November 9, 2010
Notice to All
CAW Local 103 Members
Your Local Bargaining Committee will open negotiations with the ONTC Monday November 15, 2010 at 10 am at the Best Western Hotel in North Bay.
In Solidarity,
CAW Local 103
Bargaining Committee
November 9, 2010
Notice
All CAW Local 103 Members
Greetings Members;
This week some of you may have begun receiving letters addressed to your homes from the U.S. based International Teamsters Union soliciting your support to join their union.
The Teamsters have sent this letter to you because of the current situation with their membership on the Maintenance of Way (M of Way) here at Ontario Northland.
As many of you may know the Maintenance of Way Employees here at Ontario Northland approached our Local with a request to change over to the CAW. They are looking for fair representation along with local autonomy in their dealings with Ontario Northland and told us they felt the best way to accomplish this was to join the CAW.
The Local CAW Executive brought the M of Way workers’ request (to welcome and encourage all M of Way members to sign cards to join the CAW) at our last Local meeting and the membership unanimously supported it.
There is large number of individuals within the Maintenance of Way group who have personally taken it upon themselves to talk to their co-workers to sign CAW cards and our Local has assisted these employees when needed. The campaign to join the CAW has been difficult for many Teamster members but they have persevered because they know their best chance for a better future at Ontario Northland is with the CAW.
Please bear with us while we continue our support of the M of Way workers as they move toward joining the CAW. Our advice is just to ignore the Teamsters letter and address any of your concerns to your Local leadership.
In Solidarity,
Your Local Executive
President’s Report
October 6, 2010
Read it here
Local Meeting
All CAW Local 103 Members Welcome
Wednesday October 6, 2010 @ 7 p.m.
Voyager Hotel
Greenery Room
123 Delaware Ave
North Bay, ON
- Roll Call – Financial Report
- Report of Committees – President and Units
- Unfinished Business
- Good and Welfare
- New Business
- Open to Member Time
- Closing
CAW Ratifies First Agreement with Brinks
June 15, 2010, 9:11 AM EST
CAW members at Brinks have ratified a first contract by 81 per cent in 13 locations across Ontario.
The 950 workers voted in the contract during ratification meetings over the last three days.
The new contract includes improvements to wages and benefits, with the extension of health care benefits to retirees for the first time.
"These negotiations focused on protecting historic gains, such as the pension plan and building for the future, including greater job security and representation in the workplace," said CAW President Ken Lewenza. "We wanted to ensure that the work our members do at Brinks is fairly compensated and that they share in the success of the company."
The deal also included a commitment by Brinks to create new full-time jobs and improved the scheduling of both full-time and part-time hours.
The deal was reached on June 11, 2010. The Brinks workers joined the CAW in October 2009.
Local Meeting
All CAW Local 103 Members Welcome
Thursday June 17, 2010
7 p.m.
Voyager Hotel
Delaware Room
123 Delaware Ave
North Bay, ON
- Roll Call – Financial Report
- Report of Committees – President and Units
- Unfinished Business
- Good and Welfare
- New Business
- Open to Member Time
- Closing
June 11, 2010
RESULTS
2010 BARGAINING COMMITTEE ELECTION
UNIT #12
Bargaining Committee members elected:
Member-at-Large: Germain Trudel
Member from the North: Kevin Murphy
Your new Bargaining Committee members will be:
Brian Kelly
Pierre Boileau
Germain Trudel
Kevin Murphy
Andy Mitchell
2010 Election Committee:
Moe Bedard
Andy Peace
Lynne Meunier
Bargaining Conference
All CAW Local 103 Members
Please Plan To Attend
Wednesday June 23, 2010
6 p.m.
Voyager Inn
123 Delaware
North Bay, ON
At this meeting the resolutions that the membership have submitted to the Bargaining Committee will be presented for discussion and membership approval. Resolutions approved by the membership form the basis of the Local’s proposals at Bargaining commencing this year.
Members who are planning to travel from out of town please contact your respective Bargaining Committee member for more information.
In Solidarity,
CAW Local 103 Bargaining Committee
Notice
CAW Local 103 Members
From Local Bargaining Committee
The Local Bargaining Committee will be accepting resolutions from the total membership up to 4 p.m. on June 15, 2010. These resolutions form the basis of the membership’s contract demands when bargaining opens in October.
After all the resolutions are submitted the elected Bargaining Committee will meet to put the resolutions into a report. The resolutions will then be submitted, debated and voted on by the membership at our Local Bargaining Conference held in North Bay on June 23rd at the Voyager Inn starting at 6 p.m.
You can give your resolutions to any member of your respective bargaining committee
or you can email them to caw103@ontera.net or fax to 705-474-5536.
The name of each Bargaining Committee member is listed below;
Agreement #1 – Debbie Graham
Agreement #4 – V. Kennedy or S. Caverly
Agreement # 5 – D. Breathet
Agreement #9 – D. Breathet
Agreement #12 – B. Kelly, P. Boileau, A. Mitchell
In Solidarity,
Local Bargaining Committee
NOTICE TO CAW LOCAL 103
ALL MEMBERS
AGREEMENT #12
NOTICE OF ELECTION
Election of one Member-at-Large for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee from the following:
Barry Bamford
Michel Boissonneault
Germain Trudel
Dwight Wagner
Election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee from the following:
Kevin Murphy
Gerry Wessman
NOTICE OF ELECTION
The Election Committee will be in North Bay for the election of one Member-at-Large for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee.
Date: June 7, 2010
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: union in-house shop office (Diesel Shop)
The Election Committee will be in Englehart for the election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee.
Date: June 8, 2010
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Mechanical Shop
The Election Committee will be in Cochrane for the election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee.
Date: June 8, 2010
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Location: Diesel Shop lunchroom
The Election Committee will be in Hearst for the election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee:
Date: June 8, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hearst Shop
The Election Committee will be in Moosonee for the election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee.
Date: June 9, 2010
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Station
The Election Committee will be in Timmins for the election of one member from the North for Unit 12 Bargaining Committee.
Date: June 10, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Bus Garage and Kidd Creek
June 11, 2010
Ballots will be counted and the results will be posted June 11, 2010
CAW Local 103 Election Committee: Moe Bedard, Lynne Meunier, Andy Peace
Nomination Notice To All Members
Agreement # 12
CAW Local 103
Two additional members to be elected to Agreement # 12 (shop) bargaining committee. One Member-at-Large (from the entire membership) and one from the membership outside of North Bay. If none from the North then a second Member-at- Large.
Nominations will be received until 4 p.m.
Tuesday May 25, 2010.
Please send all nominations by OCS mail to:
Stephane Perron, Moe Bedard or Lynne Meunier
to North Bay Diesel Shop.
Your nominations by fax will also be accepted.
Fax # (705) 474-5536
In Solidarity,
Stephane Perron, Moe Bedard, Lynne Meunier
CAW Local 103 Election Committee
May 7,2010
President’s Report
April 14, 2010
Read the entire report here.
April 16, 2010
CAW Local 103
Membership Update
Yesterday the Coalition made up of CAW Local 599 leadership, CAW National staff and municipal leaders from Northern Ontario met with Xstrata and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss the impending closure of Xstrata’s Kidd Creek Met Site.
The meeting was arranged through the Premiers office and was held at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
At the meeting Xstrata was unwavering in its decision to close the Timmins facility. They sited the high cost of doing business in Ontario because of high electricity prices, environmental regulations and a high Canadian dollar.
From media reports the Premier stated the government would lend assistance to find an alternative use for the Timmins smelter but would not act to stop Ontario resources from leaving the province for processing.
This is disappointing and in our mind sets a very dangerous precedent to have all value added processing of natural resources done outside the province.
As to the impact upon the ONTC we have not been contacted by the company as of yet.
In the mean time we ask that everyone stay calm, at the moment any speculation or rumours on job impacts or operational changes are just that rumours and speculation.
We will keep you apprised as events unfold.
In Solidarity,
Brian Kelly
President
April 12, 2010
Premier McGuinty Urged to Prevent Closure of Xstrata Met Site
Read the full article at CAW/TCA Canada!
Local Meeting
All CAW Local 103 Members Welcome
Wednesday April 14, 2010
7 p.m.
Voyager Hotel
Delaware Room
123 Delaware Ave
North Bay, ON
- Roll Call – Financial Report
- Report of Committees – President and Units
- Unfinished Business
- Good and Welfare
- New Business – Election Committee
- Open to Member Time
- Closing
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2010
GCA Responds to North Bay City Council Support of Rail
North Bay – The General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) fully supports North Bay City Councils motion calling for action by both the Federal and Provincial Governments in securing the rail infrastructure in the North as part of a comprehensive transportation plan for the region.
“We are pleased to see community leaders support a position the GCA has been advocating as well. The entire rail infrastructure is too important for the economic and social well being of the entire North to be either abandoned or underfunded”, said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.
“Rail is a key component to the long term prosperity of the North and requires government action to ensure that it remains playing its vital role”, continued Kelly.
“The Provincial Government should mandate its own Railway, the ONTC to play a larger role in the Region by providing it with the tools to expand into the areas that are now threatened by abandonment. In the case of the OVR it is connected to the ONR in North Bay and would require no additional infrastructure or equipment to operate and maintain”, added Kelly.
“The ONTC has played a huge role in developing the Northeast and we are certain it can do the same in other regions of the North. It is the only long term solution that can truly deal with this crisis” concluded Kelly.
The GCA is made up of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, United Steel Workers and Canadian Auto Workers unions who represent all unionized employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
For further information please contact Brian Kelly at 705-471-5263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2010
CAW Local 103
Calls Upon other Unions to Donate
To Local Soup Kitchen
North Bay – CAW Local 103 representing clerical, stores, rail and bus maintenance, on-board service, customer service and crew management centers at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is calling upon local Unions to donate to the North Bay Gathering Place Soup Kitchen.
“Our membership support groups like the Gathering Place especially in these tough economic times”, said CAW Local 103 President Brian Kelly.
“Today or Local Union donated $1,000 to the Gathering Place Soup Kitchen and we hereby challenge any and all other North Bay Unions to match or better our donation”, added Kelly.
“The people who donate their time and energies to this worthwhile facility not only deserve our praise but more importantly our support”, concluded Kelly.
For more information please contact Brian Kelly at (705) 471-5263
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2010
GCA Responds to North Bay City Council Support of Rail
North Bay – The General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) fully supports North Bay City Councils motion calling for action by both the Federal and Provincial Governments in securing the rail infrastructure in the North as part of a comprehensive transportation plan for the region.
“We are pleased to see community leaders support a position the GCA has been advocating as well. The entire rail infrastructure is too important for the economic and social well being of the entire North to be either abandoned or underfunded”, said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.
“Rail is a key component to the long term prosperity of the North and requires government action to ensure that it remains playing its vital role”, continued Kelly.
“The Provincial Government should mandate its own Railway, the ONTC to play a larger role in the Region by providing it with the tools to expand into the areas that are now threatened by abandonment. In the case of the OVR it is connected to the ONR in North Bay and would require no additional infrastructure or equipment to operate and maintain”, added Kelly.
“The ONTC has played a huge role in developing the Northeast and we are certain it can do the same in other regions of the North. It is the only long term solution that can truly deal with this crisis” concluded Kelly.
The GCA is made up of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, United Steel Workers and Canadian Auto Workers unions who represent all unionized employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
For further information please contact Brian Kelly at 705-471-5263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2010
CAW Local 103
Calls Upon other Unions to Donate
To Local Soup Kitchen
North Bay – CAW Local 103 representing clerical, stores, rail and bus maintenance, on-board service, customer service and crew management centers at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is calling upon local Unions to donate to the North Bay Gathering Place Soup Kitchen.
“Our membership support groups like the Gathering Place especially in these tough economic times”, said CAW Local 103 President Brian Kelly.
“Today or Local Union donated $1,000 to the Gathering Place Soup Kitchen and we hereby challenge any and all other North Bay Unions to match or better our donation”, added Kelly.
“The people who donate their time and energies to this worthwhile facility not only deserve our praise but more importantly our support”, concluded Kelly.
For more information please contact Brian Kelly at (705) 471-5263
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2010
GCA Worried About
Environmental Impact of Possible Kidd Creek Closure
North Bay – The General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) is raising concerns about the potential impact on the environment as well as the safety on our highways caused by the announced closure of Xstrata’s Kidd Creek Met Site.
“The GCA is concerned that the potential closure of the Kidd Creek Met Site will cause an influx of double tandem trucks onto northern roads hauling product to the Smelter in Rouyn, Quebec”, said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.
“This will cause an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and could drastically increase traffic volumes through communities running along Highway #11 and 101 corridor should Xstrata for whatever reason decide to move this traffic by truck”, continued Kelly
“At the moment ore concentrate, is primarily moved by rail not truck. Trains as we know are far more environmentally friendly than trucks. We are also well aware that our Northern highways cannot sustain any more truck traffic. It is a real safety concern”, added Kelly.
“It is imperative that the provincial government get involved and assist the community stakeholders in developing a business plan to keep this facility open. They must ensure the environment, highway safety and the future of northern communities are all carefully considered before ever allowing these multinational companies to make these type of decisions when it involves exporting our resources”, concluded Kelly.
The GCA is made up of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, United Steel Workers and Canadian Auto Workers unions who represent all unionized employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
For further information please contact Brian Kelly at 705-471-5263
UNSUSTAINABLE MINING PRACTICES HAVE CLOSED THREE MINES AND IS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS MINING EXISTANCE.
Xstrata Nickel is hygrading the natural resources of the Sudbury Basin by closing three operating mines and laying off 686 workers, focusing on only mining Nickel Rim South and Fraser Copper to exploit their rich ore deposits. When the rich deposits are exhausted, the poorer grades at Thayer/Lindsley and Craig mines, and Fraser Copper will be unviable and the ore lost forever. While this may benefit the already enormous profits of Xstrata PLC, it comes at a significant cost in jobs, lost revenues and taxes to the workers, the community and the province.
COST TO THE COMMUNITIES OF NORTHERN ONTARIO
In early February of last year, 686 ($75,000 per year) jobs were lost, which equals almost $50 million direct lost incomes per year to Sudbury. For each direct job, there were four (4) spin-off jobs (1.5 in mining supply and 2.5) in downstream consumer industries. That means another 3,000 more jobs and an additional $150 million in personal income, a total of 3,600 jobs lost and almost $200 million per year in personal incomes.
The provincial and federal governments will lose at least $50 million per year in tax revenues.
1,300 jobs were lost in Northern Ontario since Xstrata PLC took over the Sudbury and Timmins operations.
The closure of Xstrata’s Kidd Mine metallurgical site could cause the loss of up to 4,428 jobs and $152 million in annual taxes.
“Northeastern Ontario cannot afford to lose these good, highly productive jobs”, said CAW President Ken Lewenza. “Xstrata must not be permitted to exploit the region’s resources".
ON FEBRUARY 8th, 2010, XSTRATA NICKEL ANNOUNCED ENORMOUS PROFITS - $2.8 BILLION PROFIT FOR 2009, DEFYING EVEN ANALYSTS EXPECTATIONS!
Issued by:
Mine Mill Local 598/CAW
March 4th, 2010
March 5, 2010
CAW Local 103
Membership Update
We wish to provide the membership with an update on the status of CAW Local 599 fight back campaign to reverse the closure of the Xstrata Met Site in Timmins.
As you are aware Xstrata a Swiss based Mining Company announced in December 2009 that it intended to close its Timmins Processing and Refinery on May 1, 2010.
On December 15, 2009 CAW Local 599 which represents employees at the facility announced a community based fight back campaign. Our Local and the GCA have leant their support and has been actively assisting in the campaign.
Xstrata has steadfastly refused to rescind its closure decision. Local 599 has had great community support from the local population and elected representatives in their fight to reverse this decision.
Local 599 representatives and this Local believe it is time for the Provincial Government to step up and help stop this closure.
Both Local 599 and our Local will continue our efforts to reverse this decision and may at sometime in the near future call upon all stakeholders to actively support and lobby the provincial government to keep the Timmins Xstrata plant open.
We will keep you apprised as this issue continues to unfold.
In Solidarity,
Brian Kelly
President
Ratification Vote
Refurbishment Agreement
The Committee wishes to inform the membership of the results of the ratification vote which took place on February 2nd and 3rd.
The membership voted 78.5% in favour of accepting the Refurbishment Agreement.
The Committee wishes to thank the membership for its ongoing support.
In Solidarity,
Andy Mitchell
Pierre Boileau
Germain Trudel
Brian Kelly
Barry Bamford
George Pearson
Derrick Utvich
Gerry Wessman
Ratification
Contract Language
For Refurbishment Division
Agreement #12
North Bay
Best Western Hotel
Tuesday February 2, 2010
7 p.m.
Cochrane
Northern Lights Terry’s Steakhouse
Wednesday February 3, 2010
7 p.m.
Englehart – Wednesday February 3, 2010 – 10:30 a.m.
Kirkland Lake – Rouyn– Wednesday February 3, 2010 - Noon
Kidd Creek – Wednesday February 3, 2010 – Noon
Timmins Bus Garage – Wednesday February 3, 2010 – 1 p.m.
Members in Hearst will be reimbursed mileage. Moosonee members who wish to attend Ratification please contact Pierre Boileau at 705-471-5267 to make arrangements.
Local Meeting
All CAW Local 103 Members Welcome
Wednesday January 27, 2010
7 p.m.
Voyager Hotel
Delaware Room
123 Delaware Ave
North Bay, ON
- Roll Call – Financial Report
- Report of Committees – President and Units
- Unfinished Business
- Good and Welfare
- New Business
- Open to Member Time
- Closing
December 16, 2009
CAW Local 103
Membership Update
The recent news about CN wishing to purchase the ONR and the announcement of the closure of the Xstrata smelter in Timmins has raised concerns for everyone who works at the ONTC.
But I wish to assure members all is not lost, we have worked our way through difficult times before and will again.
The musings of CN President Claude Mongeau at a press conference that CN would purchase the ONR if it was for sale were just that musings. We have assurances from none other than the Premier of the Province that the ONTC is Not for Sale. This was reaffirmed by the Minister of Northern Development just recently. The ONTC has for the first time submitted a Long Term Business Plan to the Government of Ontario that was jointly developed by the General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) and ONTC Senior Management. This plan if adopted would provide for the first time long term stable funding for the ONTC.
Xstrata’s announcement of the closure of its Timmins Smelter has caused a community based fight back campaign lead by CAW Local 599 which represents unionized employees at the Smelter facility. As well the Mayor and Council of Timmins both Federal and Provincial Members of parliament and the General Chairpersons Association (GCA) here at the ONTC have joined that campaign.
Yesterday Ron Marleau and I representing the GCA attended a news conference of elected officials as well as CAW Local 599 leadership in Timmins. We all signed a letter calling upon the Federal and Provincial governments to stop the closure of the Timmins Smelter. The single largest problem with this facility is electrical costs.
The Timmins Smelter is the largest user of electricity in the Province of Ontario; the Ontario Government can have a positive impact on electricity prices at this facility as it owns Hydro One.
No one in the region will go quietly away on this issue so the pressure on the provincial government to help will only continue to escalate.
On the positive side the leadership of Agreement #12 and ONR management have agreed to jointly develop a business plan to help ensure that the ONTC is successful in securing the next GO Transit Refurbishment contract.
Chief Operations Officer Paul Goulet held a Town Hall meeting with the membership of Agreement #12 in North Bay with a voice hook up with the Cochrane shops on November 17th. This meeting was well received by everyone and we are hopeful that the momentum generated from this meeting will lead to the development of a sound business plan to secure the next GO Transit contract.
This contract is for 9 years worth of work and would establish the ONTC has the Premier Rail Passenger Refurbishment Centre in the Country. There is unlimited potential in Refurbishment business with hundreds if not thousands of Rail passenger coaches in need of refurbishment.
I wish to assure the membership that all is not lost and there are in fact opportunities to secure more work to keep people employed at Ontario Northland. At the same time a fight back campaign has been launched to stop the closure of the Xstrata Smelter. All the elected union leadership at the ONR are committed to working together to ensure a prosperous future for our members and the communities they live in.
In Solidarity,
Brian Kelly
President
Ontario Northland General Chairpersons’ Association
Media Release
December 10, 2009
GCA calls for Government Action to Stop Timmins Smelter Closure
North Bay – The Ontario Northland General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) is calling upon the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments to assist in keeping the Xstrata Smelter open.
“The loss of jobs at the Xstrata Smelter, tied with the negative spin offs in other industries such as the ONTC, will have a huge impact on the entire region which has been already severely impacted by the recession. At the ONTC alone the loss in revenues is over $8 million a year”, said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly
“All levels of government should be lobbying to keep this facility open, not only to process the local feed but to retain the ability to keep the processing plant available for future mines related to “Ring of Fire” North of Timmins”, added Kelly.
“This facility is too important to the people and the communities of Northeastern Ontario to be abandoned without investigating all avenues to keep it in operation. As an example, as the sole owner of Hydro One, the provincial government could have a positive influence in reducing electricity cost, continued Kelly.
“As the Provincial government’s development road the ONTC has a role to play in keeping this facility open as well. We call upon all parties to work toward maintaining this Smelter as a viable alternative to transporting natural resources out of province for processing”, concluded Kelly.
The GCA is made up of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, United Steel Workers and Canadian Auto Workers unions who represent all unionized employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
For further information please contact Brian Kelly at 705-471-5263
December 9, 2009
To All CAW Local 103
Members
As you are probably aware Xstrata announced on Monday December 7, 2009 that it intended to close its Met Site facility in Timmins on May 1, 2010. This will cause the lay off of over 500 CAW Local 599 members plus an additional 170 non unionized positions.
The affects upon Timmins and North Eastern Ontario will be large. The affect on the ONTC is not known at this moment but as everyone is aware this facility is one of Ontario Northland’s largest customers.
CAW Local 599 is in the early stages of a campaign to reverse the decision and this Local will do everything possible to support that initiative.
One of the problems with the Timmins plant is the cost of electricity to run the sprawling Kidd Creek facility. All the local Timmins feed is now planned to be diverted to Quebec which has far lower electricity rates than Ontario. This will clearly be one of the issues in Local 599’s fight back campaign.
We will keep you apprised as information becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Brian Kelly
President
