CANADIAN POLITICS:

CONSERVATIVES ATTACK UNIONS ONCE MORE:

Well, this probably counts as non-news as nobody should be suprised that a Conservative Party wants to gut the power of organized workers to fight back. The following articles (English and French) from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) warns of this desire. I think the most significant point made below is that union books are already open to members, the only openness that should count. The government, of course, sees this as merely an opening salvo in a long term campaign to deprive the NDP of union support. Now I'm also not too thrilled by the chains of gold that tie unions to the NDP, but my idea of union independence would be from the ground up, with more democratic and active unions. NOT by repressive measures on the part of government. Here's the CEP's article.

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The Harperites are at it again, another attack on unions
12/09/2011

By Dave Coles
On December 5th Russ Hiebert, Conservative MP for South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale, B.C. introduced Bill C-377 an act to make union books public. You might remember in early November his previous bill C-317, on the exact same topic had to be withdrawn due to parliamentary procedures and didn’t even make it to second reading. It must have been a big defeat for Mr. Hiebert given he had the coveted 1st spot on the private members bills priority list and now it’s back again (at the bottom of the pile) with a new name and a few changes (he can’t introduce the same thing it’s against the rules).

So, did anyone out there think his first shot across the bow, was it? Does anyone actually really think this is about so called transparency or accountability? This has absolutely nothing to do with fairness or ethics or about making bad legislation better. This is a calculated attack on unions, unfair in its segregation of labour organizations and discriminatory in its disclosure requirements.

What the Harperites don’t understand about unions is that our books ARE open to All our members – it’s the basic premise under which we operate. Furthermore, there are provisions under the existing labour legislation and the Canadian Revenue Act.

Let’s be honest the real crux of the bill is political activity of labour organizations. They don’t like what we do and how we do it. But Mr. Hiebert ‘Political Action’ is one of the founding pillars of trade unions-whether you like it or not. Our members know this, vote for this at all our conventions and support our actions. Furthermore the Lavigne Supreme Court decision of 1991 affirms the rights of Unions to engage in political activity without restrictions that a charity is subject to. So this begs the question, how is it fair that you want us to disclose such information on political activity and lobbying to the tax authority when it’s perfectly legal?

Labour must be on alert and mobilizing now to counter a clear and present danger. As long as Harper encourages and coordinates actions like 377 there can be no business as usual with this government.

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Les partisans de Harper recommencent à attaquer les syndicats
12/09/2011

Par Dave Coles
Le 5 décembre, Russ Hiebert, député conservateur de South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale, en C.-B., a déposé le projet de loi C-377 , dont l’intention est d’obliger les syndicats à divulguer leurs états financiers. Vous vous souviendrez peut-être qu’au début du mois de novembre, son projet de loi précédent C-317, sur le même sujet, avait dû être retiré en raison de procédures parlementaires et ne s’était même pas rendu en deuxième lecture. Ce fut sans doute toute une défaite pour Russ Hiebert étant donné qu’il avait la première place tant convoitée sur la liste prioritaire des projets de loi d’initiative parlementaire, et ce projet est maintenant de retour (au bas de la liste) sous un nouveau nom et avec quelques modifications (il ne peut déposer le même projet, ce qui est contraire aux règles).

Alors, est-ce que quelqu’un là-bas pense que son premier projet était un coup de semonce? Est-ce quelqu’un pense vraiment que ce projet porte sur une soi-disant transparence et reddition des comptes? Ce projet n’a absolument rien à voir avec l’équité ou les principes éthiques, ou même à améliorer une mauvaise législation. C’est une attaque calculée contre les syndicats, une attaque injuste sur le plan de la ségrégation des organisations syndicales et discriminatoire sur le plan des exigences de divulgation.

Ce que les partisans de Harper ne comprennent pas à propos des syndicats, c’est que nos états financiers SONT ouverts à TOUS nos membres – c’est la prémisse de base sur laquelle nous oeuvrons. En outre, des dispositions existent en vertu de la législation actuelle du travail et de la Loi canadienne de l’impôt sur le revenu.

Soyons honnêtes, le vrai nœud du projet de loi porte sur l’activité politique des organisations syndicales. Ils n’aiment pas ce que nous faisons ni comment nous le faisons. Mais monsieur Hiebert, « l’activité politique » est l’un des piliers fondateurs des syndicats, que vous soyez d’accord ou non. Nos membres le savent, votent en sa faveur à tous nos congrès et soutiennent nos actions. En outre, la décision Lavigne de la Cour suprême en 1991 confirme les droits des syndicats d’entreprendre des activités politiques sans les restrictions auxquelles un organisme de bienfaisance fait l’objet. Ce qui soulève la question, comment pouvez-vous souhaiter que nous divulguions de tels renseignements sur les activités politiques et de lobbying aux autorités en matière fiscale lorsqu’elles sont parfaitement légales?

Les syndicats doivent être en état d’alerte et se mobiliser maintenant pour confronter un réel danger. Aussi longtemps que Harper encouragera et coordonnera des actions comme le projet de loi C-377, nous ne pourrons agir comme si de rien n’était avec ce gouvernement.

CANADIAN LABOUR MONTRÉAL:

MONTRÉAL WORKERS FIGHT REFINERY CLOSURE:

Shell Canada announced earlier this year that they would be closing their Montréal East oil refinery and converting it into a "distribution terminal". This means a reduction of the workforce from about 800 people to a low of perhaps 25 ie layoffs for about 97% of the workers employed there. Needless to say the workers, represented by Local 121 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP Union) have been fighting this tooth and nail. To date they have achieved a temporary injunction preventing the closure of the plant until it is certain that a buyer cannot be found.

The union is considering various courses of action as the time on this injunction is running low. What seems to be missing is an obvious alternative. Molly will get into this later. For now here's a story from the CBC about the opposition to the refinery closure.

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Union vows fight to save Montreal refinery

Shell Canada plans to convert its Montreal East refinery into a distribution terminal after negotiations to sell the 77-year-old facility failed. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
A boycott, a petition and political pressure are among tactics that union leaders are considering to stop Shell Canada from dismantling its Montreal East oil refinery.

Shell said Monday it will go ahead with plans to convert the refinery into a distribution terminal after negotiations with a potential buyer fell through.

The 77-year-old refinery employs 800 people, while a distribution terminal would require only 25 to 30.

"It's frustrating," union president Jean-Claude Rocheleau said Tuesday. "We just can't lose all those jobs."

Rocheleau said there's enough public support in Quebec for a petition, and another boycott of Shell products is a possibility. The union organized a one-day boycott in June.

"It's easier to do because there are so many gas stations," he said.

Shell and Delek US Holdings, which had offered to buy the refinery, renewed talks last week to see if they could resolve issues that led to a breakdown of negotiations earlier this year. Shell had previously rejected Delek's offer of $420 million.

However, the talks broke off with both companies saying they did not intend to discuss the sale further.

Injunction in place
Rocheleau said he believes Shell doesn't want to sell the refinery and have it continue operating. "We have to convince Shell it's better for them to sell their refinery than keep running a terminal," he said.

The union obtained an injunction in July that prevented Shell from dismantling the refinery while the possibility of a sale remained alive.

"We will continue to comply with the injunction," said Shell spokesman Larry Lalonde, adding it expires around Sept. 10.

In the meantime, the company will continue working on regulatory approval to convert the refinery into a distribution terminal, Lalonde said.

Shell would need the Quebec government's approval to shut down the refinery and Rocheleau said he wants to make sure the union is consulted.

Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau has to decide if Shell has done everything it can to sell the refinery, he said, adding that environmental regulations also have to be respected if the closure goes ahead.

Denis Lebel, federal minister of state for Canada economic development, said the federal government won't get involved in a business decision between two companies.

Rocheleau also expressed concern that the refinery's 500 unionized employees could be locked out by Shell. The two sides are in contract negotiations regarding layoff procedures and protocol for closure of the refinery.

In a lockout, unionized employees would lose a layoff premium based on the number of years of service, Rocheleau said.

Shell said it will treat workers fairly during the closure. "We recognize that it's a difficult time for them and our intent is to be fair with them," Lalonde said.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/08/03/shell-refinery-union.html#ixzz0vsQzxC6i

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It appears that Shell has merely been going through the motions of obeying the injunction and searching for a buyer for the plant as the following item from the CEP Union website says. Note also the further clarification of the number of workers compared to the CBC item.

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Union to fight Shell conversion of refinery to terminal;

Move would result in loss of almost 500 high-paying jobs, CEP says


Published Postmedia News
By Allison Lampert
MONTREAL - Government regulators will come under intense union pressure to stall Shell Canada Products's plans to convert its east-end Montreal refinery into a terminal, labour leaders say.

The plans for a terminal, which would result in the loss of almost 500 high-paying jobs, are inevitable after negotiations ended with potential buyer Delek US Holdings, Inc., Shell says.

Union leaders say they're asking Quebec to use provincial laws governing environmental protection and oil products to make the conversion more difficult for Shell. For example, Shell cannot demolish its oil refining equipment when it converts to a terminal, which would receive refined oil from both domestic and international markets.

"It's clear that we are going to use these tactics to stop the conversion," said Jean-Claude Rocheleau, president of local 121 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.

The conversion to a terminal will eliminate all but 25 to 30 jobs at the site, which is now staffed by about 500 unionized workers and an additional 250 temporary, full-time employees. The workers, including engineers, welders and technicians, earn about $80,000 a year, on average, Rocheleau said.

"This will make Quebec poorer," he said.

Larry Lalonde, spokesman for Shell, which operates 280 company-owned retail outlets and a wholesale business in Quebec, said any delays to the permit-approval process could result in shortages.

While Shell doesn't need to demolish parts of the plant, it is seeking government approval to modify certain pieces of equipment for the terminal.

"We need to get moving on the conversion," Lalonde said. "Otherwise supply would be tight."

Shell intends to cease production at the refinery in mid-September and would like to have the terminal running by November, he said.

"But this is all pending regulatory approval, of course."

At a time when companies are operating modern, efficient refineries in oil producing regions like Qatar, Lalonde said, it would cost Shell more than $400 million in capital upgrades to properly run the 130,000 barrel-per-day crude processing facility in Montreal. The refinery now processes crude oil imported from Portland, Me.

"This refinery, in particular, is 77 years old," he said. "It is an old facility. It is not commercially viable for Shell to keep running it as is."

Lalonde said Shell had searched unsuccessfully for a buyer for more than a year. While Shell was asking for a sale price of around $150 million to $200 million for the refinery alone, the best offer from Delek would have included the refinery plus the sale of parts of Shell's resale and wholesale businesses, he said.

But Rocheleau dismissed the sales process as a sham. The potential buyer, Delek, was found by a special committee of union and political representatives, not Shell, he said.

"It's clear that what they always wanted to do was to convert the refinery into a terminal," he said.

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Of the tactics that the CEP Union has proposed only the idea of a boycott will actually impact Shell directly. Further lobbying would be the least useful as the government, in the absence of any evidence of public pressure would almost inevitably wash its hands of the whole matter, saying that "it has done all that it could" with the previous injunction.

About the only thing likely to give Shell serious pause would be an implied threat that the process of dismantling/refitting (chose one) might be disrupted either by blockade or by an actual occupation of the premises. Nobody should expect the union to actually "threaten" such a thing, but one could hardly accuse them of a violation of the law if they were to simply mention to both their membership and the public the many instances in recent Canadian history where such tactics were successfully used by a variety of workers in a variety of disputes. No need to "advocate" any such thing. Just a little "background information", that's all.

To be honest, however, I personally think that this particular struggle is unlikely to succeed given the age of the plant and the implied costs of upgrading it. Not that the plant couldn't be made viable given enough time and gradual refitting. But, as the above article says, any buyer would pretty well have to be in possession of at least some of Shell's wholesale and retail revenue to finance such upgrading. By the "letter of the law" ie the injunction Shell is under no compulsion to part with that part of their business, and their actions have shown that they most certainly will not.

The problem with this search for a new operator is the same problem that continually reoccurs in many industries. All this is being done in an atmosphere of crisis where a company is threatening shutdowns and massive layoffs. The workers involved in such situations are in a position where their bargaining power is considerably reduced. To my mind there should be a long term approach, rather than coasting through "good times" with an I'm all right Jack attitude and only reacting in times of crisis.

To my mind a long term solution would obviously be a nationwide federation of co-ops involved in the energy sector. Sure there are co-op gas bars across the country. In Québec they are operated under the 'Sonic' brand owned by the Coop fédérée. In the whole of Canada, however, the only co-op refinery is in Regina Saskatchewan. There should be many more. Not that the Regina refinery was the most pleasant neighbour at times. I remember well how the closer you lived to it the fouler the air was. I understand things are a bit different these days. I understand that cooperatives are a provincial responsibility under Canadian law, but I don't see how this could prevent various provincial federations from coordinating their efforts - the very essence of a federation- without being formally linked. I would suggest a mixed producer/consumer co-op model. The present gas outlet co-ops are exclusively consumer owned. I would also suggest that the demonstrated long term success of the co-op model in Canada says that it is a viable alternative to statist solutions such as the late unlamented PetroCan or to simply letting the multinationals run the show in the accustomed way.

That, of course, is a long term prospect. It is, however, an attractive one for many reasons, not to just protect jobs or to reduce the cost to consumers. In the immediate future of the situation in Montréal the idea of a co-op refinery is not as outré as it may seem. Difficult yes, but not impossible. Québec already has a vast cooperative network with large financial resources. It also already has a network of retail co-op outlets. Why not consider this option ?

CANADIAN LABOUR/CANADIAN POLITICS:

PENSION ACTION NOW:

Canada's finance ministers will be meeting on June 13 to discuss "reform" of the pension system. This meeting will be held against a backdrop of worldwide attacks on the pension system as part of deficit reduction and against a further backdrop of numerous failures of private pension plans. One worries that this is the sort of "reform" that Canadian governments, especially the federal Conservatives, might have in mind. The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers' Union (CEP Union) has a different idea of what should be on the agenda. Here's their appeal for a mass letter to the ministers.

CPCPCPCPCPCPCP

PENSION REFORM NOW

The federal and provincial governments just finished another round of consultations on pensions. Finance ministers will meet mid-June to decide how to reform the Canadian pension system.

It needs to be fixed and CEP has some solid proposals on how to do just that! Retirees have seen their pension benefits reduced drastically as bankrupt companies restructure. Workers have to postpone retiring because their pension savings have shrunk too much with the crash of the stock market.

Send this message to Canada’s Finance Ministers. It’s time for action now!

8 June 2010


You can edit this letter. Your personal comments, especially in the first few paragraphs, will give the message much greater impact.

To: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty
AB Minister of Finance and Enterprise Ted Morton
BC Minister of Finance Colin Hansen
PEI Provincial Treasurer Wesley J. Sheridan
MB Minister of Finance Rosann Wowchuk
NB Minister of Finance Greg Byrne
NS Minister of Finance Graham Steele
NU Minister of Finance Keith Peterson
Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan
Quebec Minister of Finance Raymond Bachand
SK Minister of Finance Rod Gantefoer
NL Minister of Finance Thomas W. Marshall
NT Minister of Finance Michael Miltenberger
YK Minister of Finance Dennis Fentie

Cc: CEP.ca
CPCPCPCPCPCPCP
The Letter:
Please go to this link to add your name to the following letter to the assembled finance ministers.
CPCPCPCPCPCPCP

To Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Ministers:

At your next Finance ministers’ meeting, you will make important decisions to reform the Canadian pension system.

To ensure retirement security for everyone, it is urgent that you :

* Double Canada Pension Plan and the Régime des rentes du Québec benefits;
* Raise the Guaranteed Income Supplement by 15%, and
* Create a National Investment and Pension Fund, as proposed by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, to protect orphaned pension plans when a company is facing bankruptcy.

+ + +
Au Premier ministre Stephen Harper et aux ministres des Finances:

Lors de votre prochaine réunion des ministres des Finances, vous allez prendre des décisions importantes pour réformer le système de retraite au Canada.

Pour assurer une sécurité à la retraite pour tous et toutes, il est urgent :

* de doubler les prestations du Régime de pensions du Canada et du Régime des rentes du Québec;
* d’augmenter de 15% le Supplément de revenu garanti et
* de créer un Fonds national d’investissement et de rentes, proposé par le Syndicat canadien des communications, de l’énergie et du papier, pour protéger les régimes de retraite orphelins, suite à la restructuration ou à la faillite d’une compagnie.

CANADIAN LABOUR-NEWFOUNDLAND:

FORMER WORKERS OCCUPY ABITIBI PLANT IN GRAND FALLS:

People who used to work at the AbitibiBowater plant in Grand Falls-Windsor in Newfoundland have reacted to government actions in not hiring former workers since they took control of the plant on its closing. No doubt the complaints of the workers involved are justified, but it shows perhaps "desperation" in that all they demand is that they be hired as security guards for the shuttered plant. It's possible that there is no other alternative, especially in an out-of-the-way place in Newfoundland. Still, in other places it might be considered that such exemplary actions as workplace occupations could have goals that were more expansive. Here's the story from the CBC. Good luck to the people involved. perhaps this is a cautionary tale as to why nobody should depend too much on government, as the Newfoundland government made the necessary "progressive noise" in taking over the plant while caring not a whit for the workers involved.

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Former Abitibi workers occupy mill
Frustrated former workers took over a central Newfoundland newsprint mill in Thursday, in a bid to win jobs as security guards.

AbitibiBowater shut down its mill in Grand Falls-Windsor last year, ending a century of newsprint production in the community and putting hundreds out of work.

On Thursday, about a dozen men snuck through a giant wire fence and into the mill.

"These people behind me are workers who worked here all their lives and they don't see it as trespass," said Gary Healey, a Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union official, who spoke to CBC News through the wire fence on their behalf.

"They see it as successorship and jurisdiction, and [that they] have a right to work."

The former workers' complaint is with the Newfoundland and Labrador government, which took control of AbitibiBowater's assets when the mill closed.

The men are demanding that the government hire them for any work that involves the mill, including a handful of security positions. None of the people hired at the facility now is a former mill worker.

"This is about people who lost just about everything they ever had, and they're frustrated, and they just want to be able to go to work, if there is any work," Healey said.

The CEP said the protesters will not budge until the provincial government commits to helping them out.

RCMP spent the morning on the site, but left after the security staff at the mill assured police that the protest was peaceful.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/03/04/abitibi-occupation-504.html#ixzz0hMow23QV

CANADIAN LABOUR-TORONTO:
FRASER PAPER PENSIONERS OCCUPY CORPORATE OFFICE:
Many kudos to the penioners of Fraser Paper who have taken their future in their own hands and occupied the offices of Brookfield Asset Management in Toronto to demand what is rightly due to them. Here's the story from the website of the CEP Union in the lead up to the occupation last Wednesday.

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Fraser Papers pensioners occupy Brookfield head office:
WHEN: Wednesday, January 27, 10 am
WHERE: Brookfield Asset Management, 181 Bay St., Suite 300 TORONTO
– Forestry pensioners and their union leaders will occupy the office of Brookfield Asset Management in Toronto, Wednesday at 10 am. The group has a message for CEO, Bruce Flatt, and Board of Directors member Frank McKenna: Respect retired forestry workers and pay their pensions.


“We don’t intend to leave these offices until Mr. Flatt and Mr. McKenna get our message,” says Gaétan Ménard, Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. Mr. Ménard is with four retirees – two from the Edmunston mill in New Brunswick, and two from the Thurso mill in Québec.


“As the controlling shareholder of Fraser Papers, with $649 million in profits in 2008, Brookfield Asset Management is planning to purchase Fraser Papers,” says Mr. Ménard. “However, it is using the bankruptcy process to get out of its pension obligations.”


On January 15, retirees demonstrated in front of the Gatineau offices of Brookfield after being refused a hearing with Mr. Flatt and Mr. McKenna. Last week more than 700 retirees and their supporters sent letters, but neither Mr. Flatt nor Mr. McKenna has so far responded.


“Today’s action may seem desperate to some, said Mr. Ménard, “but many of these retirees are in desperate circumstances: they are living on a shoe-string budget and facing pension cuts of up to 40%!


“We demand that Fraser/Brookfield respect its workers and retirees and forgo this shameful, deceptive restructuring plan.”


Fraser Papers filed for bankruptcy protection under CCAA last June, and is seeking approval to wind up the pension plans.


CEP is fighting the company’s restructuring proposal in federal bankruptcy court, at the political level, and through labour boards filings. For a backgrounder and financial details, visit: http://www.cep.ca/.
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Et aussi en français
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QUAND : Mercredi 27 janvier 2010, à 10 h
OÙ : Brookfield Asset Management, 181 Bay Street, bureau 300 TORONTO
– Les retraités forestiers et leurs dirigeants syndicaux vont occuper les bureaux de Brookfield Asset Management à Toronto, mercredi à 10 h. Le groupe veut transmettre un message au chef de la direction, Bruce Flatt, et au membre du conseil d’administration, Frank McKenna : Respectez les travailleurs forestiers retraités et versez-leur leurs prestations de retraite.


« Nous n’avons pas l’intention de quitter ces bureaux avant que M. Flatt et M. McKenna n’aient reçu notre message », a dit Gaétan Ménard, secrétaire-trésorier du Syndicat canadien des communications, de l'énergie et du papier. M. Ménard est accompagné de quatre retraités – deux de l’usine d’Edmundston au Nouveau-Brunswick, et deux de l’usine de Thurso au Québec.


« En tant que principal actionnaire de Papiers Fraser, avec 649 millions $ de profits en 2008, Brookfield Asset Management prévoit acquérir Papiers Fraser, affirme M. Ménard. Or, la société utilise les procédures entamées sous la protection de la loi sur la faillite pour s’esquiver de ses obligations à l’égard des régimes de retraite. »


Le 15 janvier, les retraités ont manifesté devant les bureaux de Brookfield à Gatineau après qu’une rencontre avec M. Flatt et M. McKenna leur ait été refusée. La semaine dernière, 700 retraités et leurs supporters ont envoyé des lettres, mais ni M. Flatt, ni M. McKenna n’ont daigné répondre.


« Le geste d’aujourd’hui peut sembler désespéré pour certains, avance Ménard, mais plusieurs de ces retraités vivent dans des conditions désespérées : leur budget est déjà restreint et ils risquent de subir des réductions de 40 % de leurs prestations de retraite!


Nous demandons que Papiers Fraser/Brookfield respecte ses travailleurs et retraités, et qu’ils abandonnent ce plan de restructuration honteux et trompeur. »


Papiers Fraser s’est placée sous la protection de la loi sur la faillite en juin dernier et cherche à obtenir l’autorisation de liquider les régimes de retraite.


Le SCEP lutte contre la proposition de restructuration de la compagnie devant le tribunal fédéral de faillite, au niveau politique et en déposant des plaintes aux commissions des relations de travail.


Pour consulter les notes documentaires et les détails financiers : http://www.scep.ca/.
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And more, also from the CEP Union, about how management has responded, or not, to the pensioners' demands.

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Fraser Papers' pensioners remain defiant at Brookfield Toronto offices; Edmundston mill workers also confront CEO:
TORONTO - Forest union leader Gaétan Ménard and four Fraser Papers' pensioners, who are occupying Brookfield Asset Management’s head office in Toronto, have been told that CEO Bruce Flatt is “not concerned” that pensioners could lose 40% of their pensions as a result of the company’s restructuring plan.


Mr. Ménard, Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, calls this attitude "despicable," and plans to continue the sit-in.


Meanwhile, in Edmundston, N.B., about 100 angry Fraser Paper pensioners and workers confronted CEO Peter Gordon at the mill where he was meeting with CEP Atlantic Region Vice-President Ervan Cronk. Their message was the same: Respect our pensions!
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Et aussi encore une fois en français.
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Les retraités de Papier Fraser continuent de défier Brookfield à Toronto; les travailleurs de l’usine d’Edmundston affrontent aussi le chef de la direction:
TORONTO – Le dirigeant d’un syndicat de la foresterie, Gaétan Ménard, et quatre retraités de Papiers Fraser qui occupent le siège social de Brookfield Asset Management à Toronto, se sont fait dire que le chef de la direction, Bruce Flatt, n’est « pas concerné » par le fait que les retraités pourraient perdre 40 % de leurs prestations de retraite comme conséquence du plan de restructuration de la compagnie.


M. Ménard, secrétaire-trésorier du Syndicat canadien des communications, de l'énergie et du papier, considère que cette attitude est « odieuse » et entend poursuivre l’occupation des locaux.


Entre-temps, à Edmundston, au N.-B., près de 100 retraités et travailleurs en colère de Papiers Fraser ont affronté le chef de la direction, Peter Gordon, à l’usine où il avait une réunion avec le vice-président de la région de l’Atlantique du SCEP, Ervan Cronk. Leur message était le même : Respectez nos régimes de retraite!

CANADIAN LABOUR:

PAY THE PENSIONS MR. MCKENNA:

The following online petition is from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP Union). As in so many other cases the corporations in Canada are using bankruptcy proceedings to weasel out of their legal obligation to pay the pensions of workers at Fraser Papers. The Frank Mckenna mentioned below has had quite a career in Canadian politics and business. Having successfully avoided ever having to work for a living, except as a lawyer, he became leader of the New Brunswick Liberal party in 1985 and in 1987 won the provincial election, taking every seat in the legislature. He remained Premier until he resigned undefeated in 1997. Until 2005 he moved from one corporate tenure to another, and in that year he was appointed Ambassador to the USA. He remained in that post for only a year. Once touted as a potential federal leader for the Liberals, he has found the private sector much more attractive, especially in his role since 2006 as Deputy Chair of the TD Financial Group. the machinations of the financial sector, after all, may offer more scope to exercise power than any mere political post.



Here's the brief notice from the CEP Union about their petition.
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Pay Their Pensions, Frank McKenna:
Frank McKenna is a board member of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., the majority shareholder of Fraser Papers. The corporations are using the bankruptcy process to avoid paying forestry workers the pensions they are entitled to.



Tell Frank McKenna and Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt to respect retired forestry workers, and to pay their pensions.
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THE PEITION:
Please go to this link to sign the following petition to Frank Mckenna and Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield Asset Management.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
Mr. McKenna and Mr. Flatt,
I am alarmed to learn that Fraser Papers will not honour its commitment to pay the pensions of its retired forestry employees. I urge you to intervene to ensure that retired and current workers are treated with respect, and their families will not suffer financially.
Sincerely,

CANADIAN LABOUR:

PROTECTING PENSIONS:

Molly has blogged on the matter of pension protection in the case of corporate bankruptcy before, particularly in the case of Nortel retirees- the most egregious recent case in Canada. The following is another entry on this subject, this time from an open letter on the part of two labour organizations to the last Finance Ministers' meeting last December. What I found more interesting about the following is the glancing reference as to how Canada's bankruptcy laws can actually be used to not just dodge legitimate debts but even to make money. Now I have always associated 'living off bankruptcy' with the usual low flying scam artist type, but it stands to reason that the high fliers can make money off this as well-in much bigger batches. Here's the story from the online progressive Canadian newsjournal Public Values. People interested in following this issue might consider checking in now and then with the Congress of Union Retirees Canada.

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Unions tell finance ministers of social, economic risks of failing to support retirees:
Companies hiding behind bankruptcy courts to reduce pension benefits.
On the eve of a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers' that was held in December in Whitehorse, two groups sent a letter urging them to fix the pension system that is allowing companies that go bankrupt or that are sold to discontinue benefits to retirees.

The letter, signed by Dave Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEC)( CEP Union actually-Molly ), and Don Sproule, national chair of the Nortel Retirees and former employees Protection Canada (NRPC) pointing out the social and economic risks of failing to provide support for seniors while companies hide behind the protection of bankruptcy courts.

"As a result, tens of thousands of pensioners are facing drastic pension benefit reductions. Retirees are particularly vulnerable people as they cannot replace their benefits by re-entering the workforce or further reducing their living costs. Most of them are already living on a tight budget, many are in ill-health and these cuts will drive them into poverty and despair."

The letter expresses concern that pension funds be financed at a solvency level and that the funds should come from the assets of bankrupt companies, not the taxpayer. It further examines how Canada has outdated bankruptcy laws that can sometimes be manipulated by bondholders to trigger failure in order to collect insurance and other payments. As well, they are uncomfortable with the thought of pensioners having to suddenly manage their own pensions in a difficult market.

Before the same meeting, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) issued a press release stating how they were "appalled" with the C. D. Howe Institute's Pension Paper released in time for the meeting. Fearful of the influence of right wing commentators, PIPSC pointed out how public sector pensions are actually "deferred salary" where members contribute between 8.4 and 10.15 per cent of their annual salary.

David Gray, CGA and vice-president of PIPSC, wrote: "The data presented includes total debts for the public service pensions but only includes the amounts paid in from 2000 forward. It fails to include the $30B paid in by public service employees, or the $62B set aside by the employer as its contribution. Finally it fails to mention the additional $30B pension surplus that was seized by the government in 1999 and used to pay down the national debt."
Links and sources

Full text of CEC/NRPC letter

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada press release

CANADIAN LABOUR:

MORE ON SECURITY

ASSAULTS ON REPORTERS IN TORONTO:

A couple of days ago Molly reported here on assaults on the part of Olympic security in Toronto. The victims were two reporters from the Toronto Sun. According to the following article from said newspaper the assault against these two people followed upon a previous assault against a photographer from the Canadian Press. The union representing the two Sun reporters (CEP Union Local 87-M) continues to press for charges to be laid against the assailants. So far the employers of those assaulted, the Sun and the Canadian Press, have been quiet about the matter. To watch for future developments stay tuned to the CEP Union Blog. Here's the update from the Toronto Sun on what was presented here before.

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Sun man roughed up:
Hospitalized after incident with cops
By CHRIS DOUCETTE AND BRETT CLARKSON, TORONTO SUN
NEWMARKET -- Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch what was supposed to be a peaceful passing of the Olympic flame yesterday.

But supporters of the Vancouver 2010 torch relay were instead left stunned as they watched security staff manhandle two members of the media, one of whom, a Sun reporter, had to be hospitalized with a head injury.

Not only that, but earlier in the day, a Canadian Press photographer was also banged up by cops in downtown Toronto as he tried to shoot pictures of the torch.

Ian Robertson, a 22-year Sun newsman, was filming video of shooting victim Louise Russo's torch relay along Davis Dr. when an RCMP officer wearing an Olympic uniform grabbed him, causing him to fall.

"It was absolutely overzealous and uncalled for," Robertson said last night.
'JUST A GUY'
Robertson, 61, had no idea the security officer, in his Olympic garb, was a cop. "He never identified himself, so I had no idea who he was," Robertson said. "He was just a guy in a track suit."

As he was being forced off the road, Robertson twisted in an effort to break loose from the unknown man's clutches.

"I was telling him to take his hands off of me, that this was unnecessary," Robertson said. "That's when I stumbled and fell backwards."

Sun photographer Dave Thomas was also pushed several times but he was not injured.

Four other Sun staffers have since come forward with similar complaints about torch security staff. York Regional Police say they are investigating what happened to Robertson.

The mild-mannered Robertson was fitted with a neckbrace, put on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to Newmarket hospital after the shoving incident. Afterward, he was clearly dazed and had difficulty speaking.

"We're appalled by what appears to be an unprovoked and unwarranted assault on one of our journalists who was simply doing his job," said Sun interim editor-in-chief James Wallace.
'GOON TACTICS'
The "police-state goon tactics" was totally uncalled for at what was supposed to be a feel-good event with obvious media interest, said Brad Honywill, president of Local 87-M of the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada, which represents Sun journalists.

Honywill wants criminal charges laid against the officers involved.

Earlier in the day, Canadian Press photographer Frank Gunn was also on the receiving end of police aggression when officers apparently took issue with him trying to photograph the torch near Front and Church Sts.

Gunn was grabbed on the shoulder by one cop, ran into by at least one more bike cop, and then surrounded by eight or nine officers on bikes. Gunn said he was crouched on the ground, about three metres away from the torch when it was lit, and was clearly identifiable as a journalist with his cameras and torch-relay credentials when the police turned aggressive on him.
'OPEN EVENT'
"They certainly appeared to be overbearing," said Gunn, a 25-year news photographer. "They fail to recognize that this is supposed to be a free and open event. They turned it into a very closed and aggressive event."

But from the RCMP, the police measures were "appropriate."

RCMP Staff-Sgt. Mike Cote, a spokesman for the V2010 Integrated Security Unit, defended the security detail's actions and said they have done nothing wrong.

"The security team is responsible for the safety and security of the torchbearers and the torch at all times," Cote said. "As a result, (they) will not let anyone other than the torchbearers and the flame attendants into the secure perimeter."

Based on reports from the torch security team, Cote claims Robertson was warned twice before being physically removed from the area. ( Like they "warned" the Polish immigrant who was tasered to death the other year at Vancouver Airport I presume-Molly )

However, he couldn't explain how the media are supposed to know where that area begins and ends.

CANADIAN POLITICS-TORONTO:

OLYMPIC FLAMED DELAYED/ OLYMPIC SECURITY ASSAULTS REPORTERS:

The Olympic flame continues its uneven progress across the country, and in Toronto it ran into a little more trouble than usual as protesters delayed and diverted the parade. Here's the story from the Toronto Star.

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Olympic torch relay hits trouble:
Organizers are forced to take alternative route after protesters grind procession to a halt

December 18, 2009

Stephen Smysnuik

Henry Stancu
Everything was going so smoothly. Then the torch hit downtown.

As the Olympic torch relay marched down Yonge St. on Thursday night, hundreds of protesters flooded the thoroughfare at College St., grinding the procession to a halt.

Dozens of police officers carrying batons barricaded about 300 demonstrators in the intersection, where they stood chanting "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land" while holding a large papier-mâché torch.

Up Yonge, fans of torch carrier Akshay Kumar, Bollywood's equivalent of Brad Pitt, pushed their way onto the street, further clogging the street.

Delayed by an hour, the relay organizers turned to Plan B.

They put the torch in its protective safety lantern and the convoy drove on, diverting west along Wellesley St. to its scheduled stop at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Thursday's incident marks the second time the torch has been held up by protests in its 106-day, 45,000-kilometre journey to the Games.

A week ago in Montreal, about 100 demonstrators swarmed the main stage at the square where the rally was ending.

Protesters, meanwhile, are planning another demonstration for the torch parade in Kitchener next week.

An official with the Olympic Torch Relay said organizers are working closely with police in each jurisdiction it visits.

"There's going to be individuals and organizations that have different views, and use the torch relays as a way to draw attention to the other matters. I hope that any of those protests are done in a peaceful way," said Chris Shauf. "We want to make sure the family-friendly celebrations and the spirit of the Olympic flame is upheld at all times."

Thursday's demonstration consisted of a collection of smaller activist groups that opposed the Games, including No Games Toronto, No 2010 and Ontario's Coalition Against Poverty. They are protesting the economic costs of the Olympics and the effect it is having on displaced people, especially Vancouver's aboriginal population.

"Our point was to put a message out there and I think we did it," said Syed Hassan, organizer of the Extinguish the Torch Committee.

"We aren't against sports. We're against the attacks on our indigenous people, migrants and the environment."

While several spectators applauded the group, some even patting Hassan on the back, others weren't as impressed.

Kathy Jackson, 47, stood at Yonge and Carlton Sts. for two hours for her chance to catch a glimpse of the fiery beacon. But the diversion meant she wouldn't get to see it.

"I am devastated. I'm a big fan of the Olympics. I'm a big supporter," said Jackson, sporting a red Canada jacket. "I understand where (the demonstrators are) coming from, but this was not the right place."

She dashed off to City Hall, hoping to see the celebrations there. At Sick Kids, scores of children celebrated by singing O Canada.

The torch finally reached Nathan Phillips Square around 8 p.m. and the festivities – overseen by police – went off without a hitch, ending with an explosion of fireworks.

Earlier in the day, hundreds turned out in Oshawa, Whitby, Stouffville and Markham to see the torch travel through their communities.

With files from Jesse McLean, Robyn Doolittle and Madeleine White
Source:Toronto Star

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Here, from the No2010 website is how it was seen by the protesters.

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TORONTO DISRUPTS THE TORCH!

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!

(report back and some media)
Over 250 people took to the streets Thursday night to welcome the Olympic Torch with a resounding: “No Olympics on Stolen Native Land” Enthusiastic folks met up at 5:15 at College & University, gathering around a 15 foot homemade torch of our own, banners reading “Resist 2010 for the land”, “No 2010 Torch” and sharing in some homemade food.

Organizers from Six Nations read the Declaration of the Onkwehonwe of Grand River Territory on the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, Doreen Silversmith also from Six Nations spoke about how the attacks on women are attacks on the land and Mark C. from ARA spoke of Indigenous Youth rising up and taking power. Messages of Solidarity were delivered by No One Is Illegal-Toronto, No Games Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo’s own Torch Welcoming Committee.

Grounding the crowd in the reasons we were here: to decry Canada’s colonial violence and expose the lies of Olympics Circus, chants began that would ring through Toronto all night. While the cold seeped, our MC got the crowd jumping and amped to go meet the torch.

Anticipating the torch taking a lil’ streetcar ride, people took to College Street. The first line of bike cops at College and Elizabeth set up as we began a fluid game of cat and mouse. Our people took some surprise routes towards Yonge and Gerrard where we regrouped and faced a row of riots cops, holding the intersection. We gathered at the line of cops and turned back suddenly, going North, walking up Yonge St. to meet the Torch. At Yonge and College we ran into the crowds there to cheer on the Torch some of whom started booing and hissing. We handed out thousands of pieces of ORN and No2010 literature and some people even joined our action. One onlooker pushed over our speaker.

The horses arrived and tried to split us in two but that failed. Then a small group stayed back at Yonge and College, while the rest of the street party walked North, slowing to regroup and coming closer to the Torch. At Yonge and Maitland, we decided to stop and hold it, as people from the back rushed to join us. With messages streaming in that the media were reporting we had blocked the Torch and having chased the torch around the city for nearly two hours (it was now 7:30), we euphorically declared victory! We had forced VANOC to split the Torch in to two, and brought our message right to the centre of the Olympic Circus.

While all of this was going on, the March in Honour of Harriet Nahanee, led by indigenous women, had split off to follow the torch into Nathan Phillips Square, where a climber free climbed an arch directly opposite the stage and hung a banner reading “Gego Olympics Da-Te-Snoon Nishnaabe-Giing Ga-Gmooding” (No Olympics on Stolen Native Land in Anishinaabemowin). Our people had infiltrated the crowd, holding up banners and handing out flyers, and booing the flame as it left Nathan Phillips Square around 9:30pm. The banner stayed up till the end of the festivities and the climber only got a $100 ticket.

Two arrests were made when two protesters ran alongside the Torch following the disruption at Yonge and Maitland. They were released later that night.

We stole the Torch’s thunder, with CTV, NDNTV, APTN, City, the Globe, the Star, the Sun, Now Magazine and some Ryerson folks reporting on the disruption and relaying the message that we took to the streets demanding justice for indigenous peoples, an end to corporate domination and the truth about “Canada’s” ongoing policies and practices of colonialism. Though there has been a serious damper being put on the size and effect of our actions, everyone on the streets of Toronto heard us last night.

This protest was organized by an autonomous group of people coming together for this occasion, and showcased a broad spectrum of Toronto’s resistance. As we head into 2010, we urge folks to support Six Nations as they stand up and block the Torch from entering their territory on December 21st, to head to Kitchener-Waterloo on December 27th, to converge on Vancouver from February 10-15th, and to start thinking about your plans for the G8/G20 meetings in June. Overheard during the street party: “Man, the G20’s coming here, and we can’t even handle this!”, cop.
‘See you in the streets.
Some Media: (note, if you took pictures or video on Thursday night, please email them to torchblock@gmail.com)
1) Independent Journalist: http://nealj.livejournal.com/22288.html?sms_ss=email

2) http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/12/17/260-torchbearers-to-carry-olympic-torch-through-gta.aspx

3) http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/12/17/toornto-torch.html

4 )http://www.canada.com/sports/Torch+relay+disrupted+rerouted+after+protesters+block+Toronto+street/2353574/story.html 5)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hKAnNvgFGyo5z0AQPHUo2wHB55zA

6)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/66074--native-protesters-block-olympic-torch-relay

7) http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/9367--group-blocks-yonge-street-to-stop-olympic-torch

8) http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/57986360001/Olympic-Torch-Arrives-Downtown-Amid-Protest/

9) http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/740529--olympic-torch-relay-hits-trouble

10) http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091217/torch_TO_091217/20091217?hub=Toronto

11) http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/740529--olympic-torch-relay-hits-trouble

12)

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20090121757&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood

13) http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/torch-protest-in-toronto/1203234917

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PUNCHING OUT THE PRESS:

While the protesters maintained a non-violent approach to their demonstration this was not the case with Olympic Security. It seems that some of the rent-a-goons, disappointed by being unable to get up front for some of the action that the big boys (the police) were engaged in with the demonstrators felt that they should get their jollies somehow some way. Hence the following attack on two journalists from the Toronto Sun. Here's the story from the CNW site. The union that the journalists in question belong to, the CEP Union, went fair ballistic and is hoping to hold the authors of the attack accountable. The most astounding part to Molly was that the goons in question decided to attack the 60 year old reporter (see below) loaded with gear. One can only imagine what was going through their heads, besides the testosterone from their nuts. I'm "sure" that this guy looked like a "security threat". I guess that such events may actually be justification for on the job drug and alcohol testing.

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Journalists union demands criminal charges against Olympic security:
TORONTO, Dec. 18 /CNW/

- The head of a union representing journalists in Ontario is demanding criminal charges against security officers involved in crowd control for the Olympic torch run after two journalists were assaulted in Newmarket today.

The two journalists, both photographers for the Toronto Sun, were attempting to take pictures of Olympic torch bearers as they made their way along Davis Drive in Newmarket shortly after noon.

Photographer Dave Thomas was repeatedly shoved as he tried to take pictures but was not injured. But photographer Ian Robertson, who is about 60 years old and was laden with camera gear so he was unable to defend himself, required hospital treatment for an apparent head injury after he was shoved to the ground by security officers wearing the grey Olympic uniforms.

"This is an outrage," said Brad Honywill, president of Local 87-M of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. "The Olympics are supposed to represent the highest of human values but the behaviour of the security officers represents nothing less than brutality and cowardice."

The fact protests had delayed the torch run the day before doesn't authorize security to use police state tactics for crowd control, Honywill said, noting that there was much criticism of the Chinese government for the way it crushed protests during last year's summer Olympics and this behaviour is no better.

"It would have been obvious to anyone who cared that these two people were professional photographers and certainly not protesters attempting to disrupt the torch relay," Honywill said.

"There was no excuse for the kind of physical violence that took place."

The president of CEP Local 87-M noted that journalists are being killed in record numbers around the world, often at the hands of government organizations. Others, both at home and abroad, are being subjected to increased violence. And it has to stop.

"Journalists should not be seen as punching bags for the police, security forces or anyone else. When they're exposed to violence, all of society is threatened because it's the journalists who reveal what is happening in their community and country."
For further information: Brad Honywill, President CEP Local 87-M, W: (416) 461-2461, ext 7, C: (905) 334-9259

CANADIAN LABOUR-BC:

MORE ON SELF MANAGEMENT IN THE MOUNTAINS:

Since Molly last reported on the potential employee buyout of the Eurocan pulp and paper mill in Terrace BC more has happened on that front. Here is the latest news from the Terrace Standard. A big thanks to the excellent CEP Union Blog for tweaking Molly to this story.

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Sawmill, licences could be sold:
WEST FRASER is offering to sell its Skeena Sawmills plant in Terrace and its wood tenure in the region along with its Eurocan pulp and paper mill in Kitimat, says a company official.

Speaking last week, company senior vice president Wayne Clogg said the potential sale of the sawmill and tenure could take place if a legitimate buyer for Eurocan is found.

And that’s based on the tenure and sawmill providing a secure fibre supply that would then help move the pulp mill sale along, he said.

West Fraser announced the end of October it was closing Eurocan the end of January after an extensive study determined there was no way to salvage the money-losing proposition.

“We did a lot of work on the economics of Eurocan,” said Clogg. “We have not had an active sales program because we don’t believe it’s a viable business.

“But if a legitimate buyer can be found and has the confidence to buy the mill, we’ll work with them and be cooperative.

“All we’re saying that if the Terrace mill and tenure can be part of a package, we’re not going to stand in the way and we’ll look at the whole package,” said Clogg.

The Terrace sawmill has not operated, save for periods of time to chip whole logs for Eurocan, since a labour dispute between companies and the Steelworkers union ended in October 2007.
There’s also been very little activity on the one tree farm licence, which is south of Terrace and two forest licences in the past several years.

“Even when we were chipping whole logs at Skeena Sawmills, we were buying logs on the open market,” said Clogg.

But he did add that Skeena Sawmills would play an important role in providing fibre to Eurocan.

Approximately 100,000 cubic metres has been coming off West Fraser’s Tree Farm Licence 41 and far less off its two forest licences, one of which is located within the Kitimat municipal boundaries and the other in the Nass Timber Supply Area.

“Most of the fibre for Eurocan comes from mills to the east, such as the one at Fraser Lake,” said Clogg.

If a package deal does not come together, Clogg said there are no immediate plans to dismantle the Skeena Sawmills plant. “It could still make lumber and it could still supply chips and we’re going to see what kind of outcome comes out of Kitimat,” said Clogg.

He did acknowledge that having Skeena Sawmills in a mothballed state could not go on forever.

“But as I point out with our other mills, the market for lumber in America is 50 per cent of what it was. And there are many, many mills across the province and country that are closed down and will stay that way until we see lumber improve,” Clogg continued.

In the meantime, Eurocan’s unionized workers are moving forward to determine if an employee purchase of the mill makes sense.

The two locals of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada at Eurocan each voted in favour of the idea by more than 90 per cent.

A feasibility study group has met with Janine North, CEO of the Northern Development Initiative Trust, who in turn recommended someone who could do the study and who then offered suggestions on where to find government grant options to pay for the work.

The union can put up $100,000, says union official Mary Murphy, but will apply for a series of grants. She confirmed that a reputable firm has come forward to back the union financially, alongside the District of Kitimat and the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce.

“The study will get underway as soon as we select the person to conduct it,” said Murphy.

“There may need to be some changes to the way operates, but I believe it can be viable.”

Murphy said time is of the essence because the mill’s shutdown is now less than six weeks away.

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MOLLY COMMENT:

As regular readers os this blog will certainly be aware I am very much in favour of such employee buyouts. There are, however, certain caveats to this. The first is that I think that the idea of employee ownership should become much more prominent, especially as its most common presentation is in a crisis situation where management has already run a company near to bankruptcy. While "buying cheap" may be the best option for a private investor as the price is at its lowest it is not necessarily the best time for people who have a financial gun at their heads- potential unemployment- to jump in. It gives an incentive to the present owners to inflate the price of the assets.

The second caveat is how the new enterprise should be organized. The idea of a producers' cooperative is, in my opinion, optimum. Where the resulting new enterprise is organized as a limited partnership it presents the temptation to sell out for temporary advantage at times of apparent prosperity. This is what happened here in Manitoba at Pine Falls where the previous worker-owned mill sold out to Tembec back in the 90s. The results were great, I guess, for anyone due to retire in a few years but not so good for those who hoped to work for many years more. On the other hand when other partners such as municipal councils (both in BC and here) or First Nations (as in Pine Falls Manitoba) are involved in the purchase then a limited partnership would obviously be the only way to proceed. Whether it would be possible to have a producers' coop act as the agent for the workers in a holding company position is something that is more than slightly beyond my legal expertise, but it is a solution that comes to mind. If a company is purchased, either outright by a producers' coop or by such in partnership with others, then due care and attention must be paid to the matter of pensions, to reduce the potential friction between older and younger workers. To say the least any pension moneys must be placed in accounts that can survive the dissolution of the original enterprise.

The third caveat that comes to my mind is the incredible cost of the preliminaries. Here in Manitoba the provincial government has determined to throw over a million dollars at studying what should be done with the Pine Falls plant. Personally I am not a great fan of "consultants". In a functioning business the best that can be hoped from the majority of consultants is that they merely take their inflated prices for nothing and do the minimum harm ie that none of their suggestions are taken and have to be undone at great cost in the future. It's very rare that consultants are hired who actually know anything about the business that they presume to put in order. Accountants come far cheaper. That being said, if anyone wishing to hire any "consultant" for the pulp and paper industry needs a piece of advise it would be this. Make sure that said "consultant" speaks Mandarin. If Canada's pulp and paper industry suffers from anything it is that, like the lumber industry in general, it is tied into present markets where buyers in the USA have a death grip on the market prices courtesy of the US government.

All that being said I am still very much in favour of such buyouts, as the obvious path to what I consider a humane cooperative socialism. It is just that they are not a universal panacea, and they have their difficulties.