= Sister Jean Giles was a highly
respected and dedicated person.

IWA accountant Jean Giles
passes away suddenly

IWA officers and staff from the
national and local unions were
shocked and saddened when they
were informed that the national
union’s long-time accountant, Jean
Giles, passed away suddenly on
December 14. Sister Giles, who was
only weeks from retirement, was 64
years-old. A memorial service was
held for Jean on December 28 at the
Stanley Park Pavilion in Vancouver.
IWA Canada national president Dave
Haggard told the gathering that
Jean “was an amazing woman” and
that she had an ability to run the
office and “look after our money as
if it were her own.” Brother Haggard
said she would “look out after us as
if we were her own too.” Jean’s
passing deeply touched her family,
colleagues and friends. Born in
Stains, England, Jean grew up in
Canterbury. After being trained as
an accountant in London, she
moved to Geneva in 1962 where she
worked for the United Nations. Jean
made many lasting friends in
Switzerland before moving to
Montreal in 1970, where she lived
for about six months, prior to relo-
cating to Vancouver. She worked at
various accounting jobs before Jack
Munro hired her to be the accoun-
tant for the Regional Council One of
the International Woodworkers of
America in February of 1979. At the
service Liz Steele, a long-time
friend, recalled their many
Christmas get togethers, ski trips,
hikes and Jean’s enthusiasm for
theatre. Friend Shirley Sterlinger
recalled that Jean looked after friend
and partner Ed as he fought
Parkinsons disease for over 15 years
until his death two years ago. Jean,
Ed and friends would enjoy the out-
doors and visiting an area near
Mount Baker where they shared a
cabin. Friend Sheilagh Whelan said
that Jean was “full of life - when
she wanted to do something she did
it!” She was also characterized as a
“good, faithful and loyal friend.”
Jean MacKenzie, a friend of Jean’s
for over 40 years, recalled her family
background including an aunt in
England and cousin Jenny and fami-
ly, their holiday in Greece together,
and Jean’s friends in Geneva, Spain
and France. She added that Jean
was an organizer and “the glue that
kept us together.” Said Ms.
MacKenzie: “She gave so much. She
was my best friend.”

PHOTO BY BOB CARTER - COURTESY UNITED WAY OF LOWER MAINLAND

= Atthe Interfor Hammond Cedar mill, retired [WA president Jack Munro (second from left) met with the United Way committee.

UNITED WAY REACHING TARGETS AND SWITCHING GEARS IN DRIVES

Uniting the Way for charity

IT’S A CHARITABLE PROGRAM the labour move-
ment has been involved with for several decades. The
United Way, arguably the best known and highest profile
charity organization in the country, has benefited from
the staunch support of Canadian Labour Congress affili-
ates, including the IWA.

In last year’s intensive cam-
paign the United Way of the
Lower Mainland (UWLM), one
of the larger programs the
union is involved with, raised
over $29 million as a result of
»| widening participation of work-
| ers, trade unions, the private
sector, and the public at large.
IWA_ National  Secretary-
Treasurer David Tones says
that the union will continue its support of the United
Way well into the future, as it is a broad-based organiza-
tion that is respected by working people. “When our
members know that they can make donations that direct-
ly benefit ordinary working people, either to a charity of
their choice or to the general fund of the United Way,
which has hundreds of registered charities, they respond
positively. They also like the fact that only 10 per cent of
every dollar they donate goes to administration and
fundraising and the rest goes to on the ground work.”

In the UWLM there are over 5,000 volunteers who
join the annual fundraising drive in 1,200 different orga-
nizations, reaching out to some 10,000 workplaces. The
CLC has a Labour Participation Department which works
with affiliates to encourage fundraising at the B.C.
Federation of Labour, Labour Council, regional and local
union levels.

According to Ken Isomura, a labour staff representa-
tive with the UWLM’s Labour Participation Department,
there are hundreds and hundreds of labour volunteers
that help make the fundraising program work. Although
the United Way Campaign Team works year-round, the
intensive fundraising period for labour runs between
August and December each year. Brother Isomura, an
ex-officer with the former New Westminster IWA Local
1-357, says that training of volunteer representatives takes
place prior to the campaign start-up, and that the TWA
has a strong track record of volunteering.

Kim Pollock, the national union’s volunteer Labour
Campaign Committee representative, notes that
fundraising among B.C. coast affiliates was slower than

David Tones

usual this fall as attention was
focussed on negotiations with
FIR and the subsequent strike in
late November and December.
Some fundraising efforts may
take place in some TWA work-
places this spring.

Brother Pollock notes that
about seventy per cent of dona-
See tions come in from workers,

: either union or non-union. The
Kinirolloes other thirty per cent appears in
the form of foundation and corporate donations.

The UWLM, which is one of 125 autonomous United
Ways across Canada, has five major functions. It identi-
fies needs in the community; brings community part-
ners together; raises funds; invests resources where they
are most needed; and monitors the efficiencies of pro-
grams delivered. The four major areas where it concen-
trates financial resources on are: child, youth and family-
support programs; persons with health conditions and
disabilities; seniors support and poverty reduction. Any
registered charity can apply to an endowment fund,
which was first set-up in 1943, for financial resources.

For decades the IWA has been a major backer of the
UWLM’s activities. The late National Secretary-Treasurer
Terry Smith (also a former New Westminster Local 1-357
president), former national education director Frank
Wall, former Local 1-357 first vice president Joe Leclair
and Brother Tones, a former Local 1-367 and 1-3567 pres-
ident, championed the United Way for many years.

Retired labour representatives, including former [WA
national president Jack Munro, (see photo above) have
visited mills to spread the word about fundraising
efforts.

There are other United Ways across Canada. In B.C.
United Way branches are located in: Campbell River and
District, Castlegar and District; Comox Valley,
Cranbrook; the Fraser Valley; Boundary; Central za
South Okanagan and Similkameen; Kimberly and
District; Nanaimo and District; Nelson and District;
Powell River and District; Prince George and District;
Trail; North Okanagan, Columbia and Shuswap and
Greater Victoria. “All over the province and Canada our
members are active,” says Brother Tones. “They go into
the operations and the lunch rooms and offices to
encourage participation in the United Way. That, above
all, underscores the high level of support in the IWA.”

24 ] THE ALLIED WORKER MARCH 2004