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.

Can You Believe It >>>> CRWU Marks Our 1st Anniversary

Yes, it's true.
We received our certification one year ago today.

We wish one and all the very best over the holidays and into the New Year.

Your CRWU