CANADIAN LABOUR ONTARIO:

PENSIONERS AND ALLIES OCCUPY 21 ONTARIO TORY OFFICES:

It's called "Blue (collar)-Grey Power", an alliance of workers and pensioners to oppose Tory plans to gut Canada's Old Age Security (OAS). Here's the story, from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of how they occupied 21 Conservative MP offices across Ontario. You can read more about this action and find out which Tory bench warmers were targeted at the website of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). A great example of how labour is taking up the innovative tactics of the Occupy movement.

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Seniors and the OFL occupy 21 Ontario Tory offices: Threats to Old Age Security ignite new movement of Blue-Grey Power
Share Labour activists teamed up with seniors, retirees and supporters on February 9 to occupying 21 Tory MP offices across Ontario, while other actions are taking place elsewhere in Canada. The Harper government’s recent threat to cut Old Age Security (OAS) benefits has inflamed a new movement of workers and pensioners, calling itself a movement of “Blue-Grey Power,” that is bringing the fight against the Conservative assault on retirement security directly to Tory constituency offices.

“Prime Minister Harper’s hypocrisy is stunning. He chose to announce his plans to cut Old Age Security in front of the one percenters in Davos, Switzerland when he knows full well that if he were to retire in 2015, he would have a Platinum-Plated, taxpayer-funded pension of $223,517 a year,” said OFL President Sid Ryan, from the sit-in at Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s Whitby constituency office.

Feeling pushed to the brink, the outraged pensioners, soon-to-be pensioners and supporters resorted to the constituency office occupations to demand that Conservative Members of Parliament abandon plans to push back the OAS eligibility age from 65 to 67, or make any reductions to benefits. Instead, they are calling for the Harper government to introduce modest increases to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions that would double benefits for all retirees and seniors.

“Harper’s attack on retirement security is another example of the Conservatives putting ideology over reality and the interests of working families,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “Even the government’s own Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, has said that the pension system’s long-term sustainability is sound. We as workers in Canada need to take note of this most recent attack on our rights and standard of living, and mobilize to once and for all elect a government that works for working families.”

To find out more about the occupation, go to www.ofl.ca .

CANADIAN LABOUR:
ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR CALLS ON HEAD OF TORONTO POLICE UNION TO "COME CLEAN":


The following news item comes from the Marketwire news service. Since the revelations from the Ontario ombudsman that the powers granted police during the G20 summit were excessive and probably illegal and that there were "massive violations of rights" the Ontario Federation of Labour has called on the head of the Toronto Police Union to deal effectively with what has been exposed. Here's the story from the OFL.
CLCLCLCLCLCL


Union Leader to Union Leader:
Ryan Calls on McCormack to End the Code of Silence on G20 Beatings

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 8, 2010) - OFL President Sid Ryan is urging Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack to call upon his members to own up to the beatings of innocent members of the public during the G20.

"I'm calling on McCormack, in his role as president of the association, to take action to actively advocate for the identification of the officers involved. As a union leader, it would be important for him to use his authority to disassociate reputable police officers from the actions of the few," says OFL President Sid Ryan.

"When police remove their identification, hide their faces, and use brute force to terrorize citizens, they become an illegal paramilitary force. This constitutes such a serious threat to democracy and the safety of citizens as to warrant the full cooperation of McCormack and his members."

The OFL notes that any action to the contrary is a subversion of union principles: criminal behaviour of members warrants criminal action.

"We do not accept that in a democratic state, the illegal behaviour of rogue police officers carrying guns and other deadly weapons and overwhelming the citizenry should be protected by a 'code of silence'," says Ryan.

The Ontario Ombudsman André Marin's report, the Toronto Star's investigation, hundreds of hours of available footage, and the sophisticated technology available for identification would, under normal circumstances, make identification easy.

The OFL organized the largest demonstration of the week that brought 30,000 people together for family-friendly events. Some of those people were intimidated and interfered with by police actions.

"Both McCormack and Police Chief Bill Blair should use their full authority to support the public demand for accountability," says Ryan.



For more information, please contact

Ontario Federation of Labour
Sid Ryan
President
416.209.0066 (mobile)
or
Ontario Federation of Labour
Lynn Simmons
Communications Director
416. 668.7480 (mobile)
www.ofl.ca

CANADIAN LABOUR BRANTFORD ONTARIO:

SOLIDARITY PICKET WITH ECP WORKERS:

The following call for a solidarity anti-scab picket in Brantford Ontario comes from the Ontario Federation of Labour and its President Sid Ryan. Workers at Engineering Coated Products (ECP) in Brantford have been on strike for over two years, but the company continues to operate due to scab labour. You can read more about this strike in this article from the Brantford Expositor. For further information about how you can help the strikers see the website of the Brantford Labour Council.

ECPECPECPECP
ANTI-SCAB RALLY SEPTEMBER 15, 16, 17, 2010
Dear Sisters and Brothers:

In the City of Brantford, less than two hours from Toronto, 84 brave workers have been on strike against their employer for the past two years. The employer has managed to keep these workers out on strike for two long years because they have been busing scabs across the picket lines. The employer, ECP, has demanded a 25% rollback in wages and benefits which the membership of USW Local 1-500 have bravely resisted. Not one striker out of the 84 has crossed the picket line.

I am asking you to join me in support of these brave workers for a massive three-day anti-scab solidarity rally at the picket line. We will also be demanding that the Liberal government enact legislation in Ontario that prevents employers from exploiting workers by using scabs during labour disputes.

The Local and the Brantford Labour Council will open the Labour Centre forany activists that wish to billet over night. As well, there will be areas to pitch a tent or spaces to park camper trailers. We cannot allow this employer and - by extension any other employer in Ontario - to take advantage of workers in this fashion. What’s happening in Brantford to these workers can only be described as abusive. We can and we must stop this abuse.

I urge you to debate this vital matter in your locals and get your members out to Brantford. Let’s draw a line in the sand in Brantford and say loud and clear to employers and to the Liberal government that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We demand ANTI-SCAB legislation in Ontario. If it’s good enough for BRITISH COLUMBIA and QUEBEC it’s good enough for ONTARIO.

In solidarity,

Sid Ryan
President
Ontario Federation of Labour

Anti-Scab Letter (PDF)
Anti-Scab Flyer (PDF)

CANADIAN POLITICS TORONTO:

LABOUR VERSUS THE G20:

Numerous groups with various agendas are planning to protest at the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto. Some of the protest events have already begun (see G8/20 Toronto Community Mobilization ) Amongst the groups protesting will be a wide number of labour unions. One of the sore points for labour is the planned deployment of the 'sonic cannons' crowd control devices. Here is a press release from the Ontario Federation of Labour speaking of their plans and protesting the deployment of this weaponry. There are a lot of questions surrounding these weapons such as whether they cause permanent hearing damage (probably), whether they can be overcome by simple countermeasures such as garbage can lids reflecting the sound back at the sender, and perhaps most importantly how trigger happy the police will be in trying out their new toys.

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LARGEST G20 PROTEST PUTS PEOPLE AND THEIR SAFETY FIRST
ORGANIZERS SUPPORT INJUNCTION TO PREVENT USE OF SONIC CANNONS DURING SUMMIT
(TORONTO) -- The organizers of the June 26 “People First!” rally say their reason for organizing what's likely to be the biggest public protest during the G20 Summit was to give ordinary working people a chance to speak out in a place that's safe and free from the overblown security presence that's become so commonplace during meetings of the world's most powerful heads of state.

Speaking at a news conference near the G20 Summit site, the presidents of the Canadian Labour Congress and the Ontario Federation of Labour outlined their reasons for organizing the large protest while assuring people it will be both peaceful and safe. Joining them was the Canadian Civil Liberties Association which, along with the CLC, has sought a court order to prevent the unsafe use of sonic cannons during the protest to guarantee a safe environment for people who choose to express themselves outside of the high security zone.

"Canadians have a right to freely express themselves in the public places of their own community and their own country. We've been working for months with local organizations here in Toronto, including local police to provide people with a safe and peaceful venue to express their displeasure with G20 leaders and their own government," said OFL president Sid Ryan.

Rally organizers say they are aware of over thirty buses that have been chartered by local labour unions and student associations to bring people from across Ontario to the protests. They also report that people who want to come and raise their issues are being intimidated by the excessive security presence and news stories that show police in full riot gear, flaunting weapons used against attacking pirates on the high seas. They've addressed those concerns by keeping their march away from security hot spots and by joining an appeal to the courts to prevent police from using their new sonic cannons, or LRADs.

"These weapons haven't been tested or approved for use in Ontario. Until then, we have no guarantee that police know how to use them properly and safely," said Nathalie Des Rosiers of the CCLA, which sought the court injunction this week with the support of rally organizers. "These laws exist for our protection; they cannot be put aside simply because foreign dignitaries are coming to town."

CLC president Ken Georgetti says the main reason for staging a protest rally, as well as a march through the streets of Toronto during the G20 Summit is to draw attention to the way working people are getting left behind and left out of the economic recovery.

“Working people need to come out, speak up and tell their leaders that we refuse to get stuck with all the bills for a financial crisis and a recession that we did not cause. Reckless financial traders and greedy investment bankers caused it. People lost millions of jobs and billions in savings. Governments went deep into debt to provide help – and now they want us to pay with higher taxes and belt-tightening and let those bankers off the hook,” said CLC president Ken Georgetti.

“Those greedy CEOs need to take responsibility for the damage that was done and pay their fair share, starting with a tax on financial transactions. Governments need that revenue to continue helping the jobs market recover and to get back to work on vital issues like climate change, HIV-AIDS, and the crushing poverty we see in the world today,” said Georgetti.

The “People First!” Rally and March take place on Saturday, June 26, starting at 1:00 p.m. on the south lawn of Queen's Park and then march south on University Avenue, turning west along Queen Street West, then north onto Spadina Avenue, and finally east onto College Street back to a main stage for more music and local entertainment.



Related Web Sites:
http://www.canadianlabour.ca
G20 Protest Route


For More Information:
Patrick (Sid) Ryan, President
p: 416.441.2731 m: 416.209.0066 f: 416.441.0722
Toll-free: 1-800-668-9138

Pam Frache, Education Director
p: 416-443-7663 f: 416.441.0722
Jeff Atkinson
CLC Communications
e: jatkinson@clc-ctc.ca p: 613.863.1413

CANADIAN LABOUR-ONTARIO:

ANOTHER WORKER DEATH-WHO'S TO BLAME ?:

Last Wednesday another construction worker was killed on the job in Whitby Ontario. This is but one of the many deaths that occur in the construction industry because employers fail to provide safe workplaces. In the province of Ontario more than one worker is killed on the job every week. Here's the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) on this latest incident.

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Young worker dies on the job - another criminal investigation needed
(TORONTO) -- A twenty-six year old construction worker was killed yesterday in Whitby when a concrete retaining wall collapsed on him. The young worker is the latest of more than 400 work-related fatalities that have occurred since 2004.

“Yesterday’s death comes in the wake of the Ministry of Labour’s inspection blitz of construction companies which clearly showed employers are not taking seriously their responsibilities to ensure workplace safety,” said Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. “Too many employers are playing Russian roulette with the lives of workers.”

“This cavalier attitude has meant that three workers die on the job every two weeks in this province,” said Ryan. “This carnage has to stop.”

Ryan has written to the Central West Division Inspector of the Durham Regional Police calling on her to ensure that the current investigation into yesterday’s death includes the possibility of charges under the Canada Criminal Code. In 2004, Bill C-45 amended the Code to provide for the criminal prosecution of employers who disregard their obligations to maintain healthy and safe workplaces.

“If there is employer negligence, we want the Canada Criminal Code and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act to be applied to the fullest extent possible—including jail terms,” said Ryan. “In the meantime, on behalf of over one million workers in Ontario, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the young worker killed on the job.”

On April 28, 2010—the National Day of Mourning commemorating workers whose lives have been lost or injured in the workplace—the Ontario Federation of Labour launched its workplace health and safety campaign: Kill a Worker—Go to Jail.



For More Information:
Patrick (Sid) Ryan, President
p: 416.441.2731 m: 416.209.0066 f: 416.441.0722
Toll-free: 1-800-668-9138

Vern Edwards, Health & Safety Director
p: 416-443-7662 f: 416.441.0722