Security Guards continued from page eight processes for the most part,” says Lunny. “You might get some Crown corporations that want better con- tracts and fair wages, but they are the rare exception to the rule.” Lunny says the union has talked to some players in the industry - about the cut-rate contracting out nature of the business. “Even some (employers) see the need for stability in the industry and role of unions in eliminating the low-bid system,” he adds. “Unionization and better wages would put an end to the high turnover rate and reduce the costs of training workers.” “Companies should realize that paying somebody $8.50 an hour with no benefits and no transporta- tion to stand around in the rain is not a very appealing job opportu- nity,” says Lunny. Halliday points out that security guards are just one phase of the growing security industry which includes building security, automo- bile monitoring, domestic security, video surveillance and monitoring gateway access. The security industry began to first grow in the 1960’s and 70’s but organized labour’s roots are shallow in it. 5 It’s also an industry that has had decades to develop it’s union-bust- ing tactics. eing a union member has been rewarding for Brother Halliday, even though there have time-taking struggles through the Labour Rela- tions Board and in dealing with a tough employer. “It’s great,” he says. “Everybody here (at the I.W.A.) has been sup- portive and have made an effort to make sure our needs are being met.” “Going union is going to give you a voice that you didn’t have,” he concludes. a The union has taken out ads in local newspapers to further reach out to workers in this growing sec- tor but the contract nature of the industry may end up preventing large-scale unionization. “One of the biggest hurdles we have to overcome is the fact that the work is tied to contracts that can be cancelled and rebid to cir- cumvent our certifications,” said Lunny. “Without strong successor- ship legislation, which is not likely in the near future, it is a race to build up the number of unionized sites before the contracts can turn over to non-union competition.” e Empty lunchroom in the mill shows a wall with some of the many news- paper clippings highlighting the fight to save Youbou. Youbou Closure continued from page 6 past few years (some 170,000 to 180,000 cubic meters). Taking away the timber, how- ever, would split the TimberWest Honeymoon Bay crew in half. They are also members of Local 1-80. Loggers and millworkers met in early March and agreed to focus on supporting the community coopera- tive plan. A town hall meeting in Lake Cowichan on March 21, saw speeches by CLCFC chair Pat Fos- ter, vice chair Lorne Scheffer, Local 1-80 President Bill Routley, Cowichan Lake Mayor Jack Peake, Ladysmith and NDP candidate Mayor Bob Hutchins, Cowichan Lake Regional District chair Tom Walker, outgoing NDP MLA Jan Pullinger, NDP Minister of Mining and Energy Glenn Robertson, and Minister Zirnhelt. Mr. Hutchins put out the chal- lenge that if the CLCFC business plan were deemed viable that the government and the opposition Lib- erals, support it. A couple of days earlier Zirnhelt announced that the government was giving the cooperative $50,000 for further consulting and legal ser- vices to help further develop the business plan. Zirnhelt also said he did not rule out the possibility of government assistance and said that the Ministry of Finance would look at a business plan. But TimberWest stuck to its March 23 deadline to receive a busi- ness plan for a buyout of the mill and the entire TFL. “When the major employer in the region won't even negotiate the sale of the mill and wood at fair market value, then there’s something wrong,” said Mr. Scheffer. “This is not about the millwork- ers, it’s about the whole Cowichan Valley saying we want to work with them, so let’s get rid of these (dead- line dates) and make this thing happen,” added Scheffer. The town hall meeting, attended by 400-500 people invoked some response from the company. On the deadline day, March 23, TimberWest sent out a press release saying they would offer support to build a small specialty mill in the Cowichan Valley. TimberWest offered resources equal to CLCFC grants from the Ministry of Forest and FRBC. They would offer a capital grant based on net sales of machinery and equipment after they would decommission the mill and offer a” wood supply agreement for a “por- tion of its needs,” Announcing an important new book bout your union ‘he TWA i CANADA is highlighted ° 250 rare archival images clothbound book Avgreat gift idea i he / | | tases © Each IWA local’s story ° Deluxe 321-page 8x10 | ° Order today and save | $20 off cover price! I Retails at $50 | Special IW.A. member price of just $30 pus san i 7 Contact your local or national union. the IWA in CANADA The LIFE and TIMES of an INDUSTRIAL UNION by Andrew Neufeld and Andrew Parnaby QO Published by IWA Canada & New Star Books y and friends !! Workers Advocate continued from page fifteen This covers suspensions, layoffs or dismissals, demotions.or a loss of: epperinily for promotion, trans- fer of duties, change of location of work, reduction in wages or a change in working hours. Other discriminatory actions include coercion or intimidation, letters of discipline, reprimand or other penalties and the elimination om discontinuation of the worker’s job. The worker has up to a year to file a complaint against an action and 60 days to appeal the WCB’s first ruling. He or she can go directly to the WCB or use a grievance pro- cedure under a collective agree- ment: The burden of proof is on the employer to prove that it didn’t occur. The Bill also provides payment of wages for those who exercise their right to refuse unsafe work under sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the OH&S regulations. Wages must also be paid to work- ers for workplace inspections, acci- dent investigation or layoff due to loss of employment because the we has written up a stop work order. ° WCB workers’ representative Dan Barrett (right) was one of the work. shop presenters. 20/LUMBERWORKER/April, 2001