Union maintains high support level to EFAP across country The union’s involvement in dedicating itself to getting an Employee and Family Assistance Pro- grams functioning out there for the majority of members continues unabated. At this year’s conven- tion, IWA-CANADA’s national first vice-president Neil Menard gave the delegates an update on the past year’s activities. As of the convention report there were 18 Assess- ment and Referral Service Societies in 5 provinces (Zwelve in B.C., one in Alberta, two in Manitoba, one in Saskatchewan and two in Ontario). In B.C., although most of the ARS’s are facing de- creased funding due to downsizing in the primary resource sections, as a result a number of ARS boards are looking to increase membership in other smaller business sectors. In Campbell River, central and south Vancouver Island the sell-off of Canadian Pacific Forest Prod- ucts’ assets to Pacific Forest Products has taken place in the last year. Fortunately PFP is looking at participation in ARS’ in those three areas. In the B.C. interior Slocan Forest Products has joined the EFAP/ARS model in concept as intro- duced on joint EFAP in its Vavenby operation. In Ontario Local 1-1000, members along with workers and employers in the private and public sector in the upper Ottawa Valley area, are now covered by the second community based ARS for the province. Meanwhile Local 1-2995 continues in its efforts on a joint EFAP Committee at Spruce Falls Inc. In Manitoba (the two functioning ARS’s) are at Flin Flon, The Pas, and Winnipeg. In the Winnipeg area there could be added support for the ARS if Atomic Energy Canada joins the joint ARS program. Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan's ARS is going well with the support of IWA Local 1-184. In 1993 it ex- panded its area of coverage to include IVA mem- bers at Saskatchewan Forest Products Carrot River == 8/LUMBERWORKER/DECEMBER, 1993 ¢ National First Vice-President Neil Menard (right), greeted Terry Stevens, Director of Occupation- al Health and Safety for the Saskatchewan government. operation. There is also interest in getting a second ARS running in Saskatoon or Prince Albert which would service the Big River EFAP. This month, Brother Menard reported there will be the opening of the West Yellowhead ARS located in Hinton, Alberta, which will cover the communi- ties of Edson, Grande Cache and Jasper. “IWA-CANADA Local 1-207 and the CEP unions at Weldwood and Weyerhaeuser are to be commended for their diligent efforts in getting the ARS off to what is sure to be a successful start,” said Brother Menard. In Alberta the EFAP model has been running suc- cessfully for over one year at Weyerhaeuser Canada in Drayton Valley, Canadian Forest Products in Grande Prairie, and Daishowa in High Level. In other developments, Brother Menard an- nounced to the convention that the joint EFAP/ARS model has been chosen by the Canada Committee for the International Year of the Family 1994, as “an ARS exemplary leader in promoting family-friendly policies.” This should generate even more interest in EFAP/ARS model in the years ahead. The union has also given its endorsement to the “Edgewood” a new chemical dependency treatment centre in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, which is scheduled to open-.in the spring of 1994. “We understand that this centre will offer ser- vices consistent with the principle guidelines of the EFAP,” said Brother Menard. “We also see it as a means of supporting our members who are hurting from the disease of alcohol and drug addiction. In the past year Brother Jim Work, a logging truck driver and first vice-president from IWA-CANA- DA Local 1-363 has done a great job as Chairman of the Canadian Association of Assessment and Refer- ral Services, an umbrella organization of 18 ARS’s across Canada. IWA organizers fulfill an excellent year The past year has been a good one for IWA-CANA- DA organizers. In relative terms it has been a banner year for the union as over 2400 new members have joined the union. In his report to the National Convention, Organiz- ing Director Lyle Pona gave credit for that success to both national and local union organizers encour- aged and supported by local organizing programs. Brother Pona also gave special credit to labour law reform enacted by NDP governments in Ontario - and British Columbia. Both Labour Codes pose in- terpretation problems for the union but nonetheless organizing successes are up in both provinces. The union has continued to diversify away from the forest industry. “Diversification continues to be well entrenched in our union as proved by many of the new certifica- tions this past year,” Brother Pona told the dele- gates. “We have opened our doors to numerous workers who, in the past may not have been wel- comed as openly as they are today. Size of the (bar- gaining) units have also not been a factor in organizing, as most locals show a willingness to ac- e National Organizing Director Lyle Pona cept and seek smaller bargaining units. The Orga- nizing Department believes this to be a realistic ap- proach as industries continue to fragment their operations into component and contract manufac- turing. We now seldom see the complete product produced at the same facility.” In B.C., quarterly reports from the B.C. Labour Relations Board show that the IWA is leading all unions in organization activity with over 30 new units to its credit since last convention. Most of the success came after labour law reform which gave unions automatic certifications after a 55% sign-up procedure. “We have waited many years for that option which once again clearly establishes workers’ rights to representation without the harassment and trau- ma they formerly had with the certification process.” In B.C. Local 1-3567 (New Westminster and Fras- er Valley) led all locals in organizing with 543 new members in 15 new certifications. Second was Van- couver Local 1-217 with 239 new members in 6 new certifications. Local 1-424 (northern B.C.) reported 79 new members in 6 companies. Now when employers are charged, they are more likely to settle issues out of court rather than go through lengthy, costly hearings. Of 968 new members organized in eastern Cana- da, 34% are working in non-traditional areas. “In spite of the many positive changes to the Labour Relations Act our new certifications have not come easy. In continuation of the enormous publicity campaign generated by big business (in Ontario) in opposition to the Labour Act changes, they (employers) challenge nearly every application for cornea Jn Ontario, Local 1-2693 has led local organizing with 444 new members in 6 bargaining units while in Local 1-1000 organizers have brought in 6 new certifications with 253 new IWA members. The Organizing Department has been functioning with five national organizers and staff. In the On- tario region Harold Sachs, Rene Brixhe, and Mike Hunter have been at work while in the west Rick McRae and Brother Pona have been organizing. C