NEW WESTMINSTER & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 The regular monthly meeting of the New Westminster & District Labour Council was held at the Operating Engineers Hall, 4333 Ledger Ave, Burnaby, BC OPENING The Regular Meeting was called to order by Sister Lori Mayhew at 7:03 p.m. She referred the Delegates to the circulated agenda and highlighted the extraordinary items. MSC to amend the Agenda moving the Executive Board Recommendations to follow the Guest Speaker. MSC to adopt the agenda as amended. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS Sister Lori Mayhew, President MoveUP Sister Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer IAMAW Brother Darrell Causey, Member-at-Large UFCW Brother Toby Daniel, Member-at-Large CUPE Excused Brother Pat Dyer, Member-at-Large BCTF Brother Stephen Gale, Member-at-Large CUPW Sister Yudon Garie, Member-at-Large USW Excused Brother Bryan Finstad, Member-at-Large MoveUP Brother Hermen Kailley, Member-at-Large ILWU Sister Amber Keane, Member-at-Large BCGEU Excused Brother Paul Pelletreau Member-at-Large IAMAW Unifor Position Vacant Federation of Post-Secondary Educators Position Vacant Hospital Employees Union Position Vacant Small Union Caucus Representative Position Vacant Brother Ron Stipp, CLC Representative CLC CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE REPORT Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Brother Stephen Gale reported that a quorum was present. MSC to receive the report. GUEST SPEAKER Amber Hockin – BCNDP – reported on the upcoming May 9th election Executive Board Recommendations MSC the New Westminster & District Labour Council donate $5000.00 to the BCNDP Central Campaign for the 2017 Provincial Election. MSC the New Westminster & District Labour Council concur with the purchase of tickets to the following events:
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Two (2) tickets for a total of $160 for BCNDP Coquitlam-Maillardville ‘Sip n Savor with Selina’ on Thursday, March 30th, 2017; Two (2) tickets for $130 for BCNDP Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge candidate Lisa Beare fundraiser on Wednesday, April 12th, 2017; Two tickets for $120 for BCNDP Maple Ridge-Mission candidate Bob D’Eith fundraiser on Tuesday April 4th, 2017; One (1) ticket for $200 for BCNDP Surrey-Whalley candidate Bruce Ralston “Breakfast with Bruce” fundraiser on Wednesday, April 12th, 2017; One (1) ticket in the amount of $200 for BCNDP Port Moody-Coquitlam candidate Rick Glumac fundraiser on Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 One (1) ticket in the amount of $200 for BCNDP Surrey-Guildford candidate Gary Begg “A Better BC, Spring Soiree” fundraiser with Carole James on Tuesday, May 2 @ 7 pm at Bozzini’s Restaurant, 13655 104th Avenue in Surrey
Regular Order of Business resumed. APPLICATIONS FOR AFFILIATION CUPE Local 454– Delta (986 members) MSC to accept the application for affiliation and advise the Local accordingly. -new delegate *re-credentialed A= Alternate
DELEGATE CREDENTIALS Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 409 -Lynn Turcotte -Lisa Woo -Tom Mckean (A) Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 454 -John Gibson -Nick Angrignon -Craig Phillips
*David Bollen (A)
-Nicole Dodd
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1760 -Rayma Hosak HEU, Royal Columbian Hospital (addition only) -Frances Roche -Deanna Smith ILWU, Local 502 (addition only) -Cam Sture MSC to accept the delegate credentials and the delegates be obligated and seated. FINANCIAL STATEMENT MSC to adopt the financial statement for the period ending March 31, 2017, subject to audit.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING MSC to adopt the March 22, 2017 Regular Meeting minutes as circulated. Executive Board Recommendation
CORRESPONDENCE AFFILIATED UNIONS BC Government & Service Employees Union NUPGE announces the candidacy of Sussanne Skidmore for the position of Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. We believe that Sussanne will be an exceptional VP. She has demonstrated strong leadership skills here in BC and as NUPGE’s representative on both the CLC Human Rights Committee and Solidarity & Pride Working Group. Her labour council involvement spans over a decade, including three terms as vice president. For more information follow Sussanne on Twitter @sussanneS or Facebook sussanne.skidmore or contact the NUPGE office at (613) 228-9800 or
[email protected] United Steelworkers Marking the 4th Anniversary of the 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy. No More Operating in the Dark – Hold Canadian brands accountable campaign Tell Mark’s, Sport Chek and their parent company Canadian Tire, that operating in the dark and keeping factories hidden from public scrutiny is unacceptable. Canadian retailers can prevent another disaster by making their factories safe and respecting workers’ rights. http://www.usw.ca/act/campaigns/april24-email BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR Current disputes: Go to http://www.bcfed.ca/disputes/ Press Release: Statement by Irene Lanzinger on the March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination http://bcfed.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/133015rep%20KC%20March%2021%20Int%20Day%20to%20Eliminate%20Racial%20Discr.pdf March 25th Stroller Brigade in support of $10adayPlan, organized by parents involved with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC. https://www.facebook.com/events/595179587352177/ March 29th: Clark Liberals siphoning millions of dollars in WCB funds that should go to injured workers and improved workplace safety measures. March 31st: Another workers’ death – New Westminster restaurant March 31st: BCTGM 468 vs. Canada Bread – As of midnight tonight, Canada Bread will be in a position to lock out 160 BCTGM 468 members working at its Langley facility. Picketing location will be at 20410 Langley Bypass only. No help is needed on the picket line at this time and no rallies have been scheduled. Updates on this dispute will be sent out as they become available. April 4th re: BCFED demands answers from Clark government over small fine for safety violations that caused worker’s death April 7th re: Unemployment in BC rises, province leads country in precarious part-time work – March job stats Events: Labour canvas – organized by the BCFED Women’s Rights Standing Committee to support women running for the BC NDP in various ridings in the upcoming provincial election. The canvass night is Wednesday, April 19, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in various ridings. Please share this with your unions’ women’s committees, women on your executives, and women members, as our goal is 150 participants. To participate in the
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canvass, please RSVP to Kate McGrath at
[email protected] with name, phone number, e-mail, and the city you/your members live in. Please reply April 3 at 4:30 pm. Notifications of labour leader canvasses and rallies in various ridings for duration of campaign. http://bcfed.ca/events On Tuesday, April 4th 2017, the Status of Women committee will start a debate on Bill C-337, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault). We are calling for a systematic review of the judicial system when it comes to sexual assault to stop women from being victimized, victim blamed, not informed, or badly supported by our policing and justice systems. Access to comprehensive support must be a right for survivors of sexual assault. For more information please go to: http://sheilamalcolmson.ndp.ca Grant’s Law Sit-In – April 8, 8:00 pm, Mac’s 2601 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. In April 2012, facing lobbying pressure from “big money” companies, the BC Liberals government weakened the legislation and reversed worker protections. Each year we return to a Mac’s location to fight to return these protections. The Real Estate Crisis in Vancouver - April 11, 6:30 pm, Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver - Michael Hudson will discuss the foundations of the real estate crisis in Vancouver and what we can do about it, followed by a moderated dialogue. For more information and to purchase tickets: The Real Estate Crisis in Vancouver National Day of Mourning – April 28, 10:30 am, Victoria Conference Centre, BC Legislature, Victoria Mourn for the dead. Fight for the living. Link to 2017 Day of Mourning events – BC wide http://bcfed.ca/events Pacific Northwest Labour History Association, 2017 Annual Conference, May 26 – 28 Echoes of the 1917 Russian Revolution; Decades of Radicalism and Red Scares in the Labour Movements of the Pacific Northwest. 36th Annual Summer Institute for Union Women: Honolulu, Hawaii - Registration is open - The Hawaii local planning committee will welcome our union sisters from the Western United States and Canada for the 36th Annual Summer Institute for Union Women in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 28 - July 1. This informational website including registration information is here: SIUW 2017. Please note: registration will close on May 22, 2017.
BCFL OH&S Centre – - BCFED Health & Safety Centre - to register for new courses go to: https://www.healthandsafetybc.ca
This June, the BCFED Health & Safety Centre is offering a week-long certificate program combining several of our most popular courses at our OHS Summer School in Whistler, BC. Click here for the link: Advanced OHS Skills Development Summer School 2017
We pause every April 28th to remember workers killed and those who still suffer from a work-related injury or illness, their lives and livelihoods forever compromised. But we can never pause our prevention efforts. For more information: http://bcfedhealthsafetycentre.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/B25770342F9E8C1E2540EF23F30FEDED/2 4AB5B543F89BAA2A0F01D70678E0DEE
BC FORUM – Advocate Spring 2017 – official news magazine of the BC Federation of Labour Retired Union Members (BC FORUM). Download your copy here: http://www.bcforum.ca/Resources/Advocate2017_Vol20No1_Spring2017.pdf
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CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS Reminder: CLC United/Way Labour Community Advocacy Program session is scheduled for June 17, 2017. Registration link http://www.uwlm.ca/events/labour-campaign-advocate-training/ Please circulate widely to your executives, delegates and activists. Federal Budget 2017: News Release and Rapid Response Federal Budget talking points re: Skills Training, Infrastructure and Childcare, however the CLC is also disappointed on the lack of action re: EI and healthcare. To read more: http://canadianlabour.ca/news/news-archive/clc-releases-detailed-analysis-budget-2017-0 Federal Budget analysis – copies are available on the information table. TAKING CLIMATE ACTION IN CITIES AND REGIONS – Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing humanity in the 21st century. The CLC Convention in May this year will feature the struggle for climate action and just transition. The Congress is a partner in the Green Economy Network that will be presenting a workshop on Thursday afternoon in the Convention Centre. More than 3,000 union activists from across Canada will gather in Toronto from May 8 to 12 for the CLC’s 28th Constitutional Convention. This year’s convention theme is “Together for a Fair Future” and will focus on four key pillars: fairness, equity, green jobs, and organizing to strengthen Canada’s unions. The convention agenda will be available on the website by April 14th. The CLC is very excited to announce Candy Palmater as a speaker at this year’s convention. Candy is a feminist comic, actor, writer, international speaker, activist and award-winning TV and radio personality, to name just a few of her many accomplishments. We are thrilled that Candy will be joining us in Toronto in May. Dr. Cindy Blackstock is to receive Human Rights award at CLC Convention for her outstanding contributions to advancing human rights in Canada. A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Dr. Blackstock has 25 years of social work experience in child protection and indigenous childrens’ right. She will be a guest speaker on the convention stage on Tuesday, May 9th. Request for support from Donald Lafleur, Candidate for CLC Executive Vice-President - I am re-offering my candidacy for Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. I was glad we had the chance to work together since 2014. Labour must exercise its fundamental right to be at the table with ALL governments, but at election time we must remember who our true allies are - the NDP. As I emphasized in my 2014 campaign, we must continue to organize the unorganized. I will work hard with all of you to ensure that our energy is directed at achieving union representation and power for the 70% of workers not presently unionized, rather than going after the 30% who are already union members. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to your caucus during the convention. Please contact me so that we can make arrangements. UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER MAINLAND 13th Annual Labour Partnership Agency Tour - Join us for our popular Annual Labour Partnership Agency Tour and learn more about the impact you are helping us make in the community. This year we will be visiting three agencies in Burnaby. These tours also allow us to introduce the Labour Community Advocate Program and the Labour Partnership to the agencies. Date: Friday, June 9, 2017 Time: 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m.
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Meet at 8:30 a.m. at United Way of the Lower Mainland, 4543 Canada Way, Burnaby – free parking in the lot Cost: $50 includes transportation and lunch Bullying, work/life balance, activism. Learn more June 17 Building a better workplace and a stronger community go hand in hand. Join your fellow Labour Community Advocates (formerly known as Union Counsellors), United Way and Canadian Labour Congress Pacific Region for an informative day of education and training June 17 at United Way of the Lower Mainland. These Level 2 sessions focus on harassment and bullying and work/life balance for activists. Register today. Lunch is included. Participants must have completed Labour Community Advocate (or Union Counsellor) training at the CLC Pacific Region Winter School. Help is just a click away for BC union members April 26, British Columbians across the province will have access to the vital help they need thanks to United Way and bc211. Community, social, non-clinical health and government services will be just a click away through bc211.ca. This online information service offers 10,000 up-to-date entries of services and organizations available to help people when and where they need it. The website is optimized for mobile devices and online chat is available seven days a week from 8 AM – 11 PM. bc211 is an essential resource for Labour Community Advocates when assisting other members with referrals and accessing services quickly. United Way of the Lower Mainland was integral to launching bc211 in 2010 and remains its primary funder. The 4th Annual UPS Plane Pull for United Way is back and it’s bigger than ever. Join us June 25 and make the impossible, possible. Pulling together, we can help vulnerable kids, families and seniors across our community. Gather your fellow union members and test your strength by pulling a Boeing 757 jet across the tarmac at UPS headquarters. Register your team today for this fun family-friendly event at YVR. LABOUR COUNCILS Campbell River, Courtenay & District Labour Council and the Cumberland Museum & Archives wish to invite you to Miners’ Memorial Weekend, June 22-24, 2017 in the Village of Cumberland. This is an annual celebration of workers and their families. We commemorate and pay tribute to those injured and killed at work, and to activists who have fought to improve the safety and quality of life of workers everywhere. This year, our Thursday evening event features comedian and political activist Charlie Demers. Friday evening is the Songs of Workers open stage. Saturday includes a pancake breakfast, a workshop on the history of the K’omoks and the graveside vigils. Saturday evening will see a community supper. We invite you to attend and lay a bouquet in the name of your organization or family at Ginger Goodwin’s grave and Miners’ Row. For further details please see: www.cumberlandmuseum.ca/events Vancouver & District Labour Council Regular Monthly Meeting minutes – Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Tuesday, March 21, 2017 The Vancouver & District Labour Council will be holding a May Day International Day of the Worker March and Rally on Monday, May 1st. Gather at Clark Park (Commercial Drive and 14th), march to Grandview Park and Rally. Bring your signs, flags and banners. For more information contact the VDLC at (604) 254-0703. PROVINCIAL NDP John Horgan, NDP leader Press release: March 28 - The election campaign approaches. I’ve already been out meeting as many people as I can, in communities across the province. Everywhere I go I hear the same message. Christy Clark doesn’t take care of the
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things that matter. Life is becoming less and less affordable. People are worried that their children will have life harder than they did. When I hear people talk about the problems that affect them and their families, I am filled with determination to win the next election and become your next premier. We don’t have to live in a province where nine out of ten seniors homes don’t meet minimum care standards. We don’t have to live in a province where people are struggling to make it paycheque to paycheque. We can build a better B.C., together. We can address the housing crisis with real action that helps people and families remain in their communities. We can create good paying, steady jobs in communities throughout this province, not just part time and low wage jobs in Vancouver, like Christy Clark has done. Together, we can ban big money from influencing our elections and our government. It won’t be easy, but with just a few weeks of hard work and full hearts, we can make a better B.C. a reality. Katrina Chen, NDP candidate for Burnaby Lougheed – Invitation to attend campaign office opening on Saturday, April 1st @ 2 pm. The address is 9855 Austin Avenue (inside Lougheed Mall) 2nd Floor, near the London Drugs. Janet Routledge, NDP candidate for Burnaby North - Request for financial support. Donations can be made by contacting the campaign team directly. Anita Zaenker and Lynn Bueckert are the Burnaby North NDP EPC Co-chairs and can be reached at
[email protected] or
[email protected] or by calling 604 430 1421. Selina Robinson, MLA Coquitlam-Maillardville NDP – Selina’s fundraising event before the May 9th provincial election with special guest John Horgan, Leader of the BC NDP. “Sip and Savour with Selina” Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 7-9 pm at the Vancouver Golf Club, 771 Austin Avenue, Coquitlam. Join Selina and John for a reception featuring appies, drinks, music and great conversation. Tickets $80 per person or $600 for a group of 10 can be purchased on-line though this link: https://secure.bcndp.org/event/567 Or cheques (made payable to "BC NDP") can be picked up. Please call 604-517-1703 to arrange this. Selina Robinson, MLA Coquitlam-Maillardville – March 2017 E-News http://us3.campaignarchive1.com/?u=9a3bf3b6a513c80c4b833d63c&id=478df3c4a1&e=6dacfa39fa Bob D’Eith, NDP candidate for Maple Ridge-Mission – request to purchase fundraising tickets to a dinner and dessert auction on April 4th at 6 pm @ the Big Smoke Alehouse in Maple Ridge. Lisa Beare, NDP candidate for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows – request to purchase fundraising tickets to a 3 course dinner and dessert auction on Wednesday, April 12 at 6 pm @ Paliotti’s Italian restaurant in Maple Ridge. Rick Glumac, NDP candidate for Port Moody-Coquitlam – request to purchase fundraising tickets to a four course meal on Tuesday, April 18th at 6 pm @ 5 Eagle Drive. Garry Begg, NDP candidate for Surrey-Guildford - Request for financial support. Donations can be made online at http://garrybegg.bcndp.ca or cheques payable to the “BC NDP” can be mailed to: Surrey-Guildford BC NDP c/o Haruko Williams, Financial Agent, 15018 86 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3S 2P7. Alternatively, donations can be dropped off at his campaign office located at 14823 108th Ave in Surrey. Request to purchase tickets to “A Better BC Spring Soiree” with Carole James on Tuesday, May 2nd from 7-9 pm at Bozzini’s Restaurant at 13655 104th Avenue in Surrey. Tickets: $250 (Early Bird - $200), Friends of Garry $500 or Better BC Sponsor package $1000. Please contact Brett Barden at 604-839-1506 or email
[email protected] to reserve your ticket today.
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Bruce Ralston, NDP candidate for Surrey-Whalley – request to purchase fundraising ticket for “Breakfast with Bruce” on Wednesday, April 12th at 7 am @ Ricky’s All Day Grill at Central City Mall. Niovi Patsicalis, NDP candidate for Surrey-White Rock- Request for assistance. Asking for volunteers and donations. If you can help, please contact them at (604) 385-4492 or email
[email protected] FEDERAL NDP Niki Ashton, MP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski and Canada NDP leadership candidate request for support. Her vision includes addressing the economic and social inequality that has widened under consecutive Liberal and Conservative governments. This means investing in our social safety net. It means better funding for infrastructure, green jobs, education, and housing. It means building a truly universal healthcare system, one that includes pharmacare, dental care, and access to mental health services for all Canadians. She is committed to tackling inequality, creating a jobs strategy that benefits working people, setting ambitious goals to tackle climate change in a real way with real action, and championing electoral reform so that our government better reflects the needs of Canadians. For more information go to: http://www.nikiashton2017.ca/ Kennedy Stewart, MP Burnaby South Kinder Morgan has filed its final plans for the Trans Mountain pipeline with the National Energy Board, and concerned citizens like you have one last chance to officially voice opposition to the pipeline route. That’s why today I’m launching a new online tool at www.kennedystewart.ca that helps residents understand how they would be impacted by the pipeline. By simply entering your postal code, the website will show whether you are on the pipeline route, in a land spill zone, in a marine spill zone, or in a coastal area close to an oil tanker shipping route and tell you about the specific risks placed on your community. This fight is not over — together we can still stop Kinder Morgan. Please visit www.kennedystewart.ca to learn more and take action. By 2030, $1.7 billion in federal funding for social housing will have been lost. Over the past few years, the federal gov’t has cut several million dollars a year from social housing through the non-renewal of several long-term operating agreements established between social housing providers and the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation during the period from 1970 to 1994. The current Liberal gov’t refuses to renew its investments in social housing. For more information please go to my Facebook page Kennedy.Stewart Peter Julian, MP New Westminster – Burnaby Christy Clark has got to go. The federal NDP leadership race is heating up, but I’m looking forward to coming home to BC to help fight the BC Liberals’ Big Money Machine. I’m excited to help elect BC NDP candidates who believe in the same things I do: stopping Kinder Morgan and taking real action on climate change, acting now on the housing and homelessness crisis, investing in value-added manufacturing and building an economy that works for everyone – not just Christy Clark and Justin Trudeau’s big money donors. What are your priorities? What makes you hit the doors to build a better BC? A better Canada is possible, a better world is possible – a better BC is possible. Let’s build them together. MISCELLANEOUS Community Organizations $10aDay Child Care - The $10aDay campaign has built an incredible amount of momentum in the lead up to the upcoming BC election. Our numbers have grown by the thousands, and we're entering the election period with a big, broad base of support for the $10aDay Plan. With the election just around the corner, we need to keep up our momentum to make sure access to affordable, quality child care is a top election issue. That’s why today, we’re launching a new tool that you can use to email your local MLA candidates to ask them to commit to implementing the $10aDay Plan.
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Simply enter in your information and the tool will automatically target all MLA candidates in your local riding. You can send a pre-written letter we’ve drafted, or customize the letter to add your own voice. Thank you for your support. BC Employment Standards Coalition - Link to David Fairey, Co-Chair’s March 24th opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun on the need to restore full employment standards rights to workers in the "high tech" industry. Thanks to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC communications department for their help in getting this piece published. http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion+time+give+high+tech+workers+back+equal+basic+rights/13184198/story. html Please circulate to your networks. As you know, BC is in the midst of an election campaign with election day set for May 9th. All three of the main political parties have now published their election platforms. The BC NDP is the only party that has included temporary foreign workers and the issue of TFW recruitment in their platform. Their platform states:
· ·
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program must ensure the interests of BC workers have priority, while considering the needs of employers facing legitimate worker shortages. For that to happen we need to know how many Temporary Foreign Workers are employed in the province and in what sectors they are working. We will bring in a Temporary Foreign Worker registry similar to Manitoba’s to give government the information it needs to protect workers. We will end the collection of illegal recruitment fees from Temporary Foreign Workers by requiring recruiters and employers to register to recruit Temporary Foreign Workers, using legislation similar to the Manitoba “Worker Recruitment and Protection Act” and the Saskatchewan “Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.” If you have time from now until May 9th, the BC NDP is in need of volunteers. If you are available/interested to volunteer, please contact your local BC NDP candidate’s campaign office, which you can find here: https://www.bcndp.ca/team. BC Health Coalition - March 23 request for assistance with a Globe and Mail investigative project on physician and private, for-profit clinic illegal billing. The G&M is looking to connect to patients who have paid out of their own pocket for necessary medical care or services – for themselves or their loved ones - in the last five years. Please contact Kathy Tomlinson, Investigative reporter, Globe and Mail directly at (604) 349-7904 or email
[email protected] March 29th update on the Cambie case – Halfway through (maybe). Summary of the case to date: March 17th marked Day 78 of the Cambie Corp vs B.C. Charter Challenge, which officially got underway in BC Supreme Court on September 6, 2016. The first two weeks of the trial were the Opening Statements – given by the plaintiffs, the defendants, the patient intervenors and the coalition intervenors (us). Canada and the anesthesiologists still haven’t given opening statements. The plaintiffs, Cambie Corp et al, are still calling witnesses to the stand. Each witness is cross-examined by one or more of the parties or intervenors. To date, there have been 42 witnesses on the stand. April 6th update on Seniors Access to Home and Community Services - Seniors have less access to home and community care services than they did 16 years ago. When seniors can’t get services like home support or residential care, they are left unsupported, family caregivers like Claudia are overburdened, and hospitals become overcrowded. That’s why I’m asking you to join me and thousands of others in pledging to vote for better care for seniors in the May 9th election. It's no surprise they're facing challenges: last week’s report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that access to residential care and assisted living spaces dropped by 20 per
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cent since 2001. In a “have” province like B.C., where the government just tabled a surplus budget, that is shameful. Please pledge to vote for better care: www.votepublichealthbc.ca On Thursday, April 20th, a Liberal candidate in Port Moody Coquitlam said she supported private health care for "those who are able to afford it." This sounds dangerously like opening the door to American style two-tiered care and comes just after Health Minister Terry Lake let it slip that his government is trying to change the rules to sanction a private hospital sector in B.C. We've seen what happens when private care is allowed in the door - in England it's eroded the National Health Service so that a few wealthy people get better care while everyone else has to make due in a starved public system. So many in B.C. are already struggling to make ends meet. The last thing we need is new sky high private health care fees. We need leaders who will stand up to people like Brian Day and defend the system regular people rely on. Show the parties that you want health care in B.C. to stay public and to get better for everyone by pledging to vote for public health care now. Next Friday, April 28th our friends from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) are hosting an event called LNG: Fracking Up Our Health. The event will feature an impressive panel of speakers from the north-east BC and the Yukon. The panel includes:
Judi Krzyzanowski, environmental scientist, who has studied health effects of living in proximity to oil and gas industries on people in north-east BC Caleb Behn, lawyer by training and Dene environmental activist, featured in the documentary film, “Fractured Land”, who will discuss how LNG effects people in the north Dr Courtney Howard, a Canadian emergency room physician and climate change leader from the Yukon who will give an overview of the latest research on health risks and LNG.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Warren Bell, founder of CAPE and long-time environmental activist. Jurisdictions around the world have banned or put a moratoriums on fracking for health reasons, and the health professionals in CAPE want to share evidence that pursing LNG risks major harm to human health. Please RSVP using the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lng-fracking-up-our-health-tickets-33237008788 BC Labour Heritage Centre - Remembering John Shields, Blair Rifle Range Unemployed Relief Camp, Health and Safety in Classrooms - http://us11.campaignarchive1.com/?u=b23ed6ed54b024abb4a310921&id=e5cf43a44f&e=aa2fc83ee1 2016 Annual Report – 2017 Board of Directors/Plaques around the Province/Oral histories of Labour pioneers/Chronicling the fight for safer workplaces/A new BC labour history book and a request to become a supporter. www.labourheritagecentre.ca BC Poverty Reduction Coalition - Next meeting Tuesday, May 23. Thank you for all the hard work done by co-chair, Paul Taylor, who is moving. We are now looking for another co-chair. If you are interested in learning more about the role, please let me know. After hearing a presentation from the Parents Advocacy Network, we are considering endorsing their declaration and accompanying letter to the provincial government. Other actions include: Joining the $10 a day child care at their stroller brigade on Saturday, March 25 and Raise the Rates at their Inequality Kills welfare action on March 31st, Get Out the Vote training, April 1: We’re working with Samara Canada to do
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GOTV. They’re offering more training on April 1st for their Vote PopUp toolkit, which includes a mock voting booth and ballot box. Save the date for our first annual fundraiser on May 31st in support of us, Metro Vancouver Alliance and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses. For more information go to http://bcpovertyreduction.ca/ April 1 is 10 years since welfare was last raised. We also found a StatsCan report that inequality kills 40,000 Canadians a year. (Report in the Star: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/11/23/income_inequality_is_killing_thousands_of_canadian s_every_year.html) On Friday, March 31, Raise the Rates is holding a funeral walk. We are gathering at Carnegie at 10 am on Friday March 31, set off about 10:15 to walk to the welfare office at Main & Powell. There we will have eulogies. Hope you can join us. See our new election website – Make Poverty Public - http://www.makepovertypublic.ca/ Part of our campaign this time is The Poor Vote – Get Out the Vote activities focused on encouraging low-income people to vote. We are partnering with Samara Canada and running their Vote PopUp activity wherever we can, starting with the food bank’s community food hubs. If you or others within your organization would like to get involved, please contact us at 604-877-4553. Please support launch of Sharing Our Realities: Life on Disability Assistance in BC – press conference and report release on Thursday, April 13th @ 10 am in the Prior Sutherland Room, BCTF Building 550 W 6th Ave #100, Vancouver. Speakers are Heather McCain (co-author and ED of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods), Omar Chu (co-author and with BC Poverty Reduction Coalition), Doug Kinna (Social Information & Health VP, BCG&EU), Sabrina Moreau (report participant on disability assistance) and Yasmine (report participant on disability assistance). You might also be interested in an upcoming event we’re having with Dan Meades from the Transition House Society in Newfoundland and Labrador who will be talking about the success of their poverty reduction strategy on April 25 in Vancouver and April 27 on a provincial webinar. Columbia Institute Thank you for your continued support as a member. We invite you to take a look at our annual report for 2016, which highlights our activities and achievements in four main areas of programming: civic governance, responsible investment, scholarship administration, and green economy. Please see: http://www.columbiainstitute.ca/ Gordon Neighbourhood House – E-Newsletter April 2017 http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=222887d93884fce5b278b58bf&id=79f005b2da&e=e7a12fa314 The Migrant Workers’ Dignity Association (MWDA) is a non-profit organization which has been on the front lines helping thousands of temporary foreign farm workers every year in BC. We provide free educational workshops on health, safety, and labour standards; a 24-hour phone line; assistance with benefit applications; social activities to break worker insolation; and reports on living and working conditions. Without regular funding, we have survived because of the work and support of people and organizations like you(rs). Our supporters understand that solidarity is an embodied action, which centres the needs of the most vulnerable populations whose voices are raised in the fight for rights and for dignity. There are many different ways that people can help, including by participating in our annual fundraising event, https://www.facebook.com/events/1943864582511619/ which is coming up on Saturday, April 29. The event takes place at the Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue, Vancouver) from 7pm to 1am (see poster). You can buy tickets online here: http://soundsforjustice.eventbrite.com/
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Maquila Solidarity Network - The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a labour and women's rights organization that supports the efforts of workers in global supply chains to win improved wages and working conditions. Please consider supporting MSN’s important work by making an online contribution. On this, the fourth anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy, our thoughts are with the families of the 1,138 workers who were killed and the more than 2,000 survivors who suffered serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of the building collapse. We are writing today to provide you with an update on our efforts to win safe working conditions and respect for workers’ rights in Bangladesh, including two new reports assessing what’s changed for Bangladesh workers since 2013. Click here. Transparency Pledge Last week – also timed to coincide with the Rana Plaza anniversary – MSN and other human and labour rights, corporate accountability, and global trade union organizations launched a public campaign calling on major apparel and footwear brands and retailers to publicly disclose information on their supplier factories around the world. On April 20, the coalition released a 40-page report detailing the responses of 72 companies, including four Canadian companies – Canadian Tire, Hudson’s Bay, Loblaw, and Mountain Equipment Co-op. To access the report and more information on the campaign click here. Mayor’s Council - Today, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation launched Cure Congestion, a public outreach campaign to raise awareness about the importance of continued investments in Metro Vancouver’s transportation system, and to make transportation a key issue in this B.C. election. In addition to educating voters about the 10-Year Vision for more transit services, better roads and active transportation infrastructure, we are calling on B.C.’s political parties to make clear commitments to work with the region to ensure the entire Vision is implemented. Details are contained in our 2017 B.C. Election Platform, available online here: http://www.curecongestion.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2017/04/Mayors%E2%80%99CouncilBCElectionPlatform-1.pdf. As transportation continues to be a big issue in this provincial election, Jonathan Cote, Mayor of New Westminster and Chair of the Mayors’ Council Funding Strategy Committee, has authored an op-ed outlining five principles that should guide decisions made by local and provincial governments on the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. http://vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/opinion-a-principled-approach-to-reducing-congestion New Westminster Pride 2017 – This year’s theme is “Together We Can”. They are looking to expand the festivities and would like to have 5 or 6 stages showcasing local talent this year, along with new organizations willing to sponsor them. For more information please contact Mike Tiney, Co-Chair, New West Pride at
[email protected] or go to www.newwestpride.ca SHARE – March E-newsletter – SHARE releases 2016 annual report/ SHARE clients plan renewed push on corporate gender inequality/ More than 200 participants attend SHARE BC Pension Forum, and more. For further information please go to: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f3af16dbd4ad167a5671ee135&id=269daaeab7&e=eb04e1e163 Thank you letter to Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer of the NWDLC for moderating the afternoon breakout session on “Infrastructure Investing”. According to attendees your session was the highest ranked breakout session of the day.
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SHARE – Proxy Advisory: Enbridge – Upcoming Proxy Vote, May 11, 2017 – Shareholder Proposal on environmental and Indigenous rights due diligence – Enbridge recently acquired 27.5 percent ownership of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) despite months of protest and regulatory delay as the Standing Rock Sioux, supported by Indigenous Peoples, investors and the public raised alarm about the destruction of sacred sites during pipeline construction and contamination of drinking water should the pipeline leak. The shareholder proposal seeks information about Enbridge’s due diligence process. For more information please contact:
[email protected] or call 416-6460515 or http://share.ca/documents/proxy_voting_reports/Proxy_Alerts/2017/Enbridge_EnvironmentalandIndigenousRights.pdf Tri-Cities Homelessness & Housing Task Group – Announcement: Douglas College is hosting a public seminar at Douglas’ New Westminster campus next week – Thursday, March 30, 6:30-8pm in room 2201 which will focus on fentanyl. It will feature panelists Chief Constable Dave Jones from the New Westminster Police Department and Dr. Julian Somers from the faculty of Health Sciences at SFU, and Dr. Regina Casey from Douglas College as moderator. http://www.douglascollege.ca/about-douglas/news-and-media/events/2017/March/fentanyl-forum The preliminary data report for the 2017 Metro Vancouver homeless count conducted on March 7/8 is now available. The total number of homeless people enumerated in the Tri-Cities was 117, up from 55 in the last count in 2014. This is not inconsistent with a trend of increasing homelessness in the Tri-Cities reported by Hope For Freedom outreach workers since 2013, and an increase of 30% or 828 persons region-wide since the 2014 count. Please contact
[email protected] with any questions, comments or concerns or if you would like a copy of the report. Vancity – Request for re-election support to the Vancity Board from Anita Braha, Theo Lamb and Lily Grewal. This year Vancity members can vote on line, by mail and in person (at select branches the week of April 4th). On line and voting by mail will occur from March 28th to April 21st. Political Organizations Broadbent Institute Analysis of Budget 2017 – Crumbs for Canadians http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/andrew_ajackson/2017_federal_budget_end_of_progress?utm_campaign=mar25_17ctg&utm_medium=email&utm_source=broadbent Buy your tickets now for the April 6th and 7th Progress Summit 2017 – Change the Game. http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/summit2017 Best of the Month – March 2017 - http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/?utm_campaign=mar30_17bom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=broadbent Highlights of Progress Summit 2017 - Read more Canadians oppose policies that would align Canada with those of Donald Trump (poll)/ Watch now The Great Trade Debate/ Watch Now Desmond Cole, Emilie Nicolas and Will Prosper on building real inclusion and justice Press Progress March 23, 2017 “Severely Normal?” – 6 severely abnormal things new Alberta PC leader Jason Kenney says he believes Here are 41 of the sketchiest things that happened during Christy Clark’s time as Premier of BC The Liberal budget will ready young Canadians for the insecure, low-paying “jobs of tomorrow” For more information please go to: pressprogress.ca
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Press Progress was in this year’s media lock-up for the 4th time and got an advance look at Budget 2017. Here are two stories we filed: Bill Morneau says he wants to create a "culture of lifelong learning and skills training," but he doesn't mention this is designed to prepare young Canadians for the temporary (and low-paying) "jobs of tomorrow." Morneau thinks this is inevitable and young Canadians just need to accept they will move from "job to job to job" in the future. PressProgress dug into the numbers and explained why Morneau is wrong. Justin Trudeau promised to show how every budget decision impacts women, but we took a closer look and found he did not achieve his own goal. The government claims they're unable do an "in-depth" gender-based analysis because they don't have enough "data." Fair enough, so what are they doing to collect more data? PressProgress asked if they're making any new investments to collect data on gender – Finance Canada officials told us "no." March 28, 2017 As part of this year's Progress Summit, we'll be hosting two in-depth conversations about the future of the progressive movement in Canada and abroad. These are big questions, so we wanted to give everyone a chance to chew over the issues. We're gathering questions in advance for these two sessions: REWRITING THE RULES: LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, Felicia Wong, CEO and President of the Roosevelt Institute, discusses the best way forward for American progressives in the age of Trump. TAX HAVENS AND THE POLITICS OF THE EXTREME CENTRE, author and philosopher Alain Deneault looks at the dangers of a politics of the extreme centre and how right-wing policies have undermined state capacities to build and support a fair society. What would you like to ask these speakers? What do you think are the essential issues to address on these topics? Please submit any questions through this form by MONDAY, April 3 at 5pm, so that we have time to compile them for the moderator. We'll be following up after the Summit with a report-back from the sessions. You can also follow along in real time at #prgrs17 on twitter. April 10, 2017 DOWN WITH THE ELITES! Meet the wealthy CEOs and billionaires bankrolling Kellie Leitch’s war against elites. Christy Clark’s BC Liberals received over $1.2 million from corporations outside BC since 2015. 24 connections linking Christy Clark’s BC Liberals to Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. April 14, 2017 Race to the Bottom – Conservative Leadership Race 2017. Fact Check: CBC News stops and explains to viewers that Christy Clark’s BC Liberals are actually Conservatives. Conservative leadership candidate: “cold weather” is a bigger problem for Muslims than “hate crimes”. BC Liberal candidate: guaranteeing homeless people have homes sounds like communism. April 21, 2017 SOS – Watch Christy Clark’s finance minister self-destruct during a press conference on live tv. Preston Manning's think tank celebrates Christy Clark: 'BC Liberals govern like Conservatives'. BC liberal candidate comes under fire for supporting privatized healthcare for the wealthy. Magazines, Publications, Newsletters American Income Life News from the CLC, Federations and National Unions – Ban Asbestos Now!/Labour Advisory Board/Conference Board of Canada and more. To see more go to www.ailife.com Labour Start Free jailed teacher trade union leaders in Djibouti - Omar Ali Ewado and Ahmed-Kadar Nour, leaders of the teachers' union in Djibouti were arrested on March 19th and 20th, 2017 by the country's Security Services. The authorities have not given any reasons for these arrests. These arrests are only the latest developments in the ongoing harassment and repression of teachers and trade unionists seeking to exercise their legitimate rights and
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freedoms in Djibouti. Please take a moment to tell the government of Djibouti to release our brothers Omar Ali Ewado and Ahmed-Kadar Nour, and stop the persecution and harassment of teacher unionists and human rights defenders in the country. http://www.labourstart.org/go/djibouti2017 Coca Cola: Time to Respect Workers’ Rights - Coca-Cola's bottler in Indonesia is systematically violating workers' rights in an effort to stamp out independent and democratic trade unions. The International Union of Foodworkers (IUF) has repeatedly called on management at all levels and the Coca-Cola Company in the USA to remedy the blatantly anti-union practices. This week, the IUF launched an online campaign to bring pressure to bear on the global giant. Send a strong message to Coca-Cola, tell them to reinstate the dismissed union leaders, to stop harassing and victimizing union leaders, and to enter into good faith collective bargaining negotiations. http://www.labourstart.org/go/amatil Rajendra Pevekar is a victim of the deadly global asbestos industry. His father worked in an asbestos company. As a result, both he and his mother now suffer from asbestos-related disease from secondary exposure. Rajendra will speak out on behalf of the 107,000 people who die annually from asbestos-related disease. Please take a moment to show that you stand in solidarity with Rajendra in calling for the ban: http://www.labourstart.org/go/rajendra Dock workers in Madagascar were sacked for joining their union to fight for an end to precarious work, low-pay and unsafe working conditions. In March, unions from around the world delivered letters to Madagascan consulates demanding justice for these workers and that they be allowed to return to work. On 3 April 2017, International Transport Workers Federation, the International Trade Union Confederation, and the workers' union SYGMMA filed a formal complaint with the International Labour Organisation on behalf of the 43 dock workers. Please take a moment to add your name to support those workers: http://www.labourstart.org/go/madagascar Threads of Life March 23 - Searching out the hidden hazards- It makes sense that physical hazards command the most attention in our workplaces - after all, they're the ones that can cause immediate, traumatic injuries. The hazards that affect health - biological, chemical and psychosocial hazards for example - are harder to see and easier to ignore. But for a family dealing with the consequences, a loved one's exposure to a health risk can be just as devastating as exposure to a safety hazard. For more information go to www.threadsoflife.ca
MSC to receive & file the correspondence. SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT DOM – Delegates made presentations to the following cities in our region: City of Burnaby, Bro Samuel Otim; City of New Westminster, Brother John Hooker; City of Surrey, Sister Jeanie Kilby; City of Port Coquitlam, Sister Nancy McCurrach; City of Coquitlam, Sister Candice Knoll; City of White Rock, Brother Stephen Crozier and to two School Boards, at Burnaby School Board, Sister Ingrid Ericson; Surrey School Board, Brother Randy Fennell. Thank you to everyone who represented the Labour Council Preparations are complete for our Day of Mourning event co-hosted by the City of New Westminster at Westminster Pier Park, April 28th at 11am. Acting Mayor Mary Trentadue and Councillor Chuck Puchmayr will speak on behalf of the City and Brother Owen Goodwin of the United Steelworkers and Sister Brenda Brown of the BC Government & Service Employees’ Union will also speak. Sister Lori Mayhew will serve as MC and speak on behalf of the Labour Council. ILWU members may also join us in their tugs on the river as they did last year. This year marks the 25 th anniversary of the Westray mine disaster that gave rise to the Westray Amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada. The event will last approximately one hour and everyone is welcome, please spread the word to your locals and members.
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We received proclamations from Cities of New Westminster, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam & Surrey, Burnaby School Board will reference Day of Mourning and observe one minute of silence at April 28th meeting. The Township of Langley does not make proclamations; but will observe one minute of silence. The Village of Belcarra passed the following motion: That Council declare April 28, 2017 as the official “Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job”. Come and Canvass with Janet for Rachna Singh and the BCNDP! The Labour Council is leading a canvass: Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017 Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Place: Surrey-Green Timbers NDP Campaign Office, 202-8381 128th Street Sign-up sheets are on the sign in table, invite your members, Executives, friends and neigbours to join us. Please RSVP to the Labour Council office so we can let the campaign know how many people to expect. Sister Nancy McCurrach and Brother Dave Betker are currently working in the NDP campaigns of Lisa Beare in Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge and Garry Begg in Surrey Guildford respectively. We thank them for stepping forward and look forward to hearing from them next month on their experience. The website is now in process of being revamped with new content, we expect it will be up and running in the next month. Thank you to everyone for your patience. As a reminder, you can find the Labour Council on FaceBook and now on Twitter at @nwdlc. The Executive Board held our all day Strategy Session on March 27, it was well attended and a great opportunity to get to know each other. We were challenged to ask ourselves What can I do to build the Labour Council?, and there was good discussion on three key areas of Labour Council activity, Political Action, Community & Social Action and Education. We are looking forward to the work and activities of next two years, and we thank Brother Andy Ross for facilitating. I attended the Columbia Institute’s High Ground Leadership in Transitioning Times Conference March 31April 1 in Vancouver. There were some great speakers, and very informative workshops. Mayor Nicole Read spoke about the challenges and misogyny she faces in working for the people of Maple Ridge, Councillors Villeneuve and LeFranc detailed how Surrey is supporting refugees and new immigrants in their community, we have made province and country-leading progress with the number of Living Wage cities in our region. Mayor Jonathan Cote spoke about the steps New Westminster is taking in combatting the housing crisis by requiring more 2 and 3 bedroom units in developments. It was a great opportunity to learn and meet with our local government leaders and I thank the Labour Council for sending me. Correspondence from Vancouver Rape Relief has been removed from our circulation. The BC Fed Women’s Committee has severed ties with the organization because of their refusal to provide services for trans people. There are other organizations that do not exclude trans persons that we could support and circulate their information. We have received a thank you card and accompanying letter from Carolyn with the following message: To Labour Council members – Thank you for all your support, encouragement and kindness over many years.
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I will miss working with you and the camaraderie of the collective. I wish you many future successes. Keep up the good work! In sol, Carolyn MSC to receive the Secretary-Treasurer’s Report. UNION REPORTS Brother Maurice Mills, UNIFOR 114 reported that he attended the Metro Vancouver Alliance Provincial Election Assembly at the Italian Cultural Centre April 4th. He thought John Horgan did a good job of voicing his position, and he responded positively to the commitments asked of him. He thought Andrew Weaver was evasive on a number of issues. Christy Clark chose not to participate. He thinks Union membership in this organization is vital to network beyond labour unions to include faith and community groups on common issues. The Local will meet at the UNIFOR hall the last two Saturdays before the election and then go where they are needed for the rest of the day. Basically they will form a flying squad of support. The bargaining committee for Brinks has had more sessions with the company. The company has started to reduce crew sizes in the upcoming bid. Sister Aimee Cho, HEU staff union reported. Brother Hermen Kailley, ILWU Local 502 reported. MSC to receive the union reports. COMMITTEE REPORTS Canadian Labour Congress Brother Ron Stipp, CLC Representative (reports are submitted in advance as prepared in Ottawa) Community & Social Action Committee Brother Darrell Causey, Co-Chair reported that the committee met on April 20. Discussed ongoing plans for Labour Day and Welcome New Canadians. Have not confirmed location, however once that is done we can move ahead full steam Asking delegates for strike support to help Canada Bread Lockout at 20410 Langley Bypass Next meeting May 23 - Labour council offices at 5pm to 7pm –anyone welcome to attend Brother Darrell Causey: Draw for Union to present May Good News Story - ILWU Scholarship Committee Brother Pat Dyer reminded delegates about the eligibility rules and process for awarding the three (3) annual CLC Harrison Winter School Scholarships as follows: The (Brothers Gerry Stoney, Bob Fortin and Sister Joy Langan) CLC Harrison Winter School Scholarships be awarded to union members who are active delegates or alternate delegates in the New Westminster & District Labour Council. An active delegate is defined as “a delegate who has attended a minimum of 50%
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of Labour Council meetings in the previous 12 month period; and, preference will be given to delegates who are actively participating on one of the Labour Council’s standing committees.” The Brothers Gerry Stoney and Bob Fortin scholarships shall be awarded to one male and one female delegate unless no application is received. The Sister Joy Langan scholarship will be awarded to one female delegate or alternate delegate for enrolment in a CLC course for Women in Leadership. The Scholarship application form and eligibility rules will be made available on the web site and at the monthly membership meetings and all applications must be received by September 30 th. The successful applicants for the Brothers Gerry Stoney and Bob Fortin Scholarship will attend a CLC Winter School course in the study areas including Women in Leadership, Political Campaigns/Organizing, Community & Social Action or Leadership/Youth Development. The NW&DLC Scholarship will provide the cost of registration for a CLC Harrison Winter School course based on shared accommodation; lost wages to a maximum of $1000; and, travel costs where there is no alternative shared travel arrangement or public transit available. Any NW&DLC delegate or alternate delegate is entitled to re-apply for a CLC Winter School Scholarship, however once they are selected and attend a course they will no longer be considered eligible. Annual Deadline for application is September 30 Political Action Committee Brother Stephen Gale reported that there was a Political Action committee meeting on April 13. Brother Gale circulated the Get Out The Vote flyer. Council/School Board Watch Sister Ingrid Ericson reported on her Day of Mourning presentation to the Burnaby School Board. MSC to receive the Reports. NEW BUSINESS No new business UNFINISHED BUSINESS No unfinished business FINAL CREDENTIALS REPORT Brother Stephen Gale, Acting Sergeant-at-Arms reported the attendance for the evening as follows: 35 Delegates representing 22 Local Unions 2 Guests 1 CLC Representative(s) MSC to receive the report.
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GOOD & WELFARE Brother Maurice Mills, UNIFOR 114 reported that he attended the UNIFOR Vaisakhi event at the UNIFOR Hall April 8th. Local NDP MLAs Harry Bains and Raj Chouhan spoke about the election. He had an interesting conversation with George Chow about affordable housing. Sister Kari Michaels, BCGEU Local 703 reported. Brother Stephen Crozier, FPSE Douglas College Local 4 reported that each year, May 24th is Schizophrenia Awareness Day in Canada. People are asked to wear purple on this day in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who bravely confront the challenge of this illness every day of their lives and with their family members and friends who stand by them. Medical treatment has improved, but due to the lack of awareness about schizophrenia and the stigma associated with this disease, "public" treatment lags behind. On May 24th, please wear purple and ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. If you happen to be in Vancouver that night, your colour choice will match that of BC Place, and if you are in Toronto, look up, look up, look way up and observe the purple CN Tower. Other nationally and internationally known buildings across the country will also turn purple to mark this day. It appears that it will be some time before schizophrenia will be beaten, but together we can break the stigma through improved public awareness and support. Let's paint our hall purple at our next meeting on Wednesday May 24th. For more information, go to http://www.bcss.org/tag/schizophrenia-awareness-day/ Brother Glenn Girard, IAM&AW LL 764 reported. Brother John Hooker, MoveUP (retired) reported. Regular Meeting adjourned @ 8:00 pm. Sister Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer.
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Executive Board Meeting Next meeting Wednesday, May 24, 2017 *** 4:30 pm start ***
Regular Monthly Meeting Wednesday May 24, 2017 7:00 pm Agenda Highlights Regular Order of Business Guest Speaker: Deanna Ogle, Living Wage for Families NOTICE OF MOTION The New Westminster & District Labour Council approve the President and Secretary-Treasurer Election Policy as circulated to the Affiliated Local Unions and delegates The New Westminster & District Labour Council approve the Social Media Policy as circulated to the Affiliated Local Unions and delegates The New Westminster & District Labour Council approve the Harassment Policy as circulated to the Affiliated Local Unions and delegates
Reminder – Scholarship Application deadline is September 30th Please note, all meetings are ‘fragrance free’ in consideration of our colleagues with fragrance sensitivities.
