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September 28, 2005
TECK-COMINCO SAYS: Trail talks to resume Friday
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 1:55:15 PM ET
Teck-Cominco says Trail talks to resume Friday
TORONTO (Reuters) - Teck Cominco (TEKsvb.TO) said on Wednesday more labor talks were scheduled for Friday aimed at reaching a settlement at its Trail, British Columbia zinc and lead refinery.
The two sides are scheduled to meet throughout the weekend in hopes of ending the 10-week strike which began in mid-July. Workers walked off the job when the company and the union could not reach an agreement over wages and pensions.
September 26, 2005
EMPLOYEE WORK MOTIVATION POLL
Please take time to vote in the Union employee poll. You can add your own poll comment and vote, or you can use the vote area provided. Please use common sense when adding to the poll and keep it civil.
COMMON SENSE IS NO LONGER COMMON FOR TECK MANAGEMENT
A VERY SIMPLE LESSON PLAN FOR TECK SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Motivated + Rewarded Employees = Steady Profitability Increases
Disgruntled + Undervalued Employees = Steady Profitability Decreases
by RandyMac (Union supporter and local area non-union volunteer)
BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OF A PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE ARE BEING NEGLECTED BY TECK COMINCO'S MANAGEMENT:
And as a result of Teck's delays in settling this bitter strike, employee productivity and morale in the workplace will surely suffer when employees go back to work.
It's very simple Maslow 'A Theory of Human Motivation', and Basic MBA management and simple MATH 101.
Appreciated employees work harder than neglected employees, and as a result, profits increase on productivity gains.
Employee Productivity gains = increased company profits
In my opinion, Teck's senior management has dropped the employee motivation management ball. They have set back Trail Operations record productivity increases of the past 5 years to create an environment of a disgruntled employees with a lack of motivation to work hard over the next 10 years or more.
Where's the sense in that?
Instead, senior management has no problems rewarding David Thompson, former CEO and Deputy-chair with outrageous stock options. In the past year, David Thompson has sold over $25 million in Teck stock options, (in the past 45 days) he sold approximately $5.4 million worth of his shares, and by viewing his latest Insider Trading Reports on SEDI, he has more to sell.
And all this selling by Teck executives is going on while management is touting Teck profits to analysts, with a goal to attract shareholders so they can dump their stock options at record high TECK COMINCO stock prices of $50 to $52 a share. And many other senior management officials of Teck are being bonused handsomely, by having them exercise and sell their stock options in the tens of millions during this share price high period.
But this will be short lived, because what goes up always comes down.
When a shareholder of Teck compares this executive compensation greed to the whole employee contract package for Trail Operation workers ($39 million for 3 years), this is becomes a very apparent obscene lack of consideration for shareholders rights and the rights of employees to benefit fairly during times of record company profits.
There are over 1,480 employees at Teck Cominco Trail operations, and Teck's management claims they are fair with their contract offers to striking employees. The true facts are, that employees and people in this community who supported Teck Cominco during the tough times of past years are appalled at this blatant outrageous greed of excess.
How about taking some of these executive stock options away from greedy top tier management, and give some of the company profit gains to hard working employees to keep them motivated to work hard for shareholders?
Common Sense is No Longer Common with Teck's Senior Management
Teck Cominco Shareholders should consider this fact of outrageous INSIDER TRADING (all insider reports can be found at http://www.sedi.ca) when attending analyst shareholder events such as the one being held today in Vancouver B.C.
And shareholders and analysts should ask the tough questions of Teck's management and CEO, Donald Lindsay. They should not get to carried away with all these profits, because employee morale is a major factor of a profitable and a suffering business. They should ask what are management's plans to increase productivity for gains in profits? It's one thing to reward Teck's overpaid senior management officials when times are good, but when times turn, it's the employees that will save this company because companies can't exist without the hard working employees who are motivated to create the real products that make profits for their employer.
Q: Should management not consider employee morale and productivity gains to be more important for shareholders, and shouldn't you find ways to sit down and settle this strike for our overall benefit, or are you too focused on short term profits and selling your stock options to personally enrich yourselves instead of rewarding all stakeholders?
Your Corporate Ethics mantra is hollow if your employees can't pay their mortgages and bills, and properly cloth their children because of your short cited management style.
'Teck, Town Faces Age of Mistrust' article.
This past weekend, I read a very pointed article 'Teck, Town Faces Age of Mistrust' was written by Jason Kirby, in the Financial Post, and it clearly sums up this simple fact. Employee morale and productivity will suffer for years to come.
The FP article shows the general mood and morale of striking Teck Trail Operations employees towards their once benevolent employer is not mutually beneficial between the company and the city as a whole and it will most likely have lasting affects on the whole workforce, the company and the community as productivity drops. And if employee morale and productivity suffers, profits will drop, and this is a major risk factor for shareholders.
So what's to be gained by Teck's delays in settling this strike?
They are selling power for profits, instead of looking after their employees and this community as a whole, and this is contrary to their so called Corporate Governance statements and committments to so called sound and responsible business practices in every aspect of its activities.
FROM TECK"S web site: Teck's new report, Approaching Sustainability, provides an overview of Teck Cominco's business activities, illustrates the company's governance structure for environment, health and safety and community issues and highlights key areas of focus.
Teck's senior managers need to get with the program. It's a global economy and successful companies committed to the longer term viability of operations need motivated employees to prosper. At current state of affairs here in Trail, Teck Cominco will have a tough time in the coming years to turn things around when it comes to employees trusting management. Shortages of attracting and maintaining quality employees means productivity decreases and shareholders suffer as aresut of mismanagement and basic human need errors on the part of high paid executives that can't look after the bottom line.
It's time to sit down, remove the 'us vs them' barriers, and bargain in good faith, settle this Trail Operation strike with employees who worked hard for you during the tough times, and then everyone can have their basic human needs met by motivating employees back to work so they can feel they are valued for their contributions.
Employees have a basic human need to feel good about their life and place of work, and Teck senior management needs to consider this very important fact, or perhaps shareholders should ask you to step aside so real people managers and employee motivators can do the job for the benefit of all stakeholders.
See EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY MORALE POLL for more on this issue.
September 24, 2005
TECK, TOWN FACES AGE OF MISTRUST
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Teck, town face age of mistrust
by Jason Kirby - Financial Post
Full 5 page article in National Post Online edition.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ric Ernst, CanWest News Service
STRIKE KEEPS TRAIL IN LIMBO: Teck Cominco's smelter still dominates Trail, B.C., but the mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the city is breaking down due to a bitter workers' strike.
STRIKE KEEPS TRAIL IN LIMBO: Teck Cominco's smelter still dominates Trail, B.C., but the mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the city is breaking down due to a bitter workers' strike.
Marc Desrosiers, a technician at Teck Cominco Ltd.'s giant lead and zinc operations in this West Kootenays city, sits outside on a ratty brown armchair next to rickety stairs that rise up the side of a steep hill to the plant. Few employees mount the stairs when they go to work anymore; most drive in through the front gates. But as part of the lingering strike by 1,300 Teck Cominco employees, Mr. Desrosiers and a small group of Steelworkers have barricaded the entrance with picket signs...
Click here to view the online version of the 5 page National Post article by Jason Kirby.
xxx
September 23, 2005
September 22, 2005
MASS MEETING COMMENTS
Feedback and opinions noted
I have recieved a great number of very positive comments regarding the meeting on Tuesday past, there are also some comments of concern, although very few, and each comment regardless of pro or con on the current state are all important to us.
Let me make it very clear: I represent the Union as President, however, our union members run our union, and we have great faith in their definitive knowledge. This does not mean that the Union leaders are afraid to lead and voice the collective opinion of our members.
Contrary to the Company's corporate rhetoric, as witnessed in Teck's Trail Times paid ads, and radio spots, I will make it clear that we do not seek confrontation, and we never start a fight. But we cannot do our job if we retreat when challenged. We remain steadfast in our efforts to complete this negotiation so that everyone, including the Company, the community, and this workforce and families can have their lives returned to more prosperous endevours.
In my opinion, it is important that I communicate the Unions' position, for our member collective, and the community, in efforts so that everyone understands that this Company has been less than truthful with this membership, this community and their own staff, and the Union Bargaining Committee felt it was time to call them on it.
It was great to see the overwelming support, especially on Day 64 of this unresolved dispute, to discuss our efforts to reach a fair and equitable agreement with Teck for our members and families. And, I want everyone to know that we take this situation very seriously, and when Teck says don't take it personal, our response to the corporate executives that run Teck Cominco: it is very personal.
The Union represents real people, who have real children going to school, people who have real mortgages, and people who care greatly about what effect this Company's refusal to bargain fairly with this Union has had on their lives and their community.
So it is personal and Teck better take notice this membership has spoken loud and clear.
In solidarity
Doug Jones, President
Local 480
NOTE: If you would like to send comments directly please see the following weblog message for more information: Q&A: From the Picket Line
Q&A: Providing Feedback to Union Members and Public
Q&A: FROM THE PICKET LINE
Q&A: Providing Feedback to Union Members and Public
September-22-2005
Questions, Comments from the Picket Line and the Community:
The Unions mandate is to provide timely Union answers to questions and provide clarification
To facilitate union members questions and assist people in the community with answers to their questions, we have set up this weblog. Our goal is to disseminate important updates and provide you with timely information. We also want to allow you an online weblog forum where you can post your comments, suggestions, questions, and feeback thoughts, so we can be more informed to properly communicate with you.
Currently, the best way for us to administer this, so we can answer your questions to provide you with the feedback and clarification you deserve, we request that you do the following:
EMAIL:
You can send us e-mail at 480pres@uswa480.com or cheryl@uswa480.com and we will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
PHONE OR FAX:
If you are in the local area and wish to speak directly with a Union representative, then we invite you call us directly, at the Local 480 & 9705 Union Hall in Trail, B.C.
IN PERSON:
If you wish to speak with us directly, in person, we invite you to come down to the Local 480 * 9705 Union Hall so we can bring you up to date and provide you with clarification to your important questions.
Please come to see us at the Local 480 & 9705 Union Hall in Trail B.C.
- 910 Portland Street, Trail B.C. across from the Selkirk College downtown Trail Campus.
It is our goal to do our very best for our union members, so we can provide you and the community with clarification and answers. We will always make our time available during these negotiations to answer your questions as soon as possible.
We look forward to your comments, questions.
Support your bargaining committee.
Issued by:
Locals 480 & 9705, USWA
22 Sept 2005
Calendar of Events
| Pay Day Bar B Que | ||
|
Sep-22-2005
| Event : | Pay Day Bar B Que |
| Event Description : | Pick up your strike pay and enjoy the pay day Bar B Que put on by the members of Highland Valley Copper. Pay Cheques are available from 10am -4pm. upstairs in the hall. |
| Date : | 22 September 2005 |
| Submitted By : | Derm Jackman |
STEELWORKERS PERMIT GVRD TANKER TRANSPORT
Steelworkers permit GVRD-bound tanker to transport from Teck Cominco site
15 September 2005,
TRAIL, BC, Sept. 15 /CNW/ - On Wednesday striking Steelworkers at the Teck Cominco Ltd. smelting operations temporarily lifted a picket line to permit a tanker trailer to enter and exit the premises.
The vehicle, loaded with a special chemical used in the post-chlorination phase of waste water treatment, is bound for a Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) treatment facility.
Steelworker Locals 480 and 9705, representing more than 1,200 smelter workers and office and technical employees, were contacted by Teck Cominco management to allow the vehicle to access the site. Local 480 president Doug Jones says that the union agreed to management's request, temporarily lifting the pickets because the chemical is urgently needed by the GVRD to treat water prior to its use in irrigation systems.
"Our members are concerned for the environment in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and have made an exception to our commitment that no vehicle carrying a product or by-product of the Teck Cominco smelter will get through picket lines," said Jones.
"This is one of the few places this chemical is produced in North America and our members have said yes to environmental protection."
On Friday morning (Sept. 16), striking workers will appear in downtown Vancouver to protest Teck Cominco's escalating exports of hydroelectric power to the United States during the strike, which started July 19. They will hold rallies outside the head offices of the BC Utilities Commission and Teck Cominco.
Local 9705 president Rick Georgetti said that Teck Cominco workers and communities in the Kootenays are speaking out to halt the hydro exports.
"Water rights were granted to Teck Cominco for local manufacturing and local job creation," says Georgetti.
"That hydro power must be used to create environmentally and economically sustainable jobs for BC communities."
The United Steelworkers represents more than 280,000 men and women working in every sector of Canada's economy.
/For further information from Union: Steve Dewell, (250) 368-7333/
Photo: Waneta Dam, near Trail Operations
MAKING A COMPLAINT TO BC UTILITIES COMMISSION
To send a complaint to the BC Commission to find a satisfactory resolution of unresolved disputes, ideally the complaint to the Commission should be made in writing and provide the following information:
- name of the complainant;
- complainant's address;
- the key elements of the dispute; (ie: Teck Cominco is selling hydro Power instead of maintaining their agreements with the Province of BC to use the hydro power water under the terms of the water act license to create environmentally and economically sustainable jobs for BC communities.)
- names of utility staff/officials contacted;
- dates contacts were made; and
- reasons, from the complaintant’s viewpoint, why the problem is not resolved.
Information provided by the complaintant will be forwarded to the respective Utility Commission officials for comment. All compaintant information obtained is protected from public scrutiny under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
In situations where where a complaint requires immediate action, a compaintant can contact the Commission at (604) 660-4700, or for those outside the Lower Mainland, the Commission has a B.C. Toll-free number: 1-800-663-1385. Email contact for complaints: Complaints@bcuc.com
SEND A LETTER OR EMAIL OF COMPLAINT TO TECK COMINCO
Registered and Head Office
Teck Cominco Limited
600 -
Vancouver , British Columbia V6C 3L9
• Tel.: (604) 687-1117
• Fax: (604) 687-6100
EMAIL TECK COMINCO: info@teckcominco.com
September 20, 2005
RECENT STRIKE NEWS EXTERNAL SOURCES
Labour Talks Recent News |
|||
Teck Cominco zinc site labour talks falter again VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Three days of mediated labor talks between Teck Cominco Ltd. <TEKsvb.TO> and striking workers at its Trail zinc and lead refinery in British Columbia have broken down again, the company said on Sunday. Teck Cominco spokesman Mark Edwards said that no new dates for meetings between the two sides had been set. Private mediator Andrew Sims, who had been involved in the discussions since Friday, was returning home to Alberta. Click here to continue reading the full Reuters content news story on this external news site. |
|||
SEND A LETTER TO TECK
United Steel Workers of America- Local 480
Sep-20-2005
SEND A LETTER TO TECK
Registered and Head Office
Teck Cominco Limited
600 - 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L9
email: info@teckcominco.com
TALKS ARE OFF
We really do wish we were telling you, on your behalf we bargained hard and were able to reach a tentative agreement. I'm sure you know by now that is not the case, talks broke off.
It became obvious to your committee that our employer, although they would like to lead you and this community to believe otherwise, came to the table but had no mandate to get a collective agreement. Even with the assistance of the mediator they failed to negotiate.
During the first two days some progress was made and we were optimistic, maybe, just maybe, they would go the distance and we could get the deal you deserve. It wasn't long before they were spinning their wheels and unable and or not capable of getting the deal.
It's the age old TeckCominco philosophy getting in the way. "When times are tough we will take from our employees and when times are good we will give them nothing. "Well it didn't cut it two months ago and it doesn't cut it now. They may create the job but without us there is no profit. At a time when metal prices, arguably have never been higher, they are so mean and ugly and stuck on power that they are willing to sit on the side lines and miss out on an opportunity to make 10's of millions of dollars in profit.
We know, like us, you would rather be working, contributing to the local economy, than having to walk a picket line and wondering how long you can survive on strike pay. If there was any doubt before, there certainly is not any more, this company is determined to break the Union. They have no intention of rewarding you and me for our years of loyalty, our years of service. They have shown themselves to be nothing more than a big bully perched on a hill top wondering who they are going to beat up next.
Giving us a fair share would mean security for our families and for the whole community. The security of knowing you can provide for yourself and your family is an investment in the future. Our employer would rather invest in itself and give nothing in return. They don't want to go the extra distance, even though they admit they have been and are very profitable today.
It's a corporate responsiblity and unless TeckCominco makes an offer that makes sense, that addresses all those years when we gave and got nothing in return, it will be a community burden.
Support your bargaining commitee.
Issued by:
Locals 480 & 9705, USWA
19 Sept 2005
September 16, 2005
UPDATES FOR UNION MEMBERS
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY TRAIL CITY COUNCIL,
Sept 8, 2005
TRAIL OPERATIONS POWER SALES
The City of Trail and Local Area Municipal Councils have passed a resolution asking that the Provincial Government manage and administer water licenses issued to TeckCominco such that the power generated as part of its Trail Operations be utilized for its original intended purpose, sustaining employment at its operations.
We are actively working on getting this in front of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) on Sept 28/29 to be voted on. Similar resolutions have been sent to the BC Federation of Labour and the New Democrats to be voted on at their conventions at the end of November.
BARGAINING
The Union and Company Bargaining Committees will be meeting with Mediator Andy Simms from Sept 16-18 to resume collective bargaining. The bargaining committee will let you know the outcome as soon as possible.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY TRAIL CITY COUNCIL,
Sept 8, 2005
WHEREAS: Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. has been granted a water licence by the Province of BC to generate power in support of operating the smelter in Trail: and
WHEREAS: Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. sells power that is surplus to what it needs for local industrial and domestic consumption: and
WHEREAS: Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. may be able to sell additional power if production at its Trail Operations is curtailed or stopped, resulting in the sale of power which goes beyond what is normally sold on the open market and contrary to the intended purpose when the water licenses were originally granted:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Province of British Columbia be requested to manage and administer the water licenses issued to Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. such that power generated as part of its Trail Operations be utilized for its original intended purpose which would not limit the continuation of power sales in excess of normal and ongoing operating needs in support of sustaining Trail Operations;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that Council forward this resolution to the U.B.C.M. for consideration as an emergency resolution at their forthcoming Convention.
LIMIT TECK'S ABILITY TO SELL ELECTRICITY
AS SEEN IN SEPT 16th ISSUE of CASTLEGAR NEWS
http://www.castlegarnews.com/
Limit Teck's ability to sell electricity, asks union
Sep 14 2005
by Dale Wes News Editor
Castlegar city council has been asked not to take sides in the labour dispute at Teck Cominco but rather to help keep West Kootenay economic revival alive Derm Jackman, Teck Cominco employee and Steel Workers of America, local 480, picket line captain, appeared before council to recount the dispute and ask council for support - not just for striking workers but for area businesses and residents.
"Back when the company was struggling for survival, it turned to the locals and the region for support, said Jackman. Employees gave contractual concessions. Taxpayers accepted increased taxes and reduced services. The price was paid in the hope the company would prosper and, in turn, area communities would prosper, too. Thirteen years later, the company is making record profits, continued Jackman, "but, said Jackman, "This employer seems to have forgotten the past and the sacrifices made by everyone."
"People in the region are suffering again such as small businesses that rely on the wages spent by Teck Cominco employees who are now going without. The current situation is a slap in the face for all those that helped the company recover," said Jackman.
"For Teck Cominco to throw water on the spark of this economic recovery is even more of a slap in the face." Jackman asked council to help keep the economy prosperous by writing Teck Cominco CEO Donald Lindsay "advising" a return to bargain.
He also asked that they also write to Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy and Mines and Petroleum Resources, asking for his intervention. Finally, he asked that council support a resolution being considered by Trail council to amend Teck Cominco's water licence. "The company was granted water rights to provide stable, economic power for the production of metal, to provide good jobs and economic stability for area residents," said Jackman.
"The company was not given those water rights for the sake of selling power exclusively, that is what they are now doing," Jackman urged council to ask the province to limit the amount of power Teck Cominco may generate during a labour disruption at its Trail operations.
Questioned by council, Jackman noted such an amendment wouldn't limit sales of excess power, only power that would normally be used in the production of metals.
"Teck Cominco is filling their coffers selling power. That's unacceptable to us as union members and residents of this community. Teck Cominco must not have the ability to hold our communities hostage - which is exacly what they are doing. "
With 200 or so Castlegar residents directly affected by the Teck Cominco dispute, council noted that it would like to see an end to the dispute. Mayor Mike O'Connor advised, however, that council couldn't act on the resolution until it had been ratified by Trail. O'Connor noted that "techical" issues still needed to be clarified - such as whether such an amendment could be made in the first place.
Contact Information:
Honourable Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Phone: 250 387-5896 FAX: 250 356-2965
Address: PO Box 9060 - STN PROV GOVT - Victoria, BC. V8W 9E2
Mayor
Mike O'Connor
City of Castlegar
Phone: 250-365-7227 FAX: 250-365-4810
Address: 460 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, BC. V1N 1G7
September 14, 2005
TECK ADVERTSING DISGUSTS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
AS VIEWED IN THE TRAIL TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SECTION
In response to Teck Cominco's paid notices in recent issues of the Trail Daily Times, I say, "Shame on yo, Teck Cominco."
You can call it "Setting the Record Straight" all you want to; it's still nothing more than attempting to put the best spin you can on an extremely unacceptable position.
Personally, I find it insulting that this company apparently perceives this community to be so naive and gullible. They obviously have no idea just how infuriating statements like those made in the advertisement are to the citizens of this area.
We are not simpletons, Teck. We are knowledgeable, well-informed public, and quite familiar with the game playing that your company appears to take such delight in.
Again, I say shame on you. For generations, decade after decade, grandparents, parents and children have given this company many years of dedicated service, in return, Cominco was a decent and overall morally responsible employer.
However, it does seem that since merging of Cominco with Teck, there has been a distinct loss of sense of accountability and concern for the workers and for this community.
As a parent, I'm not sure that I could, in good conscience, encourage my son or daughter to seek occupation within your company; I could never feel confident that they would have lasting; dependable employment or the respect and commitment of this company towards their security and well-being.
And that's just sad, after the history Cominco has enjoyed in this town.
Teck has consistently asserted that it's quite willing to bargain, but apparently that only holds true if the union is prepared to bend over backwards and allow the company to virtually run roughshod over this membership.
The actions taken by this company, such as the never-ending list of injunctions attempting to break the spirit of the workers, the lapse in getting back to the table, along with the total disregard for a fair, timely and equitable settling of this whole situation are simply in conceivable.
Fr all intents and purposes, by bringing about all these legal diversions, Teck has effectively locked out the workers. The company declared it had no intention of bargaining until after Labour Day. (Did you enjoy your extended holiday? Our families didn't.)
This should not longer be called a strike but a lock-out since Teck has made it impossible for the employees to find a way to work. Nevertheless, Teck still managed to turn this mess into a plus for the company.
It is possible that this strike was well-orchestrated maneuver by Teck Cominco to allow the company to benefit financially from a force majeure? (for meaning of force majeure see bottom of this letter for glossary.)
Teck Cominco has proven over these past few weeks that loyalty, sacrifice and commitment mean absolutely nothing to it. All the publicity in the media about record profits seen by Teck Cominco in the past year, make no mention of how these profits were accumulated on the backs of the very people that Teck is now refusing to acknowledge, not of these concessions and support that the Cominco received from their employees and this community when it was facing hard times.
We're simply asking the company's recognition of the past support, now that it appears the lean years are behind us.
Place all well-worded paid notices you want to, Teck; it won't cover up what you're actually trying to do here in Trail. Undermining the employees, the unions, the overall welfare of the people of this city is deplorable. Shame, shame, shame on you Teck Cominco.
C. Morris
Trail
Word Glossary:
force majeure
force ma·jeure [ fàwrss maa júr ]
noun
Definitions:
1. event that makes somebody do something: an unexpected event that crucially affects somebody's ability to do something and can be used in law as an excuse for not having carried out the terms of an agreement ( formal )
2. superior power: a force that is superior in power or impossible to resist
[Late 19th century. < French, "superior force"]
NOTES FOR STEELWORKERS PICKETERS
UPDATE 13 Sept. 2005
Bargaining
The Union and Company Bargaining Committees will be meeting with Mediator Andy Simms from Sept 16-18 to resume collective bargaining. The bargaining committee will let you know the outcome as soon as possible.
Barbecue
Our brothers and sisters from Highland Valley Copper will be hosting a barbecue at our Union hall on Sept 22 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Power Sales
The City of Trail and Local Area Municipal Councils have passed a resolution asking that the Provincial Government manage and administer water licenses issued to Teckcominco such that the power generated as part of its Trail Operations be utilized for its original intended purpose, sustaining employment at its operations.
We are actively working on getting this in front of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) on Sept 28/29 to be voted on. Similar resolutions have been sent to the BC Federation of Labour and the New Democrats to be voted on at their conventions at the end of November.
Bus Trip to Vancouver
As part of our Strategic Campaign, two busloads of our members will be going to Vancouver on Thursday, September 15 at 9:00am. They will return on Friday at 9:00 pm.
Issued by:
Locals 480 & 9705, USW
Bargaining Committees
13 Sept. 2005
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT
HITAC-Labour Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship Project
What is this Project?
The purpose of this research and planning project is to develop what would be a new trade classification in British Columbia - that of Industrial Electrician - and to consider possible designs for a modular competency-based training and assessment program for this occupational group.
Who is responsible for this Project?
The project began as an initiative of the Heavy Industry Training Advisory Committee (HITAC) which is an association of more than 30 large industrial companies. Company representatives on HITAC include operational managers, maintenance supervisors, human resources directors, and training managers. HITAC companies are involved in:
- oil and gas;
- mining and smelting;
- solid wood;
- and pulp and paper.
HITAC invited labour to help design and develop a competency-based approach to the training and credentialing of electricians who want to work in industrial settings. All project work is being undertaken as a collaborative venture between HITAC and unions active in heavy industry sectors. The parties have come together under a Labour Market Partnership agreement supported by Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), with the participation of the Industry Training Authority of BC (ITA) and representatives from the province's educational service providers.
Who are Project Steering Committee members?
Richard Boyce - President, Local 761 UNTITED STEELWORKERS
Frank DeBartolo - President, Local 4 - Pulp, Paper & Woodworkers of Canada
Ed Doherty - Director, Human Resources - NorskeCanada (pulp and paper representative)
Larry Doskoch - Superintendent, Maintenance Services - Teck Cominco (mining and smelting representative)
Bill Harper - Training and Apprenticeship Committee Chair - BC Federation of Labour
Bob Hughf - National Representative - Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada
Paul Sourisseau - Manager, Training Services - Interior Forest Labour Relations Association (solid wood representative)
Mike Stekelenburg - Maintenance Supervisor - Alcan Primary Metals (mining and smelting representative)
Ian Turnbull - Emergency Planning, Security & Public Safety Programs Manager - Terasen Gas (oil and gas representative)
Cam Weibe - Skilled Trades Chair, Local 2301 - CAW-Canada
Ed Wong - Vice President, Educational Partnerships - Business Council of BC
Sylvia Holland - Committee Chair
Michele Lanouette - HRSDC
Danny Bradford - Chair - School of Industry & Trades Training, Selkirk College
Rod Goy - Associate Dean - School of Construction & Environment, BCIT
Geoff Stevens - Vice President, Operations - ITA
Where do I find further information?
Further information is detailed within the attached Project Bulletins #1, #2, and #3. ELECTRICIANS, please pay particular attention to Project Bulletin #3 as the Steering Committee is requesting your participation in an on-line survey.
VIEW: Project Bulletins #1
Download hitaclabour_industrial_electrician_project_bulletin_1.pdf
VIEW: Project Bulletins #2
Download hitaclabour_industrial_electrician_project_bulletin_2.pdf
VIEW: Project Bulletins #3
Download hitaclabour_industrial_electrician_project_bulletin_3.pdf
-XXX-
September 09, 2005
TRAIL CITY RESOLUTION: TECK POWER SALES
City sending resolution to UBCM on Teck’s Power Sales
Trail Daily Times, Friday September 9, 2005 - by Lana Rodlie, Times Staff
-----------------------------
Trail City council passed a somewhat revised resolution Thursday that will go to the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual meeting in late September.
The emergency resolution (one that is submitted past deadline) resolves that
“power generated as part of Trail Operations be utilized for it’s original intended purpose…” This would limit the continuation of Teck Cominco’s power sales excess of “normal and ongoing operating needs.
The mention of labour disputes in the original resolution was removed. United Steelworkers who have been on strike against Teck Cominco since July 19 made the push for the resolution at last month’s council meeting.
Rod Audia, past president of Local 480, said
“the basic principle behind the water flowing is to create a legacy for our people, our kids – it’s not to fill pockets for corporate greed.”
Three councilors who work for Teck Cominco removed themselves from the vote. Al Graham, Fred Ramano and Chris Moorehead cited conflicts of interest.
Pam Lewin was the only councilor to vote against the motion, asking that it be postponed until after UBCM meeting when discussions can be held with Premier Gordon Campbell, the minister of mines and Teck Cominco’s CEO Donald Lindsay.
In considering the resolution, Mayor Dieter Bogs read from a letter from Operation’s general manager Mike Agg, who suggested it would be a very bad idea for council to wade into the labour dispute.
“we feel that it is inappropriate for municipal government to become directly involved in labour dispute of local business,” Agg wrote.
“This is not the role that local municipalities should play. Trying to make changes to our power sales arrangements at any time, but particularly in an attempt to influence the outcome of a labour dispute could pose significant risk to the viability of the business. We respectfully request that the City of Trail refrain from involving itself in the issue.”
Bogs said he’d been involved in thousands of resolutions, but none has taken up so much time as this one.
Addressing the wording, he said the focus was not on the labour dispute but on the power, however “this action has been influenced by the dispute…”
He said council has been watching the situation in Kitimat regarding power sales by Alcan, and the parallels that exist between the two communities.
“That community has been devastated by power sales and continuing reductions in metal operations. There are several outstanding court cases involving the District of Kitimat and both Alcan and the provincial government.
“Trail city council hopes that there is not a similar evolution in Trail but must remain cognizant that this is a real threat…Council must look to develop a strategy that is in the best interest of the entire community recognizing that the long-term operation and corresponding prosperity of the company is a key component of any strategy developed.”In this regard, council must not be seen to be working for or against any one group," he said.
Bogs pointed out that the resolutions might not be accepted by other members of the UBCM, indeed, might not even be considered as a late resolution, hence “may not provide the assistance the union is looking for.”
But he felt it was necessary to proceed to adopt the resolution, as it would send “a clear message that this matter is of paramount importance to our community and sets the framework for future discussions and decision-making. “I would recommend that the most prudent action at this time would be to proceed with this resolution.”
With three for it and Lewin recorded as being against it, the resolution passed.
After the meeting, Teck Cominco representatives Mark Edwards and Carol Vanelli Woroz seemed happy with the changes.
“The current resolution is favourable in talking about the sustainability of the community,” Edwards said. “Council has the right, that the focus has to be making metals in Trail and that’s what the company and the community wants to do.”
Vanelli Woroz said situation in Kitimat is different from that in Trail.
“Their decision to reduce employment and increase power sales to curtail production – it’s part of their strategy,” she said. “They made a conscious decision to do that and Teck Cominco hasn’t.”
She noted that when metal prices were in the toilet a few years ago and the company was selling surplus power, “our employees were taken care of,” She said people were put on vacation or given different work to do. “No one suffered due to our taking advantages at that time.”Audia was also satisfied with the resolution. “It gives them the power to produce metal and that was the original intention,” he said.
“But a lot of work has to be done… And it’s good to hear them talk about long term viability. It’s very clear that this company must remain viable.”
Audia feels all the province’s resources – mining, water, communications, power and timber – should be tied to job creation.
"There’s only one reason to allow people to utilize resources and it’s to provide work and financial stability. We’ve proven our commitment to make sure the company, the city and the region remain viable. That’s what Steelworkers do.”
Trail Daily Times, Friday September 9, 2005
by Lana Rodlie, Times Staff
SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO TRAIL CITY MAYOR & COUNCILLORS
If you require voice your opinion on this City of Trail Resolution in regards to Teck Cominco Power Sales, do not hesitate to contact Trail City Hall.
Mayor Dieter Bogs
dbogs@trail.ca
Councillor
Jack Balfour
jbalfour@trail.ca
Councillor
Gordon DeRosa
gderosa@trail.ca
Councillor
Al Graham
agraham@trail.ca
Councillor
Pam Lewin
plewin@trail.ca
Councillor
Chris Moorhead
cmoorhead@trail.ca
Councillor
Fred Romano
fromano@trail.ca
Information on Waneta Dam and Teck Cominco Power Sales:
- Teck Cominco owns the Waneta hydroelectric dam, built in 1954 ten kilometres south of Trail and one of several hydroelectric generating plants in the region. The company also owns a 15 kilometre transmission line from Waneta to the United States power distribution system. The operation of these plants is coordinated through contractual arrangements with B.C. Hydro under which Teck Cominco receives approximately 2,500 GW.h per year of power, even during low water years, and has the right to sell any surplus power.
For more information on Teck Cominco's Power Sales and Smelter & Refineries Production see the following links:
a. Trail Power, Trail Operations:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/index.htm
b. Trail Power, surplus power sold:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/production.htm
c. Trail Power, Year In Review 2004:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/review.htm
d. Trail Smelter and Refineries, Year In Review 2004: A strong focus on operating performance and productivity resulted in several production records and generated significant returns in 2004. Refined zinc production was 296,000 tonnes, which represents the best-ever year of refined zinc production, exceeding the previous record of 288,000 tonnes set in 1999.
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/trail/review.htm
d. Trail Smelter and Refineries, Year In Review 2004: Production Tables showing Yearly production and Increases.
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/trail/production.htm
For more on the Kitimat Power Sales issue visit the following web sites:
1. For a full text "Power Issues Heating Up" letter by Rick Belmont, President, CAW, Local 2301 explaining the Kitimat Alcan Power Sales Situation click the following link:
"Power Issues Heating Up": http://www.caw2301.ca/junejuly2003hotline.htm
2. For a comprehensive web site containing more information on the Alcan power sales instead of jobs dispute in Kitimat dispute visit the ‘Save the Northwest Coalition’, a cross section of the community of Kitimat and Terrace, including local business owners, Alcan worker representatives, municipal politicians and concerned local citizens of the Northwest. click this link:
‘Save the Northwest Coalition’: http://www.savethenorthwest.ca/
To view the Key Petition document in this Power Sales vs. Job Creation dispute in Kitimat click the following links:
1. Kitimat Power Sales Supreme Court Petition (January 16, 2004)
Download KitAlcancourtpetition.pdf
To view some recent articles on the Kitimat Power Dispute see the following link:
1. Power Exports cost B.C. jobs - Derrick Penner - April 14, 2005 Vancouver Sun article
September 06, 2005
YOUR OPINION MATTERS - SEPT 6, 2005
UNION SUPPORTERS VOICE OPINIONS ON NEW UNION WEBLOG
The lure of public conversation is so strong that we encourage common sense commenting on this site, as weblogs are unthinkable without visitor and reader comments. We welcome a wide community of readers and our goal is to make common sense comments visible for all to view your opinions and comments on the Local Union strike in Trail Operations.
Comment-free weblogs are merely an inferior form of broadcast media and by allowing commenting on this weblog, it means a further democratization of online publishing, creating an even lower - level the playing field - bar for readers to become writers by posting their comments, especially their comments on this strike situation in Trail B.C. which is affecting thousands in this community and many local businesses.
We encourage you to post your comments and opinions in a clear and concise civil manner, and we ask you to please keep your comments to the point and withhold from any rude comments, as these uncalled for posts will not be published and will be deleted to keep this weblog available to a wider audience of people.
Thank you for your consideration in this regard.
Local 480 Weblog Team - September 6, 2005
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"I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves."
Bruce Grocott
Absurdity. A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion.
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce (1842-1914)
American writer
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SOME RECENT WEBLOG COMMENTS/OPINIONS FROM UNION SUPPORTERS
AUG 29, 2005 TO SEPT 6, 2005
Brothers and Sisters,
Being from Sudbury, Ontario and employed by Falconbridge, it is imperative that you stand in unity to win this labour dispute. All Canadian Mining Companies are watching your battle with close attention. A loss in this battle can have many reprecussions to all Steelworker Brothers and Sisters in mining and all other industries. I commend you all in your courageous battle as a very profitable, greedy Mining Corporation has decided to take us on in something not new, but suprisingly disappointing in these record profit years. Stand firm and together and you and we can win this fight! If we can assist in any way please let us know.
Myles Sullivan
USW Local 2020 Sudbury, Ontario
Posted by: Myles Sullivan | September 05, 2005
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Comments
Hey,brothers and sisters!!! Now we are starting to see what Teck is really all about!!! >>>THEMSELVES<<< They care nothing about their employees or our communities!!! Stay Strong...and United!!! Ed
Posted by: Ed | August 29, 2005
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To my brothers and sisters
on strike with teck-cominco
My heart is with you.
Stay strong!!
It's your turn!!!
In solidarity
Holly xxx
Posted by: Holly LePage | September 05, 2005
-------------------------------------------
mmm, was sitting down by the river today where Waneta Dam goes into the Mighty Columbia and i swear i seen dollar signs floating by......mmmm ...think I'm gonna give Cheryl a call and get on that bus!!!....these are this country's resourses floating away....does anyone care out there??? I Damn Well do!!!!...Be Strong, and United!!!!...your union brother...Ed.....Derm, Jason, Randy...you guys are doing an "Awesome Job"...:}
Posted by: Ed | September 06, 2005
"A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion."
Chinese Proverb
FIERY SPEECHES BOUY LABOUR DAY RALLY
LABOUR DAY CROWD URGED TO KEEP UP THE FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS
Maurice Bridge
Vancouver Sun
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=5f1ab4fb-e74e-4c76-88ac-d50a1d09dbb4
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
BURNABY - An enthusiastic crowd of about 2,000 turned out Monday for a Labour Day rally across the street from Telus headquarters in Burnaby, cheering loudly as national and local labour leaders urged them to keep up the fight in several major labour disputes around B.C.
Many wore picket signs of the Telecommunications Workers Union and the Canadian Media Guild, which are embroiled in bitter contract disputes with Telus and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, respectively.
CREDIT: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
FIERY SPEECHES BUOY LABOUR DAY RALLY: About 2,000 people, many of them union workers, attended a Labour Day rally across the street from Telus headquarters.
The TWU, which has about 13,500 members in B.C. and Alberta, is approaching its seventh week off the job, while the Canadian Media Guild, which has about 5,500 members across the country, has been locked out for just over three weeks.
Delegations from other unions and organizations, as well as regional politicians and a handful of NDP MLAs, joined the rally and gave strong support to Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti.
"There's something wrong in Canada today when the citizens and the owners of this country are being treated the way they are by people who should know better," Georgetti said. "I say it's time to push back a lot harder in this country with our resources.
"I'm frankly tired of people who have too much telling us we should work for less."
CREDIT: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
Canadian Labour Congress leader Ken Georgetti speaks at a Labour Day rally across from Telus headquarters in Burnaby on Monday.
B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair urged those caught up in labour disputes to keep fighting.
"Every right that we ever had in this country we had to fight for and we're going to have to keep fighting," he said.
"All these corporations keep saying it's all about modernizing collective agreements, it's all about global competition and market-based employment.
"We know what it is, don't we? It's a return to the same old crap we had to fight for 50 years, and we're not going back there."
Sinclair also said no more Telus ads would appear in The Vancouver Sun or The Province for the duration of the dispute.
However, Jamie Pitblado, director of marketing and communications for Pacific Newspaper Group, which publishes the newspapers, said Monday the company has received no such information from its union, the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union.
Under B.C. labour law, there is a process under which ads can be declared "hot," meaning that union members can refuse to handle them.
"We've had no contact or communication from the union with respect to the issue and for us it's business as usual," Pitblado said. "There is a process if they want to go that route, but they haven't done that."
Mike Bocking, president of local 2000 of the CEP, confirmed the matter has been discussed with the federation, but said no formal application has yet been made to stop the ads from appearing.
Bruce Bell, president of the Telecommunications Workers Union, urged the crowd to pressure Telus by encouraging friends and relatives to stop using Telus services and find other providers.
Colin Preston of the Canadian Media Guild said the CBC is failing in its mandate to provide information to Canadians.
Doug Jones, president of local 480 of the United Steelworkers of America, told Telus workers to keep fighting for a contract. The Steelworkers represent 1,310 workers who walked off the job at the Teck-Cominco plant in Trail on July 19 in their first strike since 1990. Although talks under a mediator are set to resume on Friday, there have been several incidents around the entrance to the smelter.
"All this stuff that's happening to us, they're trying to build a case against you," he said. "Don't play their game -- play your own game."
mbridge@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
THE CORPORATION: BOOK
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The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power
Author : Joel Bakan
ISBN : 0670889768
Availability: Crockett Book Company, Waneta Plaza Trail, B.C. 364-1123 or;
L&J Books in Trail, B.C. 368-8313; or GoldRush Books & Espresso in Rossland 362-5333; or through major online book sellers such as Amazon.ca or Chapters.
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In The Corporation, author Joel Bakan paints the world's largest and most powerful companies as greedy psychopaths whose relentless drive for profits is destroying lives, damaging communities, and endangering the planet as a whole. We all pay a price for the corporation's flawed character, he argues, with devastating consequences that include the deadly cloud of lethal chemicals that killed thousands at Bhopal, India, in 1984, and the Alaskan oil spill of the Exxon Valdez in 1989. Bakan, a professor of law at the University of British Columbia, believes the lying, scheming selfishness of the world's dominant economic institution must give way to more human values. The manifesto has spawned a documentary film, also called The Corporation.
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As incisive as Eric Schlosser's bestselling Fast Food Nation, as rigorous as Joseph E. Stiglitz's Globalization and Its Discontents, and as scathing as Michael Moore's Stupid White Men, Joel Bakan's new book is a brilliantly argued account of the corporation's pathological pursuit of profit and power. An eminent law professor and legal theorist, Bakan contends that the corporation is created by law to function much like a psychopathic personality whose destructive behavior, if left unchecked, leads to scandal and ruin.
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Joel Bakan, professor of law at the University of British Columbia, is an internationally recognized and award-winning scholar and teacher who has worked on landmark legal cases and government policies. A former Rhodes Scholar and law clerk to Chief Justice Brian Dickson of the Supreme Court of Canada, he has law degrees from Oxford, Dalhousie, and Harvard. His most recent book, Just Words: Constitutional Rights and Social Wrongs, was widely and favorably reviewed. Bakan lives in Vancouver.
POLITICIANS ROUSE CROWD
Trail Daily Times
by Raymond Masleck
Politicians rouse crowd at Labour Day rally
September 6, 2005
Local mayors and NDP politicians joined CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers Monday morning at a Steelworkers rally kicking off Labour Day celebrations.
After the 30-minute rally, the crowd of several hundred marched through downtown Trail before moving on to the annual West Kootenay Labour Council picnic at Birchbank.
Mayor Dieter Bogs told the buoyant crowd outside the Local 480 Hall that it "is not a real pleasure to be here." The seven-week Teck Cominco strike "has been a real disaster for our community," as businesses are suffering and families are stressed out.
"This has got to stop," Bogs said. "We can't go on like this. We have worked so hard to bring the community to where we are today and this is just pouring cold water on it."
Unlike some of the other speakers, Bogs avoided condemning Teck, instead requesting that the company and unions "boil down" their bargaining positions to the essentials.
"If the company does that and the union does that -- and I think the company has a bigger job than the union -- than I think we can . . . expect a solution soon."
Rossland Mayor Greg Granstrom also urged both sides to "get back to the bargaining table."
"A hundred years ago, Rossland sent ore down the hill to the smelter. Today, we send a far more important resource, our people."
Rogers, who was in town as part of a national "caravan" in support of her fellow striking CBC workers, said it was "profoundly moving to be here, in Trail, on Labour Day."
"I wish for you your jobs back, on your terms, and that we will win our jobs back, the way we wish to do them," said the host of the CBC Radio One program, Sounds Like Canada.
Alex Atamanenko, the federal NDP candidate for the Southern Interior, recalled that a union job in a lumber mill put him through university.
"This is like the beginning of the 1900s all over again. All those things we took for granted our being chipped away."
The New Democrats will "stand together" with unions "to ensure people have good-paying jobs so we can have sustainable communities."
MLA Katrine Conroy said the strike is a good indication of why the labour movement needs a political "voice." She accused the provincial Labour Relations Board of "rubber stamping" every request made of it by Teck, which has been the largest corporate contributor to the Liberals in each of the last three elections.
"We have a Labour Relations Board that is totally supportive of the company. That is wrong and we need to do something about it."
The biggest applause went to the final guest speaker, Nelson-Creston NDP MLA Corky Evans, who noted that Teck believes in "loss sharing" but not "profit sharing."
"We paid when it was our turn and now, I think, it is their turn," he said, after detailing the company campaign in the 1990s to wring concessions from employees, local governments and the province.
His more even more circuitous speech than usual -- which started by evoking the memory of the unsuccessful 1917 strike in Trail for the eight-hour day, led by labour martyr Ginger Goodwin, before concluding with a discussion of water rights -- left the crowd yelling for "more."
"The question is, who owns the rivers and who owns the power and whether or not a company can decide to not run the facility those dams were built for and sell the power instead.
"We built those dams to have these jobs and not to make somebody else rich."
Later, out at the picnic grounds, over 750 people were expected to come and go throughout the day.
Labour council president Al Graham gave a rousing speech, focusing on the "social contract" between Teck and its workers.
He indicated Teck must consider the individuals working for the company and not just their bottom line.
The local Labour Day picnic was the first in three years, and also the first time for the Trail and District United Way to partner with the West Kootenay Labour Council on it.
© Trail Daily Times 2005
September 04, 2005
UNION & TECK RESTART TALKS
TECK COMINCO AND STRIKING UNION AT SMELTER IN TRAIL, B.C., TO RESTART TALKS
NEGOTIATIONS TO RESUME: September 9, 2005 with assistance of Mediator Andrew Sims
September 2, 2005 - 18:09
VANCOUVER (CP) - Teck Cominco Ltd. and the union representing striking workers at the company's smelter in Trail, B.C., are set to resume contract talks next week with the help of a mediator.
The two sides are set to resume negotiations on Sept. 9 with the help of mediator Andrew Sims after talks broke off two weeks ago. The key issues in the strike are wages and pensions for the 1,310 workers represented by the United Steelworkers of America who walked off the job on July 19 in their first strike since 1990.
For more information on Mediator Andrew Sims see: http://www.simsgroup.com/SimsLaw/SimsLaw.htm
ANDREW SIMS PHOTO
Local 480 represents 1,140 production employees in Trail and Local 9705 represents 170 technical and clerical workers.
The workers say they are looking for their share of the windfall that Teck has received from the extraordinarily strong metal and coal market in recent months that have driven the company's earnings.
The union is seeking wage increases that are almost double what the company is offering, as well as improvements to pensions and earlier retirement with full benefits.
The company is seeking to shift from a defined-benefit to a defined-contribution pension plan for new unionized workers, as it has done with non-union employees.
Teck Cominco shares (TSX:TEK.SV.B) closed up 92 cents at $49.17 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
A law practice involving arbitration, mediation, advocacy and advice. Areas of concentration include labour relations, employment law, plain language drafting, administrative law and administrative and professional tribunal management advice.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MEDIATOR ANDREW SIMS VISIT HIS WEB SITE:
Andrew C. L. Sims Q.C.,
Barrister and Solicitor,
805 - 10011 - 109 Street,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5J 3S8
http://www.simsgroup.com/SimsLaw/SimsLaw.htm
September 02, 2005
UNION PRESIDENT'S LABOUR DAY SPEECH
DOUG JONES, PRESIDENT LOCAL 480 REPRESENTING LOCAL 480 and 9705
TO DELIVER LABOUR DAY SPEECH IN VANCOUVER ON MONDAY
On Monday afternoon, Doug Jones, President of Local 480 will be representing the United Steelworkers Locals 480 and 9705 from Trail Operations at a Labour Day Celebration and Rally in Vancouver.
Doug Jones will be delivering a Labour Day speech to an expected crowd of over 2,000 people.
.
In solidarity
Your Bargaining Committees
Locals 480 & 9705, USW
LABOUR DAY: SET UP REQUEST
September 2, 2005
REQUEST FOR SET UP ASSISTANCE
This notice is directed at those who are willing to help out with "set up"
The Steelworkers have agreed to have some of the members work picket duty throughout the night on Sept. 4th. at Birchbank Picnic Grounds for security. We now have the opportunity to set up on Sunday night for the Labour Day Picnic. This could free more of us up for the Steelworkers Rally and March in Trail on the morning of Labour Day.
SET UP TIME: September 4, 2005 before 6:00 p.m.
We likely won't begin before 6:00 p.m on Sunday because the Castlegar Baptist Church has rented the park for the day but they have been kind enough to give us the evening hours to start setting up. They think they will be out of there by about 5:30 at the latest, give or take.
Anyone who is planning to help and are available on Sunday night, please come to the Birchbank for 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 4th. Please pass this on to others.
To those of you have already committed to helping us on Monday, thank you. We appreciate your assistance and support.
This notice is directed at those who are willing to help out with "set up" specifically and/or those who are hoping to add to the success of the Steelworkers Rally in Trail set for 9:30 a.m.on Labour Day prior to the picnic.
Thank you,
Al Graham.
NOTICE: ALL PICKET CAPTAINS
September 2, 2005
NOTICE TO ALL PICKET CAPTAINS
Volunteers required to travel to demonstration and march in Vancouver. Leaving Sept. 15th and returning Sept. 16th. Need to bring own sleeping bag and be cable of participating in an approximate 1 km. march.
If interested, please leave your name with Cheryl at the Union Hall at 368-9131 prior to Tuesday, Sept. 6th, 2005.
In solidarity
Picket Coordinators
Locals 480 & 9705, USW
LABOUR DAY RALLY RIDESHARE
September 2, 2005
LABOUR DAY RALLY RIDES NEEDED FOR MONDAY MORNING
RIDES APPRECIATED: If you have room in your vehicle on Monday to attend the Labour Day Rally and Picnic, it would be appreciated if you let the Jnion Hall know in advance. If you can accommodate rides for elderly retirees and those persons without trasportation to and from Birchbank Picnic Grounds on Monday, it is very much appreciated so they can attend the Picnic and Labour Day Rally.
There are many retirees wishing to atten and support our local Union members, so it would be appreciated if you can assist with this request.
DATE: Monday, September 2, 2005
TIME: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Please contact the Union Hall at 368-9131 on Monday morning, or during the weekend.
NOTE! At this last minute, the Local Union Hall could not arrange a bus to assist the retirees an those without transportation, and there are no Transit Buses available on the holiday Monday.
Our sincere appreciation for your continued support!
In solidarity
Your Bargaining Committees
Locals 480 & 9705, USW
UPDATE: MEDIATOR AGREED TO
BARGAINING UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
MEDIATOR AGREED TO
After much discussion, the Parties have agreed to mediation with a private mediator.
We will have an initial meeting with the mediator on Sept. 9th to clarify our positions. Following that meeting, we have agreed to resume bargaining on September 16, 17, and 18th with the assistance of the Mediator.
Your Bargaining Committees remain committed to achieving a fair and equitable Collective Agreement.
Our sincere appreciation for your continued support!
In solidarity
Your Bargaining Committees
Locals 480 & 9705, USW
posted recently by a Community Supporter
I am disappointed that the "new" TeckCominco has completely ignored the people who live, work and play here in Trail.
Both the original smelter and community grew together, through good and bad times. Now, Teck wants to turn its back on the people of Trail and threatens to shut down and move operations elsewhere while CEOs and former CEOs cash in their formidable shares. Those shares would not have amounted to much without the sweat and sacrifice of Cominco's workers.
Indeed, the metals markets are high and this is a good time to sell shares. But, those same CEOs benefitted more than the average worker and yet, they, too, were but workers.
Ordinary shareholders should be concerned that former managers are dumping their shares at this time. These former managers are sending some disturbing signals to shareholders. What happens if more shareholders start to dump their stock?
If and when workers go back to work, it will be with a lack of respect for the mining and smelting giant. The community as well has lost respect for this company.
The community made a huge mistake cutting back the company's taxes as well as siding with it when it campaigned to defeat the referendum for a new city hall and library.
TeckCominco is no longer worthy of our consideration, respect and trust. Certainly not with the current management, anyway. Shame.
Posted in comment section by Community Supporter