On
a Friday evening the workers at Finlandia Nursing Home Limited
received our pay stub and inside was a memo from the company
indicating that our share of the premiums for our benefit package
was going to increase. We knew the only way to prevent this
from happening and to protect our rights as workers was to join a
union. A committee of workers began "shopping" for a
union and we concluded that the union that was going to be able to
best serve our needs was Mine Mill 598/CAW. We began an
organizing drive and had 95% of the cards signed in 32 hours.
In October 2001, Mine Mill 598/CAW was certified as our bargaining
agent.
In
2003 the workers of Finlandia Care Services decided to try an
organizing campaign. These workers saw the benefits that
members of Finlandia Nursing Home had achieved thought the
bargaining process. With the help of Finlandia Nursing Home
Limited's bargaining committee, this group of workers got the cards
signed and a majority of the workers voted in favour of a union.
They joined the rank and file of Mine Mill 598/CAW and ratified and
signed their first collective agreement in March 2004.
The
University of Sudbury workers began "shopping" for a union
and in June of 2004 there was a certification vote held at their
workplace and Mine Mill 598/CAW became their bargaining agent.
They had their first set of negotiations early October and have more
dates scheduled for early November. They have informed us that
the process is moving smoothly and are very pleased with the
expertise and assistance from our CAW National Representative, Tom
Dattilo.
On
October 6, 2004 there was a certification vote held at St. Joseph's
Villa. On the ballot the workers had three choices. CAW/TCA
Canada, OFHCW/LIUNA and no union. The majority of the workers
voted CAW/TCA Canada to become their bargaining agent. There
are 133 workers who have joined the rank and file of Mine Mill
598/CAW. We want to sincerely welcome everyone and there are
two meeting scheduled on Thursday October 28, 2004 at 1 p.m. and
3:30 p.m. at 19 Regent Street.
CAW/TCA
Canada is the largest private sector union in Canada and is one of
the most progressive unions. In April 2004 delegates from our
local attended and participated in our quarterly council meeting
held at our Family Education Center in Port Elgin. A motion
from the Council was voted on regarding community based organizing.
Our National Union would share the costs with Local Unions who
wanted to participate in this initiative. Mine Mill 598/CAW,
under the leadership of Rick Grylls and the Executive Board jumped
at this opportunity and for three months I was asked to work as our
community based organizer. I gladly accepted this proposition
and work closely with John Aman, CAW National Representative,
who has assisted us tremendously.
Every
worker has the right to an organized workplace. There is
statistical proof that unionized workers enjoy better wages,
benefits and working conditions. Mine Mill 598/CAW is
committed to improving the lives of our members and the communities
that we live in at our local and national level. A unionized
workplace begins to create accountable and responsible management.
In
Solidarity
Anne
Marie MacInnis
Home
Page
To
Inquire about a Union for your workplace call
(705)
673-3661, ext. 30
All
calls are held in strictest confidence
|
