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Day of Mourning

 

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National Day of Mourning

 

On Thursday April 28, we mark the National Day of Mourning as we stop to remember all those lost to workplace injury or illness.

In 2014, the last year statistics were released from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, 919 workplace deaths were recorded in Canada, up from 902 the previous year. This represents more than 2.5 deaths every single day.

Parents, sons and daughters, siblings, dear friends and colleagues, their numbers tell the story. In the 20 years from 1995 to 2014, 18,039 people lost their lives due to work-related causes (an average of 918 deaths per year).

It has been 25 years since Canada officially recognized the National Day of Mourning. Sadly, the need for this day is just as great now as it was a quarter century ago. As we look back to remember we also look forward as the work to prevent deaths, injuries and illness continues.

This year, Canadian unions are calling for a comprehensive national ban on asbestos. Asbestos is the number one cause of occupational death in Canada. Exposure to asbestos is a known cause of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, with exposure claiming the lives of more than 2000 Canadians each year. Death from mesothelioma alone increased 60 per cent between 2000 and 2012.

Some progress has been made – as of April 1 construction materials that contain asbestos were banned by Public Services and Procurement Canada for use in government projects. But overall import of items that contain asbestos, such as brake pads and cement pipes, are on the rise.

We urgently need the federal government to completely outlaw the use, exportation and import of this known killer.

On April 28, pay tribute to our fallen workers by participating in local day of mourning commemorations. On April 28 remind your MP that safe work is a right, not a privilege, and call on all politicians to implement a comprehensive ban on asbestos so we can all breathe easier.

The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to renew the commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

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Election Results

 

Local 1996-O Executive Elections
2016 Results

 

Nominees For:                                                  Spoiled Total:

President:
Sam Snyders                        592                                                     2
Colum P. Lynn                     373

 

Vice President:
Lee Zommers                        611                                                     2
Nabil Nassar                         352

 

Treasurer:
Brian Lowery                        593                                                     2
Louis Donisi                         254
Janet Quigley                       116 (Withdrawn)

 

Secretary:
Chris Glover                          636                                                     2
Art McCrorie                          327

 

In Solidarity,

Local1996-O Election Committee

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Presenting the Facts

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Brothers and Sisters,

We wish to address the misinformation circulating in regard to our fight for equality. It is unfortunate during this time of strife between the Union and the company that some individuals have chosen to publicly air their disagreements without first addressing the Local 1996-O Executive directly.

Our recent update mentioned that members from other Bell and BTS locals have contacted us requesting information about our common sense campaign. This is a fact! And why wouldn’t they? Wanting to know how to secure additional rights and benefits is what any member should want.

In response, we have directed them to seek answers from their own local representatives as all Ontario Communications Council (OCC) delegates have access to the same information as members of Local 1996-O.

Last November, the same OCC delegates voted in favour of a proposal for the GTA Presidents to take our plan of action to Jerry Dias, President of Unifor, based on a legal opinion obtained by Local 1996-O.  During the council, we were asked whether we had membership support…

So what did we do?

We brought the same presentation to you, our members, and an astonishing 91% of you voted in support of this mission for fairness and equality.

Our members gave us their direction and this local executive is going to do exactly what the membership has asked:  we are going to continue to spread awareness of this new legal opinion and advance our fight for equality.

To stay with the status quo (as certain individuals suggest), should not be an option.  Are there associated risks?  Of course.  But doing nothing is an even bigger risk.

We all know that there are already 1,200 contractors out there doing our work.  What happens when there are three times as many contractors in 2018, PLUS Bell technicians who will be forced to scab our work?

High wages? Don’t think so.  More benefits?  Doubt it.  More hours?  Not likely.  Layoffs?  Most definitely.

What do we have to lose by trying to gain more leverage now – before we lose everything in 2018?

What has been circulated is simply inaccurate. It only serves to slow down the momentum of our fight for fairness and equality.  It is a crude attempt to stop progress and spread fear. Local 1996-O and its Executive are not afraid.

In fact, we are proud to represent the members of Local 1996-O in the way that they expect based on a 91% vote in favour of this campaign.  We are pushing this plan of action forward and taking it to Jerry Dias and the National Union.  This Local is fighting for equality.  There are those who believe it isn’t attainable, but that thinking will get us nowhere.  We will not cower in the face of opposition. Do not let fallacies sway you from what you know to be true.

Where do you want to stand come 2018?

Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense

 

In Solidarity,

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Movement Update!

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Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense

“Your” Movement Update

 

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Local 1996-O held a special membership meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to discuss the ‘Fighting for Equality – It’s Common Sense’ campaign.

At the meeting, Local Presidents from the other Bell and BTS locals in the GTA spoke in favour of the campaign.

In the end, over 90% of the 500 members present voted in favour of a motion which authorized the Local executive to build more alliances with other Bell and BTS locals and to continue the fight for equality.

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Since that historic meeting, the Local executive has worked non-stop to build momentum for the campaign.

Here are some of the highlights:

Members from Bell and BTS locals across Ontario – from London, Kitchener, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor, and Peterborough have requested information about building the campaign in their locals.

The largest BTS Local in Quebec has contacted the executive on how to launch the campaign in their region.

The Bell and BTS members from Local 52 in Newmarket voted over 80% in support of the campaign.

The Bell members of Local 27C in Toronto will vote on a motion of support at their next Local meeting in April.

On March 2, Local 1996-O President Sam Snyders got a great reception when he spoke about the campaign to dozens of other Local officers and National Representatives at the Local Union Task Force meeting.

As President Snyders stated at the meeting “Local 1996-O is fighting for equality for BTS workers. We know that it is achievable. It’s common sense”.

Its common sense

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Local union task force

Local Union Task Force Attendees.