Dear Friends,
I wanted to speak to you about a recent development that is a cause for serious concern for all of YUSA.
On May 15, 2012, the employer closed the position of three YUSA members and 1 CPM member in the Department of Theatre in the Faculty of Fine Arts. This has eliminated all of the non-academic staff in the entire department. One of these employees has worked in this same position for over 25 years.
We are very concerned that if the Department of Theatre believes that there is no need for non-academic staff, that other departments may also believe this and take similar action. This is a concern for all of YUSA.
The students are very upset and are voicing their concern through an on-line petition. I hope that you will sign this petition and demonstrate your support for the staff and the preservation of our bargaining unit.
The petition is located at:
www.ipetitions.com/petition/yorkuniversity
Please sign up and stand up for YUSA!
Statement on Prince George Sawmill Tragedy
Brian Cox, First Vice-President of the United Steelworkers Local 1-424, described the scene simply as “gruesome.”
Fire crews are still at the mill, and it could take almost two full days to completely extinguish the fires. WorkSafe BC is investigating the causes. This is the second tragedy this year in British Columbia. In January, an explosion and fire killed two workers at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake, about 230 kilometres northwest of Prince George.
This comes at a time when the labour movement in Canada is preparing for the Day of Mourning on April 28, when we remember workers who have lost their lives on the job. Over 1,000 Canadians die every year from workplace accidents and illnesses. The recent events in Prince George forces us in the labour movement to re-double our efforts in working together to ensure greater health and safety standards on the job, so that further tragedies will be avoided.
During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with our sisters and brothers of the United Steelworkers Local 1-242, the people of Prince George, and all the pulp and mill workers throughout British Columbia.
YUSA and CCU Remember Day of Mourning - April 28
April 28 is the Day of Mourning, a time when labour unions reflect on the lost sisters and brothers who have died in the workplace. This recently hit close to home for YUSA members, as a young construction worker was killed in October 2011 by falling heavy equipment at the future site of a subway station on York University Campus. This young man had parents, family members and friends.
Both employers and unions throughout the country must reflect on what can be done to eliminate injuries and deaths at work. As union activists, we can renew our commitments to improve health and safety conditions in workplaces everywhere.
As the labour movement always says, “Remember the Fallen. Fight for the Living.” The York University Staff Association and the Confederation of Canadian Unions looks forward to a day when no worker has to be afraid of injury or death on the job.
Click here to go to YUSA website to download poster.
Council of Canadians Call on Voters to Report Election Fraud
Canada has been rocked by the so-called RoboGate scandal. The Conservative Party has been accused of using dirty tricks and robocalls to mislead and misdirect Liberal and NDP voters in key ridings during the May 2011 federal election.
In response to these allegations, the Council of Canadians, of which the CCU supports, has created a survey on their website that allows voters to report any experiences with harassing or misleading robocalls.
Report your experiences here.
Remembering Madeleine Parent
In August 2011, I had the privilege of meeting her in Quebec. It was a moment I will never forget. She was is still lively and her mind and wit were as sharp as ever.
Madeleine was literally decades years ahead of her time, taking on issues that many politicians and intellectuals - and even some in the labour movement - refused to consider.
Globe and Mail columnist Rick Solutin called her "one of the finest labour organizers in Canada's history, while former Prime Minister Jean Chretien would refer to Madeleine as "my hero."
Madeleine Parent graduated from McGill University in 1940 and devoted her life to the labour and progressive movements. Premier Maurice Duplessis carried a personal vendetta against Madeleine, arresting her five times. After her acquittal in 1955, her trial had been the longest in Quebec history.
A staunch champion of working people, she founded the Confederation of Canadian Unions with her husband, Kent Rowley, in 1969. In Ontario, she was at the forefront of a number of strikes in the 1970s and 1980s.
A founding member of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, she fought for equal pay for work of equal value, and championed the interests of Aboriginal women.
She was thrilled to know that the CCU/CSC continues to strongly represent workers throughout Canada and maintains the same progressive values she established for the union over forty years ago. It was such a thrill and honour to meet her.
I was proud to nominate Madeleine this year for the Lincoln Alexander Leadership Award for her lifetime of labour activism and work towards gender equality and social justice.
Members of the Confederation of Canadian Unions across the country will forever be indebted to Madeleine for her pioneering work.
Our world needs more people like her. Madeleine will be sorely missed.
President's Corner - 2012 is the Year of the Dragon
I am writing the first of the monthly installments of this year’s President’s Corner. I want to continue to communicate on a regular basis with the YUSAPUY membership so it can provide a platform for discussion and sharing.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents the emperor and the concept of power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.
I took a fascinating trip to New York City in October 2011. It was my first time there. This was a family weekend road getaway that felt more like the National Lampoon Vacation movies starring Chevy Chase, but that’s another story!
On my last day there, I came across a street fair and while looking around, noticed some lovely wares from Tibet. Interestingly enough, everything I gravitated to at that moment was symbolic of the Dragon. A woman advised me it was a sign of good luck. Only when I went to research the year 2012 did I realize it was the Year of the Dragon.
I am not a superstitious person, yet I find it difficult to ignore that the universe may be trying to tell me something. Now don’t get me wrong, if the signs were disastrous, I’m certain I would find a way to rationalize it out of existence. But for now, I’m going to embrace these signs and the year of the Dragon. I hope that it brings all of us good fortune, success and happiness!
I believe this year is ultimately one of change for YUSAPUY members at the university. I’m hopeful we can continue to work towards the necessary reforms within our community to foster a positive work environment that inspires those that come to our campus to learn, teach and visit.
I know that at the beginning of a new calendar year, most people reach deep down to seek an optimistic perspective, yet I don’t feel as though I need to dig that deep. I believe in our community and all the possibilities it can provide. I’m still convinced that we can change the processes and policies that don’t serve our community and can create new paths that support the academic objectives of the students.
I have hope, even after so many years, and faith in this community and the YUSAPUY members that participate in the day to day operations at York University that change is possible.
To that end, I will take steps to ensure that changes are in the best interest of our membership and that this employer fully understands that the best asset York University has is its employees. It is the people at York University that come to work and produce education, research and support for the student community that are the fundamental reason for its success.
We don’t need to create obstacles across the York community between employee groups, students or faculty. We need to build bridges through common struggles and celebrating our successes together.
This is all very attainable. Yet we will have to work together to find the path to a better future. That time is closer than we think.
After all, this is the year of the Dragon.
In Solidarity,
Joanie Cameron Pritchett
President, York University Staff Association (Affiliated to the CCU - Confederation of Canadian Unions)
CCU 2012 Calendar Looks at Labour History
To place orders for your union or local, please email contact@ccu-csc.ca. It makes for a great gift for any union member or social activist.
Also, you can see the full calendar here.
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