APRIL NEWSLETTER 2010

Our Negotiations Committee for HandiBus have met to try and find a resolution to our outstanding issues.  Although negotiations have gone well up to this point we are now into “breaks” and “schedules” and we are still a distance apart on this.  Unfortunately, as previously stated, no matter how well intentioned Calgary HandiBus is on this item, our issues are controlled by Access Calgary and they don’t come to the table.  We are hoping to find support through community groups and politicians.  The only permanent solution for us is to be able to deal with the cheque writers, in this case Calgary Transit, and they won’t come to the table.  We have FOIPed the contracts with   their service providers and have received some of them. It looks like Southland has objected to the disclosure of public information so we are still waiting on that information.  If they are successful in blocking the release we will appeal.   The cab companies and Calgary HandiBus were not opposed and we are sifting through that information right now.

I attended the LAPP Stakeholders Consultation Group last month.  Labour had two major concerns going into this meeting.  The first was the comments of the parting CEO implying that even if the plan was fully funded; the rates would be too high to provide the plan benefits of the 85 factor and retiring before having 35 years of service.  The other was the apparent under performance of AIMco Investments rate of return for LAPP when compared to similar plans, even plans that AIMco also invests for.  The investment issue is going back to the LAPP Board to review the investment policy and see how it compares to the others.  The Board will also bring us back hard numbers on what the previous mentioned benefits cost the plan.  Given the recent changes to the quorum and voting rules at the Board, we have legitimate reasons to be concerned.  One positive note is that the Civic Labour Coalition invited City Manager, Owen Tobert, to attend our March meeting and he is on record as supporting the LAPP pension benefits as they are today.  The pension benefits are something that we will continue to monitor very closely.

Another critical issue we are dealing with is our Brothers that have come here under the Temporary Foreign Workers program.  We met with these members (the Brits) and their families to discuss the many concerns they have.  Under the TFW program they are limited to staying here for a maximum of two years unless there is an extension to or renewal of the Labour Market Opinion they came over under.  In this case, a Transit Operator for Calgary Transit.  They came over with the understanding that one of these two things would happen.  However, the rules are very strict around these extensions and unfortunately everything that can go bad has.  By the time the City brought them over the economy had already tanked.  This has made a very difficult process next to impossible.  They have sacrificed so much to come over here and were promised so much, none of which has panned out.  The hurdles are too numerous to mention here but the best solution  would be if the position of Transit Operator were a Class #2 in the National Occupation Classifications instead of a Class #3.  We have been in touch with some key players with regard to changing the classification, as we knew it was already under review.  The review is going very well but even if it is changed it won’t be until at least mid to late 2011.

I hope we’re wrong but it appears the City is not going to be able to fulfill their obligation to these employees in the form of permanent employment.  If that is the case, they really need to step up to the plate and negotiate a reasonable compensation to assist this group in relocating back to their homeland.  With less than a year left on their work visas, now is the time to confirm their options for them.

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS             DOUG JOHANNES

Cell phones, I know I have written about this before but it is such a huge issue it needs to be addressed again.

Rule 114 personal activities:  “Operators must not use any electronic device (personal stereo, hand held radio, video games, cellular phone, etc.) or engage in personal activities (ie. hobbies) while occupying the work station.

All personal items must be kept out of sight”.  Management enforces this rule and they have a zero tolerance policy on it.  What that means is if you are observed using an electronic device especially a cellular phone you will be called into the office and questioned.  Operators have been receiving letters of counsel as well as disciplinary letters and suspensions from one day to five and we have had one Operator terminated.  It is imperative that you do not use your cell phone while you are driving.  That includes the use of a Bluetooth device.  The Operator that was terminated had been recently disciplined for five days for his involvement in a traffic accident while he was using a Bluetooth.  Once he returned to work he was again seen using the blue tooth while he was driving.  He was terminated.  We have had other examples of Operators using their phones to text while driving.  This resulted in an accident and a three-day suspension to the Operator.  There are many cases of letter of counseling and warnings. When Management says zero tolerance, they mean just that.  So please, do not use them while you are driving.  If you have to answer the phone it is best left until you get to a time point.  If you have been following the news it looks like it will be only a matter of time before a by-law is passed to prohibit cell phone use while driving.

The Municipal Employees Benefit Association of Calgary (M.E.B.A.C.) held a planning session earlier this week.  We had an opportunity to meet and discuss process with all of the suppliers of benefits.  We were able to talk one on one with them and have a lot of questions answered.  Benefits is something that we seem to take for granted, however, if you need them and have difficulty receiving, it can be tough.  We spend a lot of time every week dealing with them and if you are having trouble please call us.

Elections for Alderman and Mayor – there have been a number of people announce that they will not be seeking re-election or that they are running for Mayor. First, I hope everyone does get out and vote.  It is a right that we take for granted.  However, this is not the case in a lot of countries.  Our forefathers fought long and hard to insure that right.

With so many changes coming to Council it is imperative that we take the time to know the candidates and what their positions are with respect to all matters.  However, there will be a lot of issues that will affect us closer than most.  A  couple of the more prominent candidates for Mayor have openly stated that they support privatization of City run services.  That could mean that private companies will be doing all of the functions that we are now providing. Some candidates have stated they are members of the Progressive Group for Independent Business.  Their policy paper is at www.pgib.ca/lobbying/policyshtm. If you are going to look at any website regarding the elections, please look at this one.  Their mandate is the elimination of all non-essential services, sell them off to private interests.  Sell off the utilities, that way we will be able to spend more money for every gigajoule we use and private business would make the money from it, instead of the people that it should belong to and privatize public transportation also.

This election could be the most important election we have had in years.  So again, please be informed.  The media will play up who they want.  But as you know, media is nothing but big business.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER       RICK RATCLIFF  
         
The Canadian Labour Congress has initiated a Canada wide campaign to address Retirement Security.

It is a “Better Choice Campaign” which includes radio ads, brochures, worker to worker canvassing and my appeal in this newsletter.  The goal of the Campaign is to convince politicians to adopt and endorse the C.L.C.’s demands on Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security(OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement(GIS) and the creation of a Federal Pension Insurance system.  I’m sure we all believe that after a lifetime of work, everyone deserves to retire with a decent pension.

Some of the issues that need addressing are:
-  over 60% of Canadians don’t have a pension plan at work.
-  70% of Canadians don’t have RRSP’s and the median RRSP value of a worker aged 55 to 65 who owned one, was just $60,000.00 in 2005.  That equates  to only $250 per month.
- 1.6 million retired seniors live in poverty, more than 1/3 of all seniors collecting OAS and CPP have incomes under $15,000 per year.

The CLC proposes that we raise employee/employers contribution by 0.4% of pensionable earnings over the next seven years.  This will allow pension benefits to increase from $886.00 to $1772.00 for today’s average 28 year old, contributing to age 65. This increase equates to an average of a seven cents/hour increase in contributions! The CLC also proposes an immediate 15% increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplements of Old Age Security benefits.  This would lift all seniors out of poverty.  The funding could be achieved through withdrawing meager personal tax cuts or the reduction in the $20 billion in corporate tax breaks handed out.  This program would only cost $1.12 billion, which is less than one half of one percent of a $220 billion National budget.

The CLC’s final proposal would be to insure private pension plans.  This makes good sense because we insure as many of our assets as we can.  The program would protect benefits up to $2,500.00 per month with premiums as low as $2.50 per year for each plan member.  This would reduce the worry of a plan going bankrupt and protect the plan member’s interests.

All of the previous facts have been substantiated by; CLC researchers, M. Townson, one of Canada’s leading pension experts and B. Dussault, the Chief Actuary of the CPP from 1992 and 1997.

The CPP is a great program, it is:  safe, secure, portable, fee free, indexed and backed by the Government.  The enhancements proposed will give future seniors, our children and grandchildren more money to draw from CPP and less will be needed from other social programs.  It would also offer Canadians impacted by social and job market discrimination a boost.

The timing is right and must be swift to address these issues because the Provincial Finance Ministers are meeting in mid June in Charlottetown.

Federal Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, has been quoted as saying “nobody’s mentioned the issue to me”.  He is the same man who has dismantled many social programs in Ontario.  We must contact our M.P.’s and M.L.A.’s to make them aware of the campaign.  A single phone call to your elected officials’ office to tell them you support the C.L.C.’s position on Retirement Security is needed.

Our office has brochures for the membership to read and I will be making a presentation at the next Regular Meeting in May.  More information is also available @ www.canadianlabour.ca and a facebook page is available @ “Retirement Security for Everyone”.

RECORDING SECRETARY – MAINTENANCE/OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE       WALTER MOODIE

ATU has a Conflict Resolution Committee that helps to resolve conflict between Union members.I am requesting all members to try this avenue before approaching Management with a concern about another member.Talk to your Union Representatives in your area or call the Union office.

If you know of a member that has been hospitalized please advise a Union Representative or the Union office.  Through our By-laws we can follow up and send a fruit basket or flowers, a card of well wishes and also go to the hospital to visit our Sisters or Brothers.  Numerous members are not aware that the family is also entitled to our Employee and Family Assistance Program.  Human Solutions have professional counselors that can help your family through the difficult times experienced in times of need.

Last September Calgary held what was heralded as one of the best World Skills Competition for the Trades.  Apprenticeship numbers for Trades are up in the private sector but I’m sorry to hear that Calgary Transit has taken another view.

There will be no increase in Apprenticeships for the year 2010.  I feel strongly that now would be the best opportunity to have apprenticeships grow within our work areas.  I received a call from the Manager at Supply Management and he is very interested in having apprenticeships for the Parts Department.  ATU Local 583 will be following up on this and will be working towards having apprentices in our Parts Department in the future.
Spring Gardens will soon have Maintenance coverage over the weekends. Currently there is an afternoon/weekend shift and soon there will be a day shift working weekends.  Please watch your job boards and bid if you are interested in these new posted positions.

2010 is also election year.  This year we get to vote for who will be our Mayor and new Council.  Our Union Coalition Committee will be working together interviewing and coming up with endorsements for the upcoming elections.  Please keep informed and get out and vote.  October will be a time when we can vote for our “Bosses”.
I encourage all Union members to take an interest in the Municipal elections and make the change that is required at City Hall.  Your vote can make a DIFFERENCE!!

April 28th is International Day of Mourning for workers that have been injured, suffering from occupational diseases or killed on the job.  These numbers keep increasing year after year and Alberta has one of the worst records in Canada.  On April 28th the Calgary District Labour Council will be again holding a wreath laying ceremony.  If you can attend, it will be held at City Hall, South side of the Municipal Building starting at 11:45 a.m.  City flags are to be lowered and I also encourage you to take time to remember.  Changes must be made towards a safer work environment, as well as stricter penalties to companies that disregard safety acts, codes or rules. These companies need to be held accountable.

Have a great Spring and remember change does not just happen.  We make change happen collectively.  Stand and be proud that you are Union
    
FOR YOUR INFORMATION....   
Change of Address:  If you have moved in the last year, we may not have your address.  Please call the Union office to insure that your address is correct.  If you change it with the City, they do not forward that information to us.  Thank you for your assistance.

THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED FROM

Gordon Alexander      Mike Jeffery      Neil Armitage      Donald Matthews              Fred Baldwin            Art Smith
James Braun             David Ward       Ed Carlson         Family of Ted Harwood      Wayne Hykaway


CONGRATULATIONS On Their Retirement:
Mel Korpi – Maintenance – February 2010
Ron Colbeck – Operator – March 2010
Bernd Engler – Maintenance – April 2010
Don Marshall – Operator – April 2010
John Crews – Operator – April 2010
Dave Snyder – Maintenance – April 2010
Warren Evans – Operator – April 2010
Finn Jensen – Operator – May 2010
Gilles Colgan – Operator – May 2010
Joe Walt – Operator – May 2010

  
RETIREES CORNER
Just a Reminder:  The next meeting will be May 3, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m. at Spring Gardens garage. The next function will be May 4, 2010 @ 5:00 p.m. at the Austrian Canadian Club – 3112 – 11 St. NE, buffet will be @ 6:00 p.m.

/sw   COPE #379