Have you noticed that the City is involved in promoting a healthy work place? They seem to be using all the right words when it comes to telling us how important this is to them.

I know a lot of you are waiting to hear this. We have finally agreed to language that we can jointly present to the Employment Standards Board (ESB) requesting a permit to allow us to work over the 12 hour spread on a volunteer basis. As for how long the ESB will take to grant this is unknown at this time. But we are confident that they will grant it. A little more patience and things should return to the way we did business in the past. We will keep you informed on the process.

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT- OPERATIONS

I hope everyone had a good, safe holiday season. I am certain that with all the festive food and cheer behind us we are all ready to get back into the swing of things in the New Year.

Operator’s Rule Book: I will be attempting to look at a different rule every month and try to bring some clarity to them.

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT- OPERATIONS

First, I would like to wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

I had the pleasure of attending a Duty to Accommodate course in Jasper from Nov. 25 – 29^th. The Alberta Federation of Labour put on this course. The course dealt with Labour Law and Rules and Regulations for Accommodation.

It was well presented and the instruction was second to none. Some of the other courses offered were: Advanced Steward Training, Clear Language and Design, Human Rights, Labour Law, Pensions – A Trade Unions Perspective, Union Counseling and a new course on opposing views between men and women (Women and Men Talking). This school is one of the best functions put on by the Federation of Labour. The delegates have the opportunity to learn from Union activists and then to socialize with other Union members and to compare notes about what is happening in their Locals.