VDLC Dec/Jan Update

TSSU is a member of the Vancouver District Labour Council (VDLC) which meets once a month. We have two open spots if you are member in good standing let us know and you can be voted in - this is where we get information from other unions around Vancouver!

In this issue: Municipal Elections, IKEA update, VDLC classes, New ESL Union Organizing, VDLC Exec Elections, new Anti-Union Legislation (C-4).

Municipal Elections
The VDLC is getting ready for municipal elections on November 14 of this year. We will be forming a committee for which candidates the labour council will recommend its members to vote for in the VDLC area (Richmond, West Vancouver, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver district and the City of Vancouver.) This will be presented in September for delegates to approve, and will be distributed to affiliates.

Education

VDLC will be running a evening labour history course with SFU professor Mark Leier Later in the year.

Disputes

The IKEA Lockout of approx 350 Teamster members since May 13 continues and is getting international attention with a delegation from Sweden in the fall. Members are urged to boycott IKEA until this is resolved.

The North Shore Winter Club lockout of CUPE 389 members ended after 236 days.

Organizing

Another 20 ESL instructors of a private school were organized recently. There remain thousands of ESL instructors in the Lower Mainland still unorganized so there are concerted efforts by BCGEU and FPSE to continue organizing these for-profit ESL schools.

VDLC Executive Positions

The VDLC elections for executive positions is taking place Tuesday Feb 18th. I (Murray Martin) will run for a member at large on the VDLC Executive.

Anti Union Legislation

Bill C-4 is the most recent in the wave of anti-union legislation put forward by Federal Conservative Government. One significant feature of this bill is it allows the federal government to unilaterally declare which positions are essential services, which will eliminate the current process where unions from negotiate this with their employers.

In Alberta Bills C-45 and 46 were rammed through in December, with no consultations from the unions. Provincial employees are already forbidden to strike in Alberta, and bill C-45 expands the definition of a strike to include 'any slowdown or any activity that has the effect of restricting or disrupting services.' It also makes it illegal to canvass workers 'to determine whether they wish to strike' and the freedom to express a view which calls for strike action.

VDLC Dec/Jan Update

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU)