Seasonal workers Continued from page one sectors and regions of the Canadian economy. e The need to reform the way in which the current U.I. system is man- aged to ensure that labour and man- agement have more direct control over the design and implementation of U.I. programs. Under the current structure, the report noted, govern- ment is able to shift responsibilities that it must shoulder in other areas on to the U.I. fund. In doing this, the Working Group felt that the essential elements of U.I., its insurance pro- gram, was being undermined. The I.W.A. was particulary con- cerned about how the proposed two- tiered system would affect loggers and forestry workers. “If this plan is enacted,” said Gerry Stoney, National President, “loggers are going to be forced to pay an extra- ordinarily high price for simply work- ing in an industry where weather, fire conditions and other seasonal factors are a part of every person’s work year.” In its final report, the Working Group highlighted some of the specif- ic complaints raised by labour during the review process. Quoting directly from Brother Stoney’s comments at a hearing in Montreal, the report noted that “unemployment is not something that Canadians strive for.” According to Stoney, unemploy- ment is a hardship that puts immea- surable stress on individuals, their families and their communities. To as- sume anything else” he added, “is to grossly underestimate the legitimacy and motivation of millions of Canadi- ans who, at any point in time may find themselves without work,” he con- cluded. CP tere <& i a Site: = ti e Logging is a seasonal industry that has workers or economic circumstances beyond their control. Although the I.W.A. was pleased with the outcome of the Working Group report, the issue of U.I. reform is far from over. In reacting to the Working Group report Brother Stoney noted, “the Chretien government is not about to cave in on its U.I. agenda, al- though the Working Group has done a lot to counter the Liberals’ initial proposal for a two-tiered sys- tem”, he said. “Labour has to expect that the fed- eral government will continue to chip away at this issue and continue to look for ways to give workers less,” whom often depend on UI to get them through layoffs due to weather Fr SS Lie he added. “For our part, we will be working closely with the C.L.C. and provincial federations to ensure that ULI. is not gutted and remains an in- surance program for workers,” Stoney concluded. - Phillip Legg, Assistant Re- search Director ¥ Alberta fight back Continued from page one ° Local 1-207 President Mike Pisak. the employer wants to hire a qualified person he should be able to do it with- out unions.” Brother Deleeuw says this type of comment reflects the warped thinking of some members of the Conservative party in Alberta. “Employers already have a great deal of leeway in hiring whoever they want,” says DeLeeuw. “With union agreements we try to see that employ- ers respect the principle that all work- ers are treated equally and that seniority rights are protected. We don’t think that workers are dispos- able commodities,” After the vote to do the study took place Liberal labour critic Karen Lei- bovici criticized the Conservative agenda. “We shouldn’t mince words, this is the first step to union busting,” said Leibovici. “The government is cater- ing to the corporate sector and the ex- treme right wing.” 2/LUMBERWORKERJJUNE, 1995 Local president Mike Pisak says that the Alberta Labour movement is prepared to fight the right-to-work laws. The Alberta Federation of Labour is joining with the Alberta Building Trades Council to prevent the union busters from getting their way. Together they have formed the Alberta Workers’ Rights Action Com- mittee. “We in the labour movement realize that the Klein government is out to take away our rights,” say Brother Pisak. “Should they ever be able to in- voke right-to-work laws, then it will be even easier for them to eliminate jobs in the public sector, as it already has done with slash and burn deficit reduction tactics.” The AFL has requested to have seats on the committee studying right- to-work legislation. Brother DeLeeuw explains: “If we don’t get involved in the committee and we let the Klein government run the committee we realize what kind of report will arise. We need to be in there so that all committee members will know what it is all about.” Brother Deleeuw says that many politicians themselves don’t know what right-to-work means. He also says that the National Citizens Coali- tion, a right wing lobby group, has worked effectively to push the right- to-work agenda in the province of Al- berta and has plans to do the same in other provinces. “We need to expose the National Citizens Coalition for just who they are. What citizens do they represent? Just who is funding this organization? It sure isn’t ordinary working people by along shot.” The Alberta Workers’ Rights Action Committee is working on a program to educate union members, the public and the media. The program will in- clude pamplets, educational materi- als, a media kit, and a membership kit. The committee plans to put a lobby- ing campaign in place to educate busi- ness, politicians and the public. ae mittee. ¢ I.W.A. National Second Vice President Fred Miron is part of 15 member com- Union officer appointed to sit on foresty review committee The I.W.A.’s National Second Vice President Fred Miron has been offi- cially appointed to be a part of a 15 person Provincial Policy Committee to review the province of Ontario’s forest management policies. Brother Miron was appointed to the commit- tee on March 29 by Natural Resources Minister Howard Hampton. The new committee will gather pub- lic input on forest management issues and act as a standing advisory com- mittee to the ministry. Along with Brother Miron are people represent- ing industry associations, chambers of commerce, native groups, forester, trappers, municipalities and others. The appointment will last for three years and the committee will meet twice a year. All of this comes out of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act which calls for an increase in public input and ac- countability. “I intend to ask the policy commit- tee member to address forest manage- ment and planning in a broader con- text encompassing more than just timber values,” said Howard Hampton when he announced the appoint- ments. “We sell almost all of our pulp, pa- per and lumber products in markets outside Canada, and we need to be aware of what other countries thin of our forest conservation and 3 agement practices, the demand all over the world for responsible forestry practices and sustainably managed forests makes Ontario’s new law all the more relevant.” % _ The official roles of the committee is to “review and provide guidance on provincial resource management — goals, set objectives, targets strategies. It will also advise on development of associated i policies to outline the broad goals” other ministries and of the gover ment as a whole.” i