Cape Breton strike continues
Little progress was made in a contract dispute that has halted garbage collection and bus service for the Cape Breton Municipality, says a union spokesman. Joe Currie of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said public works, garbage, transit, and incinerator workers maintained picket lines over the weekend. But he said attempts to meet with city council, instead of just city negotiators, have failed.

NOVA SCOTIA: Civil servants ordered back to work

Inside workers with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality were ordered back to their jobs yesterday after refusing to cross picket lines set up by striking outside workers. The 350 outside workers, including bus drivers, street workers and garbage collectors, began their strike in the morning amid a dispute centred on job security. The Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board later ruled that the actions of the inside workers constituted an illegal work stoppage. They were told to go back to work at their next regularly scheduled shift, starting today. Mayor David Muise has said management staff will tend to any emergencies while the outside workers are on strike.

Municipal workers walk off the job

Bus drivers, street workers and garbage collectors began a strike today in Cape Breton Regional Municipality amid a dispute centred around job security. CUPE negotiators have been seeking assurances from the city that workers won't be replaced through contracting out. Mayor David Muise said management staff will tend to any emergencies. "It's as if we've come up against a brick wall," union spokeswoman Jackie Bramwell said Sunday following a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with city negotiators.

Fired call-centre workers rehired

Two call-centre employees fired this week for taking part in a union organizing drive have been rehired. CUPE negotiator Jackie Bramwell said Friday that Ron Webber and Associates in Sydney changed its position after the union complained to the labour relations board.

FACULTY STRIKE AT BC TECH SCHOOL

Faculty, staff strike at B.C. Institute of Technology

CUPE LOCAL 39831 ON STRIKE AT GOOD SHEPHERD REFUGE TORONTO

Union Solidarity Needed

There will be an emergency solidarity picket today (Tuesday) at 2pm at the Good Shepherd Refuge, 412 Queen St east. Please come out if you can.

Workers at the Good Shepard, Toronto(CUPE local 39831) refuge have been working without a contract for two years.

Management's final offer included:

*a signing bonus to only half of the workforce

*No protection from contracting out

*the right to unilaterally change the number of hours in a shift

*the right to force the workers to see the doctor of management's choice!

The workforce has not had a wage increase since 1996!

CUPE members are fighting for basic issues of justice and a living wage. They will be going on strike as of 12:00 midnight October 31.

Comradely,

Jason Baines

(If you're not in Toronto you may send greetings of solidarity with CUPE 39831 to socialist@canada.com and we'll make sure the sisters and brothers in the local get them.)

OPSEU PREPARES TO STRIKE

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union held an "anti-Gala" at the Brantford Labour Centre Wednesday, to point out the importance of work done by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. About 200 OPSEU members have been on strike against the commission since Nov. 1 in search of a first contract. The strike is a significant factor in delaying the opening of the Brantford Charity Casino. The opening Gala, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until Nov. 19.

Workers at Community Living Oakville will be on strike – or locked out – at 12:00 noon Nov. 11 unless the employer returns to the bargaining table, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says. Talks broke off last night despite major moves by the union bargaining team to reach a settlement, said Stacy Mitro, chair of the bargaining team for 125 members of OPSEU Local 249.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario prepare for Oct. 31 strike deadline

AGCO strike would threaten casinos

A potential strike by staff of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario could hamstring Ontario’s casinos and charity gaming as soon as Monday. The union representing the AGCO’s 200 employees rejected a contract offer Wednesday and is preparing for a strike deadline of midnight Sunday, November 1

About 200 staff who work for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario walked off the job Nov. 1 in support of first contract demands. Members of Local 565, they enforce Ontario’s laws on gambling and licenced premises. They want enforceable wage rates in their contract, and they want their benefits spelled out in the contract. Members of Local 641, on strike against the Intergarin Communtaire Cochrane Community Living in Cochrane since Sept.27 are still on the picket lines.

Art Gallery of Ontario strike possible

Staff at the Art Gallery of Ontario have voted by a margin of more than 95 per cent to strike if they cannot reach a fair contract settlement. The 370 employees, represented by Local 535 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, include artists, assistant curators, designers, preparators, maintenance and technical staff, visitor services, educators, instructors, gift shop and restaurant staff.

Community Living Oakville could face strike

Staff at Community Living Oakville have given their bargaining team an 84 per cent strike mandate to support contract demands. A strike could begin as soon as Nov. 11.

OPSEU: 36 strikers in Timmins need financial support

Members of Local 641 Intergarin Communtaire Cochrane Community Living have been on strike since Sept. 27. These 36 members are asking for respect from their employer. Their 100 per cent strike vote is a mark of their determination and their confidence in their leadership. "The members have won all 55 of the grievances they have filed which obviously demonstrates the type of employer they have to deal with," said developmental services sector chair Bev Toivonen. She urged members and locals to support the striking members of Local 641. You can send messages of support and financial contributions to the local: Attention: Lindsay Law c/o OPSEU Regional Office Unit 11 – 425 Algonquin Blvd. E. Timmins, ONTARIO P4N 1B5 Please make your cheques payable to Local 641 Cochrane Community Living.

INTERFOR STRIKE

STRIKEBREAKERS KEEP STRIKE GOING Workers Taking Story to Queen’s Park

Workers from a veneer mill north of Kitchener are taking their anger and demands to the Ontario Legislature tomorrow. They want to end their three-month strike and go back to work, but can’t because strikebreakers voted their contract settlement down. “It is not in the interest of strikebreakers to end strikes. For them, strikebreaking is job security,” says OFL president Wayne Samuelson, who will speak at a rally by the workers in front of the Main Legislative Building at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 28. The situation for the 350 unionized workers manifests everything that’s wrong with and nasty about the Ontario government’s law that allows strikebreakers, says the head of the 650,000-member OFL. The employer is Interforest Ltd., from Durham, north of Kitchener.

CAW STARBUCKS 'UN-STRIKE' CAMPAIGN

QUEBEC PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS CALL OFF PLAN FOR GENERAL STRIKE

POLICE ON ROTATING STRIKES

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STRIKES SETTLED

Click Here For Stories Unless Otherwise Indicated

VANCOUVER DOCKWORKERS SETTLE MONDAY NOV. 15/99

Maritime employers have agreed to end a lockout at Vancouver's ports. The workers' union leaders and employers have accepted a settlement recommended by a federal mediator.

ILWU CANADA

VANCOUVER PORT AUTHORITY LABOUR DISPUTE UPDATES

Businesses across Western Canada are anxiously waiting to see if B.C. ports reopen Monday following weekend progress towards a settlement to the dispute over union jurisdiction. Faced with Ottawa's threat to introduce back-to-work legislation Monday, longshoremen and management reached a tentative settlement through mediated talks.

The federal government gave an ultimatum Saturday to both sides of a six-day long labor dispute that has halted most cargo shipping through West Coast ports: settle by noon Pacific Time Sunday or be ordered back to work.

Canada's forest industry called Thursday for the federal government to intervene in a labor dispute that has blocked most cargo shipments through the country's West Coast ports.

Government steers clear of port dispute

No talks planned in port lockout

Shoppers may pay price for B.C. port shutdowns, retailers say Lockout of longshoremen could cause shortages

Ottawa To Stay Out Of Vancouver Port Lock-Out

Unionized workers at Canada's busiest port Friday called on the maritime employers to drop a threat to impose a lock-out Sunday, and said it has no plans to call a strike.

Shippers seeking alternatives to Vancouver Lockout looms

Longshoremen to be locked out Sunday

Shippers implore Ottawa to keep port open Vancouver port shutdown would cost $90M a day

Alberta Government urging for quick settlement in port lockout

The Alberta Government is hoping that the British Columbia Maritime Employers' Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) can resume negotiations and avert a planned lockout at the Port of Vancouver that would cost Alberta companies millions of dollars a day.

Railways, others begin diverting shipping traffic from Port of Vancouver

NEWFOUNDLAND PRISON GUARDS STRIKE DEFY BACK T0 WORK ORDER FOR FOUR DAYS---NOW BACK TO WORK

Nfld. prison guards locked out

Newfoundland prison guards have ended their illegal strike. But the guards haven't been able to get back to work because the province has locked them out. The Justice Department wants assurances the guards won't stage any more walkouts before it allows them back in.

Nfld. Prison guards resume wildcat strike

Newfoundland correctional officers walked away from the negotiating table and off the job yesterday morning, a day after saying they would abandon their wildcat strike. Paul Dicks, the Justice Minister, expressed disbelief at the union's actions and refused to negotiate as long as the strike continues.

Concern grows over Newfoundland jail strike

Striking Newfoundland prison guards scuffle with police
More than 100 officers from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary were called in to remove striking prison guards in St. John's Tuesday night. The guards refused to move quietly. Police were forced to physically remove the picketers, and the confrontation made for some tense moments. There were no arrests. The guards vow to return every day and night to block the prison's entrance until they get a meeting with government officials.

Prison workers off job Management guarding inmates

Newfoundland prison workers off job

Prison Strike

NOVA SCOTIA PARAMEDICS ORDERED BACK TO WORK AFTER 24 HOUR WALK OUT

CAW & BIG THREE AUTO BARGAINING

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INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN AGAINST CANADIAN MINING CO. PLACER DOME

Unions target Placer Dome worldwide Rally in South Africa

ICEM: Placer Dome Jobs Rally Draws World Union Support

Maitland also told the rally that messages of support are coming in from ICEM-affiliated unions worldwide. These include a solidarity message from Placer Dome workers in Canada, the company's home country. "It is unconscionable that in this day of ever increasing profits by global corporations, workers face redundancy of such a magnitude as that faced by our brothers and sisters in South Africa," wrote Lawrence McBrearty, Canadian National Director of the ICEM-affiliated United Steelworkers of America (USWA). "We have a responsibility as a labour movement to support you in rectifying this injustice and rest assured that the 180,000 steelworkers in Canada and 500,000-plus members in the United States will do everything we can."

Canada's Placer Dome Slammed For S.Africa Mine Job Cuts

World union leaders kicked off a global campaign against Canada's Placer Dome Sunday to fight more than 2,500 job cuts at one of South Africa's biggest gold mines. ``The suffering imposed by Placer Dome on its retrenched workers is intolerable,'' said Hans Berger, president of the 20-million-member labor federation ICEM.

SA Union to picket Placer Dome The NUM is also pushing for sector meetings decided on at the jobs summit

Placer Dome posts improved financial results

International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions
ICEM SECOND WORLD CONGRESS Durban, South Africa, 3 - 5 November 1999

QUEBECERS PROTEST CLOSING OF ABITIBI MILL

Quebec town protests Abitibi's planned mill closure

CEP fights for survival Chandler Abitibi mill

``The decision to permanently close the Abitibi-Consolidated plant in Chandler is unspeakably low,'' said Clément L'Heureux, CEP-Québec Executive Vice-president, and Elmo Whittom, Atlantic Region CEP Vice-president, when the announcement was made yesterday afternoon. The announcement came as a shock to officers of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP). ``For several weeks, we have been negotiating - getting the train back on track, so-to-speak. Today, Abitibi-Consolidated decided to sabotage all the efforts made for the recovery of the plant'', adds L'Heureux.

Bouchard wants mill to stay open
Abitibi-Consolidated should find an alternative to closing down a paper plant in the Gaspe region of Quebec, Premier Lucien Bouchard said Monday. The premier said Quebec considers it has a contract with the company, which can't unilaterally be rescinded. The company announced last month that it is closing its Gaspesia plant in Chandler, which will throw over 400 people out of work.
CHANDLER: GASPESIA MILL TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. announced today that, as a result of an in-depth re-examination of the long term newsprint market, it must permanently close its Gaspesia paper mill at Chandler. The Company has concluded that excess production capacity, both in its own network and in the entire industry, requires urgent measures to re-establish a balance between supply and demand. ``It is essential to permanently shut down production capacity, and the Chandler mill, which has been idled since June 20,1999 has among the highest production costs in North America,'' said Mr. Claude Janelle, Executive Vice-President, Operations - North America. The announcement was made this afternoon to the executives of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP)and to employees.

PAY EQUITY & EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

AIRLINE MERGER GETS SUPPORT FROM CAW

Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove was called a traitor Thursday as he faced an angry storm of protest from his Air Canada members for signing an agreement with Onex Corp. CEO Gerry Schwartz. Hargrove could barely get a word in as more than 100 Air Canada CAW members jeered, hurled insults and threatened labour strife if the $2.1-billion bid by Onex to merge Air Canada and Canadian Airlines goes aheAir Canada's CAW union isn't the only one against the Onex plan. Three other major unions at the airline jointly announced Thursday their disapproval of the proposed merger. Representatives from Air Canada's pilot association, dispatcher's union and the Canadian Union of Public Employees gathered together to say the Onex plan is too risky and would mean eventual job losses. Hargrove says unlike the rival Air Canada bid, which proposes to buy Canadian Airlines and run it as a separate company, the Onex proposal supports the rights of workers.

Airline workers angry at Buzz for backing Onex offer

Rebellious workers tell Buzz to buzz off Support for Onex sparks union strife, personal questions

Air Canada workers say union selling them out 'Buzz off, no Onex': Staff upset Hargrove supports Onex's merger plan

Onex, CAW reach deal on labour issues in Air Canada bid

CAW local backs off Onex deal

Onex gets airline union on side Hargrove backs merger bid in major setback for Air Canada

Air Canada Local union of CAW does not support Onex proposal
Although CAW National President, Buzz Hargrove has come out today in support of the Onex deal, Local 2213 is not supporting either bid at this time. ``We are still looking for the best deal for our members. Mr. Hargrove's announcement today is totally premature and not supported by Air Canada union officers or members,'' stated Tom Freeman, President of CAW Local 2213. ``We're going to wait and see what the new Air Canada deal looks like before making any public statements of support.''
Air Canada workers bitter as Buzz backs Onex
Canadian Auto Workers union reaches agreement with Onex Corp. on airline worker rights
Canadian Auto Workers President Endorses Onex Plan
Onex hostile takeover bid wins CAW backing Union president says proposal offers best deal for workers
Onex, CAW reach deal on labour issues in Air Canada bid

UNION NEWS

BARGAINING NEWS

CUPE: Conciliation Talks Last Chance To Avoid Strike At Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board

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OTHER UNION NEWS

Unions are needed: Now, More Than Ever

Canadian Union of Public Employees: Harris sees the error of his ways - scraps silly demerit point idea that has cost several paramedics their jobs

Toronto Outside Workers' Union Releases Solid Waste Plan

Buzz Hargrove to Discuss CAW Bargaining Strategy at AUPE Convention

Staff at Wedman Village Homes Join AUPE

Extendicare Mayerthorpe Staff Joins AUPE

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URGENT ACTION NEEDED

STOP THE DEPORTATION OF EDMONTON NANNY LETICIA CABLES

Immigration won't deport nanny, for now Philippine woman in Edmonton can stay until courts decide on review: Caplan

Deportation cloud looms over nanny Stay means 'I can go outside, but I'm not able to work'

Filipina nanny Leticia Cables says a chance to breathe fresh air without the fear of deportation isn't freedom at all. On Thursday, Cables learned that Elinor Caplan stayed an order to deport her while the Federal Court decides whether to review a decision to send her back to the Philippines for violating a work visa. That means she's free to leave her church sanctuary, where she has lived for more than three months, without fear of reprisal. n a court affidavit, Cables claims her primary employer encouraged her to work for more than one employer at a time -- a violation of her work visa. Cables also claims her employer and his wife paid her as little as $240 per month, even though they reported her earnings as more than $1,000 per month to Revenue Canada. Seifner, who is representing Cables free of charge, has also launched formal complaints with the employment standards branch and the Law Society of Alberta.

October 30, 1999

TO FRIENDS OF LETICIA CABLES

Today the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Minister Elinor Caplan, issued instructions to stay the deportation of Ms. Cables pending the outcome of her application to the Federal Court of Canada for leave and judicial review.

While this is a step forward in that Leticia need no longer hide in a church, and can at least breathe fresh air and walk in the sun, regrettably, this development does not permit Leticia to resume working. Her inability to work has caused great hardship for her and her dependent family in the Philippines. While her support community and friends have unselfishly provided for her daily subsistence, the situation has not enhanced Leticia's dignity and self-esteem. Everytime she receives a visitor, she always apologizes for "being a burden," and would just burst into tears.

In 1997 and 1998, some 4000 and 2600 Minister's permits have been issued by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to individuals allowing them to enter or stay in Canada due to some special circumstance. Given the mitigating circumstances which have led to the issuance of a deportation order to Leticia, we strongly believe that she truly deserves to be given a Minister's permit so that she can resume a normal dignified life of gainful and responsible employment.

We are therefore coming to you again, as individuals/associations working for human rights and justice, to appeal to Minister Caplan to issue Leticia a Minister's permit so she can work and apply for immigrant status in Canada. You can call, fax, or email the Minister through the following numbers/address:

Phone: (613) 992-0253

Fax: (613) 992-0887

Email: Caplan.E@parl.gc.ca

We are most grateful for your support.

Virginia Cawagas, President, LINGAP Institute Toh Swee-Hin, Professor, University of Alberta

Josephine Pallard, President, Changing Together

Susan Brigham, President, LINGAP Students Association

Noreen Berkes, President, VISMIN Association

Zoltan Berkes, Professor, Concordia University Alberta College

Dr. Virginia F. Cawagas

Educational Policy Studies

7-104 Education North

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G2G5

Canada

Ph: +1-780=492-4916

fax: +1-780-492-0762

e-mail: vcawagas@ualberta.ca

FAX Your MP--FREE LEONARD PELTIER

AN URGENT APPEAL TO END THE TORTURE OF LEONARD PELTIER

Former MP defends jailed activist
Former Liberal MP Warren Allmand has accused the federal government of covering up the facts in the case of jailed native activist Leonard Peltier.
Native activist legally extradited, justice minister says
Leonard peltier case: Supporters furious with findings of five-year federal review

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEK The 1999 Canada Career Week October 31-November 6

Across Canada, it's kids day at work

Ontario Environment and Education Ministers kick off Waste Reduction Week
Ontario Science Centre - Ontario Environment Minister Tony Clement and Education Minister Janet Ecker joined forces at the Ontario Science Centre today (November 1) to declare November 1 - 7, 1999 Waste Reduction Week in the province and to introduce a new school program called the Ontario EcoSchools Waste Reduction Recognition Program.

Invitation to a Public Lecture by Amory Lovins: Natural Capitalism and the Canadian Economy
OTTAWA, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - What: The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is hosting a public lecture on the environment, economy and jobs entitled Natural Capitalism and the Canadian Economy by Amory Lovins. When: Wednesday, November 3, 1999-10-28 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Where: Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre, Salon C & D 525 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario Who: Amory Lovins, Co-founder & Co-CEO, Rocky Mountain Institute Mr. Lovins is the co-founder and Co-CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute an independent, market-oriented, nonprofit resource policy centre located in Old Snowmass, Colorado, USA. He is a leading thinker and internationally renowned economist. The Wall Street Journal named him among 28 people in the world most likely to change the course of business in the 1990s, and Car magazine, the 22nd most powerful person in the global automotive industry. Mr. Lovins is the co-author of Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution and Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of Making Electrical Resources the Right Size. Stuart Smith, Chair of the NRTEE will moderate the evening and will lead the question and answer period following the lecture. The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy is an independent agency of the federal government. Its main goal is to provide objective views and information regarding the nature and scope of the national debate on issues that focus on the environment and the economy. The NRTEE is composed of a Chair and up to 24 members who are appointed by the Prime Minister from a variety of organizations and First Nations. Media Kits will be available.

AUPE's 23rd Annual Convention, November 4 - 7, 1999,

The 35th World Skills Competition
From November 11 to 14, the 35th World Skills Competition will take over the entire Olympic Stadium in Montreal, a first since the 1976 Olympics. This competition, which will feature 36 trades and technologies, will give 612 young competitors (aged 22 and under) from 34 countries a chance to test their skills against the best in their field. Some 1,600 people-official and technical delegates, experts, judges, supporters and journalists-will be accompanying them. The event is expected to attract at least 30,000 students as well as 70,000 visitors from the general public.

CHILD LABOUR EXHIBIT

The Ontario Workers Arts and Heritage Centre will present "Stolen Dreams: portraits of the world's working children", November 7 to April 16 at the Centre, 51 Stuart Street, Hamilton, Ontario. The exhibition includes contemporary photographs by Dr. David L Parker and Canadian historical images of child labor. A reception and preview will be held November 6 as part of the fourth annual Sam Lawrence Celebration. Phone 905-522-3003 for ticket information.

The Toronto CAJ chapter presents: Background reporting on people and companies: the paper trail and how to track it

The paper trail holds more clues than you ever imagined. The Toronto chapter of the Canadian Association of Journalists is hosting a workshop to help journalists find the jewels of information that are buried deep in the piles of publicly available documents.The event will be held at Metro Hall, room 308 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7.

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LABOUR CARTOON OF THE MONTH

©Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons

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