For immediate release
5 February, 2010
ILWU Canada reacts to BCMEA
concerning Human Rights
Complaint
We are surprised by the BCMEA’s allegations
to the Canadian
Human Rights Commission.
We are surprised because, apart from a proposal that would
violate the widely recognized seniority rights of longshore workers,
the BCMEA
has not requested any discussions with the ILWU to change any of the
policies
and practices they are complaining about.
Indeed, many of the policies and practices the BCMEA is
complaining about are on the books because the BCMEA requested them.
For
example, it is BCMEA policy to withhold training from those who have
received
training in the past two years.
The ILWU has requested discussions with the BCMEA concerning
equality in the workforce on several occasions, to no avail.
As a result, ILWU Local 500 (Vancouver) commissioned Vince
Ready to conduct his investigation to get to the bottom of these
serious
issues. We are implementing Mr. Ready’s recommendations.
We have also been forced to seek solutions through the
arbitration process. We have invested heavily in a case which
will be
decided in a matter of months and we are hopeful that real and
significant
change will result from the decision.
We have also tabled an agenda of bargaining proposals to
make the waterfront workplace more friendly to families and
women. To
date, the BCMEA has not responded to it.
For these reasons, we are surprised and we suspect that the
Human Rights Commission will be surprised too.
The ILWU has a long and distinguished history of defending
workers against discrimination of any kind.
-30-
For
further information: Tom Dufresne 604-790-4670
Posted
Feb. 5
International Solidarity with locked out ILWU miners
Click
here to read
the Solidarity Statement to the ILWU from the Mining and Maritime
Initiative under the signatures of Paddy Crumlin MUA, Chair of the ITF
International Dockworkers and Andrew Vickers, General Secretary CFMEU
Mining
& Energy.
Posted
Feb. 3
ILWU Canada officers attend Ambulance Paramedics rally
President Tom Dufresne and ILWU officers were on hand to lend ILWU
Canada support to ambulance paramedics and their right to free
collective bargaining at a rally on January 27 in Burnaby.
(Left to
right:)
Glen Edwards,
President ILWU Local 505 Prince Rupert;
Mark Keserich,
President ILWU Local
500 Vancouver; Tom Dufresne, ILWU Canada President; and Brett Hartley, President ILWU Local
508 Vancouver Island.
|
(Left to Right):
Mike Rondpre VP Local 500; Mark Keserich President ILWU Local 500; Ken
Georgetti, President CLC; ILWU Canada President
Tom Dufresne.
|
Posted Feb. 2
Update: January 25
The
Union and employer bargaining committees met January 12, 13, 18, and
19,
2010
The parties continue to explore each others proposals and, while there
has been
some discussion, there is still a long way to go.
The committees will meet again January 25 and 26.
Tom Dufresne
On
Behalf of the ILWU bargaining Committee
Posted Jan. 25, 2010
Previously
posted updates and background information is available here.
|
CLC
update - "Retirement Security for Everyone" campaign
This
update will bring you up to date on this important Canadian Labour
Congress campaign.
Click
here to read the update.
Posted Jan. 22
The
WaterFront News was mailed to members in December.
If you did
not
receive a copy of your newsletter we do not have access to your current
mailing
address. Please contact the office to update your address
information.
An
on-line version of the newsletter is available here.
Feb. 2, 2010
New Year, new challenges for the Maritime
Union of Australia
Lots has
been achieved in 2009, but there's still a lot more to achieve in 2010.
Safe Work Australia has released three safety publications for
the stevedoring industry, but the stevedoring code of practice is yet
to be put in place and job safety is still the biggest issue of all;
the shipping reform package is before cabinet, but the reforms have yet
to be adopted and implemented, extending Australian coverage of ships
and guest workers on our coast is now part of Fairwork, but compromises
were made to get it through the Senate.
What's more
2010 is an election year and we now confront the old WorkChoices
advocates leading the Coalition contending for government.
The new
minimum employment standards that came into effect on January 1 will be
good for maritime workers - all Australian workers - and are a major
step forward from WorkChoices. But would once again be at risk with the
election of an Abbot government.
We will be
calling on members in the coming weeks and months, both to help ensure
Labor policy on shipping rejuvenation and job safety on the wharves and
offshore facilities is implemented, and to defend workers' rights from
the return of a Coalition government.
For more
information on the Maritime Union
of Australia, click
here.
Posted January 8, 2010
Waterfront
Industry Pension Plan - Changes to Early Retirement
December
23, 2009 Your Pension Trustees are very pleased to announce that we
have been successful in making significant changes to the Bridge
Benefit and Early Retirement provisions in our Pension Plan. These
changes were approved at the Trustee meeting on December 18, 2009.
The
changes are effective January 1, 2010, are:
- The
maximum Bridge Benefit is payable at the age of 62 with 25 years of
service. The current benefit payable is 25 years of service x $29 =
$725. The new Bridge Benefit is approximately 25 x $36.35 = $908.75.
Note: The new Bridge Benefit increase will also be payable to all
members currently receiving the benefit. The actual date the increase
will be received on your cheques will be dependent on the work load in
the Benefits office.
- The
Early Retirement factors have changed for the special early provisions
of the Pension benefit. The following benefit change was approved at
the Trustee meeting on December 18, 2009. At the age of 60 years with
25 years of Industry service, the actuarial reduction in benefits has
been reduced from 12% to 5%. The change will only affect retirees who
retire as of January 1, 2010 going forward.
As
an example:
If
you are 60 years of age and have 25 years of service, your current
benefit could be approximately $1650 a month. The new rate for the same
length of service and age would be approximately $1781. An $131 a month
increase.
All
other provisions of the Pension text remain the same. Reductions
below age 60 will still be calculated at 6% per year for all members.
When
these changes are in place you will be able to call our Pension
Officer, Atul Hans at 604-689-7184 for assistance in planning your
retirement.
UNION
TRUSTEES:
Ken
Bauder ILWU Canada
Mark
Gordienko Local 500
Brett
Hartley Local 508
Have you
seen our ILWU Canada blog?
Visit our blog for new information, contests, and an opportunity to
leave us your thoughts on a variety of topics.
Visit us at ilwucanada.wordpress.com
Today's ITF headlines:
English:
French:
ITF
calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
2009/2010 scholarship applications forms
are now available
Detailed scholarship policy information is available here.
