Thursday, February 25, 2010

February 25, 2010

Our show this week centered around :
  • Discussion about the narrow yes vote for the faculty at 24 Ontario colleges, accepting managements contract offer.  The Union thinks Fear was the motivating factor.
  • MPP Liberal member David Caplan (Don Valley West) introduced private member's legislation Monday that would strip Toronto Transit Commission workers of the right to strike.  We discuss the pros and cons of essential services classifications for certain portions of the working class.
  • We discuss a new study reported in the NY times drawing a parallel between job loss and health effects on workers being affected by this.  After 3 heart attacks by 3 men who all worked at the same steel mill that announced it would be closing.  
  • The Detroit area Progressives are showing signs of life with a gathering of 325 people gathering to answer the Tea Baggers at a “Call for Action” rally on the evening of February 18.  At the end of the article, a very important question is asked.  Is it time for more militant tactics, to demand the change we were promised in the 2008 election? How much longer are we going to wait?  INDEED!
  • The Greeks have what it takes to get change!  February 24, 2010 the two largest Greek Unions got together to stage a general strike!  This came in response to government plans to cut spending and push through tax reform to help the country pull itself out of massive debt.  Way to go!  We discuss how we would like to see this kind of unity in North America amongst our unions.
And here are the stories and links to them that we referenced in our broadcast :

Final count affirms acceptance of College offer
http://www.opseu.org/news/press2010/feb-24-2010.htm

TTC no-strike bill stalls quickly
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc/article/769949--ttc-no-strike-bill-stalls-quickly

Trauma of Job Loss Often Includes Health Problems - NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/us/25stress.html?hp

Detroit-area progressives push back
http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/detroit-area-progressives-push-back/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Greek workers stage general strike
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/02/24/wd-greece-strike.html



WOHIS Health and safety Minute: 

Please join us in a worker-friendly environment at the CAW Local 200/444 Hall on
Saturday, February 27th for the 11th Annual RSI Day. 

The "Workplace Design" workshop will run  from 9:30 to 1:30.  This Workers Health and Safety Centre program looks at some of the factors responsible for the development of Repetitive Strain Injury disorders.  Specifically, participants explore poorly designed workstations, tools and equipment, the work environment and work organization. 

Then from 12:30 to 1:30 there will be a Panel Discussion regarding the question "Isn't it time for Regulations?" since the introduction of the 2007 MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorders) guidelines.

The cost for this event is $15!  No charge if attending Panel Discussion only.  Refreshments provided.

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Then on Tuesday March 2nd the Workers Health and Safety Centre is offering Ergonomics: Injuries, Risk Factors & Design Principles training.  Participants will identify and discuss the many workplace risk factors responsible for the development of MSDs including repetition, awkward or fixed postures, forceful movements, vibration and inadequate rest.  Training is one of the best places to start any prevention effort.

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For more information on RSI Day or any health and safety concern, contact WOHIS


Windsor Occupational Health Information SERVICE - at 3129 Marentette Avenue,
directly behind Devonshire Mall, or call us at 519-254-5157.

Visit our website at: www.wohis.org



Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace!


Download This Week's Show (Right click and Save-As):
RIGHT CLICK HERE

Thursday, February 18, 2010

February 18, 2010

Our show this week centered around :
  • We start out discussing an article about PEIUPSE (PEI Union of Public Service Employees) strongly opposing a two-tier minimum wage.  What good is it having a minimum wage if you can pay below it?
  • Discussion on a report by ROC Michigan worker center on the Restaurant industry, Bad Jobs, and lots of them!  ROC-Michigan's study is entitiled: Behind the Kitchen Door:  Inequity and Opportunity in Metro Detroit's Growning Restaurant Industry.
  • We discuss an article from Labornotes.org about the retreat of Pattern Bargaining, what it meant in the past and what it has evolved into today.
  • The UAW-Ford workers are still feeling the high from their NO vote in October 2009 against concessions, the feeling lives on even now when management is trying dirty tricks, the workforce is emboldened by their win against concessions, giving them a feeling of power workers have not felt in a long time.
  • We give a quick update on the Ontario College Teachers looming Strike, looks like we are still in limbo on the ballot count, we will keep you posted.
  • We wrap up the show with an article posted on the Sudbury Star by USW local 6500 President John Fera rebutting the Vice President of Vale-Inco John Pollesel's comments towards International President Leo Gerard's statements in the media about Vale's unparalleled behaviour leading up to and durring the strike.
And here are the stories and links to them that we referenced in our broadcast :

PEIUPSE strongly rejects two-tier minimum wage
http://www.nupge.ca/content/peiupse-strongly-rejects-two-tier-minimum-wage

Worker Center Reports on Restaurant Industry: Bad Jobs—and Lots of Them
http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2010/02/workers-center-reports-restaurant-industry-bad-jobs-and-lots-them

A Pattern of Retreat: The Decline of Pattern Bargaining
http://labornotes.org/2010/02/pattern-retreat-decline-pattern-bargaining

Ontario college strike possibility in limbo
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/02/17/ontario-college-strike-postponed.html

UAW–Ford 'No' vote still echoes through plants
http://labornotes.org/blogs/2010/02/october-uaw%E2%80%93ford-%E2%80%9Cno-vote%E2%80%9D-still-echoes-through-plants

What happened to 'prized nickel producer?' -Column by USW Local 6500 President John Fera
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2450804



WOHIS Health and safety Minute: 

According to the  Worker's Health and Safety Centre, "large numbers of Ontario workers are exposed to cold work environments with the potential for developing a serious and even fatal injury. These workers include individuals who work outside in the winter months such as construction workers, firefighters, traffic police, forestry, postal and utilities workers to name a few. There are others who work indoors in artificially cold environments year-round such as workers in meatpacking plants, slaughterhouses, food processing plants, and dairies. Individuals working in garages and warehouses where the doors are left open in the winter are also exposed to cold, damp air."

Exposure to too much cold can cause bodily or mental strain. The most dangerous and rapid heat loss occurs when clothing is wet, wind is high, surrounding surfaces are cold, or when the body is immersed in cold water.  Various studies on effects of cold on workers show cold stress is a safety hazard. It impairs performance of both manual and complex mental tasks. 

Workers exposed to cold environments are at risk.  Unfortunately, Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act only has a general duty clause which requires employers to "take every precaution reasonable to protect worker health and safety." This would include working in cold environments indoors or outdoors.

The best way to prevent cold stress is to avoid, whenever possible, work in cold, damp environments and direct contact with freezing cold objects. However, for many workers these conditions cannot be avoided.

For continuous work in temperatures below the freezing point, heated warming shelters such as tents, cabins and rest rooms must be made available. The pace of work must not be so heavy as to cause excessive sweating. If such work is necessary, proper rest periods in a warm area must be provided. Further, time must be allowed for changing into dry clothes. New workers must be given enough time to get accustomed to cold and protective clothing before assuming a full work load.

The risk of cold injury can be minimized by: proper equipment design, protective clothing, training, and safe work practices.

For more information on working in cold environments, contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 - or visit us at 3129 Marentette Avenue - behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall.
Visit our website at: www.wohis.org

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!


Available Show for Download (Right click and Save-As):
RIGHT CLICK HERE

Thursday, February 11, 2010

February 11, 2010

Our show this week centered around :
  • We start the show with the recognition of Black History Month and read a quote from the actor Morgan Freeman who said on 60 minutes in 2005 that Black history month is ridiculous! "You are going to relegate my history to a month!" he said "I don't want a Black history month, Black history is"... everyone's..."history".  We find this quote fascinating because we are reminded that it is everyone's history, and the importance for everyone to learn it.
  • An article from the CBC about Canadian Firms now being exempt from the "Buy American" provision in the economic stimulus passed in the USA.  The article points out that companies in both countries will now have permanent market access to sub-federal projects.  This will take away the sovereignty of local governments to have procurement rules if they so choose.  Canadian workers will once again have to compete for even PUBLIC works projects against American multi-nationals.
  • An update on the Vale-Inco workers on strike who are about to take on the company's attempt at using replacement workers (SCABS) and the tactics that the Men and Women of USW Local 6500 are being forced to enact like picketing outside marked picket lines.
  • Electrical workers and their employers across Ontario have guaranteed labour peace for the next three years after approving a joint-proposal method of bargaining.  No-Stike.
  • An update on the Ontario College Teachers possible strike pending a strike vote coming in the mail.  The numbers are too close to tell.
And here are the stories and links to them that we referenced in our broadcast :


'Buy American' deal exempts Canadian firms
'Too little, too late,' say Liberals

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/02/05/ott-buy-american-deal.html

Vale Inco considering legal options after union sets up blockades
http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2010/02/picket-blockade100210.aspx

Vale Inco: we have right to use replacement workers at Sudbury operations
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ihqD6pp4mYZGVDzMgCevxepKpVqQ

Results too close to call for Ontario college teachers, Union will not know whether contract was approved or rejected for up to 10 days
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Results+close+call+Ontario+college+teachers/2547595/story.html

No-strike deal approved by electricians
http://www.windsorstar.com/strike+deal+approved+electricians/2550045/story.html

WOHIS Health and safety Minute:

YOU are invited to attend the WOHIS

Annual General Membership Meeting


Where:     3129 Marentette Ave. Unit 2

                 Windsor, Ontario

 

When:      Thursday, February 11, 2010



Time:        4:30 Refreshments



5:00 Meeting & Elections

(for voting privileges a paid $5.00 membership fee is required)

All are welcome.


For more information on working in cold environments, contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 - or visit us at 3129 Marentette Avenue - behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall.
Visit our website at: www.wohis.org

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!


Available Show for Download (Right click and Save-As):
RIGHT CLICK HERE

Thursday, February 4, 2010

February 4, 2010

Our show this week centered around :
  • We read and discuss an article stating that public sector workers are in for a hell of a fight against the government as it tries to craft it's new budget.  This sparks on air debate about the future of workers.
  • We also talk about the pending Strike at St. Clair College, OPSEU is bracing for a fight.  More discussion about the attack on public sector workers continues.
  • Spirited discussion follows reading a story about the Low-Wage service Industry.
And here are the stories and links to them that we referenced in our broadcast :

McGuinty, unions gird for a fight as Ontario deals with $25B deficit
Leaders told all options, including unpaid leave, on table as province wrestles $25B deficit
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/McGuinty+unions+gird+fight+Ontario+deals+with+deficit/2506645/story.html

St. Clair president appears resigned to strike.
St. Clair College teachers will soon be walking the picket lines if their last-ditch efforts to avert a strike are unsuccessful.

http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Clair+president+appears+resigned+strike/2510444/story.html


Restaurant Workers Launch Multi-City Campaign to Transform Low-Wage Industry
http://labornotes.org/2010/01/restaurant-workers-launch-multi-city-campaign-transform-low-wage-industry

CAW/Xstrata Deal Unequivocally Discredits Vale
This agreement clearly demonstrates that if both sides sit down and negotiate in good faith, they can resolve difficult issues

http://www.usw.ca/program/content/6374.php

WOHIS Health and safety Minute:

YOU are invited to attend the WOHIS

Annual General Membership Meeting


Where:     3129 Marentette Ave. Unit 2

                 Windsor, Ontario

 

When:      Thursday, February 11, 2010



Time:        4:30 Refreshments



5:00 Meeting & Elections

(for voting privileges a paid $5.00 membership fee is required)

All are welcome.


For more information on working in cold environments, contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 - or visit us at 3129 Marentette Avenue - behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall.
Visit our website at: www.wohis.org

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!


Available Show for Download (Right click and Save-As):
RIGHT CLICK HERE