January Forward Look

It took me longer than I thought this first time and I haven't even had lunch yet. But, I'm pleased to say that the January Forward Look is now online. It may have some errors in it and it may not be perfect (yet) but here it is. With the different graphics and pictures and some scans it comes in at 882 mb so if you are still on dial up it will take a few minutes.

Note that the Agenda is still found on the last page.

Constructive feedback is more than welcome.

Now for some lunch.

UPDATE: I've just realized that in the conversion of the publisher file to a PDF, the Important Links don't link. So I will post them in the sidebar of the blog so you can still access them and I'll see if I can figure it out for next month. Fixed. Next to the name of the site is the WWW address that Adobe reader picks up as a link. Not as neat as I like it but it works.

UPDATE 2: January 16 - I've just noticed an error on the Agenda for the General Meeting. The motion concerning the Executive Dinner and Dance should be dated March 8, 2008, not 2007. I will correct it as soon as I can this evening. Fixed.

Raise the Minimum Wage Campaign

I'm working at getting the Forward Look online edition published, but while providing some links to the BC Federation of Labour site, I discovered their video below that I thought you would find interesting.

Local 592 Committee Elections

At last nights Executive Meeting a motion was put to the Exec to delay Committee Elections and Appointments until the April General Meeting. At this time it would be almost impossible to determine who will be remaining after the retirements and severances are spoken for. This will be comming to the membership as an Executive Recommendation and with your approval we will wait until April. Having said all that, we are also asking those that are currently holding commitee positions if they would continue until April. If you can't then we fully understand and we will make other arrangements.

Thanks
Pete Rayburn

January Forward Look Submissions

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY 2008 FORWARD LOOK ONLINE IS JANUARY 11, 4:30 P.M.

Please send submissions to tpthompson@gmail.com and put "Forward Look" in the subject line. This will help ensure that I don't miss your submission.

Below is a copy of the initial guidelines to help this go smoothly for me. I do appreciate feedback and the intention is to help make this as easy as possible for all involved, me included.

Thank you in anticipation of your contribution. Let's make the online edition a success.

In Solidarity,

Tim Thompson

The December issue was the final print edition of the Forward Look. However, it will continue to exist in an online format which will probably evolve over the course of the year. Currently, the Forward Look will continue to be accessible via this blog. In the future we hope to move to some kind of full blown web site, but that is a project for down the road.

I have been asked to look after the Forward Look for the coming year and in order to accommodate this there are a few guidelines and procedures that need to be put in place. So that my weekend is not tied up with an inordinate amount of time to get this ready for the Executive Meeting, I will have to be fairly firm on my insistence in following these procedures.

1. All submissions must be in an electronic format. This can be done in pretty much any word processor including Word. Google has a free online application that can probably also be used although I have little experience with it. Photographs can also be submitted and would be a welcome addition to the Forward Look.

2. Submissions should be sent directly to me at tpthompson@gmail.com and need to have “Forward Look” in the subject line. Your submission must be in my inbox no later than the Friday before the Executive Meeting. The Executive Meeting is always held on the second Monday of the month. This will allow for the printing out of the articles for review by the Executive and adoption of the Forward Look file before its publication. I will also try and post a monthly reminder of the due date.

3. If all goes according to expectation, the Forward Look should be published online sometime on Tuesday following the Executive Meeting.

4. Again, let me reiterate that submissions need to be sent to tpthompson@gmail.com because I check this regularly. DO NOT use my Catalyst email address. Articles will not be accepted if sent to that address.

I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation in this and encourage you to submit something. It doesn’t have to be long (in fact, short and sweet is usually better although I seldom seem to be able to follow that advice myself) and can even take the form of a “Letter to the Editor”. This is your Forward Look and it will be what you make of it.

Retirement Packages Timeline Revisions

The timeline for the packages has been altered to allow all the steps to be implemented before May 1st. They are as follows:

Step1:

• order papers for all 55+ as of Dec 31st 2007
• Get papers to people: Jan. 21st - 25th.
• Financial counseling : Jan 28th - Feb. 1st
• People to indicate intention by Feb 22nd for retirement on April 1st unless needed for training,

Step 2:

• Determine monies left from step 1 and determine design of possible enhanced severances Feb 25th - 28th.
• Severances offers out to all 592 members Mar 3rd - 5th with no guarantees.
• People to indicate intention by Mar 24th, to be severed by April 30th.

Step 3:

• Determine monies left from step 2
• further retirement packages offered to those employees that turn 55 after Dec 31 2007. Paper to employees:Mar 25th - 28th
• financial counseling Mar. 31st - April 4th
• Indicate intention by April 17th
• Retire May 1st.

Notice of Shop Stewards Meeting

To all local 592 Shop Stewards

Please note that the monthly Shop Stewards Meeting is:

Monday January 7th 2008

7PM

Hansen Hall

All Members CEP Local 592

As most of you are aware, Bob MacAdams has stepped down as Vice President for personal and moral reasons. I would like to thank Bob for his service to this local and membership. Also Brother Daryl De Rooy has asked to be replaced for the duration of his term for health reasons that will require his attention. Therefore we will be holding nominations for 1 Vice President and the Financial Secretary at the next General Meeting Jan. 21st. Both terms are for the remainder of 2008. Both of these positions will be extremely busy in the upcoming year. If you want to get involved and feel you have something to offer this local then please attend the General Meeting and let your name stand for nomination to one of these positions.