1Inside: Blurred Vision: College Cuts • Bargaining • Activist Profiles

May 2010 A Publication of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union www.bcgeu.caAgreement No. 40010201 Volume 58, Number 2

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sourprovincebracesforyetanotherpunishingroundofbudgetcuts,BritishColumbianswoulddowelltoask:Whatarepublicservicesworthtome?

Publicservicemeansdifferentthingstodifferentpeople.Someimmediatelythinkaboutthethousandsofworkersinlocal,

provincialorfederalgovernmentoffices.Andthey’dberight.

Othersthinkaboutthehundredsofsocialserviceagenciesaroundtheprovince–partofthebroaderpublicsector–thatprovideawiderangeofnecessaryservices,includinghealthcare,homesupport,childcare,mentalhealth,immigration,legalandeducationalservices,tonameafew.They’realsoright.

Thefactis,weallaccesspublicserviceseveryday,providedbythepeoplewhokeepourroadssafetodriveandourwatersafetodrink,whomakesureourdoctorsbillsandprescriptionsarepaid,andwhoareouttherefightingforestfiresandprotectingourenvironment.

Overthepast8yearsandmore,themanythousandsofdedicatedpeoplewhostitchtogetherthesocial,culturalandenvironmentalfabricofoursocietyhaveenduredanunprecedentedassaultontheircorevaluesandonthevaluableservicestheyprovidetoourcitizens.

Inthisyear’sprovincialbudget,theB.C.Liberalgovernmentonceagaincutfundingtopublicservicesandthejobsofworkerswhoprovidethem—over4,000jobstobecutoverthenextthreeyears,inadditiontothemorethan8,000jobslostsince2002.

Thegovernment’sexcuseisthatwecan’taffordtomaintainpublicservices,giventhegovernment’sdebtanddeficit,eventhoughB.C.hasoneofthelowestdebtratiosandtheleanestpercapitapublicserviceinCanada.

Accordingtothegovernmentweneedmoretaxcutsforcorporationsandourwealthiestcitizenstostimulatetheeconomy.Consequently,thecostsofservicesaredownloadedontoworkingfamiliesandthepoor,eventhoughB.C.alreadyhasoneofthelowestbusinesstaxratesandthehighestchildpovertyrateinthecountry.

Still,thegovernmentcontinuestocutmore,privatizemoreandletbusinessesregulatethemselvesmore—cripplinggovernment’sabilitytoprotectthepublicinterest.

IbelievethatifBritishColumbiansstoppedtoreflectonthevalueofpublicservicesintheirlives,manywouldreachthesameconclusion:Enoughisenough.Reversethecuts,andmakesureourwealthiestcitizensandbusinessespaytheirfairshare.

DarrylWalker

From the PresidentIn this issue:

4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3W3Phone: 604-291-9611

Fax: 604-291-60301-800-663-1674 (toll free)

www.bcgeu.ca

A component of the National Union of Public and General Employees. Affiliated with the B.C. Federation of Labour and

the Canadian Labour Congress

Provincial executivePresident: Darryl WalkerTreasurer: Judi FilionVice-President: Michael ClarkeVice-President: Dan BradfordVice-President: Colleen JonesVice-President: Lorene OikawaComponent 1: Dean PurdyComponent 2: Susanne FrancoeurComponent 3: James Cavalluzzo Stephanie SeamanComponent 4: Brenda Brown Carla DempseyComponent 5: Craig MacKayComponent 6: Doug KinnaComponent 7: Stu SeifertComponent 10: Mike NuyensComponent 12: Sandi McLean Lori JoaquinComponent 17: Dave MacDonaldComponent 20: Byron Goerz

The Provincial is published seven times a year by Solidarity Publications Ltd., Suite 206 — 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3W3 E-mail: theprovincial@bcgeu.ca

Contributing editors: Brian Gardiner, Karen Tankard, Oliver Rohlfs, Erin Sikora, Chris Bradshaw, Lynn Buechert. design & Layout: Chris Bradshaw.

Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. We cannot guarantee the return of unsolicited editorial contributions.

What is the value of public service?

Senior’s Care.............................. 3

Crisis in BC Forests.............. 4-5

Blurred Vision............................ .6

Public Service Bargaining........ 7

Comp. 10 Profile.................... 8-9

Activist Profiles.................10-11

BCGEU Community...........12-15 A

IbelievethatifBritishColumbiansstoppedtoreflectonthevalueofpublicservicesintheirlives,manywouldreachasimilarconclusion:Enoughisenough.

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“Continuity.of.care.is.critical.for.seniors..The.staff.members.at.these.facilities.develop.a.trust.with.patients.and.families.over.time..To.see.this.disrupted.is.of.great.concern.”

eniors’careintheCowichanValleywasfrontandcentreonApril24whenmorethan200people

fromDuncanandotherpartsofthevalleyattendedarallytoletthegovernmentknowtheyopposechangestoseniors’careinthearea.

TherallycalledattentiontotherecentcontractingoutofworkperformedbyBCGEUcareworkersatCerwyddenCareCentreinDuncanandHospitalEmployees’Union(HEU)membersattheLodgeon4thinLadysmith.TheeventalsopublicizedattemptsbytheemployertolayoffHEUworkersatSunridgePlaceinDuncan.

“Continuityofcareiscriticalforseniors,”saidBCGEUpresidentDarrylWalker.“Thestaffmembersatthesefa-cilitiesdevelopatrustwithpatientsandfamiliesovertime.Toseethisdisruptedisofgreatconcern.”

BCGEUmembersattheCerwyddenCareCentreareamongthosewhohavere-ceivedlay-offnotices.

“Ourmembers’firstreactionwasnotabouttheirjobs,butaboutwhatwouldhappentotheseniorstheycarefordayinanddayout,”saidScottDeLong,local401firstvice-chair.

SheilaNiehaus,anHEUmemberandworkerattheLodgeon4th,saidshehasreceivedpinkslipsthreetimes.“Contractingoutisn’tworking.Itjustcreatesanxietyandconfusionforresidentsandstaff.”

RallyspeakerKimSlaterspokeofhisconcernforhismother,wholivesatNanaimo’sSeniors’Villagefacility.“Wereallyneedcontinuityofcareforseniors.Whatinterruptscontinuityissimple:contractflipping,masslayoffs,andfacilityclosures.”Slateralsostressedthatcom-munitieswanttohaveavoiceincaringforourelders.

JoannaNeilson,acommunityseniors’advocateinDuncan,alsospokeattherally.

“Seniorswereveryclearaboutwhattheyneededandwantedwhentheygavetheirinputtogovernment’s‘ConversationonHealth’.Seniorswanttobetreatedwithrespect,todiewithdignity,tobelistenedtoandtoliveinhomesthataresafeandcomfortable.Theywantpeoplewhoarefamiliartocareforthemandskilled,compassionateassistance.”

Therallyfollowedtheunani-mousadoptionofaBCGEU-sponsoredresolutionbyDuncanCityCounciltoopposethecontractingoutofseniors’care.Theresolutioncallsontheprovincialgovern-mentto“workwithconcernedpartiestoaddressthedeteri-orationofseniors’careintheCowichanValley.”

ResidentswereencouragedtoattendthenextmeetingoftheVancouverIslandHealthAu-thoritytovoiceoppositiontothechangestoseniors’care.

CowIChan senIors’ CareCompromIsed by ContraCtIng out

SMore than 200 res i den t s and union members from Duncan and t he Cow ichan Valley attended a rally on April 24 to send government a message: Stop the contracting out of union jobs and impact ing senior’s care.

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“Our.govern-ment.must.take.their.stewardship.responsibility..seriously.and.take.back..control.of.this.key.public.resource.”

incefirstbeingelectedin2001,theB.C.LiberalgovernmenthasguttedtheForestsand

Rangeministry,removedmuchofitsstatutoryauthor-ityandhandedovercontrolofpublicforeststotheverycompanieswhoprofitmostfromtheresource.

TheB.C.Liberals’ForestandRangePracticesAct(FRPA),passedin2002,essentiallytransformedtheforestministryintoaself-serveoperation,withindustrywritingitsownrules,approvingitsownworkandinmanycasesmonitoringitsownactivities.

Theresultisahollowed-outministrythatisnolongerabletoproperlyfulfillitsmandatetoprotectandenhanceB.C.’spublicforests.

Massive budget cuts and self-regulation endanger our

BUDGET CUTS

Sincecomingtooffice,theB.C.Liberalshaveslashedalmost1,100forestrywork-ers’jobsineightyears—theverypeoplewhoensureourpublicforestsaresustainablymanagedandharvested.

From2002-2004,theCampbellgovernmenteliminated800jobsintheMinistryofForestsandRange—304positionsincomplianceanden-

forcementalone.

Thisyear,204moreforestryjobsarebeingaxed—62percentfromcomplianceandenforcementandfieldoperations.ManagershaveconfirmedthatmorejobcutsarecominginJune,astheymoveforwardnextyear’splannedlayoffs.

SELF-REGULATIONTheForestandRangePrac-ticesActwasconstructedtoavoidpublicmonitoringandenforcement.Forestcompan-ieswriteandcertifytheirownforestryplans.Thisisaclearconflictofinterest.

Governmentregulationspreventministryofficialsfromtakinganyactiontoprotectenvironmentalandrecreation-alvaluesthatwould“undulyreducethesupplyoftimber,”andmustensuretheiractionsareconsistentwith“main-

tainingandenhancinganeconomicallyvaluablesupplyofcommercialtimber.”

ApplicantscanoptoutofdefaultstandardsundertheForestPracticesCodeandsubmittheirownplans.TheActalsoeliminatesministryapprovalforloggingcutblockandsitelevelplans,andremovestherequirementforstabilityassessmentstopreventlandslides.

Incredibly,managerscannolongerrejectloggingplansifresourcevaluesarenotproperlymanagedorconserved,andfaceseverelimitsonrequiringadditionalinformationfromlicensees.

TheCampbellgovernmenthasalsocompromisedthepublicconsultationprocess.Ministryofficialscannolongeraddobjectivestotheloggingplans(likeprotectingcom-munityviewscapesorwildlifehabitat)basedonpublicinput.Foreststewardshipplanshavealsobeenextendedtofiveyearsfromtwo,limitingopportunitiesforpublicinput.

PROFESSIONAL RELIANCE

TheB.C.Liberalgovernmenthasadopteda‘professionalreliance’managementmodel,tojustifyhugecutstocompli-anceandenforcementstaff.AssociationofB.C.ForestProfessionals(ABCFP)membersnowcertifytheirownemployers’forestryplans,andcanevendesig-

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natenon-memberstoapproveplansontheirbehalf.

TheAssociationinvestigatespubliccomplaintsandcandisciplinememberswhobreachtheircodeofethicsorstandardsofpractice,buthasnopowertoforcechangestologgingplansthatbreechprofessionalpractice.ABCFPstandardsarelargelycomprisedofpublishedguidelinesthatgrantmembersbroaddiscretionincarryingouttheirduties—whichmakesthestandardsdifficulttoenforce.

Ofthe21concludedcomplaintsagainstmembersinthepastthreeyears,19weredismissed–manywithnopublishedreasons,behindaveilofanonymity.Onlytwolaycouncillors(retiredforest-ers)currentlyserveonthe12-memberappointedboard,whichlacksanyrealmeasureofpublicaccountability.

RESOURCE WASTE

WasteisrampantinB.C.’sforests,whichimpactslocaleconomies.AMarch2009studybytheCanadianCentreforPolicyAlternatives(CCPA),usingministrydata,notesthatbetween2004–2008,“morethan17.5millioncubicmetresofusablewoodwasabandonedatloggingsites…enoughmaterialtofillalineofloggingtrucks…fromVan-couvertoHalifaxandalmosthalfwaybackagain.”

Morethan2,400forestmanu-facturingjobsarelosteachyearduetologwaste,andonlyonein147loggingtrucksarespot-checkedbyministrystaff,accordingtothestudy.

In2007,theB.C.Liberalgovernmentstoppedprodu-cingwoodwastesurveys.Forestcompaniesareno

longerobligatedtoreportallusablerejectedlogstheyleaveonthegroundtorot,andonlyabout10percentofB.C.’sloggedareasareauditedannually.

Thestudyshowsthatinsomedistricts,loggingcompaniesreported“zeroorvirtuallynowoodwaste…suggestinglapsesinreportingandenforcement.”InQuesnel,loggingratesfellbysixandsevenpercentin2005and2006,whilewoodwastelevelsincreased937and585percentrespectively.

ThepasteightyearsofBCLiberalgovernmenthasresultedinmismanagementofB.C.’sforestresourcesonamassivescale.

Ourgovernmentmusttaketheirstewardshipresponsibilityseriouslyandtakebackcontrolofthiskeypublicresource,tomanageonbehalfofallBritishColumbians.

Feature

forests and threaten the environment

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“The.B.C..Liberal.government..suffers.from.a.blurred.vision..We.should.be.increasing.investment.in.education.to.prepare.for.the.recovery..Cutting.funding.now.is.extremely.short-sighted.”

news

B.C.’s approach to post-secondary and trades education needs a new prescription

raditionally,B.C.hasrelied

onournaturalresourcestofuel

economicgrowth.Now,asjobsmigrate

todevelopingnations,educationplaysapivotalroleinoureconomicsuccessasweinchoutoftherecession.

However,theB.C.Liberalgov-ernmentistakingtheoppositecourse—cuttingpost-second-aryandtradesfundingattheverytimeweneedtoincreasepublicinvestmenttocompeteintheneweconomy.

LESS MONEY, MORE STUDENTS

Ironically,post-secondaryfundingisbeingcutorflat-linedwhilestudentenrolmentisontherise.Institutionscanalsonolongeruseaccumulat-edsurplusestocoverdeficits.

Collegesanduniversitiesarebeinghithard.Forexample,BCITwasforcedtolayoffupto82staffandNorthernLightsCollegeclosedtwocampusesandlaidoffstaff.

Despiteincreasingenrolment,theB.C.Liberalscutstudentaidby$32million.B.C.isnowdeadlastinnon-repayablestudentaid—60percentbelowthenationalaverage.

“TheB.C.Liberalgovern-mentsuffersfromablurredvision,”saysBCGEUpresidentDarrylWalker.“Weshouldbeincreasinginvestmentineducationtoprepareforthe

recovery.Cuttingfundingnowisextremelyshort-sighted.”

FAILING OUR TRADES

Tradestraininghasalsobeenhithardbybudgetcuts.TheIndustryTrainingAuthority(ITA),whichcoordinatesapprentice-shiptraininginB.C.,hasbeenhitwitha$2.7millioncutthisyear,withanother$7.64millioncutscheduledfor2011.

TheITAisalsorestrictingaccesstotradestraining.Educatorscannolongersignupstudentsasapprentices,whichallowsthemtowriteexamsandentertheworkforce.Foundationcourseshavebeenre-labeledApprenticeshiptrain-ing—denyingstudentsaccesstofederalEItrainingfunds.

“There’snoeconomicreasontorestrictaccesstoappren-ticeshiptraining,”saysCom-ponent7chairStuSeifert.“Statisticsshowthat89percentofformerstudentsarecurrentlyemployed,sothere’snolackofwork.”

WHERE’D THE MONEY GO?

InFebruary2009theB.C.Liberalgovernmentgainedcontrolofthe$300millionfed-eralEItrainingfund.Thisyear,theycappedtraininggrantsfortheprogramat$4,000perstudent,forcingmanytodropoutduetolackoffunding.

AtVancouverIslandUniversity,forexample,16of19approvedstudentsdroppedoutofthe

HeavyEquipmentOperatorcourselastSeptember,inpartbecausetheycouldnotcoverthe$12,800costoftuition.

“Taxpayersdeservetoknowwherethefederalmoneyisgoing,”saysWalker.“Ifit’snotbeingusedtore-trainunem-ployedworkers,whatisitbeingusedfor?”

A BETTER WAY FORWARD

Theapprenticeshipprogramcansucceedifweadoptcom-mon-sensesolutionslikethosefromarecentB.C.FederationofLabourconference.

Thefirststepistocreatearealpartnershipbetweenbusiness,labourandeducators,throughequalrepresentationattheITA.

Thenextstepistoorgan-izeapprenticeshipsbytraderatherthanindustrysectortoreduceduplication,andreinstatecompulsorytradestomaintainnationalstandards.

Toencourageparticipationintradestrainingitisnecesasrytoreinstateapprenticeshipratios,introducealevyoncompaniesthathiretradesbutdon’tprovidetraining,andrewardemployersthatdosup-porttradestraining.

TheB.C.Liberals’primary2009campaigngoalwasto“makeB.C.thebesteducated,mostliteratejurisdictiononthecontinent.”BritishColumbiansexpectthemtodeliver,byproperlyfundingeducation.

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rovincial government employees rati-fied their collective agreement with the provincial government by 71 per-cent. Results of the ratification vote were announced on April 30.

“This was a difficult round of bargaining, perhaps one of the toughest we’ve faced,” said BCGEU president Darryl Walker. “The govern-ment’s decision that workers would not receive a wage increase and that any improvements had to be funded from within the agreement made it a tough job.”

“We were able to secure the employment security provisions we needed before signing a tentative agreement,” said Walker. “While I am pleased the agreement has been ratified, we have made it clear that our members want us to negotiate a wage increase at the next round of bargaining.”

Other highlights of the agreement include:

• A two-year agreement, which expires on March 31, 2012.

• No general wage increase due to the two year wage freeze, but a continuation of temporary market adjustments (TMAs).

• Improved extended health benefits, such as hearing aids and leave for family illness in case of illness or hospitalization of the employee’s spouse, or leave to care for adult dependent children.

All component agreements passed, with the exception of Component One. The decision by the corrections and sheriffs component to reject its agreement does not affect the master agreement or other component agreements. Component One’s existing agreement remains in place. The component is reviewing its op-tions and looking to approach the government to re-open negotiations.

Copies of the agreement will be made available to members and stewards after editing is completed. The agreement will also be posted on the BCGEU web site.

For more information, check the union’s web site at www.bcgeu.ca.

Ppublic service agreement ratified

2010 BARGAINING — Top: (l-r) Public Service bargaining committee: Trish Martini, LRB intern; Mike Eso, Staff Rep.; Kate Campbell, Staff Rep. ; Jaynie Clark, Dir. Advocacy (front); Margaret Coplin, Admin. Asst.(rear); Craig MacKay, Comp 5 chair (rear); David Vipond, Dir. Negotiations (middle); Darryl Walker, BCGEU pres. (front); Dean Purdy, Comp. 1 chair (rear); Colleen Jones, BCGEU VP; Lori Joaquin, Comp. 12 (front); Byron Goerz, Comp 20 chair (rear); Sandi McLean, Comp. 12 chair; Doug Kinna, Comp 6 chair; Susanne Francoeur, Comp 2 chair. Middle: BCGEU bargaining committee (right) at negotiation table with employer. Bottom: Ratification meeting at the Victoria Area Office on April 13, 2010.

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proFILe

Component 10 executive takes a road trip

Cumberland Emcon YardTheCumberlandyardisEmcon’slargestontheisland.Fortyfull-timemembersandalargenumberofauxiliariesmaintainmorethan650kilom-etersofprovincialhighwaysinandaroundtheComoxValley.TheareaincludesthechallengingroadtoMountWashingtonAlpineResort,whichreceivesanaverage10.5metersofsnowinwinter-thelargestsnowmassinNorthAmerica.

“Alotofourhighwaymaintenanceworkisprevent-ive,”saidDannyMcLellan,amemberwithmorethan30yearsexperience.“Workthatincludesshouldergrading,

ditchcleaning,andsched-uledbridgemaintenance.Ourmembersgetcalledintodealwithfloods,blackice,andtocleanupthehighwaysfollow-ingmajoraccidents,includingunwantedwildlifeencounters.It’snotfunremovingand…disposingofanimalcarcass-es.Wehavedealtwithevery-thingfromraccoonstoelkandbears.”

Quadra Island Emcon YardEmconalsooperatesnumer-oussmalleryardsinthearea,locatedonDenman,Hornby,andQuadraIslands.ThesesiteswerealsopartoftheComponent10tour.Quadraisthelargest,anisland35kilometerslong,withayear-

roundpopulationofabout2,700.“It’soneofthebestjobsontheseislands,”saidDavidNeville,aformerauxiliarywiththeEmconyard.“Ifyou’renotself-employed,anartist,orworkinginthefishplant,thereisn’tmuchemployment,”hesaid.

TheQuadracrew,madeupofNeville,BruceErikson,andHughRoss,closedasmall,steeproadadjacenttotheQuathiaskiCoveFerryTerminalthedayafterthecomponentexecutivevisited.Theroadwasdeemedunsafe.Still,themovewasn’tverywellreceivedwithsomeofthelocalswholiketoparkthere.“Atleasthalfthepeoplewespokewithunderstood,”Nev-illesaid.“Wewerejustenfor-cingaministrydecision,really.”

ighwaymaintenanceworkersmakeupthebulkofthemembershipinOperationalServices,alsoknownasComponent10.Eightypercentofthe2,710membersarehighwaymaintenanceworkerswhomaintainourroads,bridges,highwaysigns,andmaintaintheheavymachineryneededtokeepourroadssafe.Othercom-

ponent10certificationsincludetreenurseries,inlandferries,LowerMainlandAirCareandCanadaLinetransitworkers.

Forfourdaysinmid-April,Component10chairMikeNuyensandtenofhisfellowexecutivememberstravelledacrossnorthernVancouverIsland.TheyvisitedworksitesfromNanaimotoUclueletandPortHardy.“Sitevisitsareagreatwaytomeetandconnectwithourmembers,andheartheircon-cerns,”saidNuyens.MaintenanceofthehighwaysinthenorthernandcentralpartsofVancouverIslandarecontractedouttoMerritt-basedEmconServicesInc.,acontractworthover$26millionayear.

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“Site.visits.are.a.great.way.to.meet.and.connect.with.our.members,.and.hear.their.concerns.”

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Pacific Regeneration TechnologyPacificRegenerationTechnol-ogy(PRT),thelargestproviderofforestseedlingsinNorthAmerica,hasa250-acrenurseryinCampbellRiver.Thecompanywasestablishedin1988,whennurseryoper-ationswereprivatizedinBrit-ishColumbia.EightofPRT’s12locationsremaininB.C.MostareBCGEUcertifications.

PRT’soperationisafarcryfromtraditionalornamentalnurseries.Here,youngtreesaregrowninstyrofoamblockspuncturedbysmallholesfilledwithpeatmoss.Hundredsofsaplingsgrowoneachblock,whicharejustslightlylargerthanasquarefootinsurface.Thesaplingsaremachineextracted,readyforplanting.

TheCampbellRiverloca-tionhas17unionemployees,mostlywomen.Theydoawidevarietyofjobs,includingseeding,thinning,pruning,weeding,growing,sorting,packagingandshippingofsaplings.AlForster,aPRTworkerfor24years,joinedtheBCGEUin1995.Besidesworkingintheoutdoors,Forsterfindsit“prettyreward-ingtogrowsomethingthat’sgoodfortheenvironment.”

ON THE ROAD —[Top, l-r] North Island Highway, April 13 — Component 10 Executive members Mike Nuyens and Jim Manson meet with grader operator Bob Smith from the Emcon Sayward Yard (local 1002). [Middle l-r] Cumberland, April 15, 2010 — Cumberland yard member Danny McLellan (right) and colleague. [Bottom l-r] Campbell River, April 15, 2010 — Component 10 Executive members Dan Cross (Local 1002) and Don Danroth (1011) met with Pacific Regeneration Technologies nursery workers, including Allan Forster, shop steward (center).

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Peter diGnArdCorrectional supervisor, Local 111Prince George Correctional Centre

PeterDignardwilltravelanywhere,anytimetofacilitateanOHSprogram.

“I’lldoanyclass.I’vebeencalledatthespurofthemomenttogohereortogothere,”hesaid.

Afacilitatorsince1994,Dignardhashighpraiseforthejointoccupationalsafetyandhealthcommittee.

“Ithinkit’soneofthebestthingswedo.”

ForDignard,thebestpartoffacilitatingishelpingworkersapplytheirtrainingonthejob,knowinghehasplayedaroleinpreventingaccidents.

“Everyindividualthat’sinjuredatworkmostlikelyhasafamilythat’simpactedaswell.”

Facilitating,hehaslearned,isalsoatwowaystreet.Dignardsaidhealwayslearnssome-thingfromthepeopleheinstructs.

“ThepeopleinNelson,forexample,taughtmealot.They’rehighwayworkers.Avalanchesarebigthreatsthere,butnotsomethingIrunintowhenIteachinVancouver!”hesaid.

doLLY ZAWAdUKCustomer service rep., Kelowna Local 2007, BC safety Authority

DollyZawadukgotherfirsttasteofunionac-tivismalmosttheinstantshejoinedtheBCGEUmorethantwodecadesago.

“Iwashiredasanauxiliaryin1987andwithinweeksIwasonmyfirstpicketline.Ienjoyedthat,enjoyedwhatwewerestandingupfor,”shesaid.

Sincethen,Zawaduk’sactivistworkhas“mushroomed”fromastintasaworksitesteward,toherpresentpositionsofbargainingchairfortheB.C.SafetyAuthorityandlocal2007chairperson.

“TheonlyreasonI’mstillworkingismyunionwork,”shesaid.“WhenI’mabletosolveissuesformembersbeforetheygettogrievances,that’simportanttome.”

Soimportant,Zawadukishappytotakeherunionworkhomeatnight.

ShehasnothingbutpraisefortheBCGEUstaffrepresentativeswho’veassistedherovertheyears.Heradvicetoyoungactivistsistofindmentorswhocansharetheirwisdomandexperiences.

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WendY LittKeAdmin. services supervisor, mhsd Local 1204, maple ridge

WendyLittkecan’thelpsharingherhealthandsafetyknowledgewherevershegoes.

“Ifindmyselfatthegrocerystoregivingtotalstrangersadvice:‘youshouldn’thavethisequipmentupthere’.YouseethesepeoplewithwristpadsonandtheycanbarelymoveandIcantellthemwhythatis,”shesaid.

AsanOHSfacilitatorforadecade,Littkehastakenherergonomicknow-howtomanyof-fices,helpingBCGEUmembersbecomepainfree.

Sometimes,it’shardtosellpeople,initially,ontheideaofchangingtheirseatingortheircomputermouseorkeyboardplacement.

“Isaytryitforjustaweek.Sureenoughithelps,”shesaid.

Littkehasseenthisscenariohappenmanytimesandsaysit’soneofthethingsthatmakesherworkasafacilitatorsorewarding.

Peter CLeGGdeputy sheriff, Vancouver, Local 707

VancouverdeputysheriffPeterCleggwasalreadyanoldhandattrainingbeforehefacilitatedhisfirstOHSworkshopfortheBCGEU14yearsago.

“Ihaddonealotofworkwiththearmycadets.IstarteddoinglectureswhenIwas17.ThenIcar-riedonasareserveforceinstructor,”Cleggsaid.

CleggalsohasalonghistorywithOHS,goingbacktoatimebeforehebecameadeputysheriff,whenheadministeredsafetyprogramsforaminingcompany.Hispassionfortraininghasn’twaned.

“Thebestpartisimpartingknowledge.IfIcangetmanagersinthesameroomthat’sevenbetter,”hesaid.“OHSisacollaborativeeffort,notadversariallikeagrievanceprocedure.”

Cleggisoftensurprisedbythedepthofknow-ledgeparticipantsbring.Hepointstoanaccidentinvestigationtrainingsessionwhereaparticipantwasabletoshareinsiderinformationaboutahighprofileaccidentinquiry,suppliedbyafriendwhoworkedattheaccidentsite.

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CommunIty

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“It.was.really.scary,”.said.Harmston.of.her.first.few.times.on.the.radio..“Your.guts.get.going.and.you’re.like,.what.the.heck.was.I.thinking?”

railtransitionhouseworkerPatsyHarmstondidn’tknowwhatshewasgetting

intoin2006whensheapproachedKootenayCo-opRadioinNelsonabouthost-ingandproducingalabour-themedradioprogram.

“Itwasreallyscary,”saidHarmstonofherfirstfewtimesontheradio.“Yourgutsgetgoingandyou’relike,whattheheckwasIthinking?”

Overtime,calmernerveshaveprevailed.Now,nearlyfouryearslater,thelocal309memberisanoldhandwhenitcomestoherprogram,The Rank and File Voice,whichshehostsandproduceswithlocal709’sDellaMcLoud.Theprogramisaproduc-tionoftheKootenayDistrictLabourCouncil.Harmstonisacouncilmember.

Theone-hourprogramisbroadcastliveatnooneveryotherWednesdayonCJLYRadioandreplayedonalter-nateweeks.Thecontentvariesandit’softendrivenbythenewsheadlines.Inrecentmonths,theprogramhasaddressedthepreventionofviolenceagainstwomenandtheWestVirginiaminingtragedy,whichtookthelives

of29workers.Othertopicshaveincludedlandlord-tenantmatters,migrantworkers,thedisappeared,healthandsafetyintheworkplaceandasbestos-relatedillness.

“Ifit’slabourrelated,we’vedoneit,”Harmstonsaid.

Overtheyears,Harmston,whoisalsoamemberoftheBCGEU’sComponent3executive,haslearnedwhateveryoneinthemediaknows—producingaradioprogramistimeconsumingandallconsuming.Timebetweenprogramsisspentpreparingforthenext.Therearetopicstoresearch,interviewsubjectstofindandscriptstowrite.

Masteringthetechnicalsideofradio,suchasoperat-ingmicrophones,recordingequipmentandanaudiosoundboard,hasn’tcomeeasy.Norhaskeepingupwith

technology.Harmstonrecallsoneearlytechnicalmeetingwithradiostationstaff.

“Irememberthemtalkingaboutthetechnicalstuffandpodcastsandemailingyourshow,andIlookedoveratDellaandshewasslumpingdowninherchairmoreandmore.I’mthinking,shelookslikehowIfeel.”

Hertechnicaloperatingskillsmuchimproved,Harmstonsaysshegetsabitofarushfromthechallengeofdoingaliveradioshow,especiallywhenshehastoimproviseandthinkfastonherfeetwhenatechnicalglitchhappensorapieceofequipmentmalfunctions.

“Doingtheshowisfunanditkeepsyouin-the-knowaboutalotofthings,”saidHarm-ston,whohasnoplanstohanguphermicrophone.

Labour Radio is ‘On the Air’

TVOICE FOR LABOUR — Patsy Harmston, BCGEU Local 309 (back) and Della McLoud, BCGEU Local 709 (front) host ‘The Rank and File Voice, sponsored by the West Kootenay District Labour Council, every second Wednesday on Kootenay Coop Radio, CJLY.

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early 40 BCGEU members from around the province attended the picturesque Capilano Univer-

sity campus in North Van-couver for the BCGEU Labour Institute Spring 2010, a partnership between the union and university.

Members in two unique educa-tion streams spent three days with university professors, talented BCGEU staff and dynamic speakers. Half the participants were enrolled in the academic stream, which consisted of full days de-voted to labour history, labour economics and social policy. Three well-known instructors, Ed Lavalle, John Calvert and John-Henry Harter, worked with the class on a variety of issues, such as the On to Ottawa Trek (which has its 75th Anniversary on June 6th), the proposed power project in Northern B.C. and a com-parison of social programs in Europe and North America.

Those not enrolled in the academic stream participated in the Advanced Campaigns course. This session brought returning Labour Institute grads together to hear dynamic speakers from B.C.’s progressive community share their insights and expertise on different aspects of the campaign planning process. Members participated in sessions on civil disobedience, how to reach out to faith communities, event

planning and how to work with politicians and the media. As a final project, participants formed teams and each created its own campaign. The end result was a number of innovative campaign ideas for the BCGEU to consider, plus a group of campaign-ready activists eager to put their new skills into action.

The institute offered more than just learning in a class-room setting. A social was held on the first night where participants heard Joey Hartman, the chair of the ‘On to Ottawa Trek 75th Anniversary Committee’ speak about the trek’s history and the challenges labour and social activists faced along the way. Their anniversary event is linked with the Red Tent pro-ject for homelessness, a local initiative. The evening ended on an upbeat note with a per-formance by Theatresports.

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Some 40 BCGEU m e m b e r s part ic ipated in the 2010 spring sess ion of the Labour Institute, focusing on either a n a c a d e m i c s t r e a m o r an advanced c a m p a i g n planning stream.

Spring session focuses on academics, campaigns, historystudent Comments

“I never thought I would learn the history of the union, our economy present and future, and social policies of the world in just three days. It’s such good information I can’t help but share it with my co-workers and friends. I wish everyone could know this information. Our world would look a lot different if we all worked together with a common goal. Thanks!”

Leah Friesen, Accounting Clerk, City of Fort St John

“The academic stream was a great course. The expertise of the facilitators and their knowledge of the subject matter was great. It was good to be able to make the connections between history, economics and social policy, and how we can use our skills to address today’s world issues. It was a great experience and I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity, to attend.”

Sussanne Skidmore, Local 1211, Prince George

“The workshop was informative and engaging. The subject matter was topical and relevant and presented in the beautiful surroundings of Capilano University. It was a great venue for networking with my peers and to discuss the issues facing us all.”

Keith Roenspiess, Local 2009, Academic Stream

“I attended the campaign course. It was a very informative and educational experience. The course expanded my knowledge. Everyone should attend this course to become a better activist.”

MJ Colquhoun, Local 404, Advanced Campaigns

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Not only does June 21 mark the summer solstice, it’s also National Aboriginal Solidar-

ity Day in Canada. The day was first proclaimed by the Canadian Parliament in 1996. Since then,

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day has been celebrated annually coast to coast to coast.

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day is significant for the BCGEU, so much so that some BCGEU collective agreements recognize it as a work holiday. There have been calls for the federal government to make National Aboriginal Solidarity Day a national statutory holiday.

The National Aboriginal Solidarity Day day is meant to recog-nize and celebrate the important contributions that Aboriginal

peoples make in every Canadian community. Aboriginal peoples continue to play a key role in the fight for social justice, equality, and workers’ and human rights.

Sadly, the B.C. government has failed to address the injustice of Aboriginal poverty, as well as a lack of access to education, employment, housing,

health care and other basic social services. Recent provincial budget cuts are expected to inflict new hardships on Aboriginal peoples

and communities.

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day is an opportunity for the BCGEU to express solidarity with Aboriginal peoples and support the call for improvements to their socio-economic status. The BCGEU encourages members in every region of the province and in every union local to celebrate National Aboriginal Solidarity Day by organizing and participating in events with Aboriginal members of the union.

Watch the BCGEU website and weekly e-bulletins for updates on events coming to your region.

Aboriginal Solidarity DayJune 21

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CommunIty

hirty-fourBCGEUmemberswhoworkattheGrandForksandDistrictSavingsCreditUnionratifiedanew,three-yearagreement.Thedealincludestwopercentwageincreasesin2011and2012.

Municipality Deals BCGEUmembersworkingfortheDistrictofSechelthaveratifiedtheircollectiveagreement,athree-yeardealwithatleasttwopercentwageincreasesineachoftheyearsofthecontract.Theagreementwasreachedwiththeassistanceofamediator.ThedistrictwastoconsiderratifyingtheagreementsometimeinMay.The45BCGEUmembersinSecheltcoveredbytheagreementareadministrativesupportstaffandoutsideworkers.

SixtyBCGEUmembersworkingfortheRegionalDistrictofOkanagan-Similkameenratifiedanewtwo-yearcontractby97percent.Theagreementincludesa1.5percentwageincreaseineachyear.Thecontract,reachedwiththehelpofmediator,alsoincludesacomprehensivegrievanceprocedure,contractingoutlanguage,andseniorityimprovements.Membersincludeclericalstaff,planners,landfillworkersandwatertechnicians.

Community Social Services membersLakeCowichan’sKaatzaChildCarejoinedtheBCGEUinFebruary,adding12members.Negotiationsforafirstcontractwillbeginlaterthisyear.TheBCGEUalsore-centlycertifiedcommunitysocialservicesworkersattheComoxValleyChildCareCentre,theAssociationAdvo-catingforWomenandChildren(AWAC)inPrinceGeorge,andtheVancouverSocietyofChildren’sCentres.

InVancouver,membersatBrantVillaDayCareSociety(LearningTree)ratifiedafour-yearagreementthatincludesasixpercentwageincreaseovertheterm,andsignificantincreasesinRRSPcontributions.AtPoohCornerDayCareSociety,alsoinVancouver,ratificationispendingforatwo-yeardealthatofferstwopercentincreasesin2010and2011andimplementationoftheRRSPnextyear.Thereareabout10unionmembersatLearningTreeand15atPoohCorner.

PartiesatMissionDayCareSocietyhavereachedatentativethree-yearagreementincludingtwopercentincreasesin2010and2011andvacationentitlementincreases.Ratificationofthedealispending.FifteenBCGEUmembersworkatMissionDayCareSociety.

BCGEUmembersemployedbyWestsydeCareResi-dencesinKamloopsratifiedathree-yearagreement,endinginDecember2012.Thedealincludessignifi-cantwageincreasesandimprovementsinhealthcarecoverage.FournewseniorrehabilitationpositionswillbecreatedinJuly.ThirtyBCGEUmembersatWestsydeCareprovidepersonalandhealthcaretoresidents.

MembersattheNorthernJohnHowardSocietywhoworkwithex-offendersinthePrinceGeorgearearatifiedtheirfirstagreement,with100percentofthemembershipvotinginfavour.Thetwo-yeardealincludeswageincreasesforunderpaidstaffandawagere-openerclauseforotherstaff.

ProTrans Bargaining continues in MayBargainingcontinuedinMarchandAprilforalmost200memberswhoworkontheCanadaLine.Progresshasbeenconsistent.Thepartiesareworkingthroughsomedifficultissues.FurtherbargainingdatesarescheduledforMay.

stand-alone bargaining update

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