Happy Pride Month!

The history of LGBTQIA2S+ rights in Canada has seen significant milestones and progress over the years. In 1969, Canada took a notable step forward with the decriminalization of homosexuality, one of the first countries to do so. This was followed by the recognition of sexual orientation as a protected ground under human rights legislation in various provinces. In the 1990s and early 2000s, several Provinces legalized same-sex marriage, leading to a nationwide change in 2005 when Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage at the federal level. This landmark legislation ensured equal marriage rights for same-sex couples throughout the country.

Since then, Canada has continued to make advancements in LGBTQIA2S+ rights. In 2017, the Canadian government passed Bill C-16, which added gender identity and gender expression as protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act. This legislation provides legal protection against discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Canada also has laws prohibiting hate speech and inciting of hatred against LGBTQIA2S+ people. Overall, Canada has made significant progress in promoting equality and protecting the rights of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, although there remains work to be done to ensure full inclusivity and acceptance for all members of the community.

LGBTQIA2S+ rights and Unionism align in the pursuit of social justice and equality. Unions historically are advocates for workers’ rights, fighting against discrimination and working towards fair treatment for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are wishing everyone celebrating a very happy Pride Month!

Prairie School for Union Women

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour held its annual Prairie School for Union Women this month.

“The Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW), offers trade union women an intensive four days of ¬learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop ¬women’s personal and leader¬ship skills and to build ¬solidarity among women workers.”
info from sfl.sk.ca

This year we sent a delegation of four, including more experienced as well as newer Members of our Women’s Committee.

Prairie School offers eight educational courses including:

Ignite the Spark: This course offers union women an opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership skills, find their voice and ignite the spark to take on further challenges. Course material will cover the key issues facing working women today and how unions can make a difference. Participants will examine ideas around leadership, understand myths and the obstacles and challenges women leaders face.
Info from sfl.sk.ca

We want to thank the SFL for organizing this fantastic opportunity for our women Members! They do great work and we know our Members gain a lot when attending Prairie School.

If you are interested in joining our ATU Local 583 Women’s Committee please email president@atu583.com with your full name and employee number, new members are always welcome!

Funeral Benefits from ATU Local 583

This is a reminder that as Members of ATU Local 583 you have a funeral benefit to help offset some of the expenses incurred when you pass away. This benefit is for all Members in good standing, both active and retired.

Although it’s tough to think about a time when we won’t be here, it’s important to have this information and have it be accessible to our family members so they can acquire these benefits during a very difficult time.

Upon a Member’s passing their family should notify ATU Local 583 as soon as they are able. We will be able to get the process started at that point. It will involve a few questions as well as instruction to drop off or mail the following:

1) An original death certificate that will have a stamp/embossed seal. This cannot be a copy. Funeral directors will give families of the deceased multiple originals so they can give them to institutions that require them.

2) A copy of the receipt for funeral/cremation services.

Once we have these items the $2,000.00 funeral benefit can be issued.

This is also a great reason to ensure your retirement dues are up to date so the funeral benefit process can be as seamless as possible.

If you have any questions about this process or any other benefits of ATU 583 Membership please do not hesitate to give us a call at the office at 403 258 1258 Ext 0.

ATU 583 Negotiations with the City of Calgary

We posted an update on our website (atu583.com), Facebook (@ATULocal583) and our Telegram Group (invite only, please text Harry Lew at 403 404 4564 to be added) on May 29th, 2023. Not everyone is extremely active on social media so we wanted to ensure that we mentioned it in our newsletter. If you haven’t checked it out yet it is available on the above-mentioned media!

We also have several upcoming negotiations meetings scheduled into July and will update on those when we are able.

Members and Management Exemption

We would like to go over how Members going to Management Exempt positions effects dues, etc.

Once you accept a permanent Management Exempt position you should have reversion rights, usually six months but that could be extended by mutual agreement. During that period, you will continue to pay Union dues as any other Member. Once your reversion rights have ended you can contact the ATU Local 583 Office to cease your dues and discontinue your Membership, or you can contact us and let us know you have gone to an ME position but would like to maintain your Membership. Maintaining your Membership has several benefits, the main one being your ability to keep any Union life insurance you may have.

If you do not contact us and let us know you have gone ME, dues will likely continue to be taken from your cheque. A kind reminder that this information is your responsibility to get to the office.

Article 103 – Membership in the ATU 583 Bylaws states: “It shall be the responsibility of the Member leaving the Bargaining Unit to cease their Membership and inform the Local Union Office. All dues premiums shall be applicable until date of notification.”

Additionally, Article 108 – Dues and Assessments states: “The dues of Members moving into exempt positions wishing to maintain their Membership shall be $19.44 bi-weekly. All future negotiated increases within the bargaining unit of the area they work within shall be added to the base rate (January 1, 2018)”

We have had several cases of Members who have gone to a Management Exempt position and not notified the office who then want to recoup their Union dues. This is a difficult position for ATU 583 as we have already paid those premiums to our affiliates on behalf of the Member in question. As a show of good faith, the Office will try and refund any dues received above these expenses but that portion may be minimal. Unfortunately, we do not receive information when a Members goes into an exempt position which is why the Bylaws state it is the Member’s responsibility in this scenario.

If you have any questions or concerns, we are available and happy to discuss this process with you Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Please call 403-258-1258 Ext 4 to speak with our Financial Secretary Treasurer or email finsec@atu583.com.

ATU 583 Stampede Pancake Breakfast

We are having a Stampede Pancake Breakfast on July 11th from 9 am to 2 pm. It will take place at our Union Office in the back alley at 5325 1A Street SW. All Members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to come down for pancakes, all beef sausages, bacon and more!

We will have door prizes, music, beverages and best of all – FUN! We look forward to seeing (and feeding!) all of you.

COPE 397 /jw