Bartenders and servers ratify new deal with Woodbine Entertainment

Less than 24 hours after reaching a tentative settlement, members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly ratified a new 3-year agreement with Woodbine Entertainment.

The new agreement, which covers 185 bartenders and servers working at the Greenwood Teletheatre in Toronto as well as Woodbine and Mohawk racetrack and slots, was ratified by 90 per cent and includes wage and benefit improvements for both full-time and part-time employees in addition to new job protection and workplace safety language along with many other gains.

Contract talks between the CAW and Woodbine Entertainment broke down in early December over a number of important issues, including the company’s demand to scale back wages, resulting in a 17-day strike.

“Right from the outset we told the company there will be no wage concessions for these workers,” said Hemi Mitic, Assistant to the National President. “Our members showed tremendous courage and willingness to fight this issue as a matter of principle, and we won.”

CAW national staff representative Brian Stevens acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the membership and the bargaining committee in negotiating a very good settlement.

“This contract not only improves the lives of our members at the racetracks and slots, it also helps establish a standard for the entire gaming industry,” Stevens said. “This is a testament to the idea that fighting back really does make a difference for working people.”

This is the workers’ first contract negotiation since joining the CAW in August of 2007. The CAW represents over 7,500 gaming sector workers across the country.

Woodbine Strike Settlement - Tentative Aggreement Reached

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From: Hemi Mitic
Sent: December 22, 2007 3:01 AM
To: * Staff Reps; * Co-ordinators
Subject: Woodbine Strike Settlement--185 new members

Greetings all,

I am pleased to advise that we have just reached a tentative agreement on behalf of our 185 Bartenders and Server members at Woodbine, Mohawk and Greenwood race track. The picket lines will come down immediately and the membership meeting will be held on Sun morning.

The committee is unanimously recommending the agreement along with Staff rep Brian Stevens.

Everyone will be back to work by Thurs. if the agreement is ratified.

I want to thank everyone who attended the picket lines . Our new members were simply overwhelmed by all of the support. This group were members of the Hotel Hospitality and Casino workers Union before joining CAW and this was there first strike.

Details to follow.

Best wishes,

Hemi
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Ratification Meeting set for Sunday (time to be announced) at:

CAW Local 252 - 1343 Matheson Blvd. E, Mississauga, Ont.

[South of 401, West of Dixie on South side of Matheson]

Woodbine Entertainment Strike Update

Greetings,

We met with management yesterday until late in the night, to see if we could find a solution to our outstanding issues.

One of the more controversial problems we have is that the company is demanding to cut rates of pay for a number of bartenders at Mohawk, who have been paid at a higher classification for the last three collective agreements and they have now decided that with CAW they’re going to cut those rates, which is just unacceptable.

They are moving closer to finding some solutions to our language and representation issues, and there is no question that our activities at the picket line is influencing them to find solutions to our items.

In the meantime we are continuing to encourage as many as possible to participate on the strike lines at Mohawk and Woodbine.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give Brian Stevens (416-567-8281) or myself (416-565-3677) a call.

I will keep you posted.

In solidarity,

Hemi Mitic

CAW National Office Issues Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS

Attention News/Labour Editors:

CAW Locals Pledge Support for Striking Woodbine Workers

TORONTO, Dec. 18 /CNW/ - In a show of solidarity CAW local union leaders have pledged their full support for the 180 bartenders and servers on strike at three Woodbine Entertainment Group locations in Southern Ontario.

On December 17, over 50 union representatives gathered in Toronto to strategize ways to intensify efforts on the picket lines as the strike continues into its third week.

Local union leaders will be encouraging members in the Toronto and surrounding areas to join with striking workers on the picket lines over the next number of weeks at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and the Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville.

The union has targeted Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings to increase picketing efforts, considered peak times for business at the racetracks.

Plans are also currently underway to hold a major public rally in support of the striking workers on Boxing Day, the details of which will be made available over the coming days.

For further information: Brian Stevens, CAW National Representative, (cell) (416) 567-8281 or Angelo DiCaro, CAW Communications, (cell) (416) 606-6311

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WE MUST DO OUR PART

All members of Local 2007 are encouraged to support our Brothers and Sisters in their struggle with WEG.
You are reminded that picketing begins at 4:00 pm weekdays and at 12:00 noon on weekends.

Picketing is escalating and further support from area CAW locals will increase.

We all know how difficult it can be to effectively picket at Woodbine and Mohawk.

The battle that our fellow workers face here is ours to share.

For more picketing information call Brian Henderson at 647-504-8499

PLEASE NOTE :

We are pleased to announce a new feature on our website.
Check out > CONNECTIONS - for complete contact info & LINKS

CLICK the link in the upper right corner (under CAW Local 2007 logo).

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING REPORT

At the special membership meeting held Wednesday Dec. 12, the proposed Constitution and Bylaws for CAW Local 2007 was unanimously approved.

The new CAW Local 2007 Constitution and Bylaws is available on our Documents and Reports page. (See NEW FEATURE - on right, below logo)

The members in attendance also unanimously approved John Stafford (Chair) and Nancy Maher as the Election Committee to oversee the upcoming Executive Board Elections (see below).

Nominations were received for the following positions on the Executive.

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary Treasurer
• 2 Trustees

PLEASE NOTE:
As per our new Constitution.

All eligible Members shall be automatically nominated for each office for which they may be eligible if they accept the nomination orally at the Nomination Meeting or in writing within seven (7) days of the Nomination Meeting. Members may nominate other Members within (5) days of the Nomination Meeting by notifying the Local Union in writing. Any means of communication which is capable of producing a written record will be acceptable. It is the responsibility of the nominator to notify the nominee that they have been nominated so they can accept the nomination in a timely manner.

Nomination are still open for all positions until 9:00 pm Dec. 17th, 2007.
Acceptances must be submitted by 9:00 pm Dec.19, 2007.

Both nomination and/or acceptances must be in writing as per above.
Fax ,or email is acceptable.

POST to Local Union Office
FAX to 416-628-7959
EMAIL to jstafford@cawlocal2007.ca

The Election Meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 (details to follow)

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BARTENDERS & SERVERS STRIKE

All members of Local 2007 are encouraged to support our Brothers and Sisters in their struggle with WEG.
You are reminded that picketing begins at 4:00 pm weekdays and at 12:00 noon on weekends.

Picketing is escalating and further support from area CAW locals will increase.

See the following appeal sent by the National Union to all area Locals.

We all know how difficult it can be to effectively picket at Woodbine and Mohawk.

The battle that our fellow workers face here is ours to share.

For more picketing information call Brian Henderson at 647-504-8499

Message from our CAW National Representative, Brian Stevens:

Thanks to those that made their way to the picket lines last night at Woodbine and beginning today (Thursday) we are escalating the picket line activity and your support would be very helpful. Woodbine has multiple entrances and the more people that come out, the greater our ability to have some effect on the operations there. We have established a picket headquarters at the Comfort Hotel (455 Rexdale at hwy 27) if people want to check in there first to see if any particular entrance needs some added support.

In sol

Brian

CAW News Release

Media advisory for immediate release – CAW Ontario Pack distribution
December 4, 2007

Possible Strike at Three Woodbine Entertainment Group Locations

(Toronto) - One hundred & eighty bartenders and servers represented by the CAW at three Woodbine Entertainment Group locations will be on strike as of 4:00 p.m. today if an agreement with the employer cannot be reached. Negotiations have been ongoing since mid-September.

“The company has tabled a list of concessions and seems to be provoking a dispute," said Hemi Mitic, Assistant to CAW National President Buzz Hargrove.

The strike would take effect at both Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks and at Greenwood Teletheatre located at Kingston & Queen Street, Toronto and will also affect beverage services at OLG Mohawk and Woodbine Slots operations.

"In an environment where the employer is reaping greater profits, it's time to share that with the workers who make it all happen," Mitic added.

Picket lines will be set up at all locations in the event of a strike.

-30-

For further information contact: Hemi Mitic (cell) 416-565-3677 or CAW National Representative Brian Stevens (cell) 416-567-8281

WEG Bartenders and Servers - Deadline Approaches

The WEG Bartenders and Servers are currently negotiating their first contract with WEG as a new CAW members.
In the event of a labour dispute, mutuel employees are required to work.

We should support our brothers and sisters in any way legally possible.

In solidarity

Brian H

Click here to view CAW Bargaining Report - Nov 30

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

A SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WILL BE HELD ON:

WEDNESDAY, December 12, 7:45 pm. at the

Comfort Hotel (Humber Room) at Rexdale Blvd. and Hwy 27 (South-East corner)

Approve new Constitution
Elect Election Committee
Accept Nominations for Executive Officers

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New Local Training Program

On December 10-12, our Local Union Reps. have been invited to attend a CAW New Local Training Program. The training will take place in Brampton at CAW Local 1285. CAW is covering all expenses including lost wages.

CAW National Council

CAW is having a National Council at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto from December 6 to 9. Our Local is inviting all our Local Union Reps. to attend part of the Council. CAW Councils provide a great opportunity to see the dynamic nature of our great Union. Any Member who would like to visit, please call our Local Union office.

PLEASE NOTE :

We are pleased to announce a new feature on our website.
Members can now view/download important DOCUMENTS and REPORTS .
CLICK the link in the upper right corner (under CAW Local 2007 logo).

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

A GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON:

TUESDAY, August 28, 8:00 pm. at the

Comfort Hotel at Rexdale Blvd. and Hwy 27 (South-East corner)

This is a general meeting with a full agenda including the following additional items:

• WEG bartenders and servers joining our Local
• CAW strike at Molson Coors Brewery in Edmonton
• Creating a retired members chapter
• Planning a Union party

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OUR ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON:

TUESDAY, June 19, 7:30 pm. at the

Comfort Hotel at Rexdale Blvd. and Hwy 27 (South-East corner)

By now, you should have received, by mail, a notice of our up coming Annual Meeting (together with the Agenda and other news). Please refer to your mailing or the copy below for details.

Click below for a copy of the mailing:

Notice of Annual Meeting, Agenda and other news

Beverage Servers and Bartenders Join CAW

As you may be already aware, the beverage servers and bartenders at Mohawk and Woodbine voted on Friday, June 1st to join CAW. We, at Local 2007, congratulate them on their decision and welcome the brothers and sisters into the CAW.

Click here for a copy of the message from Maureen Kirincic (National Rep, CAW) to the unit.

Call to Action - Ottawa Rally for Manufacturing Crisis Campaign

CAW National President, Buzz Hargrove encourages all members to attend the rally in Ottawa on May 30th.

Local 2007 fully supports the goals of the Manufacturing Crisis Campaign and this call to action.

Any members interested in participating should contact the Local at: admin@cawlocal2007.ca or call 519-856-0295

Click image (at left) to read full text.

See previous posting for details on Manufacturing Matters Campaign.




STEWARD VACANCIES & ELECTIONS

There is a vacancy for one union steward at Greenwood and one at Mohawk. Please forward nominations by May 24 by phone to 519-856-0295 or email to admin@cawlocal2007.ca.

The term is until December 31, 2008.

If necessary, there will be elections on site at Greenwood and Mohawk on Saturday, May 26 before shifts begin.

Successful candidates will be eligible to a one week all expenses paid Workplace Leadership and Grievance Handling course at the CAW education center located in Port Elgin. Lost wages are included.

The next course is June 3-8.

Other Local 2007 reps will be attending.

CAW National Reps Introduced

On March 26, CAW National Representatives, Hemi Mitic (Assistant to the National CAW President), Brian Stevens (National Representative) and CAW Local 2007 President, Brian Henderson, met with Woodbine management to get acquainted and discuss a number of issues. Brother Mitic explained that while CAW Local Unions are autonomous, the national leadership is keenly aware of local union issues and strongly supports its local unions.

Brother Mitic advised WEG that our Local Union would decide which grievances to arbitrate and CAW would provide representation at hearings. He introduced Brian Stevens as the National Representative who has been assigned to our Local. You may have heard Brother Stevens' name mentioned in the news lately, as he was a key figure in the recent Collins & Aikman plant occupation.

Hemi indicated that CAW Locals which have as many members as ours, usually have office space in plants.

CAW Local 2007 Delegates attended the CAW National Council at Port Elgin, April 13-14

Council Delegates meet several times a year to discuss and debate issues of importance to the union. These Councils ensure accountability of leadership and staff to Local Unions. They also educate and develop consensus on issues, develop leadership skills and mobilize union activists.

These CAW National Councils reveal not only the political strengths of the CAW, but also demonstrate it's solidarity.

Dalton McGuinty, Phil Fontaine (Chief of the First Nations) and Steve Mahoney (WSIB Chair) were among the guest speakers.

Manufacturing Matters - CAW has launched a major campaign against the exporting of good Canadian manufacturing jobs. This is a grass roots initiative which will include a rally in Ottawa at the end of May.
>>> Video News Report

CAW is committed to help eliminate child poverty among the First Nations.
>>> Video News Report

PLEASE NOTE:

> There is a Labour Management Committee Meeting scheduled for May 7^th.
Please forward any suggestion or concerns.

> April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to remember those who have died or been injured on the job.

“Remember the dead: Fight for the living”.

> Our local has sent $200 to assist the five workers of CAW Local 144 who have been locked out by the Fort Rouge Royal Canadian Legion.

Membership Meeting Report

A Membership meeting was held this past Sunday, February 18. The main issue on the agenda (see previous posting )was the ratification of the executive's recommendation of merger of Canadian Racetrack Workers Union with Canadian Auto Workers Union.

Your executive received and accepted 30 new applications for membership.

CRWU President, Brian Henderson, introduced our guests and made a few introductory remarks.

Brother Buzz Hargrove, President of the CAW, addressed the Membership regarding the merits of the Canadian Auto Workers and the proposed Merger Agreement.

Brothers Hargrove and Henderson replied to questions and comments from the Membership.

A secret ballot vote was held on the proposed Merger.

The Membership ratified the Merger Agreement.

Brother Hemi Mitic, Assistant to the CAW National President, welcomed the CRWU Membership into the CAW in his comments, following the announcement of the balloting results.

The financial report was presented.

The Membership accepted a motion to collect unpaid union dues for the period ending June, 2006, by temporarily increasing the dues deduction for Seniority List employees to 3 hours per month effective March 4, 2007 until the week ending August 4, 2007. This issue will be revisited at that time.

(3 hours X $22.00 per hour X 12 months) / 52 = $15.23 per week.

The meeting was adjourned.

We are beginning a new and exciting phase of our collective journey. This Merger with the Canadian Auto Workers, represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and reinvigorate ourselves. There is much work to be done in order to effect the best possible results from this opportunity.

We invite all members who are interested in working with us to come forward.

Please email crwu@sympatico.ca or phone Brian Henderson (519-856-0295) to express your interest.

We Regret to Inform You

Former Woodbine mutuel employee, Anne Henderson, succumbed to pneumonia while vacationing in Florida.
Anne’s husband, Bill, daughter, Darlene, brother, Frank Calandrella, niece, Carrie Calandrella, and sister-in-law, Marie Calandrella are all former Woodbine mutuel employees.
Anne's son, Brian, (President of CRWU) and daughter-in-law, Rita Hollstein, are currently employed at Woodbine.

Visitation:

Friday, February, 9th,
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm,
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at

Jerrett Funeral Home
660 Kennedy Road, Scarborough - 416-266-4404
(One block south of Eglinton Ave.on the west side of Kennedy)

Funeral Service:

Saturday, February 10,
10:00 am., at

St. Maria Goretti Church
717 Kennedy Road
(across from the funeral home)

NOTICE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF CANADIAN RACETRACK WORKERS UNION

A MEMBERSHIP MEETING WILL BE HELD ON:

SUNDAY, February 18, 7:45 pm. at the

Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East - 600 Dixon Rd;
- located east of Carlingview and Hwy 27 and just west of Martingrove on the north side of Dixon Rd.

RE: Vote on proposed CRWU - CAW Merger Agreement

Hello Brothers and Sisters:

Since our lengthy labour dispute with Woodbine in 1996, we have been on quite a journey to exercise our democratic right to belong to the union of our choice. In year 2000, we unanimously voted to merge with the CAW. Our will was compromised. In year 2003, we petitioned the Canadian Labour Congress for the opportunity to choose our own union. Again, our will was compromised. In 2005, we voted to join our own Canadian Racetrack Workers Union. As an independent union, which has negotiated its first collective agreement, we are now in an ideal position to merge with any union.

There are many different processes to select a union. After much consultation and consideration, our Executive has decided to make its recommendation and have our Membership vote on that recommendation. After interviewing many unions our Executive is recommending a merger with the CAW.

According to our CRWU Constitution, the merger vote is restricted to CRWU Members. Members of our bargaining unit are eligible to join CRWU by completing a membership application. Applications for membership must be accepted by the CRWU Members at a Members Meeting or by the CRWU Executive. Applications will be available at the Meeting.

Our struggle to have a voice in the future of our jobs is about to enter another era.

In solidarity, CRWU


ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call of Officers

3. Reading of Minutes of the previous Meeting

4. Vote on applications for new members

5. Vote on CRWU - CAW Merger Agreement

6. Financial Report

7. Vote on collecting back union dues from January to June 2006

8. New business

9. Adjournment

Labour Management / Scheduling Committee Update

The next Labour Management /Scheduling Committee meeting will be held February 12, 2007.

Please forward any concerns or suggestions to:

Brian Henderson
Tel: 519-856-0295
email: putz@cogeco.ca , or

CRWU
email: crwu@sympatico.ca

The minutes from the last Labour Management /Scheduling Committee meeting are now available for download.

Double click link(s) below to view or right-click to download and save.

Minutes - Labour Management /Scheduling Committee meeting November 6, 2006

MS Word Format
Acrobat Format

Information Updates and Grievance Report

WORK ACCOMMODATIONS

WEG has granted several work accommodations, which have allowed employees to opt out of working some shifts.

Under many circumstances, the employer is obligated by Provincial and Federal Legislation (see links below) to provide a worker accommodation if they posses a disability that prevents them from performing their duties. The same applies if a worker has obligations to care for a disabled, infirmed or elderly family member.

Ontario Human Rights Commission:
POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON DISABILITY AND THE DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE

Ontario Ministry of Labour:
Job-Protected Family Medical Leave Now Includes Relatives And Close Friends

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COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

Our collective agreement, which has been proofed and signed, is being printed in booklet form. It will be distributed ASAP.

It is now available for download.
Double click above link(s) to view or right-click to download and save.

Collective Agreement 2006
MS Word Format
Acrobat Format

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GRIEVANCE REPORT

The Union has withdrawn a policy grievance that each Seniority List should be entitled to twelve (12) one day/shift SU’s for calendar year 2006.

WEG has agreed to allow employees to choose less than three shifts when making themselves available for the seventh day of the week.

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UPDATE on FSCO order to include Non Seniority List employees in Pension Plan

WEG has sent another submission to the Commission. In their submission dated December 12, 2006, WEG restates its displeasure with the decision and closes with the following statement:

" As you can undoubtedly appreciate, there would be tremendous practical difficulties associated with implementing any such orders, particularly on a retroactive basis. In such circumstances, it may be necessary for the Company to seek direction from the courts."

We await the Commission’s response.

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Voluntary Resignation With Severance Payment Calculation Forms

Employees have been able to obtain Voluntary Resignation With Severance Payment Calculation Forms from Jessica Luddington and Julie Morano of WEG Human Resources Deparment.