Brantford & District Labour Council
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WORKERS EXPLODE IN CHANTS OF "SHAME"
AS ANTI SCAB BILL 45 IS DEFEATED
Workers will hold LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVES acountable on the next Ontario Election
Get all the Queens Park occupation , news photos ,video ,audio etc . Just download file and click the links in the document List compiled by our freinds at XPDNC.com
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OFL: CLOSING OF BRANTFORD’S ECP FACTORY THE DISGRACEFUL RESULT OF PREMIER MCGUINTY'S INACTION
Nearly 100 workers learned that they will lose their jobs as a result of today’s announcement by Intertape Polymer, the parent company that owns the Engineered Coated Products (ECP) plant in Brantford, that it will close the plant this June. This shameful news follows a grueling two and a half year strike, during which time the McGuinty government failed to intervene to ensure a fair settlement.
“Premier McGuinty should be ashamed of his government for letting these workers rot on the picket lines for two and a half years while busloads of replacement workers rolled past them on a daily basis,” said Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). “When there is a protracted labour dispute that is devastating to the livelihoods of workers and their families, the government has a responsibility to intervene. McGuinty failed in that responsibility.”
The 84 members of United Steelworkers Local 1-500 have been on strike since August 23, 2008, when the employer, Intertape Polymer, demanded a 25% roll-back of wages and benefits. During the time since the strike began, the employer used replacement workers to keep the plant operational and avoid negotiating a settlement with its workers. Though prohibited in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia, the use of replacement workers during strikes and lock-outs has been permitted in Ontario since Premier Mike Harris gutted labour laws in the mid-1990s to relax employer obligations towards employees. Since taking office in 2003, Premier McGuinty has failed to reverse Harris’ record and refused to intervene to save the livelihoods of these ECP employees.
“This American company used every dirty trick – they bused in scabs, trumped up false charges against the striking workers and refused to bargain fairly,” said Ryan. “If Ontario had anti-scab legislation, this strike would never have gone on so long. It is a disgrace that American companies are exploiting our lax labour laws and abusing employees when they demand fair wages and benefits.”
The Ontario Federation of Labour is helping to organize a rally at Noon at Queen’s Park on Thursday, March 31 to support a private member’s bill proposed by NDP Member of Provincial Parliament France Gélinas that would ban the use of replacement workers and help to ensure that the rights of workers are respected. The OFL represents 54 Ontario unions and over one million members.
“Premier McGuinty should be ashamed of his government for letting these workers rot on the picket lines for two and a half years while busloads of replacement workers rolled past them on a daily basis,” said Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). “When there is a protracted labour dispute that is devastating to the livelihoods of workers and their families, the government has a responsibility to intervene. McGuinty failed in that responsibility.”
The 84 members of United Steelworkers Local 1-500 have been on strike since August 23, 2008, when the employer, Intertape Polymer, demanded a 25% roll-back of wages and benefits. During the time since the strike began, the employer used replacement workers to keep the plant operational and avoid negotiating a settlement with its workers. Though prohibited in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia, the use of replacement workers during strikes and lock-outs has been permitted in Ontario since Premier Mike Harris gutted labour laws in the mid-1990s to relax employer obligations towards employees. Since taking office in 2003, Premier McGuinty has failed to reverse Harris’ record and refused to intervene to save the livelihoods of these ECP employees.
“This American company used every dirty trick – they bused in scabs, trumped up false charges against the striking workers and refused to bargain fairly,” said Ryan. “If Ontario had anti-scab legislation, this strike would never have gone on so long. It is a disgrace that American companies are exploiting our lax labour laws and abusing employees when they demand fair wages and benefits.”
The Ontario Federation of Labour is helping to organize a rally at Noon at Queen’s Park on Thursday, March 31 to support a private member’s bill proposed by NDP Member of Provincial Parliament France Gélinas that would ban the use of replacement workers and help to ensure that the rights of workers are respected. The OFL represents 54 Ontario unions and over one million members.
LIBERALS & CONSERVATIVES
|  EMAIL MINSTER OF LABOUR-Charles Sousa by clicking on his picture ASK HIM WHY HE FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR THE ANT SCAB VOTE ? |
Brother Jack Layton's final letter ..............
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
 QUICK AND EASY LINK TO FLAHERTY JUST CLICK ON SID |  EMAIL PHIL McCOLEMAN CLICK PICTURE |
ECP CLOSED UP SHOP BUT NOT BEFORE BEING FORCED TO PAYOUT SEVERANCE PACKAGES TO THE PRINCIPLED USW STRIKERS WHO STOOD IN
100% SOLIDARITY
Great videos from our friends at operationmaple.com
will tell their stories for generations
WORD ON THE STREET - TO KILL A UNION
PART ONE
WORD ON THE STREET - TO KILL A UNION
PART TWO
David Rovics - The Best Democracy money can buy -LISTEN HERE !
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SUPPORT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS LOCKED OUT AT US STEEL
1005 is standing up for my father
Re: U.S. Steel lock out
My father is one of the men that USW Local 1005 is standing up for today. Let me tell you a bit about him.
He is a Second World War veteran. He hit the beach in Normandy on D-Day +3. He was a mechanic and his duty was to repair tanks and other motorized vehicles for his unit. He and his unit chased the German army through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany.
In 1952 he came to Canada and got a job at Stelco. He worked three shifts and had a weekend off every 21 days. He raised four kids and bought a small house for our family.
He never missed a shift. Every eight or so years, he walked the picket line to earn the wages and benefits that U.S. Steel now wants to take away. Our family went without during those times.
It made us stronger. Sometimes Mom would go to work, Dad might get a job, and we learned how to get by when times were tough. Those four children of a steelworker and Second World War vet are hardworking, responsible, taxpaying citizens all. We contribute to this community.
After 32 years Dad retired. They had a good retirement and he always appreciated his Stelco pension and benefit. He never appreciated the benefits as much as he does now. He is 85 years old; he is most afraid he won’t be able to pay for the medication he is currently prescribed. Even with indexing, his pension does not go far in today’s dollars.
I have read a lot of negative personal comments directed at the people who are affected by the current actions of U.S. Steel. You are wrong. This is one man of many like him who have no voice in this matter. They have no standing with this company and no vote on this offer.
I thank the current members of Local 1005 who are not willing to leave them behind.
Maureen McCarthy, Hamilton
USW LOCAL 1005 PENSIONERS SPEAK OUT
MEET BILL MAHONEY … IN HIS OWN WORDS
U.S. Steel’s greed is unbelievable. How much money is enough for those people at the top who just sweep into Canada, make legally binding commitments to us, our communities and the government and then just ignore them? And what kind of government is it that let’s them? I think Canada’s probably a laughing stock internationally letting this kind of legal theft take place.
I spent 37 years working for the company and I was supposed to get about $2600 a month. My wife and I spent two years crunching numbers to see if I could even afford to retire. We decided that the indexing meant we would be okay and could get by. Hydro’s going up, food, taxes and a million other things are too, so you can imagine how important indexing is. And now, after I can’t do anything about it, U.S. Steel announces it wants to take it away?? It’s disgusting. We fought for the indexing. We gave up wages in exchange for it.
There are a lot of pensioners much worse off than me and you can imagine what they’re trying to cope with. You know, I’ve worked since I was 15 years old. My mom actually cried when I got into Stelco and brought home my first paycheck because even though it was hard, dirty work, she knew I’d be able to live and get by in life. Steelworker kids had decent clothes and bicycles and we knew in those days that if we worked hard and gave it our best, we wouldn’t have to live in poverty. And now here we are with U.S. Steel trying to force thousands of us, after a lifetime of hard work, into the lowest possible circumstances and some even into poverty.
The changes in the economy also mean that many of us pensioners are also trying to help out our children. They’re already in a tight spot. My stepson is out of work – and we’re trying to help him out – a lot of the seniors are doing the same thing. Those temp agencies are taking a big slice of their wages and employers are trying to get them to work for the cheapest wage possible so we all try to help out the younger generation. That results in a lot of seniors ending up at food banks because the money just won’t stretch. I’m a volunteer at a food bank and see it all the time.
Companies like U.S. Steel are trying to crush the younger generation of workers. At least we successfully bargained for defined benefit plans. They’re trying to force the younger new hires to take defined contribution savings plans which are nothing more than glorified saving accounts. Younger workers will be working harder and harder for less and less.
I have no doubt I’m on the right side of this fight. All I have to do is talk to a lot of the widows trying to live on survivors’ benefits. Some of the widows are only getting $300 - 400/month and the indexing is crucial for them. With indexing, $1000 in 1991 means $1361 of purchasing power now. When you’re living close to the line, that’s a lot to lose. We paid our dues to this company and kept up our part of the contract. Now that it comes time to live up to their part, they decide to cheat us. I thought when I retired I would get to relax. I never thought I’d have to keep fighting just to defend my pension.
 BILL MAHONEY |  |
OFL PRESIDENTS REPORT CLICK HERE
COMPREHENSIVE MEDIA RESOURSE PAGE CAN BE FOUND BY
CLICKING THE POSTER BELOW
FOR THREE FULL DAYS THE LABOUR MOVEMENT CAME IN MASS TO SUPPORT THE ECP STRIKERS
Bill Gibson, CAW Canada Kitchener Area Director, Russ Lucking President CAW Local 4268 and Dave Reston CAW Local 504 Brantford Casino Chairperson presented two cheques of Ten Thousand Dollars each from CAW Canada and CAW Council to Earl Smith Chairperson USW 1-500 at ECP
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Brant riding NDP candidate Marc Laferriere (left) and federal party leader Jack Layton listen as Garry MacDonald, president of the Brantford and District Labour Council talks Saturday afternoon about the two-year old strike at ECP on Elgin Street in Brantford. Layton was in attendance at a Pay What You Can picnic in support of the local candidate for the next federal election.BRIAN THOMPSON/BRANTFORD EXPOSITOR/QMI AGENCY
MANY JOINED THE 2 YEARS is 2 LONG ! 72 HOUR SOLIDARITY RALLY GROUP MANY MORE ATTENDED
CLICK IMAGE FOR THE POSTER THAT KICKED OFF OUR EVENTS
READ RESOLUTION AND Who Had the Courage to Support
ONE DAY LONGER !
WORKING CLASS HEROS
Brother Danny O'Regan 1943 - 2010 Click image to read BRANTFORD Expositor Story
Brother Peter Leibovitch the Labour Movement salutes you! (CLICK PICTURE)
WORKING FAMILIES IN BRANTFORD WILL NOW FACE
HUGE ADDITIONAL TAX BURDENS
OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES BOTH VOTED
TO SUPPORT THE HST
SHAME !
 click here |  CLICK HERE |
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BRANTFORD & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL
