Notice of Special Union Meeting - DATE CHANGE

DATE:    Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

TIME:     7:00 pm

PLACE:  Comfort Hotel - located across the street from Woodbine racetrack at the south east corner of Hwy 27 and Rexdale Blvd

Meeting Agenda:

TO DISCUSS AND VOTE ON THE MERGER OF CAW LOCAL 2007 TO CAW LOCAL 252 

Your attendance is important

Update from the Negotiating Committee

On Nov 20, 2012, we formally signed the new Collective Agreement that will be in effect until Dec.31, 2014. You will be receiving a copy in the near future, as soon as the Company can print them.

Also, on that date, the Company agreed to renew the “Letter of Understanding RE: Trial for Reduced Off-Season Days of the Week Prioritization”. This means that starting the week of Dec. 16 2012, until the week ending March 30 2013, you may elect to prioritize only four different days of the week.

A “ROE” (record of employment) will automatically be generated and sent out to Service Canada when you have not worked for seven days. These days do not have to be in one week but must be consecutive.

Loss of “A” status

For any members that will fall below the 24 hour average for the period from April 1, 2012 to Dec.31, 2012, the following will happen:

On or about the middle of January 2013, you will receive from the Company a letter stating you will lose your “A”. This letter will explain your options and dates you have to exercise these options. You are an “A” member with full rights under the collective agreement until the date stated on this letter.

For those members who are 55 years old and older at that time are eligible to take early retirement as outlined in our collective agreement. Early retirement is separate from the options above and will not be included in the letter you will receive.

Deadline For VRSP Apllications is September 1, 2012

This is a reminder of the upcoming deadline for the applications for the thirty (30) remaining Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment (VRSP) packages available. All applications must be submitted no later than 1200 hours (noon) on September 1, 2012.

 All previous VRSP applications that were declined will need to be re-submitted for the September 1, 2012 deadline. Please be reminded that the application is irrevocable once it has been completed and submitted.

CAW Group Home & Auto Insurance - CAW/CEP New Union Project

The CAW’s own group home and auto insurance program is now open to all CAW members. Click on the logo below for more information.

As many of you are now well aware, the CAW and CEP are engaged in preliminary talks to discuss the prospect of forming a new, Canadian union. In our effort to communicate this initiative with our members, and the broader public, we’ve set up a project “micro-site” that can be found by clicking on the logo below.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE & CANADA PENSION PLAN

The following information is a general overview of some of the rules of eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
The union or any of its representatives do not take any responsibility for the content of this information and how it will affect each individuals claim for EI or CPP.

IT IS EACH INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR EI OR CPP.

1)    For those employees who have taken or will be taking the severance package and have resigned or will resign from the workplace; You have four weeks from your resignation date to apply for EI .
When you apply for EI, the employment insurance office will determine how long your severance will last based on your average week’s earnings. This will all be indicated on your record of employment (ROE).  Once your severance is exhausted by their calculations then your EI will start. Your will not lose any of your eligible weeks of EI due to your severance.

*For those employees who were able to transfer some or all of their severance into their RRSP account you will have to discuss this with the EI office to see how this is handled.

**One thing regarding EI; once you are receiving the benefit you must report any earnings you have and if you are away on vacation for an extended period. Service Canada does have a cooperative program with Custom’s Canada to match any EI recipients to people who have left the country. Extended vacations would be of concern; weekend shopping in Buffalo would not be a concern.

2)    Anyone between the ages of 60 and 65 and who do not plan to work, should be aware that if they do not apply for CPP now, the years between 60 and 65 that they do not work will be included in calculating the eventual amount of CPP you will receive. Service Canada does eliminate a percentage of your low earning years from the calculation, so if you do not work this will add more low earning years to the calculation and possibly lower your CPP benefit.

3)   Anyone who is medically documented to be permanently disabled and unable to work should apply for disability CPP regardless of their age.

Assistance, please

Any member who has a valid phone number for Richard Swinburk or knows how to contact him either call me at 905-334-6118 or have Richard call me. 

Thank you, 

Bob Ciprick

Honda Indy Toronto / CAW Local 2007 Community Ticket Program

" We are happy to have CAW Local 2007 as a member of our Community Ticket Program. Please let me know if you have any questions about the promotion.  I have put my contact information on the offer so I can be the point of contact for your company." 

       - Jennifer Oldford (Honda Indy Toronto)

Click here for more info and ticket discounts

Starting Dates at WEG or in Pension Plan Disputes

For members who are disputing their start date with Woodbine and/or their start date in the company pension plans:

The company needs verifiable proof of both dates for any dates that are in dispute.

For proof of years of consecutive service, this would be for the number of years used in the calculation for the amount of money you will receive.

If you disagree with the date they have on record, a paper trail of your T4s for the time period in dispute would be the best proof, although not the only proof. It would be difficult for each member to have retained this paper trail. The Canadian Revenue Agency only would be able to supply T4 information going back to 1986.

For the service years that would be used in calculating the amount of money that would be allowed to be transferred into ones RRSP, similar proof would be required. When employees joined a pension plan, when the plan was initiated or when they were transferred to a new plan, there is the possibility that credit calculations for prior years of service was done at that time. This credit would be a subtraction from the amount of years prior to the 1989 calculation.

I have been informed by Woodbine that they are checking into this as thoroughly as possible to uncover any of the disputed dates.

The union is following this closely and we are working to find a solution to these disputed dates. Any positive solutions to providing the needed proof from anyone is more than welcome.

New WAPs Should Be Ready Sunday

The WAPs should be ready this Sunday for reducing your WAPs as per the following Letter of Understanding:

Letter of Understanding Re: Trial for Reduced Off-Season Days of the Week Prioritization

Notwithstanding the Days of the Week requirement listed in Article 15 (a)(ii), the parties agree that during the period beginning the second Sunday following the date of ratification up to and including March 31, 2012, the following will apply:

     “Days of the Week

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 

A Seniority List employee must prioritize a minimum of four (4) Days of the Week. If he chooses to prioritize only four (4) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than four (4) days in a given week.  If he chooses to prioritize only five (5) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than five (5) days in a given week.  If he chooses to prioritize six (6) or seven (7) Days of the Week, he will not be allocated available work on more than five (5) days in a given week, unless he has indicated his preference to be scheduled for six (6) days.” 

If a Seniority List employee elected to prioritize less than six (6) Days of the Week during the period outlined above, he must submit a new WAPS, effective for the schedule which includes April 1, 2012, to reflect the requirement outlined in Article 15 (a)(ii).  If a Seniority List employee does not submit a new WAPS at that time, then all of his preferences will be defaulted to his WAPS that was in effect for the last full week of the 2011 calendar year.

The Employer will assess the results of this trial and discuss such results with the Union at a Labour Management meeting prior to the next off-season period.  If the Employer determines that there was no detrimental impact of such trial and the requirements for the next off-season period have not changed materially, the Employer may elect to renew this trial for that period, beginning the last Sunday of the Thoroughbred season to March 31, 2013.  This trial may be renewed, following this process, for each year of the Collective Agreement.  

Considering - "Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment" options ?

For any Seniority List employees thinking about the "Voluntary Resignation with Severance Payment" option as per the new Collective Agreement please review the following:

SEVERANCE PACKAGES  - An explanation of rules for rolling severances into your RRSP and the tax implications.

SunLife Conversion, SunLife Conversion Rates and Manulife Conversion - Information about continuing life and medical coverages after resignation.

Each individual should seek out other insurance carriers, benefit providers, and independent financial advice to determine the best way of handling their particular situation regarding severance, pension,their RRSP and medical insurance.

Important Notice

THIS POSTING IS RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS POSTING (below) WITH REGARDS TO OUR SENIORITY MEMBERS WHO ARE 55 YEARS OLD AND OLDER WHO DID NOT MAINTAIN THEIR HOURS IN THE 2011 REQUIRED PERIOD.

"Notwithstanding Article 14(d), a Seniority List employee, who on average has not worked at least twenty-four (24) hours per week during the period between April 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, will be removed from the Seniority List on February 10, 2012 or two (2) days after the date of ratification, whichever is earlier, and will also have the options available as listed in Article 14(d) (i) and (ii) at that time.

Such extension is without precedent and applies only for the 2011 calendar year.

What this means is that any member who is 55 years and older who is losing their "A" as a result of not maintaining their hours for the 2011 year and are contemplating earlier retirement, now have until February 10, 2012 or two days after the date of ratification, whichever is earlier.

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Negotiations Update

Two more days have been added to our negotiation dates.

We will be negotiating on January 12, 17, 18, 19 and February 2nd and the 3rd.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

For those MUTUEL EMPLOYEES whose schedule shows 7 consecutive days of no work:

Woodbine will be issuing a Record of Employment (ROE) to these employees. The ROE will show that there is a shortage of work and you will be able to apply for Employment Insurance (EI).

When work becomes available, once again, you will be scheduled to work, although you will have to report any earnings to EI once you start receiving benefits.

If you do not receive a ROE and you believe you are entitled to one: please contact Veena Rampersad, Director Pari-Mutuels Operations Department at Woodbine and she will look into it.

****************

Negotiations Update

We have completed four days of negotiations and will be continuing to negotiate towards a new contract on December 20, 21, 22, 2011.
We have also set more dates in January 2012 to continue our negotiations.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

FOR THOSE MUTUEL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE 55 YEARS AND OLDER WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING EARLY RETIREMENT:

In applying Article 14(d), a Seniority List employee who on average did not work at least 24 (twenty four) hours per week during April 1 to December 31, 2011 will remain on the Seniority List until the end of January.

Therefore, a Seniority List employee in this circumstance can elect to retire up to January 30th and Article 22(5) re: early retirement, will continue to apply.

Such request can be submitted in writing to Veena Rampersad, Director Pari-Mutuels Operations Department, clearly indicating the request for early retirement and the date which will be the last day worked.

Note: If there is a labour dispute, lock out or a strike one cannot take early retirement during the labour dispute.

Am I eligible for EI regular benefits?

Many mutuel tellers are now facing schedules with reduced available hours. The following question is being asked.

Am I eligible for EI regular benefits?

You may be entitled to receive EI regular benefits if you:

• have paid premiums into the EI Account;
• lost your employment through no fault of your own;
• have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks;
• have worked for the required number of insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter; 
• are ready, willing, and capable of working each day; and
• are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).

 You may not be entitled to receive EI regular benefits if you: 

• voluntarily left your employment without just cause;
• were dismissed for misconduct; or
• are unemployed because you are directly participating in a labour dispute (strike, lockout, or other type of dispute).

For more information:
Service Canada - Employment Insurance Website
Find your local Service Canada Office

Teller-less Teletheatres Planned by WEG

As you all know by now, WEG is planning to convert the following teletheatres to teller-less operations:

Albert's Palour on August 9th, 20011

Stonehouse on August 16th, 2011

Champion's on Kingston on Aug 23rd, 2011, and

Sport's Cafe Champions on August 30th, 2011.

The union still has an arbitration regarding these type of operations under judicial review.

Support Canada Post Workers

Canada Post: Mass Picket and Rally

Date:  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011

Time:  9:00 a.m.

Location:  Yonge & Dundas

(At the legal offices of Canada Post)

To protest the collusion of Canada Post and the Conservative Government to strip workers of their legal rights to bargain in defense of working conditions, wages and benefits for the next generation of Canadians.

Bring your flags and banners, and signs of support for postal workers.

www.labourcouncil.ca 
Jenny J.H. Ahn
Director, Membership Mobilization and Political Action
1-800-268-5763
D: 416-718-8464
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PLEASE NOTE: 

The vote count for the negotiation committee will be delayed until the postal strike is over to ensure everyone's' ballot has been received.

Stand Up for Public Services

Please read the letter below received by our local from the Toronto Civic Employees' Union Local 416. Click here for a flyer.

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Dear friends,
We would like to thank you for the support that you are showing the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union Local 416 as we Stand Up for Public Services and protect Toronto’s recycling and garbage services.  On May 17th, or 18th council will vote on a risky and dangerous precedent - whether or not to privatize:

•        Residential recycling, organics and garbage collection west of Yonge St.
•        Litter collection in all Parks
•        Street cleaning
•        Other collection across the city on an ‘adhoc basis’

PLEASE CALL 311 and ask to speak to your councillor immediately. You can also click www.keepitpublic.com   to find your councillor and sign our petition.  Ask them “Why take the risk?”

Please join us at City hall on May 17th or 18th to show that you oppose these contracts worth over a ¼ of a billion dollars going to a private for profit company. Please put these dates in your calendar and bring friends and co-workers down to City Hall, starting at 9:30 am and all the way through the evening.  We do not know exactly when this issue will come up for debate.  The mayor will likely try to keep the timing of this agenda item secret and change it at the last minute.

Be on alert for further updates – let us know that you can come to City Hall.  Just leave us as message at info@local416.com or call the union office 416-968-7800 (ext 257) and we will update you on Tuesday as things progress.

In Solidarity,
Mark Ferguson, President TCEU Local 416

Nominations for the Negotiation Committee are Now Open

Nominations for the Negotiation Committee are now open and will remain open until midnight on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011.

All mutuels members are considered nominated and each member must accept their nomination by email, in writing, or by fax before the closing of nominations deadline noted above. Any other way of acceptance will not be considered valid. Once the nominations are closed an election, by mailings, will be held to elect four (4) members to the negotiating committee.

Email address to send acceptance - robertciprick@gmail.com

Address for mailed acceptance -   CAW Local 2007
                                                15-2120 Headon Road
                                                Burlington, ON. L7M 4J9

Fax number: 416-628-7959 

If you have any questions about the negotiating committee and what is expected please call me at 905-334-6118.

Bob Ciprick
President
CAW Local 2007

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CAW Economist, Jim Stanford Wins Public Policy Forum Testimonial Award

Please take a moment to read this fantastic speech by CAW Economist Jim Stanford, upon his receipt of the Public Policy Forum Testimonial award last week. 

Also honoured were: former Ontario Premier Bill Davis, RBC CEO Gord Nixon, Monique Leroux of Desjardins group in Quebec (credit union), Andre Picard (Globe and Mail health reporter), Victor Thomas (young Indo-Canadian president of the Regina Chamber of Commerce).

There were several excellent speeches that evening, but none better than Jim’s.  Read it here: http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2011/05/01/public-policy-forum-testimonial-dinner/

Important Reminder

Any Seniority List employee who may be removed from the Seniority List, because of a lack of hours this year, pursuant to Article 14 (d) of the Collective agreement (page 10) are reminded that;

If you are 55 years of age or older you have the option of taking early retirement and thus be provided with a continuation of your benefits (partially) until you are 65 years of age.
Please refer to Article 22 - 5 of the Collective agreement (page 24).

UPDATE ON THE UPCOMING SHIFT STRUCTURES

The Union recently had a step two grievance meeting with WEG regarding the tellerless teletheatre and the upcoming shift structures in 2011. We are waiting for their response and we will bring this issue to arbitration if necessary.
There are many questions on this new structure and following are a few of the questions we put forward to WEG along with their responses. (Responses in italics):

1) Where will the customers at Woodbine and the Racebook get their vouchers when there are no tellers?

Customers will be able to obtain a voucher from the self-serve machine.

2) How will customers be able to cancel their tickets because of late scratches, etc?

If a horse is scratched from a race, a customer who has placed a bet on such a scratched horse will be able to put their ticket into the self-serve and a voucher will be issued. Otherwise, for tickets that a customer would like to cancel for any reason other than a scratched horse: a) if the customer is not an HPI account holder, then the customer must cancel the bet within 40 seconds of creating the bet at the self-serve terminal, or; b) if the customer is an HPI account holder, then it can be canceled up to post time.

3) What about Monday live at Woodbine?

Live racing will be staffed with mutuel tellers.

4) What will happen with Cheque Cashing and U.S. Exchange when tellers are not scheduled?

Cheque Cashing and U.S. Exchange will not be available when tellers are not scheduled. These services will only be offered during live racing.

5) Who will post the changes when tellers are not scheduled?

Changes will not be posted when tellers are not scheduled. Customers can obtain changes as they are scrolled on the television.

Please let other mutuel employees know that we will be posting updates on this issue on this website. If any employees who are not subscribers to our union website and would like to, they can send their emails to myself at robertciprick@gmail.com and I will see that they get listed.

Since the proposed changes to our shifts are going to cause some employees to have no or very little work they might be eligible for Employment Insurance. They can check out the following website. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/regular.shtml#eligible

There they will learn if they become eligible to collect EI. For example one of the qualifications is “have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks;”

Bob Ciprick
President
CAW Local 2007

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In Charge Doing Host Duties at Mohawk

Arbitrator Kathleen O'Neil agreed with the Union that the In Charge doing the Hostess duties at Mohawk was an extra duty. She gave the parties an opportunity to negotiate a rate. WEG offerred zero. A hearing is scheduled for February 23, 2011 with Miss O'Neil to set a rate.
A copy of the arbitrator's award is available here: