Beginning of a Web Site

I had some time today to do a little work on a web site for Local 592. I've played with web stuff in the past but just never kept up with it and I've forgotten most of what little I did know.

Initially I'm using a beta Google site called Google Pages. It's free and has some potential, but also some limitations (at least with my current knowledge). I have been using it to store the Forward Look pdfs for the last year or so and so the basics were already in place.

You can find the web site here. It is nothing more than an introductory page with a couple of links on it. This blog is far more advanced at this time.

I'm not really sure what anyone is looking for in a web site. I'm personally pretty hooked on blogging and so my mindset isn't really on web pages but, I guess it does provide a place for permanent pages like the Executive and Committee listings, pictures of the Executive (just what everyone wants) and important links and things.

For current, up-to-date news, the blog is still tops in my opinion because it is very easily and quickly updated, so I still think that will be the place for everyday stuff.

Anyway, I'll play with it as I find time and, suggestions, contributions and assistance is more than welcome.

In solidarity,

Tim

Rick Van Nice Passing.

January 21, 2008

Rick Van Nice has passed away
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the sudden passing of Rick Van Nice on
Sunday, January 20th.

Rick was a very well liked shift millwright who worked for the Company for 21
years. Rick’s high level of integrity earned him the respect of everyone that had
the pleasure of knowing him. He will be greatly missed by all.

At this time we do not have any service information to share but will let everyone
know as soon as it becomes available.

Our condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Board of Directors & CER Approval

We have been informed that the CER for the CTMP expansion did not go to the Board yesterday but will in fact be presented to the Board next week. The President of Local 686 and myself have been asked to attend a meeting in Nanaimo next Tuesday to go over the CER before it is given to the Board. Ron Buchhorn did assure us that this should have no impact on the implementation dates for the retirement packages.

Pete Rayburn

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.