Unions representing 43,000 B.C. health care workers say they’re seeking a fair and reasonable settlement that protects and improves care delivery when they head to the bargaining table February 7.

The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association met last week to hammer out bargaining proposals and prepare for the upcoming negotiations with the Health Employers Association of B.C.

Bonnie Pearson, secretary-business manager of the Hospital Employees’ Union and chief spokesperson for the FBA, is challenging health employers and government to live up to their commitment to be “fair” and “creative” in the talks.

“I think that in these talks, government needs to acknowledge that health care workers have shouldered more than their fair share as a result of government belt-tightening and privatization,” says Pearson.

“In this round, our members are seeking improvements to their contract so that they do not fall further behind. And while we are prepared to pursue ‘cooperative gains’ we won’t compromise front-line care or the economic security of our members.”

The FBA represents the largest single group of B.C. public sector workers heading to the table in the current round of negotiations for contracts expiring March 31, 2012.

The FBA represents unionized health care workers in hospitals, residential care facilities, diagnostic treatment centres, and in consolidated health services that are shared across multiple health employers.

And for the first time, ambulance paramedics, dispatch personnel and related administrative staff are included in this set of negotiations.  Previously the BC Ambulance Service was directly operated by the provincial health ministry but was transferred to the Provincial Health Services Authority last year.

There are more than 270 job classifications covered by these negotiations including care aides, licensed practical nurses, ambulance paramedics, health records staff, laboratory and other diagnostic specialists, sterile supply technicians, dispatch personnel, trades and maintenance workers, activity aides and rehab assistants, IT specialists, pharmacy technicians, admitting and booking clerks, administrative staff, cleaning and dietary staff, and many others.

The HEU represents about 85 per cent of the workers covered by the talks.

The FBA membership also includes Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 873, the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 882-882H.

Other FBA members are the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 38, the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada Local 5, the British Columbia Nurses’ Union, the Construction and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 230, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 324, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the United Steelworkers of America Local 9705.

With a little more than a week left in the legal raid period, the BCNU is trying to create some badly needed momentum to bolster their second raid attempt, which has failed to gain province-wide support from LPN members.

Earlier today, the BCNU claimed to have signed up a majority of LPNs in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and they are expected to make similar claims over the next week for other health authorities.

In 2009, BCNU filed several raid applications, making the same claims about their support from LPNs.

After reviewing the evidence, however, the Labour Relations Board (LRB) determined the BCNU claims were false.

In fact, the LRB investigation discovered that BCNU did not sign up enough LPNs either province-wide, or in any of the five health authorities. The LRB dismissed every single one of their raid applications.

Based on their pattern in 2009, it is expected that BCNU will file multiple raid applications regardless of the number of valid signed memberships they have actually collected.

 Many LPNs who signed BCNU cards are revoking these cards for a number of reasons, including:

• They had been pressured to sign by supervisors.
• They had been told that signing a BCNU card was a condition of employment.
• They had wanted to stop a BCNU organizer from harassing them.
• They have sought out more information about the advantages of HEU membership

If you are aware of any LPNs who wish to revoke a BCNU membership card, please ask them to contact Maire Kirwan or Joanne Dicks at 1-800-663-5813 or 604-438-5000 for IUOE members contact Helen Cooper at 1 – 888-668-1606.

We are sending out a message we recived from HEU and the enormous pressure being put on their members (LPN’s).

IUOE is just now beginning to feel BCNU’s panic as they now have started this pressure at some of our sites. Please read carefully and contact the office if you need assistance in dealing with their aggresssion.

With two weeks to go, BCNU organizers are ramping up their aggressive raid tactics in the workplace, desperately pursuing LPNs at all times of the day and night.

HEU secretary-business manager and spokesperson for the FBA Bonnie Pearson says she commends HEU members for their patience, professionalism, and the support they are giving their LPN colleagues in the face of increasingly provocative behaviour by some BCNU organizers.

 ”From all our contact with LPN members, it’s clear to us – as it is to BCNU – that the vast majority of LPN members do not want to become divided from each other, or from their union,” says Pearson. 

 ”So it’s not surprising that in these final days LPNs are literally being hounded to sign a card, on shift and at their homes, by some BCNU organizers.” 

 At the same time, Pearson took issue with the BCNU leadership for its offensive rhetoric demeaning the work performed by other members of the health care team. 

 ”It’s been particularly shocking and disappointing that BCNU would resort to undermining the thousands of skilled, dedicated health care workers who make quality care possible in our hospitals and long-term care homes,” she says. 

 ”From the labs, through admitting, to the kitchens and our nursing units, it is respect and teamwork that makes or breaks our collective ability to deliver quality care.” 

  Pearson says at this point, in what has become a long, divisive and increasingly mean-spirited raid by BCNU, HEU members are strengthening relationships with one another and demonstrating “an incredible level of solidarity, right across the union, that will not only see us through these final days of BCNU’s raid, but will be a tremendous asset as we head into bargaining in 2012.” 

 HEU is taking steps to rein in BCNU’s aggressive behaviour. You can help. If BCNU’s activities are disrupting your worksite, or if you know someone who has been subjected to BCNU’s extreme pressure tactics, please contact Maire Kirwan at: 1-800-663-5813 and For IUOE members contact Helen Cooper at 1-888-668-1606.

Speaking at the legislative assembly yesterday, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair outlined three key measures BC’s labour organization wants government to take in early 2012.

First and foremost, Sinclair called for immediate action to ensure that British Columbians benefit first from major public and private sector infrastructure and resource projects.

Sinclair is calling for a fix to BC’s broken apprenticeship system and the implementation of local hiring policies through project agreements.

“We’ve got young people left on the sidelines, unemployed or underemployed, because they can’t get the skills and training they need,” said Sinclair. “That’s no way to support rural communities, and it only stops if this government reinvests in training and apprenticeships and makes local hiring a priority.”

Sinclair also set out a plan to keep workers safe and to compensate them fairly when they do suffer catastrophic injuries on the job.

“In ten years, no real progress has been made in reducing injuries and deaths on the job,” said Sinclair. “And, workers who are injured catastrophically have had their benefits slashed. Our plan increases safety and provides fair and necessary support for injured workers.”

Sinclair said that BC’s lowest income and most vulnerable workers have suffered the most from unfair government policies over the past ten years. He said that scrapping the unfair server wage as well as including farmworkers in scheduled minimum wage increases are key to restoring some fairness.

Local 955 is expecting shortages for the following experienced and qualified operators. Currently our Pipeline Contractors have been awarded the following jobs for the upcoming Winter Construction Season, (November – March)

Michels Canada – 90km of 36′ pipe, Camp Job, North of FT. Mac.

Banister Pipelines – 80km of 36′ and 30′ combined, Camp Job, South of Ft. Mac.

O.J Pipelines – 60km of 30′ Town Job, FT. Mac.

Louisbourg Pipeline – 38km of 48′ Camp Job, Chinchauga area, West of Maning.

The Local will be accepting resumes showing previous relevant experience in the areas of: Please be specific.

Sideboom operators, Live Draw and Hydraulic

Track hoe operators for Ditch and Grade Crews.

Dozer opeartors for Grade and Clean up crews.

 Send all resumes to Pat Meloche at pmeloche@iuoe955union.com.

This Saturday: Rally with Occupy Vancouver in Support of a Robin Hood Tax

Where: Vancouver Art Gallery

When: Noon, Saturday October 29th

Rallies, sit-ins, and occupations will be held in cities across the United States and Canada this Saturday in support of fair taxes.

In Vancouver, members of the labour movement will show our support by joining Occupy Vancouver events at 12:00 noon at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a march at 1:00 p.m. We hope you’ll join us.

What is a Robin Hood Tax?

The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax (0.05%) that would be levied on all financial market transactions in order to raise resources for fighting poverty and climate change at home and abroad. It would cover financial transactions traded through stock exchanges, futures exchanges or any other facility established for the purpose of trading (“exchange trading”) by financial market actors.

What would a Robin Hood Tax do?

 * raise billions of dollars for fighting poverty and climate change at home and abroad

 * make sure banks and the financial sector pay their fair share of the economic recovery

 * help curb destabilizing financial speculation

What Does this Mean for Canada? 

Between December 1998 and March 1999, Canadians rallied in support of a Private Member’s Motion in the House of Commons, which stated, “that in the opinion of the House, the government should enact a tax on financial transactions in concert with the international community.”

As a result of widespread public support, the motion passed by a resounding margin of 164-83 on March 23, 1999. Canada became the first country in the world to declare its intention to work towards the adoption of a tax to control international currency speculation.

Unfortunately, the current government is showing no leadership on the issue.  Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty have both as yet rejected the idea of the tax.

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Please join us October 29th

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In Vancouver, members of the labour movement will show our support by joining Occupy Vancouver events at 12:00 noon at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a march at 1:00 p.m.

 Vancouver, BC – Members of the BC Federation of Labour will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 12:00 noon, Saturday, October 15th, in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement’s call for good jobs, fair taxes and strong public services.

In a statement released today, Jim Sinclair, the President of the BC Federation of Labour said:

“Well paying jobs, fair taxation and strong public services built the Canada we know and love. For 20 years across Canada, real wages have stagnated, the richest Canadians have avoided billions in taxes, and successive governments have weakened public services. This has created a gap between rich and poor not seen in generations, and the gap is widening.

The Occupy Wall Street movement expresses an underlying desire for fairness, equality and opportunity in the economy and our society. The BC Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with that desire, and calls on the governments of British Columbia and Canada to act swiftly and decisively to narrow the gap.”

The BC Federation of Labour also announced that it will continue to support an ongoing peaceful occupation in Vancouver on these important issues.

Sinclair said that hundreds of similar events were being held across North America, in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement and that members of the labour movement would be participating in events in communities throughout BC and Canada.

“This day is an opportunity for people around North America to clearly and peacefully express their desire for fairness and equality in our society and our economy.”

For more information contact Michael Gardiner 778-836-2108

Global economic uncertainty is shining a bright light on the rapidly growing gap between rich and poor in North America and around the world. In the United States, the consequences have been widespread and severe. Real unemployment is approaching 20 percent. People are losing their homes to foreclosures. And, for the first time in generations, few young Americans believe their lives will be as prosperous and secure as their parents.

Here, well paying jobs, fair taxation and strong public services built the Canada we know and love. For 20 years across Canada, however, real wages have stagnated, the richest Canadians and corporations have avoided billions in taxes, and successive governments have weakened public services. This has created a gap between rich and poor not seen in generations, and the gap is widening.

The Conference Board of Canada has identified that Canada had the second largest rate of income inequality growth among peer nations from the mid-1990’s to the mid-2000’s. Clearly, many of the same conditions that have lead to the Wall Street action exist in Canada as well.

In British Columbia, a decade of tax cuts for the richest British Columbians and corporations combined with stagnant wages for average income earners have left British Columbia families struggling to make ends meet and nervous about their futures. As the cost of living has increased, household debt has piled up and savings eroded. This has got to stop.

The Occupy Wall Street movement expresses an underlying desire for fairness, equality and opportunity in the economy and our society. The B.C. Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with that desire, as part of the 99 percent, and calls on the governments of British Columbia and Canada to act swiftly and decisively to narrow the gap. The BC Federation of Labour will support an ongoing peaceful occupation in Vancouver on these important issues.

OTTAWA - A private member’s bill to force unions to disclose how they spend hundreds of millions of dollars in dues is not part of a larger plot to intimidate the labour movement and expose the relationship unions have with the NDP, says the MP who penned the legislation.

“It’s a bit of a coincidence. That’s the truth of it,” Russ Hiebert said about the timing of his bill to amend the Income Tax Act after some of the scuffles the Conservatives had with unions this summer.

The Conservatives ended a postal disruption with back-to-work legislation, twice threatened legislation to bring Air Canada workers back to the negotiating table and filed a complaint with Elections Canada about union involvement in the NDP’s spring convention.

Hiebert says his bill was in the works a year ago, and he wants unions to come in from the shadows and do what charities and others do by publicly disclosing, in the name of transparency and accountability, how they spend dues that are tax deductible to the workers who pay them.

“People might want to make some kind of connection, but there’s really not. This is simply Russ Hiebert, backbench MP, thinking about how I can contribute to the public dialogue and to the strength of our democracy, and I happen to believe that public disclosure does that.”

The NDP wasn’t buying it. Nor was Canada’s largest union.

“It’s another attack on the workers,” interim leader Nycole Turmel said outside the Commons.

Paul Moist, president of the 610,000-member Canadian Union of Public Employees, said his union is already constitutionally bound to release audited financial statements of its spending.

“On behalf of the largest union in the country I find it irritating, ideological and a bit of a cure for a non-existent ailment,” he said about the bill. “It’s nine parts ideological, one part business.”

Yesterday, Conservative Member of Parliament Russ Hiebert (South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale, BC), introduced a Private Members Bill which seeks unions to disclose how they spend union dues.

Mr. Hiebert denies that this is part of a larger plot to intimidate the labour movement.  He argues that it would bring union accountability in line with what charities must comply with.  It is pretty clear that this Government is trying to do everything in its powers to attack unions – this will be one more tool they will use.

Normally, it is very difficult for a Member of Parliament to have their Private Members’ Bill passed.  However, since this bill is coming from Conservative Member of Parliament,  there is a good chance it will pass since the Conservatives have the majority Government; especially since I expect the Government (the Prime Minister and his Cabinet) supports this Bill

I would not be surprised if the Prime Minister’s Office  wrote the Bill; they can use this process to shield themselves. The Government can argue it is a Private Members’ Bill and not a Government Bill – try to argue they are not behind it.

A electronic version of the Bill should be available later today or tomorrow. The devil will be in the details, in particular, who will be covered by this legislation. I raise this point because I am not sure how the legislation will impact us. If the legislation does impact us, it should also mean that it will impact CLAC and they would have to disclose how they spend their dues.  Again, we will need to wait and see how the legislation is worded.

Depending on how the legislation impacts us, we should consider where we stand and whether or not we want to make representation on the legislation when the time comes.  We will speak to the Building Trades and the CLC  on this matter to see where they stand and what they will be doing.

The Process

The Bill will be debated at Second Reading  in the House of Commons – there will be 2 one-hour debates on the Bill; the first hour of debate is today and the second hour will be in 30 sitting days (end of November). If the Bill is passed at Second Reading, it will be referred to a Standing Committee where the Committee will than ask for witnesses to appear to discuss the Bill (the timeframe and length of these hearings will be determined by the Committee (which is dominated by the Conservatives). Once the Committee has heard all witnesses, they will vote on the Bill and if passed it goes back to the House of Commons for a Third and final reading. If passed, it becomes law – this could occur sometime early next year (later winter/early spring).