April 21, 2008 - Letter to Premier McGuinty regarding Swimming Pool Closures

• April 21, 2008
  
  The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
  Legislative Building
  Queen’s Park
  Toronto, ON M7A 1A4
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  Re: Swimming Pool Closures
  
  I am writing on behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79 to voice our strong objections to the proposed closure of 39 Toronto District School Board swimming pools. CUPE Local 79 is the largest municipal union in Canada. We represent more than 18,000 full and part-time employees at the City of Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Bridgepoint Hospital.
  
  Toronto residents have shown an historic commitment to building and maintaining swimming pools within public schools, and prior to amalgamation their property taxes backed up this commitment. Financially supporting these important resources only became a problem after school board funding began to be determined by an ill-designed formula that did not take into account the investment that Toronto tax payers had already made in swimming pools. To date your government has chosen to rely on stop-gap measures rather than addressing the formula’s fundamental problems. As a result you have forced the Toronto District School Board to choose between maintaining access to recreation and fitness opportunities on the one hand, and hiring teachers and enhancing academic programs on the other.
  
  This is clearly unacceptable.
  
  CUPE Local 79 hopes you will agree that pools and other recreation opportunities play important roles in the healthy development of children. Academic achievement must be rounded out with physical activity to foster a lifelong commitment to both education and fitness. This is particularly the case given growing concerns about increasing incidences of childhood obesity, diabetes and mood disorders, all of which are mitigated by proper fitness and healthy lifestyles. We also hope that you recognize the provincial government’s role in helping school boards to promote physical activity and will therefore help the TDSB keep its pools open.
  
  In fact, given that in February 2002, while she was still a TDSB trustee, the Education Minister moved a motion urging that “the board and the city continue to work together to persuade the provincial government to provide funding for swimming pools in schools” we know you are aware of the province’s responsibility in this matter.
  
  Premier McGuinty, CUPE Local 79 strongly urges you to step in and provide the funding needed to keep the TDSB swimming pools open.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education
  John Campbell, Chair, Board of Trustees, Toronto District School Board
  Janet Davis, Toronto City Council
  John Weatherup, President, CUPE Local 4400
  
  
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April 21, 2008 - Letter to Catherine Bossuyt regarding a Potential Work Rule Change – Public Consultation Unit

• April 21, 2008
  
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Manager, Employee and Labour Relations
  Human Resources
  Metro Hall, 5th Floor
  55 John Street
  Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  Re: Potential Work Rule Change – Public Consultation Unit
  
  As per our conversation, I am requesting a meeting with you and Robert Davis, Supervisor – Public Consultation, to deal with his proposal to encompass averaging of work hours.
  
  I would also like to remind Mr. Davis and yourself that Local 79 is the bargaining agent for the affected employees and that Mr. Davis does not have the right to negotiate directly with our members.
  
  CUPE Local 79 is also requesting confirmation that there has been no change in the working conditions of our members within the Public Consultation Unit.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Robert Davis, Supervisor – Public Consultation
  
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  IC#243
   

April 11, 2008 - Letter to Catherine Bossuyt regarding West Nile Virus Larviciding Contracting Out

• April 11, 2008

  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Manager, Employee and Labour Relations
  Human Resources
  Metro Hall, 5^th Floor
  55 John Street
  Toronto, ON  M5V 3C6 

  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  Re: West Nile Virus Larviciding Contracting Out

  I am writing regarding reports that Toronto Public Health has issued an RFP for the 2008 West Nile Virus Larviciding program.  Local 79 strongly objects to the use of an outside agency to provide a service that has previously been done by unionized staff.  Our members have made significant contributions to reducing the incidence of West Nile Virus in Toronto and there is no reason to contract out this work.

  Further, the terms of our collective agreement require that Toronto Public Health provide Local 79 with proper notice when any of our work is being contracted out.  To date, this has not been done.

  At this time I request copies of the following:

  1.  an update on the status of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the
       contract to implement the West Nile Virus Larviciding program;

  2.  a copy of the RFP;

  3.  a list of all vendors who have responded to the RFP as well as an
       indication of which ones have been short-listed;

  4.  all relevant background data including, but not limited to, cost
       and staffing information.

  Local 79 would also like to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss this issue.  Please contact my office to arrange a meeting.

  Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

  Yours truly,

  Ann Dembinski
  President
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March 26, 2008 - Letter to Dr. Hazel Stewart commenting on a recently posted memo to our members

• March 19, 2008
  
  Dr. Hazel Stewart
  277 Victoria Street
  5th Floor
  Toronto, ON M5B 1W2
  
  Dear Dr. Stewart:
  
  Local 79 wishes to comment on this recently posted Memo to our members.
  
  We have a problem with point 4 of the Memo. We believe this so-called “courtesy call” is unreasonable and unfairly onerous as a general rule. For example, employees who are off work ill may be resting in the afternoon. Furthermore, employees who are ill may simply not know by 3:00 p.m. if they will be well enough to work the following day.
  
  We, therefore, request that you delete or modify point 4. If you fail to do so, Local 79 on its own behalf and on behalf of any detrimentally affected member reserves the right to file a grievance.
  
  Upon receipt of this memo, please call me if you wish to discuss this matter.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Rochelle Posen, Labour Relations Consultant
  Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health
  
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March 20, 2008 - Letter to Premier McGuinty regarding the Brampton Hospital and the Public/Private Partnership (P3) model

• March 20, 2008
  
  The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
  Legislative Building
  Queen’s Park
  Toronto, ON M7A 1A4
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to express grave concerns regarding the new Brampton Hospital, and the Public/Private Partnership (P3) model that your government used to construct this hospital.
  
  CUPE Local 79 is the largest municipal local union in Canada. We represent more than 18,000 full and part-time employees at the City of Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Bridgepoint Hospital.
  
  The Brampton Hospital, which has been open for less than six months, has already been dogged by problems, including a shortage of staff and beds, long wait times, and lack of funding. It would appear that the private company that built and is running the hospital has cut back on services and beds in order to keep costs down and profits up. The construction costs almost doubled from $350 to $650 million, but the hospital has just three-quarters of the promised beds – a drop from 608 to 479.
  
  Brampton residents publicly protested against the current situation regarding their community hospital. The unfortunate deaths of two patients, in less than a month, have been attributed to the fact that the needs of patients and their families are not the first priority of P3 projects, where short-term profit is pursued at the expense of long-term community gain.
  
  Leading architects in Canada and in the U.K., including Moshe Safdie and award winning Scottish architect Malcolm Fraser, have begun speaking out against P3s and are amongst a group of architects who have resigned as Master Architects from P3 hospital projects.
  
  In December 2007, the British Medical Association (BMA), Scotland declared its continued opposition to the use of P3s or Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) in Scotland’s health service and welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to look at alternatives to the scheme.
  
  Doctors across the UK have raised concerns of bed shortages, financial problems, poor design, poor quality and reduced levels of care as a result of PFI. The Association also raised concerns about the diversion of public funds into private sector profits.
  
  You have obviously recognized the need for the urgent review of the current situation at the Brampton Hospital by appointing a supervisor to address community concerns and attempt to restore public confidence. There is enough evidence, from many jurisdictions, that P3 hospitals clearly do not allow for high quality services for patients in a cost effective and sustainable manner.
  
  The Brampton P3 hospital features the deepest, longest-term for-profit privatization of any hospital built in Ontario since the inception of Medicare. This diversion of public sector funds for core clinical services to the private sector, whose priority is profit rather than the delivery of high quality patient care, is simply unacceptable.
  
  Premier McGuinty, Local 79 urges you to do what people in Ontario want: state your clear commitment to publicly funded, publicly operated hospitals and end this disastrous health care partnership with the private, for-profit sector.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Howard Hampton, Leader Ontario NDP
  Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition
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March 17, 2008 - Letter to Mr. Harold Ball, TCHC VP-Human Resources, regarding concerns over HSI Agenda items held in Camera

• March 17, 2008
  
  Mr. Harold Ball
  Vice-President – Human Resources
  Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  931 Yonge Street
  Toronto, Ontario
  M4W 2H2
  
  Dear Mr. Ball:
  
  Re:  Minutes and Agendas HSI
  
  We are in receipt of the Agenda for Housing Services Incorporated (HSI) dated February 11, 2008.
  
  You will recall that Local 79 has historically expressed concerns about the creating of the subsidiaries at TCHC and their purpose, including HSI. Our concerns focused mainly on the ability of TCHC to deal in a transparent fashion with its Unions and the public while conducting business in three separate forums/Boards.
  
  The February agenda for the Board of HSI consists of seven items, every one of which was held in camera. In addition, the items are not delineated to indicate Labour Relations, Delivery of Services, etc. This is unacceptable and makes a mockery of the process.
  
  According to our records, this is the first document received from HSI since ratification of the new collective agreement October 2006. Under the collective agreement (Article 43) TCHC, and its subsidiaries, are to provide Local 79 with copies of all public agendas and supplemental agendas, public attachments, certificates of amendments and minutes for Board of Directors, and the agendas and reports of Committees of the Board for TCHC, Housing Services Incorporated, and Access Housing Connections Inc. In addition, Local 79 is also to be placed on the public distribution list with respect to the TCHC, Housing Services Incorporated and Access Housing Connections Inc. capital and operating budget.
  
  We are requesting that HSI be instructed to provide the above mentioned information going back to November 2006 and that in future we be provided with such information in a timely manner as per the Collective Agreement.
  
  Lastly, we would like to know what justification HSI has for the extreme cloaking and censoring of public information as described in the February 11th agenda.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
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March 14, 2008 - Letter to Michael Wiseman regarding the Video Surveillance - Draft Protocol

• March 14, 2008

  Mr. Michael Wiseman
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Metro Hall
  5^th Floor, 55 John Street
  Toronto, ON  M5V 3C6 

  Dear Mr. Wiseman:

  Re:  Video Surveillance – Draft Protocol

  Local 79 appreciates all of the effort that has been made by City staff to address issues related to the Video Surveillance – Draft Protocol.  There has been definite progress achieved in the past year.  However, Local 79 continues to stress that the following language be included in the Draft Protocol at Page 2 of 3 and at Page 3 of 3 at the end of point paragraph 3:

  “In the event of an objection or questions by Local 79, the installation shall be postponed until Local 79 is satisfied that its questions have been answered and/or that its objections have been resolved.”

  The following language from the Draft Protocol should be deleted:

  “In the event some issues remain unresolved, the Union may refer the matter to a committee of the Director, Access & Privacy and the Director, Employee & Labour Relations.  The Director, Access & Privacy will identify and communicate to the Union and Manager, Security and Life Safety, any outstanding privacy issues, which will include recommendations on how to address the issues.  The Director, Employee & Labour Relations will address any outstanding labour relations issues.”

   We look forward to your response, with a view to finalizing the Draft Protocol at our next meeting.

   Yours truly,

  Ann Dembinski
  President  
  
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  cc:       Suzann Craig, Director, Corporate Access and Privacy

   

March 14, 2008 - Letter to Rick Milner supporting the striking Aramark Food Service and Cleaning workers at Seneca College

• March 14, 2008
  
  Mr. Rick Milner
  President
  Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
  1750 Finch Avenue East
  Toronto, ON M2J 2X5
  
  Dear President Milner:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to support the striking Aramark food service and cleaning workers at the Seneca College’s Markham campus and to express concern regarding the current situation on the picket line. There have already been half a dozen incidents of cars striking picketing workers since the beginning of the strike. Any level of violence on any picket line is completely unacceptable.
  
  Seneca College does not seem to be communicating the situation to the College community, and students and faculty appear to be unaware that there is a lawful picket and that they need to be patient and respectful. To ensure the safety of workers at the college you have a responsibility to communicate to students and staff that there is a strike and a strike protocol, and demand that it be respected.
  
  CUPE Local 79 represents more than 18,000 workers at the City of Toronto, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Bridgepoint Hospital. We support all workers who are bargaining for a fair contract.
  
  The Aramark workers at Seneca’s Markham campus organized last year and have been fighting for wage and benefit improvements. Also, they are attempting to address abusive behaviour by Aramark management. The workers make less than $10/hour, while their counterparts at other Seneca locations make at least $13/hour.
  
  Aramark is a wealthy multi-national corporation that had sales of $12.4 billion last year. Its workers at Seneca College’s Markham campus are simply asking for a fair first contract. Aramark is paying substantially higher wages at other Seneca locations and treating the workers at the Markham campus as second class workers.
  
  CUPE Local 79 strongly urges you to insist that Aramark offer the Markham workers wages and benefits equal to what Aramark’s other employees earn. These workers have been forced to strike when all they are asking for is a living wage equal to what other Aramark employees at Seneca College earn. If Aramark will not comply, then you should find a vendor who will pay employees equitably.
  
  In addition, you need to take immediate action to assure the safety of everyone on Seneca’s Markham campus, including those on the picket line.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Alexandra Dagg and Nick Worhaug, National Co-Directors, UNIT HERE, Canada
  Paul Clifford, President, UNIT HERE Local 75
  Wayne Samuelson, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
  
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March 13, 2008 - Letter to Premier McGuinty seeking support in the 2008 Provincial Budget to alleviate the capital repairs situation in Toronto Community Housing

• March 13, 2008
  
  
  Premier Dalton McGuinty
  Queens Park
  Main Legislative Building, Room 281
  Toronto, ON M7A 1A4
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to you seeking support in the 2008 Provincial Budget to alleviate the capital repairs situation in Toronto Community Housing, that resulted from the download of housing from the province to municipalities in 2001.
  
  CUPE Local 79 represents more than 18,000 workers in the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). I have always been impressed by the dedication of our members working at TCHC and their commitment to do the best job that they can to provide housing to the people who need it most. Our members believe in the work that they are doing and consistently provide the highest quality performance.
  
  CUPE Local 79 members, who work at TCHC, know all too well the challenges that the tenants face. Tenants are forced to live in unhealthy conditions which affect every part of their lives. Living with mould, water damage, faulty plumbing, leaky ceilings, rundown playgrounds, unsafe entrance lobbies and public spaces is a reality many tenants face daily.
  
  For over a year, tenants in Toronto have been calling on the Provincial Government to fund the backlog in capital repairs in Toronto Community Housing. From 2004-2006, tenants filed over 400,000 requests for repair and the value of capital repairs has grown to $300 million as of 2007. We agree that Toronto Community Housing does not have the money needed to deal with the backlog in capital repairs that cause unnecessary harm to thousands of people.
  
  CUPE Local 79 believes that tenants in Toronto Community Housing have waited long enough for decent homes. We urge the Provincial Government to provide an immediate solution and provide funding in the 2008 Provincial Budget to eliminate the backlog in capital repairs and provide decent homes to tenants.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance
  Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  Howard Hampton, Leader, Ontario NDP
  John Tory, Leader, Ontario PC Party
  Wayne Samuelson, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
  John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council
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March 5, 2008 - Letter to Prime Minister Harper expressing our Opposition to Provisions in Bill C-10

• March 5, 2008
  
  
  The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
  Prime Minister of Canada
  Langevin Block, 80 Wellington Street
  Ottawa, ON
  K1A 0A2
  
  Dear Prime Minister Harper:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to express our opposition to provisions contained in Bill C-10 currently before the Senate. CUPE Local 79 is the union representing more than 18,000 workers in the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC).
  
  As you are aware, proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act contained in Bill C-10 would give the government the power to deny tax credits to film and television productions which have content determined to be contrary to its public policy objectives. This is essentially government censorship of the arts. If passed, the consequences to both the cultural and economic well-being of the City of Toronto and Canada could be devastating. The City of Toronto has already faced overwhelming job losses in the manufacturing sector. Our city can ill afford to have another sector decimated as a result of this proposed legislation.
  
  The proposed changes to the production certification process as determined by the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) would create enormous instability in the film and television industry undermining the ability of many productions to secure private financing and get off the ground. This uncertainty could cost thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, effectively crippling one of Canada’s most important cultural sectors and silencing one of our greatest outlets of Canadian culture to the world.
  
  The changes proposed in Bill C-10 would not only have a devastating economic impact on the industry but would severely undermine freedom of expression and stifle the diversity of voices that is so vital to the expression of our national identity. Allowing un-elected officials subjective control over tax credits is extremely dangerous. It not only undermines the purpose of the tax credits, which is to support a vibrant film and television industry but also artistic expression and freedom of speech.
  
  Canadian productions are world renowned. Our international reputation is of a tolerant nation that champions freedom of speech and artistic expression. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees our freedom of expression and should be vigorously defended by all parliamentarians.
  
  I strongly urge you to stand up for Canadian culture and our renowned creative community by defending freedom of speech. Commit to remove the sections of Bill C-10 that would broaden the guidelines defining what content is ineligible for tax credits and that would give the Minister of Canadian Heritage new powers to deny tax credit certification.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Senator David Angus, Committee Chair, The Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee
  David Baer, President, IATSE Local 58
  John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council
  Rita Davies, Executive Director, City of Toronto Culture Division
  The Honourable Stephane Dion, Leader, Liberty Party of Canada
  The Honourable Gilles Duceppe, Leader, Bloc Quebecois
  Senator Yoine Goldstein, Deputy Chair, The Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee
  Richard Hardacre, National President, ACTRA
  Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette, Opposition Leader in the Senate
  Lise Lareau, President, Canadian Media Guild
  The Honourable Jack Layton, Leader, Federal N.D.P
  Senator Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate
   

March 4, 2008 - Ms. Brenda Patterson, General Manager - Children's Services - Accommodation of Casual Childcare Staff

• March 4, 2008
  
  
  Ms. Brenda Patterson
  General Manager
  Children’s Services
  Metro Hall
  10th Floor, 55 John Street
  Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Ms. Patterson:
  
  Re: Accommodation of Casual Childcare Staff
  
  The City of Toronto, and in particular Children’s Services, has, in some situations, failed to accommodate casual childcare staff who have physical restrictions.
  
  It is CUPE Local 79’s understanding that in some instances Children’s Services is unwilling to reassign staff, in order to accommodate casual staff with physical restrictions, within a centre that needs work coverage.
  
  We believe the position taken by Children’s Services and the City of Toronto is contrary to both the Collective Agreements and the Human Rights Code.
  
  It is acknowledged that in some situations the reassignment of staff within a centre in order to accommodate staff with physical restrictions, will result in some minor disruption to the scheduling of employees at Child Care centres. However, both the Collective Agreements and the Human Rights Code require the City to accommodate staff to the point of undue hardship. It is the opinion of Local 79, that minor scheduling disruptions do not constitute undue hardship.
  
  If the position of the City is not reversed, then Local 79 will have no alternative but to pursue this matter through other means including the grievance procedure.
  
  Please call me if you have any questions or concerns with the foregoing.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Catherine Bossuyt, Senior Coordinator, Employee and Labour Relations
  
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February 26, 2008 - Harmonization/Job Evaluation/Pay Equity - Unit B Members

• February 26, 2008
  
  Dear Members of Unit B:
  
  Local 79 and the City have reached an interim agreement on Harmonization/Job Evaluation/Pay Equity covering all jobs in Unit B for which full-time correlates exist.
  
  Like both the Full-time and Homes for the Aged awards, the agreement is made retroactive to December 31, 2004.
  
  Wages payable are identical to the wages payable for full-time correlates. Movement through the grid is as provided for in the Homes for the Aged award.
  
  The agreement does not cover those jobs in Unit B for which there are no full-time correlates. Disposition of these jobs will have to await the issuance of an arbitration award covering all Unit B jobs.
  
  Harmonization/Job Evaluation/Pay Equity has been a much more complex and difficult task for Unit B than initially anticipated. We believe that the exercise will be completed successfully in its entirety in the near future. In the interim, we request that those of you not covered by the interim agreement remain patient.
  
  The full agreement with Appendices will be placed onto the website shortly.
  
  In solidarity,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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February 22, 2008 - Letter to Mayor Miller - Elevator Accidents - Etobicoke Civic Centre and 277 Victoria Street

• February 22, 2008
  
  Mayor David Miller
  City Hall
  100 Queen Street West
  Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
  
  Dear Mayor Miller:
  
  Re: Elevator Accidents – Etobicoke Civic Centre and 277 Victoria Street
  
  I am writing this letter on behalf of Local 79 concerning a health and safety matter of the utmost importance.
  
  Local 79 is aware of serious accidents involving the operation of the elevators at the above two work locations. Both of these locations are premises that are leased from third parties.
  
  At 277 Victoria Street, an elevator suddenly dropped several floors in October, 2005. Two employees were seriously injured in the incident and have been absent from work for an extended period of time. Local 79 has been advised that the elevator at this location had a history of malfunctioning and had been the subject of prior complaints. To this day, problems continue with the elevators at 277 Victoria Street.
  
  Recently, in January 2008, a further elevator incident occurred at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. In this instance the elevator again dropped several floors and the employees were left trapped between floors. Local 79 understands that six employees were injured at this location.
  
  In an extremely disturbing development, requests made by the trapped employees to have 911 called were disregarded by Building Management/Security. The employees were removed from the elevators in a manner which we understand may have aggravated the injuries they sustained.
  
  It is our understanding of the situation that once all of the employees had been removed from the elevators they were simply left to travel home on their own. This decision was made notwithstanding the fact that several of the employees were clearly in shock with respect to the ordeal that they had just experienced.
  
  Please consider this letter to be a formal request made by Local 79 that the City undertake a comprehensive safety audit with respect to the operation of the elevators at these locations as soon as possible. Please consider this letter a further request that the City take whatever remedial steps, including a complete overhaul of the elevators in order to ensure their safe operation.
  
  From the perspective of Local 79, the health and safety of the general public and of the employees of the City of Toronto demands immediate action.
  
  A further related matter has come to our attention. Local 79 has been advised that representatives of both the elevator company, and its insurers, are telephoning Local 79 members directly in relation to the WSIB claims that have been filed arising out of injuries sustained during the operation of the elevators. These telephone calls are entirely inappropriate. Members are being asked to divulge personal information that is entirely inappropriate and insensitive to the circumstances.
  
  In addition to the action requested above in this letter, I would ask that the City take measures to ensure that these harassing calls stop immediately.
  
  Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to receiving your written response outlining the City’s planned course of action with respect to these matters.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Councillor Janet Davis
  Shirley Hoy, City Manager, City of Toronto
  Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health
  Sandra Pitters, Co-Chair, Central Occupational Health & Safety Coordinating Committee
  
  cope343/lc

February 20, 2008 - Letter to Ms. Catherine Bossuyt, Manager, Employee and Labour Relations, Re: Contracting Out – Facilities & Real Estate Division

• February 20, 2008
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Manager, Employee and Labour Relations, City of Toronto
  Human Resources
  Metro Hall, 5th Floor
  55 John Street
  Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  Re: Contracting Out – Facilities & Real Estate Division
  
  CUPE Local 79 recently met with Facilities and Real Estate Division management to discuss the contracting out of various real estate services. Local 79 also sent a letter, dated October 23, 2007, to the Director of Employee and Labour Relations on this issue.
  
  During the meeting, it was acknowledged that a decade-long backlog – dating back to amalgamation – was behind the need to contract out. It was also stated that the backlog has been exacerbated by the continual shortage of city staff required to perform the real estate services.
  
  Local 79 came away from the meeting with serious concerns about the city’s plan and the rationale behind it. Given the information that was provided at the meeting, we feel strongly that the contracting out will cost the city considerably more than if it were to bring staffing levels to a full complement.
  
  Local 79 would now like assurances from you that the REOI process will not advance until Local 79 has had further opportunity to continue the dialogue on this matter with a follow-up meeting. To schedule the meeting, please contact Tim Maguire at 416-977-1629, extension 223.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Mayor David Miller
  Shirley Hoy, City Manager
  Bruce Anderson, Director, Employee & Labour Relations
  Jayne Allan, Manager, Employee & Labour Relations
  Joe Casali, Director, Real Estate Services
  
  cope343/lc

February 5, 2008 - Deputation to the City of Toronto Budget Committee

• February 5, 2008
  
  Councillor Shelley Carroll, Chair
  And Members, City of Toronto Budget Committee
  c/o City Clerks
  100 Queen Street West
  City Hall
  Toronto, ON
  
  Dear Councillor Carroll and Members, Budget Committee:
  
  Re: 2008 CITY OF TORONTO OPERATING BUDGET
  
  Local 79 represents more than 16,000 inside workers at the City of Toronto.
  
  Each and every day, Local 79 members work hard to provide services for the people who call our city home.
  
  We keep the drinking water safe, we look after the elderly in Toronto’s Homes for the Aged, we provide affordable childcare in 52 centres across the City, we run the Parks & Recreation programs, we deliver critical public health programs, provide social services to our City’s neediest, and ensure building codes are followed, among many other roles and responsibilities.
  
  We are immensely proud of the contributions our members make in building a great and inclusive Toronto. Our members have been repeatedly recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in efficiency and innovation.
  
  Today, we are here to speak on behalf of these members, and the services provided to the citizens of Toronto.
  
  The 2008 budget has a direct impact on the work they perform. We are here to ensure that the implementation of proposed cost-saving strategies is well thought out and does not become a detriment to the role our members play within their workplaces and in providing much needed services.
  
  Last year was a difficult one for the City. Fiscal pressures necessitated the introduction of a number of cost containment measures that have led directly to this proposed operating budget. These measures included hiring freezes and prolonged vacancies in key positions. The resulting staffing shortfalls adversely impact the delivery of services and programs provided by Local 79 members.
  
  In Local 79’s opinion, gapping is an ineffective strategy to achieve cost savings. It ignores the fact that demand for programs and services does not diminish. Indeed, in many cases, demand has grown. Having fewer employees providing services might appear to cost less, however, there is a significant cost in higher rates of employee stress and related health problems. These rising occupational health and safety concerns, coupled with the cost of workers compensation claims, negate the potential
  savings. Quite clearly, gapping is not a solution and should not be considered an answer to the City’s budget constraints.
  
  As another concerning strategy to contain costs, Local 79 points to the flawed proposal to reduce the hours of work in the Homes for the Aged. The Division has identified hours of work as an impediment to cost savings, and therefore seeks to engage in dialogue with Local 79 prior to the expiry of the current Collective Agreements. This ill-conceived approach will have serious consequences not just for our members, but for residents who rely on the high quality care our members provide. While Local 79 values our partnership with the City, we want to make it clear that we are not prepared to open our Collective Agreements for renegotiation prior to their expiration. We also question the Homes for the Aged Division’s proposed change in governance that only serves to add a parallel layer of costly management bureaucracy while doing nothing to enhance front-line service delivery.
  
  We do want to strike a cautiously positive note.
  
  We are pleased that the provincial government has started to accept some financial responsibility for programs and services that were previously downloaded to the City. However, more needs to be done. We call on the city and others to continue to pressure the province to pay its bills for social services, transit and housing.
  
  In closing, Local 79 wants to stress that we fully appreciate the dilemma facing the City. We sympathize with the demands this has placed on City staff and councillors. Tough decisions have been made.
  
  Local 79 is well aware of the pressures and complexities of the issues presented in the 2008 operating budget. However, it is important that the City not choose cost containing strategies that negatively impact services.
  
  Thank you for your time and your attention.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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February 1, 2008 - Hours of Work in ML & S

• February 1, 2008
  
  
  Mr. Bill Blakes
  Manager Scarborough District
  Investigation Services
  150 Borough Drive
  Toronto, ON M1P 4N7
  
  Dear Mr. Blakes:
  
  I am in receipt of your letter dated January 11, 2008 advising that the hours of work will be altered for a number of members working in ML & S.
  
  It is Local 79’s position that the hours of work provisions under clause 8.01 for members employed as Day Workers do not provide for duration of daily hours in excess of 7 or 8 hours, nor does it encompass weekend work.
  
  Local 79 has recently entered into an agreement with the City to pilot a compressed work week under article 8.07 of the collective agreement. This pilot utilizes 10 hour shifts. We believe that this agreement should sufficiently address the City’s objective in providing extended services outside of normal business hours.
  
  Notwithstanding this position, we are requesting the following information:
  
       • What type of shifts are being offered ie. rotating or straight shifts and if straight shifts, which shifts
       • Will volunteers select shifts by seniority
       • What times will shifts commence and conclude
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President

January 23, 2008 - "Everybody Gets to Play" Initiative

• January 23, 2008
  
  Councillor Joe Mihevic, Chair
  And Members, City of Toronto Community Development & Recreation Committee
  c/o City Clerks
  City Hall
  Toronto, ON
  
  Dear Councillor Mihevic, Chair and Members, City of Toronto Community Development & Recreation Committee:
  
  Re: “Everybody Gets to Play” Initiative
  
  On behalf of CUPE Local 79, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to appear before the Community Development and Recreation Committee to offer our views on the proposed “Everybody Gets to Play” initiative.
  
  First, it is important to note that Local 79 fully recognizes the financial pressures the City of Toronto is under as a result of the downloading of programs and services by the provincial government. Local 79 has long been outspoken in calling for the province to provide stable, long-term funding for the continued delivery of these programs and services by the city.
  
  Local 79 also realizes that in some instances, user fees for certain programs and permits are a fiscal necessity. That being said, we have significant reservations about the consequences of implementation of “Everybody Gets to Play.”
  
  We do not believe that this plan, as it is presently constituted, ensures equal access to quality recreation programs and services across the entire city. The concept of equality in access to recreation programming must be paramount if we are to continue building a great city that is not divided by socioeconomic haves and have-nots.
  
  The elimination of priority centres, which were meant to ensure equality of access for those living in economically and socially needy neighbourhoods, is, in our opinion, a major step back. It is worth noting that a review conducted just three years ago clearly demonstrated that the priority centres were filling a great void. At the time, the review identified just one priority centre that was no longer fulfilling its mandate of serving a needy neighbourhood.
  
  Furthermore, the decision to discontinue the priority centre model appears to fly in the face of numerous other initiatives and policy decisions that are based upon the United Way’s landmark “Poverty by Postal Code” study that identified 13 priority neighbourhoods across the city. Access to free recreation programs is just one of the ways in which the quality of life in these priority neighbourhoods can be further improved.
  
  We do commend the proposal to universally offer free skating and swimming lessons at targeted age groups. The latter will, undoubtedly, save lives. However, aside form these two programs, the concept of universality is essentially dead. The city appears to
  be relying instead on universally available drop-in programs where quality and long-term benefit is questionable.
  
  We would suggest, instead, that the city consider adding universal training and employment-based skills development programs that would enhance the economic opportunities for young people, especially those from low-income backgrounds. This approach may bear additional costs, however, the long-term social and economic benefit would greatly outweigh these costs.
  
  In terms of the financial aspects of this plan, we question whether the goal of 50 per cent cost recovery, which is based on comparisons with other municipalities, is appropriate for Toronto. Ours is a city that is significantly larger than any of the other neighbouring municipalities. Our city has special needs and, with those special needs, comes the reality that priorities for public investment may need to be different from what they are in Mississauga, Vaughan or Pickering. The provision of recreation, with all of its spin-off social benefits, must be one of Toronto’s investment priorities.
  
  We also question the city’s expectations of the collaborative relationship with the local school boards in the provision of recreation programs. The school boards, as has been well-documented, are themselves in a fiscal quandary. This has already led to cut-backs and the partial off-loading of funding for board swimming pools to the city. We believe the city’s expectations for fiscal collaboration to be unrealistic given the boards’ uncertain financial situation.
  
  Lastly, Local 79 must raise an alarm about this plan’s potential impact on our members. Each and every day Local 79 members perform above and beyond to deliver excellent recreation programming across the city. Our members are on the front-line of top-notch program delivery and customer service. The “Everybody Gets to Play” proposal places the very future of many staff members in doubt. How will the move to a subsidy-based model affect program registration? How will it affect the choices individuals make on where to attend programs? How will this affect our members and the work they do? The answers are highly speculative.
  
  In concluding, we feel this committee and the larger city council needs to ask itself a fundamental question. Should access to recreation be seen in the same light as access to basic public services such as transportation, housing and healthcare? If it should, then “Everybody Gets to Play” should be sent back to the drawing board, if not the playground, for significant reworking.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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January 20, 2008 - Letter to Brother Moist - National Conference for Municipal Workers

• January 30, 2008
  
  Paul Moist
  National President
  Canadian Union of Public Employees
  1375 St. Laurent
  Ottawa, ON
  K1G 0Z7
  
  Dear Brother Moist,
  
  Re: National Conference for Municipal Workers
  
  CUPE Local 79 has had the privilege of attending conferences that were organized for the municipal sector in western Canada. We have found the experience to be a benefit in addressing issues and concerns that are relevant to our local. The scope and extensive content of the workshops, combined with the knowledge and commitment demonstrated by the participants and the organizers made the conferences a great success.
  
  Issues addressed were not only pertinent to our western brothers and sisters but are areas that go well beyond local or provincial borders. In essence, we believe that they transcend parochial concerns and speak nationally to our brothers and sisters in the municipal sector throughout Canada.
  
  Employment in the municipal sector is unique. CUPE Local 79 believes we need to start moving towards a coordinated approach in dealing with our employers. In Canada we have locals that have as few as 5 members and some with 1000's of members. Small or large, there are common problems throughout the municipal sector. A national conference would help all locals understand what those problems are and give us the tools to coordinate our actions to preserve public sector services and jobs.
  
  Provincial municipal conferences are very important, just as a national municipal conference could be very important to address municipal concerns countrywide. The provincial conferences have provided valuable experiences, which can be utilized by our union to organize a national conference for municipal workers. This would offer an opportunity for CUPE members working in the sector to share information, accomplishments, strategies and research. Furthermore, it would provide a forum for members to network and organize on a national level on issues specific to the municipal sector.
  
  Our greatest strength has always been in our collective unity and numbers. To lobby and be successful on a provincial level we need to have a strong and supportive national presence that unifies all municipal workers across all the provinces. CUPE needs a national municipal workers’ conference to accomplish this.
  
  We are respectfully requesting that you and the National Executive Board consider this request and accept our full cooperation and support in pursuing this course of action.
  
  In solidarity and in friendship,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  CUPE Local 79
  
  c.c. Claude Généreux - National Secretary Treasurer, CUPE National
  Executive Board, CUPE Local 79 Executive Board, CUPE Local 79 National Servicing Representatives
  
  CH:tg/cope491

January 18, 2008 - TCHC - Incorporation of Family Day into Collective Agreement

• January 18, 2008
  
  Mr. Harold Ball
  Vice-President – Human Resources
  931 Yonge Street
  Toronto, Ontario
  M4W 2H2
  
  Dear Mr. Ball:
  
  We are in agreement with your proposal of December 17, 2007 that “Family Day” be permanently added to the list of those holidays under Article 9 Designated Holidays.
  
  We also are requesting that a memorandum of agreement be signed by both parties to reflect this and that once this has been completed, a joint CUPE Local 79/TCHC communiqué be sent to all local 79 members.
  
  Since we are currently proofreading the collective agreement, we would ask that Family Day be included prior to printing of the Collective Agreement.
  
  Lastly, Local 79 commends TCHC for recognizing the value and importance of our members having more quality time to spend with their families.
  
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc:  Helen Manning
         Maralyn Mueller
         Dave Turton
  
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January 17, 2008 - Bridgepoint Health - Posting of Letters

• January 17, 2008
  
  Stav D’Andrea
  Director, Human Resources
  Bridgepoint Health
  14 St. Matthews Road
  Toronto, ON
  M4M 2B5
  
  Dear Ms. D’Andrea:
  
  Further to CUPE Local 79’s letter of December 6, 2007, requesting that a number of letters be posted as per the Collective Agreements and your response of December 17, 2007, indicating the letters had been posted, it has come to our attention that some of the letters may not have been posted.
  
  To clarify this situation, we would like to know when each letter was posted, where it was posted and for how long it was posted. To assist in this matter, we have enclosed a copy of all six letters for your review.
  
  We would appreciate, and expect, an expeditious response.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  Enclosure: Nov 21/07 – letter to Stav D’Andrea re: Vacation Entitlement
  Nov 23/07 – letter to Marion T. Walsh re: HAPS Participation
  Dec 5/07 – letter to Marion T. Walsh re: Advertising Campaign
  Dec 5/07 – letter to Gaye Walsh re: Influenza Pandemic Planning
  Dec 5/07 – letter to Stav D’Andrea re: Nurses’ Retreat
  Dec 6/07 – letter to Stav D’Andrea re: Code of Ethics Policy
  
  
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January 15, 2008 - Admin/Clerical Review – Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department

• January 15, 2008
  
  Ms. Brenda Librecz
  General Manager, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
  City of Toronto
  100 Queen Street West, 8th Floor, East Tower
  Toronto, Ontario
  M5H 2N2
  
  Dear Ms. Librecz:
  
  Re: Admin/Clerical Review – Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department
  
  Thank you for your correspondence dated December 24, 2007.
  
  CUPE Local 79 appreciates the opportunity to review the draft correspondence that is being sent to our members, however, we still have concerns that must be addressed before we can accept the proposed Admin/Clerical Review Timelines, namely:

  1)  We are still left with much uncertainty as to which employees are affected. The language provided by the City is unclear. We request a meeting to provide clarification on this.

  2)  We need to see a full list of current temporary and alternate rate employees. The list should be current as of today: January 15, 2008.

  3)  We need to review the remainder of the documentation that will be distributed to the affected employees, including the complete Bid Package. It was understood at our meeting on December 14, 2007, that Local 79 would be consulted on the contents of this package.

  4)  We need to ensure that we are able to participate fully in this process. As such, Local 79 will send an official representative to all meetings with employees and request advance notification for scheduling purposes.

  We look forward to a timely response to these concerns.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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December 20, 2007 - Supporting Private Member's Bill 29, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Harassment and Violence), 2007

• December 20, 2007
  
  The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
  Legislative Building
  Queen’s Park
  Toronto, ON
  M7A 1A1
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to urge you to support the Private Member’s Bill drafted by M.P.P. Andrea Horwath: Bill 29, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Harassment and Violence), 2007.
  
  This proposed legislation, which was introduced for first reading on December 13, 2007, makes workplace harassment an offence and employers responsible for preventing and remedying worker complaints about any form of harassment or violence on the job.
  
  CUPE Local 79 is the largest municipal local union in Canada. We represent more than 18,000 full and part-time employees at the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Many of our members work in jobs that pose a rise of exposure to harassment and violence due to the nature of the work. CUPE Local 79 workplaces include the Homes for the Aged, Shelter Housing, Social Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and other work locations where our front-line workers deal with the public on a daily basis.
  
  Bill 29 was introduced following the release of recommendations from the inquest into the murder of Windsor nurse Lori Dupont, which urged the government to look at developing legislation to provide workers with protection against workplace harassment and violence. Currently in Ontario there is no practical remedy available to employees when violence, intimidation, bullying, sexual and other harassment occur on the job. The lack of legislation could have further deadly consequences for vulnerable workers, many of whom are women.
  
  CUPE Local 79 members believe that Ontario’s workers should be afforded the same protection as workers in Saskatchewan and Quebec, where strong legislation is already in place. With your endorsement, Bill 29 will receive Royal Assent and be passed into law, thus ensuring that Ontario’s workforce is appropriately protected from workplace harassment and violence.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Andrea Horwath, NDP Critic for Occupational Health and Safety
  
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November 14, 2007 - Letter to The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, regarding concern over ABC Learning Centres opening in Ontario

• November 14, 2007
  
  The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
  Prime Minister of Canada
  Langevin Block, 80 Wellington Street
  Ottawa, ON
  K1A 0A2
  
  Dear Prime Minister:
  
  The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79 is the largest municipal union in Canada, representing workers in the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Our members include a large number of dedicated people working to provide high-quality child care to families in the City of Toronto.
  
  CUPE Local 79 was dismayed to learn that the large foreign corporate child care provider, ABC Learning Centres, is planning to establish centres in Ontario. CUPE Local 79 believes that this is an unwelcome development for child care in our province and in Canada.
  
  ABC Learning Centres has been the subject of much criticism in Australia, the country where it is based. There have been negative reports about ABC and concerns regarding alleged cost cutting, including poor quality food and equipment. There are also allegations that the corporation is absorbing a large share of fee subsidies that might normally go to smaller community based non-profit child care centres.
  
  CUPE Local 79 believes that non-profit, publicly operated centres are the best model for quality child care. Studies have consistently found that non-profit, public centres provide the best levels of care and programs. In a recent study, led by University of Toronto economics professor Gordon Cleveland, the findings support the spirit of the NDP Bill 303, the Early Learning and Child Care Act, which lays the foundation for a high-quality, universal and accountable child-care system. This Bill limits expansion of for-profit child care, a move that protects Canada from international trade disputes.
  
  CUPE Local 79 is opposed to the corporate commercialization of child care, and we believe that the majority of people in Canada are opposed to it as well. We have written to the Premier of Ontario expressing our concerns. We now urge the federal government to take action by changing the laws to protect Canadian child care from foreign corporate takeover.
  
  We believe that child care should focus on providing the best possible care for children, not profits, therefore we strongly encourage you to support the NDP Bill 303, the Early Learning and Child Care Act.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: The Honourable Jack Layton, Leader, Federal N.D.P.
  The Honourable Stephane Dion, Leader, Liberty Party of Canada
  The Honourable Gilles Duceppe, Leader, Bloc Quebecois
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November 5, 2007 - Letter to Premier McGuinty regarding ABC Learning Centres

• November 5, 2007
  
  The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
  Legislative Building
  Queen’s Park
  Toronto, ON
  M7A 1A1
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  Local 79 was dismayed to learn that the large foreign corporate child care provider, ABC Learning Centres, is planning to establish centres in Ontario. Local 79 believes that this is an unwelcome development for child care in our province.
  
  ABC Learning Centres has been the subject of much criticism in Australia, the country where it is based. There have been negative reports about ABC and concerns regarding alleged cost cutting, including poor quality food and equipment. There are also allegations that the corporation is absorbing a large share of fee subsidies that might normally go to smaller community based non-profit child care centres.
  
  Local 79 believes that non-profit, publicly operated centres are the best model for quality child care. Studies have consistently found that non-profit, public centres provide the best levels of care and programs. We believe that child care should focus on providing the best possible care for children, not profits.
  
  Local 79 is opposed to the corporate commercialization of child care, and we believe that the majority of the people of Ontario are opposed to it as well. We urge the government to take action to prevent this by changing the laws to prohibit any further licensing of commercial child care centres in our province and to protect Canadian child care from foreign corporate takeover.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  cope343/lc
   

October 25, 2007 - Facilities and Real Estate Division contracting out Local 79 work

• October 25, 2007
  
  
  Mr. Bruce Anderson, Director
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Metro Hall
  5th Floor, 55 John Street
  Toronto, ON
  M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Mr. Anderson:
  
  Local 79 was shocked to learn that the Facilities and Real Estate Division is contracting out Local 79 work. Apparently, an ad in the October 9, 2007 Globe and Mail asked for Expressions of Interest for “various real estate services, including lease negotiations, lease inspections, compliance reviews, portfolio analysis and consulting.”
  
  Our members working as Leasing and Site Management staff perform this work on a daily basis. The City of Toronto is obligated under our Collective Agreement to provide Local 79 with proper notice when any of our work is being contracted out. It is unacceptable that Local 79 had to learn of this initiative by reading an ad in the newspaper.
  
  We understand that this contract is being sought to deal with a backlog of work in the Leasing and Site Management office. This is not surprising, as the office has been chronically short staffed for a number of years, despite the complaints of the staff. Local 79 insists that instead of dealing with the backlog through contracted services, the City should be hiring additional full-time permanent staff to ensure that this work is done in a timely way.
  
  Local 79 requests an immediate meeting and also that the Request for Expression of Interest be withdrawn and that fulltime, permanent staff be hired as soon as possible.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Mayor David Miller
  Catherine Bossuyt
  Shirley Hoy
  
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October 11, 2007 - Custodial Services Client Survey 2007

• October 11, 2007
  
  
  Mr. Fred Towers
  Director
  Facility Services
  Facilities and Real Estate
  Metro Hall, 2nd Floor
  55 John Street
  Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Mr. Towers:
  
  Thank you for your letter, dated August 31, 2007, replying to Local 79’s concerns regarding the Custodial Services Client Survey 2007.
  
  Although Local 79 welcomes your comments, both in the letter and during the meeting on October 3, 2007, our expressed concerns remain.
  
  Local 79 feels that it is completely inappropriate for front line staff to be involved in any way with this survey. Local 79 would therefore like to confirm that our members will not be asked to complete this survey.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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October 11, 2007 - Premier McGuinty's government refuses to spend any of Ontario's surplus on the City of Toronto

• October 11, 2007
  
  
  Premier Dalton McGuinty
  Legislative Building
  Queen’s Park
  Toronto, ON
  M7A 1A1
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  Local 79 is shocked that your government has refused to spend any of Ontario’s $2.3 billion dollar surplus on much needed investment in the City of Toronto.
  
  Toronto has suffered for years because of provincial downloading. Although more and more programs have been transferred to Toronto, the City has not been provided with adequate funds to pay for them. Because the City’s property tax base is insufficient to pay for them, Toronto is facing a dangerous funding crisis.
  
  Queen’s Park collects billions of tax dollars a year from Toronto, yet only a paltry six per cent of those taxes are set aside for the City to pay for all of the services provided by our members. It is appalling that although your government now has access to an additional $2.3 billion in unexpected funding, you have refused to provide Toronto with any additional funding.
  
  Despite the surplus, your government is still proceeding with its plans to utilize public-private partnerships to refurbish Ontario’s public infrastructure, especially hospitals. Local 79 has consistently stated that P3s are often more expensive than publicly-funded projects. Just recently, the media has reported that cost-overruns for the Sarnia P3 hospital, which was originally estimated to cost $140 million, could bring the actual, final cost of the hospital to $276 million or as high as $319 million. It is unacceptable that your government is going ahead with its P3 plans given the potential cost overruns and the recent discovery of this sizable “surprise” surplus.
  
  Next year, the City of Toronto is facing a funding shortfall of $575 million. Without the provision of new stable, ongoing funding, City services are threatened with cutbacks and reductions. Local 79 urges your government to use part of the $2.3 billion provincial surplus to provide Toronto with the proper funding it so critically needs.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
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October 10, 2007 - Recreation Centres to reopen on Monday without Programmes running

• October 10, 2007
  
  Mayor David Miller
  City Hall
  100 Queen Street West
  Toronto, ON
  
  Dear Mayor Miller:
  
  At its last session, Toronto City Council voted to re-open the City’s recreation centres on Mondays. However, despite the Monday opening, most recreation programs will still not be running. This is confusing and disappointing for Local 79 and for our members.
  
  Many of the programs that will not be offered on Monday’s are vital services for many Torontonians, especially seniors and children. These include exercise, educational and recreational programs that directly relate to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, and we are concerned regarding their cancellation.
  
  This is also troubling for our members, particularly for our part-time Recreation members. They are the workers who provide these services, and their cancellation will result in a loss of work hours. Our members depend on this work to pay their bills and feed their families, and it is of concern to them and to Local 79.
  
  Local 79 urges the City to reconsider this decision and to fully reinstate all Monday programs at the City’s recreation centres.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Brenda Librecz, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation
  
  cope343/lc

October 10, 2007 - Custodial Services, Service Improvement Workplan, Training Programme

• October 10, 2007
  
  Fred Towers
  Director
  Facilities Services
  Metro Hall
  2nd Fl., 55 John Street
  Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
  
  Dear Mr. Towers:
  
  Re: Custodial Services, Service Improvement Workplan, Training Programme
  
  On behalf of Local 79, I wish to thank you for meeting with us, on October 3, 2007, regarding the Custodial Services, Service Improvement Workplan, Training Programme.
  
  Local 79 is extremely proud of the work done by our members in Custodial Services and is fully supportive of this training programme as an integral part of the Service Improvement Workplan.
  
  Local 79 is on record as being willing to consider all proposals the City of Toronto may have regarding continuous improvement measures and we have expressed our support for continuous improvement to Mayor Miller at the Labour Relations Steering Committee meeting.
  
  We appreciate the opportunity to work with the management team in Custodial Services to determine the most appropriate way to develop this training programme, and look forward to meeting again as soon as possible.
  
  Please contact Jacqueline Latter, at (416) 977-1629, extension 229 or jlatter@cupelocal79.org to arrange the dates and times for future meetings.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
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October 9, 2007 - Local 79 dismayed by the Mayor's consideration of a panel of experts to review the City of Toronto’s budget spending

• October 9, 2007
  
  
  Mayor David Miller
  City Hall
  100 Queen Street West
  Toronto, ON
  
  Dear Mayor Miller:
  
  Local 79 is extremely dismayed by the news of your consideration of a panel of experts to review the City of Toronto’s budget spending. This unnecessary move simply distracts public attention from the larger issue – the very real need for new sources of ongoing, stable funding for City services.
  
  The demand for an outside audit comes most loudly from a cadre of right-wing City Councillors and their ideological allies like the Toronto Board of Trade. We believe that their real agenda is to divert public tax money into private corporate profits through an agenda of contracting out and privatizing City services.
  
  It is already well established that the City of Toronto provides excellent services in a very efficient manner. Time and time again, numerous independent reviews and audits of City spending have demonstrated that the people of Toronto receive good value for their tax dollars. Toronto divisions have regularly won awards in recognition of the excellent quality of their services. In municipalities across Ontario, City of Toronto programs and processes have been enthusiastically adopted as best practices.
  
  In light of these facts, yet one more review by a so-called expert panel is redundant, unnecessary, and a waste of time, money and effort. It will only prove what previous reviews have already demonstrated, and what Local 79 has known all along – that the people of Toronto can be confident that they receive reliable, excellent City services, efficiently delivered by City of Toronto workers at a reasonable cost.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cope343/lc
   

October 9, 2007 - Bridgepoint Hospital, Joint Professional Committee Meeting

• October 9, 2007
  
  Larry Florou
  Manager
  Employee Relations
  Bridgepoint Health
  14 St. Matthews Road
  Toronto, ON M4M 2B5
  
  Dear Mr. Florou:
  
  Local 79 has received your letter dated September 25, 2007 regarding the Joint Professional Committee Meeting and issues raised by the 3 West nurses. These issues are of great concern to our members, and unfortunately it appears that the Hospital does not take them seriously.
  
  The actions you have outlined that the Hospital intends to take regarding the complaints raised by the 3 West nurses are not satisfactory to Local 79. However, Local 79 will address that issue separately from this letter.
  
  The Hospital has not adhered to the collective agreement regarding the processes of the Joint Professional Committee. Under Article 8:11, once the Committee has heard a complaint, it is required to respond in writing within 20 days. The Committee heard the complaints on July 25, 2007, but as of today, well beyond the 20 day requirement, the Committee has not provided a written response. Your letter to me of September 25, 2007, is not a response from the Committee.
  
  This matter is very important to our members, and yet the Hospital does not take it seriously. Our members are upset that the conditions underlying these issues are not being dealt with and are being unnecessarily prolonged. Local 79 expects the Committee to comply with the collective agreement and to respond as a Committee to the complaints as soon as possible.
  
  The collective agreement also requires the Committee to “meet once per month” to resolve any issues that have been raised, meaning the Committee should have met in August and September, and should meet in October to deal with the 3 West nurses’ complaints. Local 79 expects the Committee to meet as soon as possible in October to deal with these issues.
  
  Additionally, as per the Collective Agreement, I am requesting that this letter be posted on all CUPE Local 79 bulletin boards.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cope343/lc

October 2, 2007 - Local 79 Harmonization Committee

• October 2, 2007
  
  Ms. Dymphna Walko-Channan
  Senior Human Resources Consultant
  Human Resources Division
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  West Tower
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Walko-Channan:
  
  I am writing to you in connection with the issues which you raised with Nancy Murphy, in regard to the activities of the Local 79 Harmonization Committee.
  
  There are currently only three (3) Local 79 appointees to the Harmonization Committee. They are Donna Way, Sally Reynolds and Sherry Calderwood. The number of Committee members has declined over time. The decline is a product of a diminution in Committee work. Harmonization/Job Evaluation/Pay Equity has been completed, or at least largely completed for two (2) of the bargaining units.
  
  There is still some work to be done in regard to the Unit B exercise. As well, the parties are in the process of focusing their energies on the Recreation Workers’ Unit. The Recreation Workers’ Unit is a complex undertaking and as the parties’ efforts intensify, the Committee’s workload is likely to increase dramatically, possibly necessitating a need to add to the Committee’s existing complement.
  
  Local 79 sees no reason at this juncture in reducing the number of Committee members. The current complement should remain in place at least until the parties ramp up their efforts to achieve an agreement disposing of the Harmonization/Job Evaluation/Pay Equity exercise in the Recreation Workers’ Unit.
  
  Yours Truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: C. Bossuyt, Manager, Labour Relations
  
  cope343/lc
   

September 28, 2007 - City of Toronto Proposed 3-1-1 Project

• September 28, 2007
  
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Senior Coordinator
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Corporate Services
  City of Toronto
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  This letter is to confirm our meeting of September 19, 2007 regarding the City of Toronto’s proposed 3-1-1 project, between representatives of the City, including Dymphna Walko-Channan, Human Resources, Colleen Bell, Project Director, 311 Project Management Office, you and others, and representatives of Local 79.
  
  Local 79 raised its concerns regarding assessment of Local 79 members who will be assigned to the 311 call centre. Ms. Bell and Ms. Walko-Channan confirmed that those permanent Local 79 members currently working in PPF and A and Access Toronto who will be assigned to the call centre will first be placed in the positions, then assessed, to determine if training is needed.
  
  In solidarity,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cope343/lc

September 28, 2007 - Right Honourable Stephen Harper's decision not to invest additional funding to the City of Toronto

• September 28, 2007
  
  
  The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
  Prime Minister of Canada
  Langevin Block
  Ottawa, ON
  K1A 1A2
  
  Dear Prime Minister:
  
  As the President of CUPE Local 79, the largest municipal local in Canada, I am shocked by your decision not to invest additional funding in the City of Toronto, despite the City’s obvious need and the federal government’s $13.8 billion surplus.
  
  Years of downloading by both the federal and provincial governments have left Toronto in a funding crisis. The City has been forced to take on more and more programs and responsibilities but has not been given adequate funding to pay for them.
  
  Every year, billions of dollars in taxes are collected in Toronto and forwarded to Queen’s Park and Ottawa. Yet the City gets only six per cent of those taxes to pay for all of the different services our members deliver. It is outrageous that not one extra dollar of the federal government’s gigantic surplus will be returned to the City of Toronto for much-needed investment.
  
  It is true that the federal government provides Toronto with a share of the gasoline tax. However, the gas tax was always meant to be just a first step in further investment by the federal government, and those funds are not nearly enough to deal with Toronto’s $575 million shortfall.
  
  Your government’s refusal to provide much-needed help for Toronto despite this massive budget surplus is irresponsible. Toronto is the economic engine of Canada, and yet it is being neglected by the federal government. As President of Local 79, I urge you to change your mind and use part of the federal surplus to invest in the City of Toronto.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  cope343/lc

August 16, 2007 - Custodial Services Client Survey 2007

• August 16, 2007
  
  Mr. Fred Towers
  Director
  Facility Services
  Facilities and Real Estate
  Metro Hall, 2nd Floor
  55 John Street
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Mr. Towers:
  
  Local 79 has serious concerns regarding the Custodial Services Client Survey 2007 recently distributed throughout City Hall.
  
  Local 79 is on record as being willing to consider any proposals the City of Toronto may have regarding continuous improvement measures. Indeed, we have expressed our support for continuous improvement to Mayor Miller at the recent Labour Relations Steering Committee meeting.
  
  However, we believe that this survey does not serve the purposes of continuous improvement. There have been similar surveys conducted in the past, and we have never seen any meaningful, positive results from them. We expect that this year’s survey will be similar, and that it will not lead to any real improvements to services. We believe that the real purpose for this survey is as a tool used to discipline our members. This is unacceptable to Local 79.
  
  Also, we understand that front line staff are being asked to complete the survey, and they should not be doing this. It is completely inappropriate for front line staff to undertake this. It is the supervisors who should be completing the survey. Front line staff should not be involved in any way.
  
  We are willing to consider any suggestions Facility Services may have that would lead to meaningful improvements to services provided by our members. Unfortunately, we believe that the current survey will not produce any meaningful, positive results, and we request that it be withdrawn.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc:  Bruce Anderson
         Catherine Bossuyt
  
  
  cope343/lc

August 8, 2007 - Contracting Out of Work in Technical Services, District Engineering Services

• August 8, 2007
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Senior Coordinator
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Corporate Services
  City of Toronto
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  Local 79 representatives met on July 25, 2007 with City staff, including you, regarding the contracting out of work in Technical Services, District Engineering Services to deal with a back log of as-built drawings.
  
  Local 79 disagrees with the City’s move to contract out this work. The City should post for the additional positions that are needed to work on the backlog. We believe the City has temporary workers who are eager and available to perform these duties.
  
  Local 79 is concerned by the growing trend within the City towards contracting out survey functions, whether they are related to maintenance of streets and roads or water and wastewater facilities.
  
  Local 79 disagrees with the City’s rationale that contracting out is necessary because there is a shortage of appropriately trained staff capable of performing this work. Instead, the City should develop strategies other than contracting out, and Local 79 requests to be included in this process.
  
  We believe that other levels of government also share responsibility for the maintenance of Canada’s municipal infrastructure, particularly water and wastewater systems. This responsibility extends to ensuring that municipalities have access to trained staff. We urge the City to pursue the federal and provincial governments to live up to this obligation.
  
  In solidarity,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  
  cope343/la

July 23, 2007 - Job Posting Language

• July 23, 2007
  
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Senior Coordinator
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Corporate Services
  City of Toronto
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  As the job posting language now provides the ability for the members to apply for positions within the same classification some concerns have been raised regarding their placement on the wage grid.
  
  Local 79 requests the City’s position on the following questions:
  
            •    Where is the member placed on the wage grid in the new position?
            •    Is there any adjustment to the member’s anniversary date? And if so, why?
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cope343/la

July 19, 2007 - The Pandemic Influenza Steering Committee

• July 19, 2007
  
  Councillor John Filion, Chair
  And Members
  Toronto Board of Health
  c/o City Clerks
  City Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Councillor Filion, Chair, and Members, Toronto Board of Health,
  
  Re: The Pandemic Influenza Steering Committee
  
  Local 79 is aware that the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Update in the July Board of Health Agenda contained an item on the Pandemic Influenza Steering Committee.
  
  Our Local is pleased to note that representatives of the City unions and association will be invited to participate in the Steering Committee.
  
  Local 79 represents more than 18, 000 full and part time employees of the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and Toronto Community Housing Corporation. A significant number of our members work in Public Health and in the Homes for the Aged. Many of them are public health nurses, hospital workers, personal care attendants, child care workers, registered nurses and public health workers. All of these workers are on the frontlines during any infectious disease outbreak.
  
  Local 79 looks forward to contributing to the discussion at the Pandemic Influenza Steering Committee and in the on-going development of the City’s Pandemic Influenza Plan.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc:  Dr. David McKeown, Executive Officer of the Board of Health
  
  cope343/la

July 6, 2007 - Discussions regarding the proposed program review of inspection, enforcement and prosecution functions in a number of City divisions

• July 6, 2007
  
  Ms. Ann Borooah
  Chief Building Official/Executive Director
  Toronto Building
  12 Floor E.
  100 Queen St. W.
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Lenna Bradburn
  Executive Director
  Municipal Licensing and Standards Division
  12 Floor East
  100 Queen St. W.
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Borooah and Ms. Bradburn:
  
  This letter confirms the meeting held on July 3, 2007 between City representatives and Local 79 representatives to discuss the proposed program review of inspection, enforcement and prosecution functions in a number of City divisions.
  
  City representatives indicated that at this early stage it was difficult to provide significant details on the scope and impact of the review outcomes. However, City officials did state that any outcomes would be implemented under existing collective agreements.
  
  City representatives also provided assurances that Local 79 would be consulted and kept informed of the review’s progress as it proceeds. We understand that, depending on the findings of the review consultant, the City will meet with Local 79 again in late fall, and that a draft report may be ready by the end of January 2008.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Tim Maguire
  Acting President
  cope343/la

July 6, 2007 - Terms of Reference for the Tuberculosis Subcommittee

• July 6, 2007
  
  Councillor John Filion, Chair
  And Members
  Toronto Board of Health
  c/o City Clerks
  City Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Councillor Filion, Chair, and Members, Toronto Board of Health,
  
  Re: Item HL6.10 – Terms of Reference for the Tuberculosis Subcommittee,
         Board of Health Agenda, July 9, 2007
  
  This report outlines the terms of reference for the Board of Health’s Tuberculosis Subcommittee. Local 79 is concerned by the inclusion of representatives of CUPE Ontario to address workers’ health and safety issues. We request that representatives of Local 79 also be included on the subcommittee.
  
  Our members work in both Toronto Pubic Health and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. They are the front line workers who deal with TB on a daily basis. They provide care and supports for people suffering from TB, and they are responsible for implementing and maintaining measures to contain and prevent TB. As the union that represents these workers, we have valuable insights into TB prevention and control within the City of Toronto.
  
  Local 79 participates with the City in numerous health and safety committees across City divisions, including Toronto Public Health and Shelter, Support and Housing. Generally speaking, these committees function quite well, and provide a valuable forum to address workers’ health and safety issues. Local 79 has a wealth of experience in working with the City on health and safety committees and the issues they must address.
  
  For the above reasons, we request that the Board of Health amend the TB subcommittee’s terms of reference to also include representatives of Local 79.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Tim Maguire
  Acting President
  cope343/la

July 5, 2007 - Security Guards - Changes to Shifts and other Terms and Conditions of Employment

• July 5, 2007
  
  Mr. Bruce Anderson
  Director
  Employee and Labour Relations Unit
  5th Floor
  Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Mr. Anderson:
  
  It has come to the Union’s attention that the City has changed shifts and other terms and conditions of employment with respect to security guards who are the subject of the certification application made to the Ontario Labour Relations Board on May 15, 2007 (Board File No.0623-07-R).
  
  As you are no doubt aware, once a certification application is filed with the Board there is a very broad statutory freeze on the terms and conditions of employment of those employees who would be in the bargaining unit. Section 86(2) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 states as follows:
  
       Where a trade union has applied for certification and notice thereof from
       the Board has been received by the employer, the employer shall not,
       except with the consent of the trade union, alter the rates of wages or any
       other term or condition of employment or any right, privilege or duty of
       the employer or the employees until,
  
        (a) the trade union has given notice under section 16, [notice to bargain]….; or,
  
        (b) the application for certification by the trade union is dismissed or terminated
              by the Board or withdrawn by the trade union.
  
  To our knowledge the City has not consulted the Union about any changes in scheduling practices or any other term or condition of employment, and the Union specifically has not agreed to any such changes. As such, please be advised that if the City does not immediately stop making any changes, and does not reverse any changes already made, we will have to pursue our legal remedies at the Labour Relations Board.
  
  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  
  Tim Maguire
  Acting President
  
  cc: Catherine Bossuyt
  cope343/la

July 4, 2007 - Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer

• July 4, 2007
  
  Mayor David Miller
  City of Toronto
  City Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Mayor Miller:
  
  Re: Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer
  
  On behalf of Local 79 I would like to request that our local be invited to appoint a representative to participate on your Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer.
  
  Local 79 strongly supports this initiative on anti-violence intervention, youth opportunities and community safety. A significant number of our members, including those working in the Social Services Division, Toronto Public Health, Parks and Recreation and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, deliver programmes and services in at-risk communities. Many of our members work directly with the youth of Toronto.
  
  Local 79 would bring an essential and unique perspective to the discussions of this important panel. The vast work experience of our members across the broad spectrum of Toronto’s many diverse communities, as well as the wide diversity of our membership, give our local valuable insight into the issues mandated for this panel to examine.
  
  I look forward to a positive response to our request.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  
  Tim Maguire
  Acting President
  
  c.c Honourable Roy McMurtry, Chair, Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer
  cope343/la

July 4, 2007 - Letter to Premier McGuinty regarding Trade & Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA)

• July 4, 2007
  
  Premier McGuinty
  Queen’s Park Rm. 281, Main Legislative Building
  Toronto, Ontario
  M7A 1A4
  
  Dear Premier McGuinty:
  
  On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, I am writing to request your government’s official position on the Trade & Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) that came into force in April 2007 in the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.
  
  This agreement gives the private sector sweeping powers to dictate to provincial governments, municipalities and school boards over a wide range of public policies, laws and regulations. TILMA was signed by the governments of Alberta and British Columbia without public consultation.
  
  Not only was TILMA not debated by either provincial legislature, but municipalities and other local governments were not even consulted before it was signed. In fact, cities and towns across British Columbia and Alberta are just now coming to realize how much democratic control they will lose under TILMA, and many are fighting to have municipal government action exempt from the agreement’s dangerously broad reach.
  
  You have publicly expressed support for the TILMA agreement signed by the Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta. In April 2007 you admitted that, in conversations with British Columbia Premier Gord Campbell and former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein about TILMA, you told them, “We might be able to achieve critical mass by joining what you’ve done there.”
  
  CUPE Local 79 is extremely disturbed by your apparent support for a trade agreement that does not appear to protect public services. Our local represents more than 18,000 members who work in the City of Toronto, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Bridgepoint Hospital. The services that our members provide and the programmes that they deliver are of the highest quality. We are the largest municipal local in Canada and are extremely proud of our civic services.
  
  TILMA creates grave new threats to public health care, education and other services by allowing commercial challenges to these services. While “social services” are excluded, there is no exclusion for education or health care, so private health care companies could use TILMA to challenge the laws limiting for-profit health service delivery.
  
  This appears to be an indication that TILMA’s negotiators did not intend to protect public services, and now that citizens have been able to see the agreement, they have identified it as a serious threat to democracy and the ability to govern in the public interest.
  
  Some U.S. states have shown an interest in also signing TILMA, which would lead to massive deregulation in Canada as we harmonize policies with the United States. Local 79 is very concerned about the potential impact on public services such as health care and water. There is much evidence that deregulation of these services in other jurisdictions has already put these services at risk.
  
  CUPE Local 79 considers it an insult to all civic workers in this Province that the Premier of Ontario would even speculate about joining TILMA. What TILMA does is force governments at both the provincial and local levels to surrender vast areas of their ability to govern. TILMA enables private investors to challenge governments, allowing commercial interests to trump the public good.
  
  Mr. McGuinty, looking ahead to the provincial election in Ontario in October 2007, and, given the enormous impacts that TILMA would likely have on virtually every sphere of public policy and law, it is essential that you state clearly what the intention of your party is regarding TILMA.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Tim Maguire
  Acting President
  
  c.c:   Wayne Samuelson, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
          John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council
  
  cope343/la

June 18, 2007 - Letter of Support for the 12,000 CUPE Members Facing Labour Disputes in British Columbia

• June 18, 2007
  
  Ms. Anne Coupland
  CUPE Municipal Coordinator – B.C. Region
  Suite 500, 4940 Canada Way
  Burnaby, BC
  V5G 4T3
  
  Dear Sister Coupland:
  
  As President of CUPE Local 79, I am writing to offer our support to our 12,000 CUPE sisters and brothers, who are civic workers facing labour disputes with municipalities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.
  
  Local 79 has endured similar challenges with a municipal employer – in our case the City of Toronto. From experience, we understand many of the issues that the B.C. members are now facing.
  
  We strongly support the B.C. locals in their struggles to negotiate fair contracts and appreciate the stand that they are taking. Civic workers make our communities work, providing vital public services that we all rely upon. The attempts by the municipal employers to demand unprecedented concessions and slow down or stall negotiations are clearly disrespectful and undermine the integrity of collective agreements.
  
  We know how valuable it is to have the encouragement and endorsement of other locals during difficult and stressful times. Please convey our best wishes, for the success of the public campaign, and our regards and solidarity to all B.C.’s Lower Mainland civic workers.
  
  In solidarity,
  
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  c.c Paul Moist, President CUPE National
  
  cope343/la

June 15, 2007 - Custodial Services – Service Improvement Workplan – Training Programme

• June 15, 2007
  
  Mr. Fred Towers
  Director
  Facilities Services
  Metro Hall, 2nd Floor
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Mr. Towers:
  
  Re: Custodial Services – Service Improvement Workplan – Training Programme
  
  Local 79 would like to share with you our concerns regarding the process for choosing a company to provide a training programme to our members working in Custodial Services. Local 79 is fully supportive of this training programme as an integral part of the Service Improvement Workplan. Our Local entered into discussions with City of Toronto staff in good faith. Local 79 appreciates that the City has a stated commitment to improving services and that the City has made every effort to contract-in work whenever possible and when circumstances allow.
  
  The City of Toronto is a unionized workplace and the Mayor and City Council are extremely supportive of the services provided by unionized employees. It is, therefore, extremely important, on the occasions when it is necessary for the City to hire outside companies for training purposes, that these organizations have extensive experience in unionized workplaces.
  
  We also strongly believe that the RFP procedure must be an open and transparent one.
  
  Representatives from Local 79 recently met with your staff, and a representative from a Canadian company based in British Columbia who can offer the required training programme.
  
  It is evident from subsequent discussions that your staff strongly advocates hiring a specific American training company in preference to the Canadian company. This, despite the fact that the company from British Columbia has many years of experience and is respected in the cleaning industry. This company is a training provider for all levels of government including Corrections Canada, numerous school districts, hospitals, and First Nations groups in British Columbia.
  
  This important decision must have the appearance of both openness and transparency, and the outcome must not be pre-determined by any particular bias.
  
  It is our hope that the decision to choose a company to provide training to our members is arrived at in a way that is not only fair but will be perceived as having been concluded with integrity and without bias.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
  cc: Mayor David Miller
  
  cope343/la
   

June 5, 2007 - Reorganization - Scarborough South Office of Children's Services

• June 5, 2007
  
  Ms. Brenda Patterson
  General Manager
  Children’s Services
  10th Floor
  Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Patterson:
  
  Local 79 understands that a reorganization is being planned for the operation at the Scarborough South Office of Children’s Services, which raises a number of concerns on behalf of our members.
  
  We understand that the Scarborough South Office will become a centralized unit. All application processing will take place there, and inquiries regarding waiting lists and the Children’s Services Kidsline will operate from there.
  
  Local 79 believes that, in effect, the Scarborough South Office will become a call centre. Consequently, this will mean a substantial change in duties of the staff working there, which may constitute a deletion of their current positions and reclassification to a new position. If this is in fact the case, Children’s Services is required to follow the process laid out in the Local 79 collective agreement and provide us with proper notice.
  
  I request a meeting with you to clarify this issue. Please contact my office to make arrangements.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  cope343/la

May 30, 2007 - Parks, Forestry and Recreation Clerical Reassignment

• May 30, 2007

  Ms. Brenda Librecz
  Parks, Forestry and Recreation
  City Hall
  100 Queen West
  Toronto, Ontario

  Dear Ms. Librecz:

  Local 79 has learned that there may be workload issues raised by the upcoming clerical reassignment planned for Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

  We understand that, under the reassignment, each manager will have one clerical staff to support them.   However, in at least one case, the Nashdeen Yard, the manager has two Support Assistant Cs providing them with clerical support.  We understand that both of these staff have a full assignment of duties and responsibilities, and their workloads keep them extremely busy at all times.

  Apparently, under the reassignment, these two positions will be consolidated into one, and one of the positions and its incumbent will be reassigned to another manager.  We are concerned that one worker at Nashdeen will have to perform the duties of two positions.  These are already full workloads, and it will be extremely  problematic for one person to perform the duties of these two positions.  We understand that the affected manager is making efforts to retain both.

  We believe that reducing the Nashdeen support compliment and combining the workloads of two positions into just one may lead to serious problems.  Local 79 requests that you review this situation and speak directly with the manager and staff involved. 

  Yours truly,  

  Ann Dembinski
  President
  
   cope343/la

May 29, 2007 - Elimination of "Part-time" Dental Positions

• May 29, 2007
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Senior Coordinator
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Corporate Services
  City of Toronto
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  I am writing to you in connection with the elimination by the City of the “Part-time” dental positions.
  
  As you are aware grievances have been or are about to be filed. The grievances both individual and policy seek various remedies including the restoration of the part-time jobs. Many, if not all of the affected employees are opposed to the City’s elimination of the part-time position, and for the employees it is extremely important to ensure that the issues raised by the grievances are disposed of as quickly as possible and preferably, prior to the “forced movement” of affected employees to full-time positions. Accordingly, I am suggesting that Mr. Monteith contact Mr. Nyman to discuss an expeditious hearing as provided for under the collective agreement.
  
  Employees affected will, I assume, in most instances indicate a willingness in light of the absence of choice, to move into the full-time positions. It should be understood that acceptance of full-time positions is without prejudice to the claims made in any individual or policy grievance.
  
  Finally, a number of employees have raised the issue of post 65 retiree benefits and specifically the impact of movement from part-time to newly created full-time positions. Local 79 assumes there is no impact. In our view the post 65 retiree benefit is applicable to employees and not job, and for those employees entitled to the benefit, movement from a part-time to a full-time position is without impact.
  
  I would appreciate an early response to each of the issues raised above.
  
  Yours truly,
  
  Ann Dembinski
  President
  cope343/la

May 25, 2007 -  Public Health Dental Services

• May 25, 2007
  
  Ms. Catherine Bossuyt
  Senior Coordinator
  Employee and Labour Relations
  Corporate Services
  City of Toronto
  5th Floor, Metro Hall
  Toronto, Ontario
  
  Without Prejudice
  
  Dear Ms. Bossuyt:
  
  Local 79 met with representatives of Toronto Public Health’s Dental Services on May 18, 2007. Local 79 requests a response from Labour Relations regarding a number of issues raised at that meeting.
  
  •  Staff were provided with a form that they were to sign and return by June 1, 2007, indicating whether or not they would accept a full-time permanent position with Dental Services. June 1 is not an appropriate date; it provides staff with very little time to consider their options. Also, staff prefer to know the outcome of the related arbitration before making a decision. Can the date for return of this form be changed to June 22?
  
  •  What will happen to staff who decline or do not return the form?
  
  •  Vacation - staff would like to be able to carry over any currently unused vacation time for use after August 15.
  
  •  Vacation – how will vacation apply in the first year of full-time work for these employees?
  
  •  Vacation – we request confirmation that the current level of entitlement is based on years of service, but that staff will receive entitlement equivalent to full-time.
  
  •  OMERS – staff request the opportunity to arrange an OMERS consultation during working hours.
  
  • Transportation Allowance – we request confirmation that grandparenting provisions for transportation from the Armstrong Award will apply to staff in this case.
  
  •  Sick Time – we request confirmation that staff remain on current plans, but their amount of sick time will increase to full-time entitlement.
  
  •  Benefits – we request confirmation that benefits will be as per the full-time collective agreement.
  
  •  Please clarify entitlement to any other grandparented provisions in the collective agreement related to hours of work.
  
  Staff have submitted a number of these questions directly to