November 2007
Dear Fellow Local 79 Member:
Local 79 is very concerned by the arrival of corporate, for-profit
child care in Ontario. Multinational child care provider ABC
Learning Centres, a corporation based in Australia is attempting to
expand their services into Ontario. This company has been criticized for
alleged cost-cutting, poor quality food and equipment, and taking up
millions of dollars worth of publicly funded subsidy fees. Local 79
believes that the best child care is provided by non-profit, publicly
operated child care centres, and that child care should focus on
children, not on profits.
The Alternate Rate (AR) Review has begun for both the City of Toronto
and TCHC. Under this process, all AR assignments that have been
continuously filled by one or more employee(s) for longer than 13 months
will be reviewed. Once the review is completed, those positions into
which an employee(s) has been AR’d shall be filled as a permanent
vacancy, so long as the position is not one to which a permanent
employee has a claim or where the AR assignment is expected to be
terminated in the near future.
Local 79 is insisting that TCHC provide more information regarding
the move to a new benefits carrier. We asked for a copy of the
benefits booklet so that we can verify the accuracy of the benefits and
entitlements negotiated into our collective agreement. We informed TCHC
that its offer of a draft of the new booklet is not sufficient, and that
we need the actual documentation/contract that TCHC intends to sign with
the new carrier.
Local 79 was shocked to learn that the Facilities and Real Estate
Division is contracting out work performed by our members, including
lease negotiations and inspections, compliance reviews and portfolio
analysis. We let the City know that this is unacceptable and that we
intend to proceed to arbitration on this issue. Instead of contracting
out this work to deal with a backlog, the City should hire whatever
full-time permanent staff may be needed to get the work done.
Earlier this fall, the federal government reported that it expected a
$13.8 billion surplus. Despite the City of Toronto’s economic
problems, the federal government has no plans to use any of that money
to alleviate the City’s funding crisis.
Local 79 wrote to Prime Minister Harper and told him that it is
outrageous that the City only gets six per cent of the billions of
dollars worth of taxes that are collected here in Toronto. Part of the
federal surplus should be directed to much-needed reinvestment for the
City of Toronto.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/lc
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October 2007
Dear Fellow Local 79 Member:
The provincial election on October 10th
is vital for the City of Toronto and for Local 79. We need a
provincial government that will make Toronto a priority, and that will
ensure that the City has the stable, ongoing funding it needs to provide
all the services that our members deliver. All members are urged to
carefully read the election notice included in this mailing.
Members should also be aware that on October 22nd,
City Council will start debating a fair tax plan that will generate
new, much-needed revenues for the City of Toronto. Our members know
that the City is facing a funding crisis that can only be solved with a
new source of ongoing revenue. Without it, the City says it will be
forced to implement massive service cuts and/or huge lay-offs or an
extensive property tax increase.
We need these new sources of revenue. Local 79 encourages all of our
members to go to
www.fairtaxes.ca, a website that supports the fair tax plan.
We also urge members to contact their City Councillor and tell them that
they support the fair tax plan, and that they want their Councillor to
support it too. You can find their phone number and email address at
www.toronto.ca. Our jobs depend on it!
Our members are already experiencing the effects of the City’s financial
problems. Although City Council recently voted to re-open the civic
centres on Mondays, other cost saving measures will continue – outdoor
artificial ice rinks that were scheduled to open in December will not
open until January, and the City’s golf courses will still close one
week early.
Preparations for bargaining for the Service Units at Bridgepoint
Hospital are underway. Members are scheduled to review the Local 79
bargaining proposals on October 5, 2007. Members will have an
opportunity to provide input on the proposals and to ratify them.
Last month, Local 79 held its first meeting of the TCHC Housing
Solutions Inc. labour-management committee, to discuss issues of
concern to our HSI members. Labour-management committees are a useful
forum for us to raise and resolve problems on behalf of our members.
Further meetings on behalf of our HSI members will take place on a
regular basis.
On October 24, Local 79 will be celebrating Child Care Worker and
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. This annual event is an
opportunity for us to recognize the hard work of our members who provide
quality, publicly operated child care throughout our community. Our
child care members do a terrific job, and they deserve this recognition.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2007 Alex Gregory Memorial
Scholarships. This year’s winners are Athena Hiu Ying Hau, daughter
of Tung Ling Lau, Public Health; Kathleen DeSouza, daughter of Maria
DeSouza, Social Services; Shuk-Laam Lo, daughter of Grace Leung, Social
Services; Michael Hul, son of Lilianna Buczkoska-Hul, Works and
Emergency Services; and Jeffrey Tham, son of Linda Tham, Children’s
Services.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/lc
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September 10, 2007
Dear Fellow Local 79 Member:
The upcoming provincial election is crucial for Local 79 members.
Our key issue is that the provincial government must pay for the
services that it requires the City of Toronto to provide. Until that
happens, the City will continue to face budget shortfalls, and the
services that we provide will be threatened with cutbacks and
contracting out.
We urge all members to support candidates who are committed to
publicly-delivered municipal services, and to the provincial government
providing sufficient, ongoing funding to pay for them. As Local 79
members, we must take an active role in this election campaign. Ask
candidates where they stand on funding of provincially mandated
services, such as public housing and social services. Ask candidates to
commit to uploading the cost of services forced on the City of Toronto
taxpayers. Our jobs depend on it!
The courts have ruled that employees, not employers, must shoulder the
cost of the health premiums imposed by the McGuinty Liberals. These
premiums are another downloading of provincial financial responsibility
to you, the taxpayers of this province. Our application for a
judicial review of this finding to the Ontario Divisional Court was not
successful.
The provincial government’s failure to pay for its services forced
the City to call for a hiring freeze and to make service cuts. In
Parks and Recreation, all community centres will be closed on Mondays
from mid-September to the end of December 2007. All programmes offered
on Mondays will be cancelled. Part-time members will be most affected by
this, as their hours will be reduced. Full-time permanent and temporary
members working in the community centres will not be affected, as they
will continue to report to work on Mondays.
Bridgepoint Hospital members of the Nurses and Paramedical Units have
a new one year collective agreement. Members ratified their new
contract with an overwhelming vote in favour. This collective agreement,
in effect from March 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008, provides
Paramedical members with significant improvements to benefits. I would
like to thank members of the bargaining team for their hard work and the
members for their support.
Local 79 members who received inaccurate service/seniority dates that
underestimated their service will be compensated for any shortfall in
vacation time/monies. An arbitrator has ruled that the City must go
back to the year 2000 where service dates were understated that resulted
in underpayment of vacation under our collective agreements with the
City. For the same period, the arbitrator ruled that the City is
entitled to recover any overpayments in vacation that were made where
service dates were mistakenly overstated.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
September 2007 Information Order Form
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June 15, 2007
Dear Fellow Member of Local 79:
Local 79 is fighting the City of Toronto’s movement of work performed
by our members in Toronto Water to Local 416. This is unacceptable
to Local 79 – this work should properly be performed by our members, and
we will take all legal steps available to us to prevent the City from
giving it to another union. We have filed a jurisdictional dispute over
this issue with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Local 79’s Summer Picnic will be held on July 11 and July 12 at Wild
Water Kingdom, starting at 10:00 a.m. both days. This is one of
Local 79’s most popular and enjoyable events, and all members are
invited and encouraged to attend. There is a charge of $7.00 per person,
and children four years and under are admitted free. Remember to bring
your union membership card or a pay stub, bathing suits and lunch for a
great day of summer fun.
The Local 79 Annual Retirees’ Recognition and Awards Tea will be
held on Thursday, June 21. This event recognizes the contribution of our
active retirees, and is an opportunity for Local 79 to express our
appreciation for their efforts. This year’s Tea will be held at Stan
Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Avenue, on June 21 from 12:00 noon to
2:30 p.m.
Collective Bargaining continues between Local 79 and Bridgepoint
Hospital on behalf of the Nurses and Paramedical Unit. Our
bargaining team has held a series of meetings with the Hospital during
May, and further sessions have been scheduled throughout June. As
bargaining continues, we will keep members informed of our progress.
Toronto City Council voted to purchase a new facility to replace the
homeless emergency shelter and referral and assessment centre at 110
Edward Street. On May 25, 2007, Council approved the acquisition of
property at 129 Peter Street to accommodate these services, which are
provided by Local 79 members. These are valuable services, and Local 79
played an active role in ensuring the acquisition of a suitable
replacement facility.
The City of Toronto has the best service levels in Ontario,
according to a recent study conducted by the Toronto Star. The review,
based on data collected from 15 municipalities across Ontario, including
Peel, Halton, Windsor, Thunder Bay, and others, concluded that Toronto
was ranked number one for service levels. Local 79 members should be
proud of these results. They are only possible because of your hard work
and dedication to public service, and they are a recognition of your
contribution.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/la
June 2007 Information Order Form
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May 11,
2007
Dear Fellow Member of Local 79:
Local 79 has moved into its new offices at 34 St. Patrick Street.
Over the years, we have outgrown the limited space at our previous
location on Adelaide Street. The new location provides us with much
needed space and improved facilities to serve the membership.
The new office address is:
34 St. Patrick Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 1V1
416-977-1629
(all previous telephone extensions are in service)
Applications are now open for both the Rudy Draxl Memorial
Scholarship and the Stan Dalton Memorial Scholarship. These two
scholarships were first established in 2004 and are for $500.00 each.
Both are awarded on the basis of written essays submitted by the
applicants.
The theme for the Rudy Draxl Memorial Scholarship is Why is a Union
Necessary in the City of Toronto, TCHC or Bridgepoint Hospital? The
theme for the Stan Dalton Memorial Scholarship is Why is a Steward a
Positive Addition to the Workplace? Essays must not exceed 2,500 words
and the submission deadline is June 29th, 2007. Please request an
application in writing from the Education Committee, c/o the Local 79
office. Please include your name, address, home and work telephone
numbers, department, and employee number in your request.
As noted in the April President’s report, applications are also being
accepted for the Alex Gregory Scholarship Award.
Last month, TCHC celebrated the achievements of many of its long
service employees, which includes many Local 79 members. Special
events were held to acknowledge the contributions of workers who had
served for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. These are
significant milestones, and they demonstrate the commitment of our
members to the public they serve. Local 79 members who have recently
retired from TCHC were also honoured.
Over the past several months, the City of Toronto held a series of
events for staff who have achieved 25 years of service with the City in
2007. Local 79 is very proud of our members’ accomplishment and for
their long service and dedication. They have set an excellent example of
the best traditions of public service.
In April, the City of Toronto passed a $7.8 billion budget for 2007.
The City was forced to empty its reserve funds to cover a $71 million
shortfall caused by the provincial government’s refusal to fully honour
its cost-share commitments for social services. Local 79 representatives
actively participated in the budget process, attending committee and
council sessions and speaking with City Councillors and staff, to
protect the interests of our members.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/la
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April 13,
2007
Dear Fellow Member of Local 79:
This April 27 marks the National Day of Mourning, the day when we
pause and remember all those workers who have been injured, made sick,
or killed on the job. It is also a day when we rededicate ourselves to
ensuring that all workers have safe, healthy work places. The 2007
service will be held at 12 noon at Larry Sefton Park, Bay and Hagerman
St. (behind Toronto City Hall).
Local 79’s annual Nursing Week celebration will be celebrated on
May 8, 2007. We are holding a joint event with the Toronto Public Health
Nursing Practice Council in honour of all our members who work as nurses
at Bridgepoint Hospital, Public Health, Homes for the Aged, shelter
programs, and elsewhere.
We invite members to nominate their colleagues working in nursing for
one of five Local 79 peer recognition awards, which acknowledge
contributions to Local 79’s mission statement of solidarity and
collegiality. Please forward nominations by April 20, 2007 to the Local
79 office at 257 Adelaide St. W., Third Floor, or to
rharris@cupelocal79.org.
There are morning and afternoon sessions for the May 8 celebration
event. Members should choose the session that best suits their schedule:
8:45 am or 1:15 pm. Both sessions take place at the Burgundy Room, North
York Memorial Hall, 5110 Yonge St. To RSVP, or for further information,
please contact Katie Dilworth at 416-328-0907, or kdilworth@toronto.ca.
The fifth annual International Day Against Homophobia will be
held on May 17, 2007. This is a day when we work together to end
harassment and intolerance based on sexual orientation. Our union is
dedicated to the principles of diversity and equality, and to the
eradication of homophobia in the workplace and elsewhere.
The CUPE Local 79 Showcase needs singers, dancers, comedians and
spoken word artists. The showcase will be presented as part of our
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 Stewards Meeting. Local 79 encourages the full
diversity of our members and equity seeking groups to take an active
part in this event. For more information please contact Rob Harris at
416-977-1629, extension 247, or
rharris@cupelocal79.org.
Applications for the 2007 Alex Gregory Memorial Scholarship will
be accepted for students who are in their final year of secondary school
in Ontario, and are registered in a post-secondary institution this
fall. Five scholarships for $500.00 each will be awarded to children of
current or retired members. Please apply for an application in writing
to the Education Committee, c/o the Local 79 office. Please include
your name, address, home and work telephone numbers, employer,
department/division and employee number.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/la
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March 2007 President's Reports
March 16, 2007
Dear Fellow Member of Local 79:
Enclosed with this month’s President’s Report is the
Proposed
Amendments to Local 79’s By-laws. Our By-laws have not been
amended in any significant way since the 1980’s. In many cases, they
are out of date and do not reflect the significant changes and
growth that Local 79 has experienced since then. Our By-law
Amendment Committee has undertaken a careful, detailed review of our
By-laws and has compiled a list of proposed changes that will update
our By-laws and allow for a more efficient operation of our union.
Please take the time to review these proposed amendments. They will
be debated and voted on at our March 27, 2007 General Membership
meeting. All members are encouraged to attend the meeting and to
take part in the amendment process.
Collective bargaining for the Bridgepoint Hospital Nurses and
Paramedical bargaining units has begun. The Local 79 bargaining
proposals compiled from questionnaires completed by members, was
overwhelmingly ratified on February 16, 2007. Since then, our
bargaining team has held regular negotiating sessions with the
Hospital. Our goal, as always, is to obtain the best possible
collective agreements for our members.
City councillors have begun this year’s deliberations for the
City of Toronto’s 2007 budget. The budget cycle has critical
implications for Local 79, as it sets funding limits for the
programs and services provided by our members. As we do every year,
Local 79 is sending representatives to the budget debates and
meetings, to observe the proceedings, speak with City councillors
and staff, and make deputations on your behalf.
Recently, I met with the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
for George Smitherman, the Provincial Minister of Health and Long
Term Care. Accompanied by Local 79 1st
Vice President Tim Maguire, we discussed the potential impact of
labour adjustments on our members as a result of the Local Health
Integration Networks (LHINS). Our discussions with the
Minister’s office will continue, and we will update members on an
ongoing basis.
Local 79 endorses Mayor Miller’s One-Cent Plan to convince
the federal government to provide cities across Canada, including
Toronto, with one cent of the GST. Under this plan, Toronto
would receive over $400 million in 2007 alone. These additional
funds are urgently needed by the City, to address years worth of
under-funding caused by downloading by the federal and provincial
governments.
Local 79 members are encouraged to actively support the One-Cent
Plan. Please visit
www.onecentnow.ca
or call 416-ONE-Cent to find out how you can pressure the federal
government to give Toronto its fair share of the GST.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination is observed throughout the world annually on March
21, 2007. Local 79 is committed to fairness and equity in the
workplace, and we have established a Vice-President Equity on our
executive to deal with this issue. On March 21, 2007 we remember
that racism and discrimination must be eliminated wherever it
occurs.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/la
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February 2007 President's
Reports
President's Report for all Local 79
Members
President's Report for Bridgepoint Hospital Members
February 16, 2007
Dear Fellow Member of Local
79:
Livingstone (Livy) Holder, the former Local 79
Vice-President-Equity, passed away on January 20, 2007 following a
brief illness.
This was very sad news for Local 79. Livy was a member of Local 79
for over 30 years, and was one of our most energetic, dedicated
activists. He served our union in many ways, including as a Steward,
Unit Officer, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Chair of the
Labour Day Committee, Chair of the Education Committee, member of
numerous bargaining teams, and as a member of the Executive Board
and the Executive Committee. Livy was a forceful champion of human
rights, and served as Chair of the CUPE Ontario Rainbow Coalition
and the Education Committee.
Livy was committed to improving the working lives of his co-workers,
and he made a huge contribution of time and energy to our union.
Local 79 mourns the loss of Livy Holder – we will miss him greatly.
February is Black History Month, a celebration throughout
Canada of the past and present of African Canadians, and their
important contribution to Canada’s culture, politics and society.
There are numerous events planned across the City of Toronto to
commemorate Black History Month, and Local 79 members are encouraged
to participate.
In January, as President of Local 79, along with Tim Maguire,
1st Vice-President, I made a submission at the Provincial
Legislature regarding Bill 140, the Long Term Care Homes Act, 2006.
This submission stated Local 79’s concerns that the new legislation
does not reinstate a minimum standard of care for seniors living in
long-term care homes. We believe that long-term care homes should be
a place where seniors can live with dignity, safety and comfort.
Unfortunately, Premier McGuinty’s Bill 140 does not provide the
additional funding or minimum standards that long-term care homes
need.
Members voted to fill two vacant Local 79 positions at the
General Membership meeting on January 23, 2007. Sister Amy Withers
was elected as the Recreation Workers’ Unit Officer, and Brother
Jason Desjardins, City Clerks, Printing and Distribution was elected
to the Executive Board. They will fill these positions for the
2007-2008 term.
The International Women’s Day Rally and March will take place on
Saturday, March 10, 2007. On International Women’s Day, we
commemorate and celebrate the struggles and achievements of women
here in Canada and around the world. The rally will be held at OISE,
252 Bloor St. W., at 11:00 a.m., and the march to Ryerson University
will begin at 1:00 p.m.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski;
President
cope343/la
February
6, 2007
Dear Fellow Bridgepoint Member of Local 79:
Livingstone (Livy) Holder, the former Local 79
Vice-President- Equity, passed away on January 20, 2007 following a
brief illness.
This was very sad news for Local 79. Livy was a member of Local 79
for over 30 years, and was one of our most energetic, dedicated
activists. He served our union in many ways, including as a Steward,
Unit Officer, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Chair of the
Labour Day Committee, Chair of the Education Committee, member of
numerous bargaining teams, and as a member of the Executive Board
and the Executive Committee. Livy was a forceful champion of human
rights, and served as Chair of the CUPE Ontario Rainbow Coalition
and the Education Committee.
Livy was committed to improving the working lives of his co-workers,
and he made a huge contribution of time and energy to our union.
Local 79 mourns the loss of Livy Holder – we will miss him greatly.
February is Black History Month, a celebration throughout
Canada of the past and present of African Canadians, and their
important contribution to Canada’s culture, politics and society.
There are numerous events planned across the City of Toronto to
commemorate Black History Month, and Local 79 members are encouraged
to participate.
Preparations for the next round of collective bargaining for the
Bridgepoint Nurses and Paramedical Units are underway.
Bargaining questionnaires were sent to all members of the units,
including full-time and part-time. The results were reviewed and
compiled as bargaining proposals, which are scheduled for a
ratification vote on February 16, 2007. Bargaining will begin once
the proposals are ratified.
Hearings before the Pay Equity Hearing Tribunal have begun for
the Nurses and Paramedical Units. The first day of hearings took
place on January 25th, 2007. Further dates are being set for Local
79 and the Hospital to make their submissions regarding this issue.
We will keep members informed of any news as it develops.
Members voted to fill two vacant Local 79 positions at the
General Membership meeting on January 23, 2007. Sister Amy Withers
was elected as the Recreation Workers’ Unit Officer, and Brother
Jason Desjardins, City Clerks, Printing and Distribution was elected
to the Executive Board. They will fill these positions for the
2007-2008 term.
The International Women’s Day Rally and March will take place on
Saturday, March 10, 2007. On International Women’s Day, we
commemorate and celebrate the struggles and achievements of women
here in Canada and around the world. The rally will be held at OISE,
252 Bloor St. W., at 11:00 a.m., and the march to Ryerson University
will begin at 1:00 p.m.
In Solidarity,
Ann Dembinski;
President
cope343/la
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Dear Fellow Member of Local 79:
Last November, Local 79 held its elections
for the Executive for the 2007 - 2008 term. The members of the Executive are:
| Executive Committee: |
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President |
Ann Dembinski |
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1st Vice-President |
Tim Maguire |
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Vice-President/Chief Steward |
David Kidd |
|
Vice-President – Equity |
Ainsworth Hamilton |
|
Recording Secretary |
Nancy Murphy |
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Treasurer |
Lily Chang |
|
Membership Secretary |
Linda Rose |
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Unit Officers: |
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City |
Deborah Dixon, Paul Edwards, Fred Taylor |
|
Homes for the Aged PT |
Beverley Pike |
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Unit B |
Trevor Smith |
|
Bridgepoint Hospital |
Jennifer Matheson (Service)
Yasmin Makani (Nurses and Paramedical) |
|
Recreation |
Vacant |
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Toronto Community Housing Corp. |
Vacant |
| |
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Auditor Trustees: |
Anne Dubas, Robert Ross, Danny Mason |
| |
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Executive Board Members: |
Virginia Ashberry, Garth Barry, Yvonne Bell, Ron Brett, Ruth
Comfort,
Florence Esson, Wendy Johnston, Doug Jones, Wolf Kelpin, Sharon
Llewellyn, Bevoria Martin-Clarke, Rita Messner, Doreen Tripp and
one position vacant. |
I would like to thank all Local 79 members who ran for a position and to
congratulate our new Executive. We look forward to working together over the
upcoming term and to serving the members of Local 79.
The arbitrator’s decision has been released for the City of Toronto Post-65
Retiree Benefits issue. Despite Local 79’s vigorous presentation of our
arguments, the arbitrator has accepted the City of Toronto’s position, and
has ruled that post-65 retiree benefits are limited to: former City of North
York employees who were at least 50 years old on May 11, 2000; and former
City of Toronto employees who were at least 50 years old and had 10 years of
credited pensionable service at the old City of Toronto on May 11, 2000.
Local 79 strongly disagrees with this decision, and we will be filing an
appeal and initiating a judicial review application.
Proceedings for the Bridgepoint Nurses and Paramedical Units at the Pay
Equity Hearing Tribunal will begin on January 25, 2007. We were unable to
reach an appropriate agreement with the Hospital concerning the outstanding
pay equity compliance issues in the Nurses and Paramedical Units. We will be
making submissions and arguments before the Tribunal to resolve these
issues.
Regarding Pay Equity issues related to the Bridgepoint Service Units, we are
still making efforts to obtain information from the Hospital, which it was
ordered to provide to Local 79 by the Pay Equity Review Officer. This
information concerns several positions and includes their wages rates and
incumbents.
The Local 79 union office is moving to a new location. After 15 years at the
257 Adelaide Street West address and due to the increases in services that
the Union now offers to members in the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital
and TCHC, we have outgrown the current office and require more space. As was
reported at several General Membership and Stewards’ meetings, Local 79 has
sold our old office and purchased a new building at 34 St. Patrick Street
(near Queen and University), which will provide us with much needed space.
The move is tentatively scheduled for early February 2007. We will keep
members informed regarding details of the relocation, as they are confirmed.
As many of you already know, mandatory retirement was repealed in Ontario as
of December 12, 2006, as legislative changes came into effect on that date
allowing employees to continue working past age 65. This change applies to
our members working in the City of Toronto, Bridgepoint Hospital and the
Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
The legislation still allows workers to retire at or before they reach age
65, if they choose to do so, and also permits employers to continue to
provide early retirement packages.
Yours in solidarity,Ann Dembinski
President
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