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April 2008
April 2008 Information Order Form (pdf)
Dear Fellow Local 79
Member:
From March 26 – 29, along with other members of the Executive of
Local 79 and sisters and brothers from Local 416, I attended the annual
conference of the Ontario Municipal Employees Coordination Committee
(OMECC). OMECC is an organizing body comprised of 80,000 CUPE members
working in the municipal sector. The annual conference is an opportunity
for CUPE members from across the province to discuss bargaining trends
and collective agreement language as well as to develop and share
strategies for municipal sector negotiating. As we gear up for the next
round of negotiations with the City and TCHC, OMECC is a valuable source
of strategy, energy and solidarity.
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning, when we pause and
remember all workers who have been injured, made sick, or killed on the
job. It is also a time when we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all
workers have safe, healthy workplaces. The 2008 service will be held at
12 noon at Larry Sefton Park, Bay and Hagerman Street (behind Toronto
City Hall).
Canada’s National Nursing Week is May 12 – 18 for 2008. Nursing
Week is our opportunity to honour the caring and dedication of our
members who work as nurses at Public Health, Homes for the Aged, shelter
programs, Bridgepoint Hospital and elsewhere. Local 79 will be awarding
five peer recognition awards for nurses who contribute to Local 79’s
mission statement of solidarity and collegiality. We invite members to
nominate their colleagues by forwarding names and rationales to the
Local 79 office by mail (34 St. Patrick Street), by fax (416-977-9546)
or by e-mail to
csamuel@cupelocal79.org. Nominations must be received by May 5th.
On May 13, Local 79 and Toronto Public Health will hold a joint event
for our members who work for the City of Toronto. There will be a
morning (9:00 a.m.) and an afternoon (1:30 p.m.) session and members
should choose the session that best suits their schedule. Both sessions
take place at the Burgundy Room, North York Memorial Community Hall,
5110 Yonge Street. To RSVP, or for further information, please contact
Katie Dilworth at 416-328-0907, or
kdilworth@toronto.ca.
Applications for the 2008 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 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,
department and employee number.
In solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/lc
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March 2008
Dear Fellow Local 79
Member:
On February 21, 2008, I attended the press conference when Mayor David
Miller’s Blue Ribbon Panel released their Final Report. The independent
panel of business, education and labour professionals was appointed last
fall by the Mayor to review and report on the city’s fiscal operations.
The report included praise for the way that city workers have managed in
tough times. However, there are a number of issues raised that concern
Local 79. These included a warning that the City’s Unions would have to
show restraint, in upcoming rounds of negotiations, regarding wages and
benefits. When asked for my comments by the press, I reminded the media,
including the Globe and Mail and the CBC, that Local 79 went for eight
years without a wage increase in the 1990’s. I made it very clear that
Local 79 WILL NOT be going without a wage increase in the next round
of bargaining!
A very sad anniversary was marked recently. It was five years ago
that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) first appeared in Toronto.
From February 23, 2003, to June 7, 2003, 387 people in Toronto were
infected with SARS and 44 of them died. Unfortunately, Local 79’s member
Nelia Laroza, who was a long-time nurse at Bridgepoint Hospital,
succumbed to the disease. At this time we remember Nelia with admiration
as a worker who continued providing care, despite knowing the health
risks, and paid the ultimate price looking after citizens of Toronto. We
also acknowledge all Local 79 members who were working in Toronto
Community Housing Corporation, Bridgepoint Hospital, and the City of
Toronto, serving the public, during that stressful
time. Local 79 continues to emphasize to the City, TCHC and Bridgepoint
Hospital the need for all workers to be protected at the highest level
possible in the event of any infectious outbreak.
Negotiations for the Bridgepoint Hospital Service Units have broken
down after the employer tabled their inadequate settlement offer,
which included a list of concessions. An application for conciliation
was filed on March 7th.
On March 21st, we acknowledge the International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is a day observed all
around the world to focus attention on the problems of racism and the
need to promote racial harmony. Local 79 is committed to fairness and
equity in the workplace, which is why we have a Vice-President – Equity
on our Executive to deal with equity and human rights issues. March 21st
remains an important day to recognize as we remember that racism and
discrimination must be eliminated wherever and whenever they occur.
In solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President.
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February 2008
President's Report for Bridgepoint Hospital Members click here
President's Report for City of Toronto and TCHC Members click here
February 2008 Information Order Form
(pdf)
Dear Fellow Local 79 Member:
Late last month, I joined with our “Fair Deal for Our City”
Coalition partners to deliver a pre-budget deputation before the
Ontario Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and
Economic Affairs. The Coalition is demanding that the provincial
government pay its bills in the areas of social services, public
transit and housing. Before the provincial budget is delivered later
in the spring, Local 79 members are encouraged to contact their MPPs
to demand a fair deal for Toronto now. For more information about
the coalition, visit
www.fairdealforourcity.ca
Local 79 also appeared earlier this month before the City’s
Budget Committee to deliver a
deputation on the 2008 Operating Budget. We expressed our
concern about the continued use of gapping which has led to a hiring
freeze and forced our members to do more with less. We will continue
to monitor the budget process and keep you updated.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you that your union
office is here to serve you. Members of our Local are available
at the union office to provide expert advice on WSIB (workers’
compensation), health and safety, and benefits. If you need help
with WSIB claims, occupational health and safety issues, long-term
disability benefits, and health and dental benefits, our dedicated
personnel can offer assistance. For WSIB and disability questions,
call 416 977-1629, ext. 227 or 233; for health and safety questions,
call 416 977-1629 ext. 236 or 239; for questions regarding your
health and dental benefits, call 416 977-1629 ext. 226.
Local 79 takes workplace safety very seriously. We will always
strive to ensure that our members feel safe in their workplace at
all times. In our effort to be proactive on this issue, we have
created a survey on workplace aggression. Once you receive the
survey, please take the time to complete it and return it to Local
79.
A special notice: Each year on March 8th,
hundreds of International Women’s Day events occur all around
the world. This year’s theme is “THE RISING OF THE WOMEN IS THE
RISING OF US ALL.” In Toronto, the International
Women’s Day March and Rally will take place on Saturday,
March 8th, beginning with the Rally
at 11:00 a.m. at O.I.S.E., 225 Bloor St. West, at the St. George
subway station. The March will follow at 1:00 p.m. Save
the date and be sure to join us for this important event that marks
the ongoing struggle for equality faced by women all over the world.
Lastly, I want to mention two occasions to celebrate our rich
cultural diversity this month. In February, a number of
communities will be celebrating Black History Month, and Lunar New
Year, and February 15th is National Flag of Canada Day. Local 79 is
proud to have a membership that so well reflects the rich diversity
of the City of Toronto. We extend our best wishes to all our members
and their families as they enjoy the many events connected to these
festivities.
In solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President.
/cope343/kf
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February 2008
Dear Fellow
Bridgepoint Member of Local 79:
Late last month, I joined with our “Fair Deal for Our City”
Coalition partners to deliver a pre-budget deputation before the
Ontario Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and
Economic Affairs. The Coalition is demanding that the provincial
government pay its bills in the areas of social services, public
transit and housing. Before the provincial budget is delivered later
in the spring, Local 79 members are encouraged to contact their MPPs
to demand a fair deal for Toronto now. For more information about
the coalition, visit
www.fairdealforourcity.ca
Also, late last month, Local 79 representatives met with senior
management at Bridgepoint in follow-up to our letter requesting full
participation in the hospital’s budget process. We are pleased
that the hospital appears open to further discussions and are
hopeful that this signals a new period of co-operation on the part
of management toward the union.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you that your union
office is here to serve you. Members of our Local are available
at the union office to provide expert advice on WSIB (workers’
compensation), health and safety, and benefits. If you need help
with WSIB claims, occupational health and safety issues, long-term
disability benefits, and health and dental benefits, our dedicated
personnel can offer assistance. For WSIB and disability questions,
call 416 977-1629, ext. 227 or 233; for health and safety questions,
call 416 977-1629 ext. 236 or 239; for questions regarding your
health and dental benefits, call 416 977-1629 ext. 226.
Local 79 takes workplace safety very seriously. We will always
strive to ensure that our members feel safe in their workplace at
all times. In our effort to be proactive on this issue, we have
created a survey on workplace aggression. Once you receive the
survey, please take the time to complete it and return it to Local
79.
A special notice: Each year on March 8th,
hundreds of International Women’s Day events occur all around
the world. This year’s theme is “THE RISING OF THE WOMEN IS THE
RISING OF US ALL.” In Toronto, the International
Women’s Day March and Rally will take place on Saturday,
March 8th, beginning with the Rally
at 11:00 a.m. at O.I.S.E., 225 Bloor St. West, at the St. George
subway station. The March will follow at 1:00 p.m. Save
the date and be sure to join us for this important event that marks
the ongoing struggle for equality faced by women all over the world.
Lastly, I want to mention two occasions to celebrate our rich
cultural diversity this month. In February, a number of
communities will be celebrating Black History Month, and Lunar New
Year, and February 15th is National Flag of Canada Day. Local 79 is
proud to have a membership that so well reflects the rich diversity
of the City of Toronto. We extend our best wishes to all our members
and their families as they enjoy the many events connected to these
festivities.
In solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President.
/cope343/kf
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President's Report for City of Toronto and TCHC Members click here
Dear
Fellow Local 79 Member:
I want to start by wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
As per the Collective Agreements with the City of Toronto and the Toronto
Community Housing Corporation, Local 79 members will receive a 3.25% wage
increase effective April 1, 2008. An additional increase of 0.75% will
be effective December 31, 2008.
The provincial government recently amended the Employment Standards Act,
2000, by adding a new statutory holiday called Family Day, which will
fall on the third Monday of each February. This year, Family Day will be on
Monday, February 18. In correspondence to Local 79, the City of Toronto and
TCHC have agreed, on a one-time basis, that all members will be given Family
Day. However, both employers have notified Local 79 that Family Day will be
included in negotiations in 2009.
Earlier this month, Local 79 representatives met with members of Mayor
Miller’s fiscal review panel which has been tasked with examining Toronto’s
financial challenges. Local 79 offered a number of suggestions that we feel
would significantly improve labour relations while offering the opportunity
for fiscal savings.
Also on the matter of city finances, Local 79 will be actively involved
in the 2008 operating budget process. As in previous years, Local 79
will be monitoring the process and making deputations as needed.
For Parks, Forestry and Recreation part-time members, please be advised that
Local 79 will be holding consultation meetings on the Expanded Trial
Scheduling Project on the following dates:
• Monday, January 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the
North York Civic Centre;
• Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Etobicoke Civic
Centre;
• Wednesday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Scarborough Civic Centre.
To confirm your attendance, please call Tim Maguire at
416-977-1629, extension 223.
Local 79 and the city are jointly working on the delivery of training for
cleaning staff in the Facilities and Real Estate division. The city
wants to contract an American training provider. Local 79 has suggested
cost-effective alternatives, including the use of Canadian training
providers or peer-driven training.
Lastly, members are reminded that union dues are tax deductible. The
Local 79 office receives numerous inquiries regarding this issue and wants
to ensure that all our members claim this deduction when they complete their
2007 income tax return.
Yours in solidarity,Ann Dembinski
President
January
2008
Dear Fellow Bridgepoint Member of Local 79:
I want to start by wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New
Year.
Please be advised that Collective Agreements for both the Service
Units and the Nurses and the Paramedical Units will be distributed
at the hospital on Tuesday, February 12 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
in the main floor auditorium.
Negotiations on a new Collective Agreement for the Service Units are
ongoing. Your bargaining committee will keep you apprised of
developments as they arise.
ATTENTION: Members of the Nurses & Paramedical Units
The Collective Agreement for the Nurses and Paramedical Units
expires on March 31, 2008. A bargaining questionnaire soliciting
opinions of members of the Nurses and Paramedical Units is enclosed.
Please take the time to complete this questionnaire as it plays an
important role in the preparation of our initial package of
proposals which we will ask you to endorse before presentation to
the employer.
Local 79 has recently sent a number of letters to the employer on
several key issues:
- We demanded that the employer
immediately end its practice of not paying out full vacation
entitlement to members who retire or pass away;
- We questioned the source of funding
for the hospital’s costly multimedia advertising blitz,
especially in light of repeated comments from the employer
that there is a “money crunch;”
- We asked for full participation in
the employer’s preparation of an influenza pandemic
emergency plan;
- We requested an explanation for the
exclusion of union leadership from the recent Registered
Nurses retreat;
- We challenged the employer’s
unilateral demand that members comply with its new Code of
Ethics Policy;
- And lastly, we asked for full
participation in the preparation of the hospital’s annual
fiscal planning submission to the provincial health ministry
authorities. I am pleased to report the employer has agreed
to meet with us later this month to update us on this issue.
In closing, I want to remind members that your
union dues are tax deductible. The Local 79 office receives
numerous inquiries regarding this issue and wants to ensure that all
our members claim this deduction when they complete their 2007
income tax return.
In solidarity,
Ann Dembinski
President
cope343/lc
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