick Meakes.
CANADIAN FREIghTWAyS LTD.
The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2010. The parties met mid-April to continue talks and are next scheduled to meet July 14. They are hopeful they will complete bargaining at that time. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Kevin Payne, Brad Eckart, Wes Rickards and Frank Brennan.
gREyhOUND
Bargaining surveys have been complete and proposals are currently being formulated. Union Representative Kevin Payne is doing the bargaining for the union.
gULF & FRASER FIShERMENS CREDIT UNION
CANADIAN NORThERN ShIELD
The Memorandum of Agreement negotiated for the renewal of the collective agreement, which expired on September 30, 2010, was ratified on April 26, 2011. The bargaining committee consisted of Yvonne Crowley, Roberta Goodrick, Rhiannon Sprout and Jackie Brown as the Union Representative.
CApILANO UNIvERSITy
The union is ready to begin bargaining but has not yet served notice to bargain as the Capilano Faculty Association has been bargaining.
The collective agreement expires on June 30, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer and a number of bargaining sessions have been held. The last session was on June 14, 2011 when the employer refused to reply to the memberships compensation proposals and continued to demand the concession of extending the work day by two hours. The dispute is now off to mediation. The bargaining committee consists of Arvid Vimb, Robin Manolson and Linda Banxachai. Chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representative Jack Gerow.
hASTINgS ENTERTAINMENT INC.
ChC
Bargaining is now complete. The contract was settled under the Public Sector Employers Council (PSEC) guidelines.
The collective agreement expires on July 31, 2011. The bargaining committee has been elected and consists of Margaret Sykes, Merritt Smith and Jeff Kwan. Bargaining surveys will be sent to members shortly. Chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representative Kelly Quinn.
20
BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS

ICBC TEAMSTERS 213 MEMBERS BENEFIT pLAN
On June 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2011, the bargaining committee met with ICBC to continue negotiations for a renewed collective agreement. A number of housekeeping and non-contentious items were signed off and will now be incorporated into a renewed collective agreement. Due to summer vacation, no new dates were scheduled by the time Local Voice went to press. The bargaining committee consists of Mike Ferguson, Karin Cirez, Jeff Gillies, Joyce Galuska, Trevor Hansen, Yasmin Carroll and Jaime Zygmunt, Senior Union Representative.
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2011. A bargaining committee has been selected. No dates have been scheduled yet to begin bargaining. Union Representative Glen MacInnes will be conducting bargaining for the members.
ThUNDERBIRD WINTER SpORTS
ITT FLygT
The collective agreement for the members at this bargaining unit expired on April 30, 2011. Bargaining surveys have been sent and proposals are being prepared.
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2010. Notice to commence bargaining has been served. By the time Local Voice went to press no members have yet returned the bargaining survey. Tentative bargaining dates have been set with the employer for the first week of July, 2011. Union Representative Kerrie Irving is the lead negotiator for the bargaining committee.
IWA FOREST INDUSTRy pENSION pLAN
Bargaining for the members at this unit is now complete. Members voted in favour of accepting a three-year agreement on May 18, 2011. Some of the highlights include a $500 signing bonus with increases of two per cent in the first and second year. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Barry Hodson, Executive Councillor Kathy Thomas, Beth Turner and Sylvia Teghararian.
TRANSLINK
Proposals are currently being formulated from the survey results. Bargaining is expected to begin in September 2011. The bargaining committee consists of Kevin Payne, Union Representative, Executive Councillors Pat Keeping, Rob Gladwin and Dave Bunderla and job stewards Sara Dhaliwal and Dan Dickhout.
TWU pENSION pLAN
pvTT
A one-year deal was ratified for the period of April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 with a three per cent wage increase.
The parties met to discuss bargaining but the employer was not ready. They are scheduled to meet again July 28, 2011 to exchange proposals. The bargaining committee consists of Union Representative Barry Hodson, Mabo Mui, Beverly Victor and alternate Richard Vorstenborch.
SEASpAN MARINE CORpORATION
The current agreement expired on February 28, 2011 but all terms and conditions remain in force and effect until a renewed collective agreement is negotiated by the parties. The union has received written notice from the employer, in accordance with the Labour Relations Code of B.C., to commence collective bargaining for a renewed collective agreement. Representatives on the negotiating committee are job steward Dale Gibson, assisted by Union Representative and chief spokesperson Jackie Brown. Bargaining survey responses have been received and are being reviewed by the negotiating committee in preparation for bargaining.
TWU
The collective agreement for the members at this unit will expire on July 31, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer but no dates have been set at this time. Union Representative Glen MacInnes will be conducting bargaining for the members.
UNITED FIShERMEN & ALLIED WORKER UNION
SEIU
The union served the employer with Notice to Bargain. Bargaining dates are set with the employer for June 29, 2011 at the COPE 378 offices in Burnaby. The bargaining committee consists of Cathy Conley and Kerrie Irving, Union Representative.
The collective agreement expired December 31, 2010. Notice to commence bargaining was served to the Employer on November 2, 2010. The bargaining committee has met with the employer twice and has made some movement in regards to hours of work. Meetings are scheduled with the employer the last week of June, 2011. The bargaining committee consists of Nancy Anderson and Kerrie Irving, Union Representative.
vANCOUvER TAxI (DBA CENTRAL TAxI DISpATCh)
TEAMSTERS 31
The collective agreement expires June 30, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer. Preparations will be under way to elect the unions negotiating committee and prepare surveys for membership input. Chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representative Jackie Brown.
TEAMSTERS 155
vICTORIA TRADE UNION
Bargaining for this unit has concluded. A seven-year deal was ratified with wage increases of three per cent retroactive for the first three years and two per cent for each year thereafter.
The collective agreement expires on July 31, 2011. Chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representative Sarah Melsness.
TEAMSTERS 213
WORKINg ENTERpRISES
The collective agreement expired May 31, 2011. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer. Bargaining surveys will be sent to members shortly. Representatives on the negotiating committee are Job Steward Pauline Yaeger, assisted by Union Representative and chief spokesperson, Jackie Brown.
IS pUBLIShED By
Canadian Office and professional Employees Union, Local 378, 2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. v5g 1j9 pOSTAL AgREEMENT #41267023
phone: 604-299-0378 Fax: 604-299-8211 E-mail: editor@cope378.ca ISSN 1918-9753 COpE Local 378 voice COpE 378: President David Black Secretary-Treasurer Lori Mayhew
LOCAL vOICE Editor: Sage Aaron USW 2009 DESIgNED By: Dansk Design group danskdesigngroup.com pRINTED AT: Mitchell press, Burnaby, B.C.
21
gOLDEN yEARS
Are you Ready for Retirement?

By LORI MAyhEW, COpE 378 SECRETARy-TREASURER
Are you ready?
etirement seems to be all over the news these days. The leading edge of the baby boomer demographic turns 65 this year. The Canadian Labour Congress has an ongoing campaign to increase what Canadians receive from the Canadian Pension Plan. Im sure, on a bad day at work, most of us sit back and think, I wish I could retire right now. Well, what does it take to be able to retire right now? It actually takes a lot of planning its not something that just happens. There are two things people should keep in mind when planning for retirement: whether or not you have a workplace pension, you should be saving for your retirement. And you really should have a plan for all that free time youre going to have! Lets start with the money. How much will you need to save? That depends on what you want to do with your retirement. Current conventional advice recommends saving enough so that you will have about 70 per cent of your working income when you retire. That view is being challenged by some, who argue you will need less since expenses drop dramatically once you stop working. You should take a look at your whole financial picture when youre doing this: do you have a workplace pension, and what is that going to provide for you? What will you receive through the Canadian Pension Plan? Then take a look at what the gap will be between these two and your target retirement income, and save towards that target. How will you know what type of investment to use? The best kind of financial advice will usually come from someone knowledgeable in financial matters, but doesnt have a service to sell you. There is an inherent conflict of interest with most financial advisors: most of them are paid on a commission basis. So, do they recommend whats best for you, or what they will make the most money from? I recommend speaking with at least two different advisors, and then sifting through the information you get. You should also do some of your own research. The effort is well worth it after all, this is your money and your future.
The other aspect of retirement is and something to consider when you are planning how much money to save what are you going to do with all your free time? Think about how you are going to fill your days. While doing nothing can sound tempting, most people can only handle that for so long before they feel the need to do something. Take stock of your interests and hobbies. What do you enjoy? What is it you would like to spend your time doing? Start planning the foundations of a financially secure and active retirement now, and they will indeed be your golden years!
What do you enjoy? What is it you would like to spend your time doing?
Lori Mayhew is the Chair of COPE 378s Pension Committee
22
COpE 378 members work at the following properties
Accenture Business Services Union Reps: Barry Hodson, Pat Junilla, Brian Nelson, Karen Rockwell Alma Mater Society Union Rep: Karen Rockwell AvisCar Union Rep: Glen MacInnes BCAA SC & ERS Union Rep: Pat Junilla BC Computerized Dispatch (yellow Cab) Union Rep: Barry Hodson BC Federation of Labour Union Rep: Kevin Smyth BC Ferry & Marine Workers Union Union Rep: Brad Bastien BCgEU Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman BC hydro (incl. powertech Const. Services) Union Reps: Barry Hodson, Pat Junilla, Barbara Junker, Glen MacInnes, Brian Nelson BC Nurses Union Union Rep: Kerrie Irving BC Transit Union Rep: Kevin Payne Beach place ventures Union Rep: Jackie Brown Berlitz Canada Union Rep: Karen Rockwell Bonnys Taxi Union Rep: Jackie Brown Burvic holdings Union Rep: Barry Hodson Canadian Freightways Ltd. Union Rep: Kevin Payne Canadian Northern Shield/RSA Union Rep: Jackie Brown Capilano University Union Rep: Karen Rockwell Carpenters Local 1928 Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Catalyst paper Union Rep: Barry Hodson CIATU Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Coastal Community Credit Union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Coastal Community Insurance Union Rep: Jack Gerow Coast Mountain Bus Union Rep: Kevin Payne College of pharmacists of BC Union Rep: Glen MacInnes College of Registered Nurses Union Rep: Glen MacInnes COPE 378 Local Voice
Columbia hydro Union Rep: Brad Bastien Coral Cabs (Richmond Taxi) Union Rep: Jackie Brown CUpE 3338 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CUpE 454 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CUpE 374 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CUpE 1978 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CUpE BC & Locals Union Rep: Barbara Junker DA Townley & Associates Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Ecojustice Union Rep: Sarah Melsness Electrical Industry Training Institute Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Enterprise Rent-A-Car Union Rep: Glen MacInnes FortisBC Inc. Union Rep: Kevin Smyth greyhound Union Rep: Kevin Payne gulf & Fraser Fishermens Credit Union Union Rep: Jack Gerow handy pack Union Rep: Kevin Smyth hastings Entertainment Inc. Union Rep: Kelly Quinn hertz Union Rep: Glen MacInnes ICBC Union Reps: Vic Foth, Kerrie Irving, Sarah Melsness, Bonnie Merriman, Kelly Quinn Island Savings Credit Union and Insurance Union Rep: Jack Gerow Kekinow Native housing Society Union Rep: Jackie Brown ITT Flygt Union Rep: Barry Hodson IWA Forest Industry pp Union Rep: Barry Hodson Kelowna Cabs Ltd. Union Rep: Barry Hodson Konica Minolta Union Rep: Jackie Brown Kruger products (Scott paper) Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman Ladysmith & District Credit Union Union Rep: Barry Hodson LuMa Native housing Society Union Rep: Jackie Brown | 23
MacLures Cabs Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown Marine Workers & Boilermakers Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Master Trade Office Union Rep: Kerrie Irving New Democratic party Union Rep: Brad Bastien Open Solutions Union Rep: Jack Gerow pacific vehicle Testing Union Rep: Kevin Payne Schneider Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Seaspan International Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown SEIU 244 Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Southern Railway Union Rep: Jackie Brown Teamsters Local 31 Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Teamsters Local 155 Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Teamsters Local 213 & 213 Member Benefit plan Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Telecommunications Worker Union (TWU) Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Telecommunications Workers Union pension plan Union Rep: Barry Hodson Teletheatre BC Union Rep: Kelly Quinn Trade Union Research Bureau Union Rep: Barry Hodson TransLink Union Rep: Kevin Payne Tree Island Union Rep: Kevin Smyth United Fishermen & Allied Workers Union Union Rep: Kerrie Irving vancouver Shipyards Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown vancouver Taxi Ltd. (Central Taxi Dispatch) Union Rep: Jackie Brown vantageOne Credit Union Union Rep: Jack Gerow victoria Shipyards Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown victoria Trade Union Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Westminster Savings Credit Union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Working Enterprises Union Rep: Jackie Brown yellow pages Union Rep: Jack Gerow
CUSTOM CARTOONS FOR COPE378 MEMBERS
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Local Voice

Volume 6 | Issue #3 Summer 2011

Change and Growth

presidents Opening Message

David Black President, COPE 378

Translations of the Presidents Message

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

RETIRED OR AppROAChINg RETIREMENT

YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN BC FORUM:

Keep building the movement join or renew today!

LEMENT: SPECIAL SUPP

D UNION TION OF RETIRE THE B.C. FEDERA

ury to all one is an inj

strations by sparked demon order rally. are one cross-b

as the We at events such y BCGEU Photo courtes

Membership Application or Renewal

Address: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Phone: Union:

|__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__| E-mail: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Spouses birth date:* |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|

You can also renew online at bcforum.ca

Date of application: |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|

12 The Advocate, May2011

Canadian Labour Congress Convention Report

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

Keeping our Eyes on the ICBC Transformation project

Jeff Gillies, COPE 378 Vice President, ICBC

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

Download the Executive Summary or the Full Report at www.columbiainstitute.ca

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

juan Linares: A Miners Courage

Juan signing his own Free Juan Linares t-shirts

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

pOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

historic Changes to the Federal political Landscape

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

Two Day Meeting of Newly Elected Council

The next Executive Council meeting will be held on October 3, 2011.

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

Building a fairer, more equal B.C.

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

Wisconsin: A Shocking Attack and an Inspirational Fight Back

COPE 378 Local Voice

yOUTh ACTION COMMITTEE

youth Action Committee Lives Our Motto: Talk Action = Nothing

Talk Action NoTHING

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

COPE 378 Local Voice

New Board, young Members

DID You KNoW:

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLUME 6 Issue #3 Summer 2011

Clean Energy Act Needs Renewing

Address: |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||__| Phone: Union:

|||| |||||||| E-mail: |||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||

Spouses birth date:* ||| ||| |||||

Date of application: ||| ||| |||||