I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support as I take on the responsibilities of my new role as UFCW National Director. My heart belongs with Locals 175 & 633. I want to assure everyone that I will continue as president of Local 175 and I will continue to perform my duties and responsibilities as I have in the past.

Enjoy your summer and please remember to work safely.

Yours In Solidarity, Wayne Hanley President Local 175 UFCW Canada

Health & Safety

Locals 175 & 633 are committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. In order to assist the Local Union with this, it is imperative that your Union Representative is aware whenever the Ministry of Labour inspectors have attended your work site. If possible, provide the union with a copy of the project form given by the inspector at the end of their visit.

The Ministry of Labour has strict time limits in place to appeal the order of an inspector. Therefore, the information is needed to allow the Union the opportunity to support our members and if necessary to appeal the decision of the inspector.

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In April, the Quebec Superior Court denied Wal-Mart’s attempt to prevent the unionization of one of its stores in Quebec. The judge upheld an earlier Quebec Labour Relations Commission (QLRC) decision to exclude a number of Wal-Mart workers from the proposed bargaining unit at the Saint-Hyacinthe store. Wal-Mart claimed that had those workers been part of the bargaining unit, the vote would have turned out differently. The majority of the approximately 200 workers at that location voted to join the UFCW early last year.

If you know of anyone looking to organize their workplace, please have them contact us at the North West Regional office at 807-346-4227 or 1-800-465-6932 or send an e-mail to organizing@ufcw175.com.

Please remember we take confidentiality seriously and the identity of anyone contacting our Organizing Department will be held in the strictest of confidence.

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Steward & Member Scholarship Programs

In late April and early May, members and stewards from across the province participated in a one-week training session in Mississauga.

	The Members' Scholarship Program included North West Region members Joao Neves - Bearskin Airlines (back row 4th from left) and Helen Wensley - Safeway (front row 2nd from right).
	The April Stewards' Scholarship Program include Dale Gorrell - Prince Arthur Hotel (back row 4th from left) and Brenda Strachan - Comfort Inn Thunder Bay (front row 2nd from left).
	Stewards attending the May scholarship program included Cheryl Stuart - Safeway (front row left) and Brian Oles - A&P (back row 4th from left).

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Upcoming Leukemia Fundraising Events

The Thunder Bay Leukemia Walk takes place June 4, 2006 at Boulevard Lake. Registration beings at 10:30 and the walk begins at 11 a.m. For more information contact the North West office at 807-346-4227 or 1-800-465-6932.
	The annual Thunder Bay Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, July 22, 2006 at the Northern Lights Golf Complex Tee Off Time is at 11:00 a.m. Contact the Thunder Bay office at 807-346-4227 or 1-800-465-6932.

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Negotiation Recaps

Locals 175 & 633 members at the following work locations ratified new collective agreements in the last little while. Information on new agreements is posted on the Web site in the News section as those agreements are ratified. Be sure to check back often for updates.

Bearskin Lake (3-year contract) - Ratified March 18, 2006

• Wages increase by between 9.2 and 9.3 per cent over the term of the contract.

• Workers receive a shift premium of 30 cents per hour for hours worked between 11:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. receive a shift premium of 30 cents per hour.

• Lead Hands receive a $1 per-hour shift premium.

• Effective January 1, 2006, full-time workers can bank up to 60 hours overtime and part-time can bank up to 30 hours overtime, per calendar year.

• New pension language provides a defined contribution pension plan to which workers contribute 3 per cent of their earnings and the company pays 3 per cent of a worker’s earnings.

• New language covers employment equity, job filling, student positions, call-ins,

• Part-time workers are now guaranteed two consecutive days off once in every two-week period.

• Improved language covers steward representation and bereavement leave.

Quality Market (3-year contract) - Ratified April 9, 2006

• Wages increase by 3 per cent for each job classification in each year of the agreement.

• Those who qualify receive retroactive pay to July 17, 2005. Those who do not qualify for retroactive pay receive a one-time lump sum payment of $50.

• The shift premium for Responsibility Pay increases to 50 cents per hour, up from 35 cents.

• Improved language covers bereavement leave.

Prince Arthur (2-year contract) - Ratified April 15, 2006

• All current workers receive an increase of 20 cents per hour retroactive to November 1, 2005 and a subsequent increase of 20 cents per hour effective November 1, 2006.

• New bereavement entitlement language provides a three-day leave for workers who lose a step-sibling, step-child or step-parent.

• Improved language covers job-filling.

Sioux Lookout Bearskin Lake (3-year contract) - Ratified May 1, 2006

• Wages increase by between 9.2 and 9.3 per cent over the term of the contract.

• Those scheduled to work between 11:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. receive a shift premium of 30 cents per hour in addition to their regular pay.

• Lead Hands receive a $1 per-hour shift premium.

• Workers can now bank up to 60 hours overtime for full-time and 30 hours for part-time, per calendar year.

• Language improvements cover job vacancies, promotion, hours of work and vacation entitlement.

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Courses online and in your community

For a list of online courses available in the spring, please visit the Locals 175 & 633 Web site section on Course Descriptions and Course Schedules. To sign up for courses visit the Web campus at http://campus.ufcw175.ca

Mobile Training Lab

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• Health & Safety
• Organizing
• Training
• Leukemia Fundraising
• Negotiations Recap
• Courses

NW Region Staff

Shawn Haggerty
Director

Colby Flank
Union Rep


David Noonan
Union Rep