May 27, 2010

Show Synopsis

• We discuss Buzz Hargrove's speech to CAW Local 444 retirees about the need to double the CCP contributions to ensure that all Canadians can retire with at least $24000 / year pension vs the current pension of $12000 / year.
• We talk about an article from the Globe and Mail in which points out the dangers of 2 tier health care systems, and the right wing's agenda to push for such changes.
• Loblaw's employees are under attack once again.  UFCW has already had to enter concession bargaining giving the company the ability to hire outside contractors to stock the SuperStore's shelfs and do inventory work, instead of using part time people.  An other reason to unionize Wal-Mart.

And here are the stories and links we referenced in our broadcast :

Buzz Hargrove calls on Ottawa to double CPP payouts
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Buzz+Hargrove+calls+Ottawa+double+payouts/3074730/story.html

Make rich seniors pay for drugs, health care report says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/make-rich-seniors-pay-for-drugs-health-care-report-says/article1582236/

Loblaw seeks union work rule changes
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/loblaw-seeks-union-work-rule-changes/article1578905/?cmpid=rss1



WOHIS Health and safety Minute:


It's surprising to be talking about heat stress in May, but, after this week's sweltering heat, WOHIS wants to remind everyone what you can do to protect yourself against heat stress:

  Drink more water

  Increase rest break periods

Reduce your pace of work and most important: Recognize the signs and  symptoms of heat stress, which include:

  headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, cramping, rashes, and fainting.

  Start a buddy system, since people will probably not notice their own symptoms.
  If you are suffering from heat stress, get to a cooler location and take a break.

  Employers have a duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.  This includes ensuring a worker is protected from heat stress by developing and implementing hot environment  policies and procedures.

  Heat stress is an important workplace health and safety issue.

For more information on this or any other health and safety related topic, please
contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 or visit us at 3129 Marentette Avenue (directly behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall).


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

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

The Shake Up
RIGHT CLICK HERE

All in a Day's Work

RIGHT CLICK HERE 

May 20, 2010

Show Synopsis

• Host of The Shake Up, Paul Chislett, has stayed over this episode as a Special Guest.
• We talk about the implications of the disaster in the gulf of Mexico, and I say we should treat the BP corporation as a person, try them for Criminal Negligence causing Death for each of the workers who died on that oil rig.  All because BP could save some money on the installation.  
• We discuss a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives looking at a 30 year high for economic disparity between the rich and the poor, in Quebec, Canada.  
• We talk about the strike that we narrowly averted in the town of Tecumseh, Ont.

And here are the stories and links we referenced in our broadcast :


Could These Corporate Failures Have Been Prevented?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-d-bass-phd/could-these-corporate-fai_b_583310.html

CBS Journalist threatened with arrest for filming Oil spill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReSMDCnI90U&feature=related

Quebec earnings gap at 30-year high
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/quebec-earnings-gap-30-year-high

CUPE, Tecumseh reach last-minute deal
http://www.windsorstar.com/technology/CUPE+Tecumseh+reach+last+minute+deal/3036076/story.html


WOHIS Health and safety Minute:

An Expert Advisory Panel has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of the province’s occupational health and safety system.

The panel will research best practices which improve workplace safety in national and international jurisdictions and will look at a range of issues including:

  a.. Safety practices in a workplace and entry-level safety training
  b.. Impact of the underground economy on health and safety practices
  c.. Legislation and how it serves worker safety

The Expert Advisory Panel will report back to the Minister of Labour in Fall 2010 with recommendations and options for operational, policy and structural improvements for consideration.

This opportunity to provide comments is the first of several steps in the consultation process to be undertaken by the panel.

There is a meeting of local activists being planned to put our collective heads together to craft the presentation that reflects our thoughts as to what we see as the priorities.  For more inormation about this meeting please contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information SERVICE - at 3129 Marentette Avenue, directly behind Devonshire Mall, or call us at 519-254-5157.


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

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

The Shake Up
RIGHT CLICK HERE

All in a Day's Work

RIGHT CLICK HERE 

May 13, 2010

Show Synopsis

• We discuss the Fabco Windsor Wildcat Strike on Wednesday Afternoon, and how Direct action is often the only tool workers have to fight injustice at work.  The 24 year veteran of Fabco who was facing an indefinite suspension, was back at work that afternoon.  Fighting Back Does make a Difference.
• We talk about the situation developing in Sudbury, Ontario.  The United Steel Workers up there are facing the bleak prospect of having to deal with Vale's despicable behaviour and decision to use SCABS to bring their operations in Canada back up to full speed.
• Talk about Strike mandate CUPE got from 41 inside and outside workers for the town of Tecumseh. 

And here are the stories and links we referenced in our broadcast :

Fabco workers walk off job
http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/Fabco+workers+walk/3020133/story.html

No ban on replacement workers: premier
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2575970

Tecumseh civic employees set to strike
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/05/12/tecumseh-civic-workers.html

Labour council targets Sudbury MPP
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2570477


WOHIS Health and safety Minute:

After yesterday’s horrifying news about the young dog, consideration should be given once again to our animal shelter workers and volunteers. 

Animal shelter workers and volunteers are at risk for a special type of stress called ‘compassion fatigue’.  Compassion fatigue is often compared to post traumatic disorder such as that suffered by Vietnam veterans.  Compassion fatigue is more crippling than the pressures encountered in the typical workplace.  Animal shelter workers must help the victims of injustices while also offering assistance to the perpetrators of those injustices and only animal shelter workers are given the task of ending the lives of some of those in their care.

On the job stress for animal shelter workers is an occupational hazard.  We should ensure that our local shelter workers and volunteers are provided with counselling and support on a regular basis to address compassion fatigue.

For more information about this or any health and safety concern at your workplace contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information SERVICE - at 3129 Marentette Avenue, directly behind Devonshire Mall, or call us at 519-254-5157.

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

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

The Shake Up
RIGHT CLICK HERE

All in a Day's Work

RIGHT CLICK HERE 

May 6, 2010

Show Synopsis

• This is the first time our Labour Hour is aired in it's new time slot of 4:30PM-5:00PM.  We now share our hour with "The Shake Up" with Paul Chislett airing locally 4:00PM-4:30PM, It's an excellent Social Justice program discussing the issues of the day.  If you listen to our show you will no doubt enjoy "The Shake Up".  I will post a link at the bottom of this, and future posts with links to both shows for download.
• We start out by thanking everyone who came out for the May Day Rally held in Downtown Windsor, we had a great turnout this year, and are looking forward to next year's Rally.
• The Oil Catastrophe happening in the gulf of Mexico is going to have devastating effects far worse than the Exxon Valdez spill.  They now estimate that the well is gushing 100000 barrels of oil per day.  We talk about the workers and volunteers who are going to be exposed to the toxic waters to try to clean up the spill.  Workers who cleaned the Exxon Valdez spill are still sick and are feeling symptoms.  
• Unemployed workers are turning to Independent Contracting!  Taking too much on, and put us all in danger.  I talk about something that happened to me today, about a small business contractor peel through a left turn, but loose his ladder and some of his load on his Unproperly stowed materials and tools.  He was on his Cel phone too.  This is the new economy Eddy Francis and his Neo-Liberal cohorts envision this city.  I for one would take good paying Factory jobs with good wages and good benefits before the false dream of independence that this service economy promises.  We workers end up often working for less than Minimum wage in a desperate effort to live like the owners. 

WOHIS Health and safety Minute: 

Free Workplace Violence Presentation May 6th

Bill 168, An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to
violence and harassment in the workplace will officially come into force on June
15, 2010. Representing the most significant change to the Act in almost two
decades, the new law sets forth significant obligations for employers. Employers
will be required to develop a comprehensive policy and program on workplace
violence and harassment.

  The Workers Health & Safety Centre will make a special  3 hour presentation aimed at meeting the information needs of worker representatives. 

  This free 3-hour presentation will include the following:

  ·        An overview of Bill 168,

  ·        An overview of what management will need to do to comply with Bill 168,

  ·        What evidence of compliance should be observable by workers; and

  ·        How worker rights are affected.

  If you plan to attend this presentation on May 6th at CAW Local 200/444 Hall,
pre-registration is required. 

  The presentation runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

  ***

  Pocket Ontario OH&S Act & Regulations 2010 - Consolidated Edition have arrived and are now available at WOHIS!

  

  Included in this edition, is the anticipated addition regarding Violence and
Harassment, to come into force on June 15th, 2010.

  ***



  For more information about this or any health and safety concern at your workplace contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information SERVICE - at 3129 Marentette Avenue, directly behind Devonshire Mall, or call us at  519-254-5157.



  You have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace.

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

The Shake Up
RIGHT CLICK HERE

 All in a Day's Work

RIGHT CLICK HERE