Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Local 592 Email Distribution List
I am currently working on developing a Local 592 email list. At present I only have those that have a Catalyst Email Address. I know not everyone has a company email account. If you would like to have your personal email address added to the list or you would prefer not to use your company address please email me pete.rayburn@catalystpaper.com and let me know.
Friday, 20 June 2008
Jeff Power Memorial Service
Jeff's service will be on Wednesday June 25th @ 1PM at Yates Funeral Home on Allsbrook Road in Parksville. Jeff's wife (Kim) would very much appreciate it if any of Jeff's friends or co-workers would be willing to say a few words at his service.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Jeff Power Announcement
June 18, 2008
Jeff Power has passed away
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Jeff Power on Monday, June 16th after a long and difficult battle with Cancer.Jeff started at the mill in March 1989 as a Millwright. He started his Instrument apprenticeship in 1993 and worked in various areas around the mill as an Instrument Mechanic.
Jeff was personally accommodating and had an incredible sense of humour which saw people gravitating towards him. He will be greatly missed by all.Services for Jeff have not yet been announced but the information will be passed on to everyone as soon as it becomes available.Our condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Results of Canfor Strike Vote
Both locals 603 and 1133 have conducted strike votes. Local 603 recieved a 98.29% in favor and Local 1133 recieved a 100% in favor. There are some tentative dates set to continue bargaining with CPLP (Canfor) in June and July.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Employee Briefing & Dinner
All employees and their spouse/partner are invited to attend an employee briefing and dinner on Tuesday, June 24th at the Barclay Hotel banquet room.
Doors open at 5:30 and dinner will start at 5:45 p.m., followed by a 1-hour presentation.
Please RSVP your attendance to me by Friday, June 20th so that the appropriate amount of food and tables can be arranged.
Thank you,
Linda Flory
Executive Assistant
Catalyst Paper, Port Alberni Division
250.724.7089
Doors open at 5:30 and dinner will start at 5:45 p.m., followed by a 1-hour presentation.
Please RSVP your attendance to me by Friday, June 20th so that the appropriate amount of food and tables can be arranged.
Thank you,
Linda Flory
Executive Assistant
Catalyst Paper, Port Alberni Division
250.724.7089
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Board of Directors Visit
On Tuesday June 10th the Catalyst Board of Directors visited our mill to get a first hand look at how things have changed since the implementation of the new agreement. A joint presentation was made to the Board covering off what has happened since the ratification of the agreement and what will happen as we go forward with the ramp up of A4 and achieving the commitments made to the Board when applying for the CER (CTMP Upgrade). I believe they were very impressed with the progress so far. But they also stated that influences such as weak markets, energy cost, transportation costs, the dollar etc. continue to put pressure on us to be cost effective, but the new collaborative approach that we have chosen to take is the key to success.
They were very appreciative of the guys on the floor who took the time to talk with them and relay their thoughts on the operation of this mill. They were very impressed on how some people have taken ownership of their jobs. On the other hand they did compare this visit with their last one and in particular the chair tossing, door slamming tantrum by one of our members and are still questioning what that was all about. Despite the negative impression from that visit, I feel they left here satisfied if not impressed that we are doing what we said we would do in order to get A4 back up and running.
Pete Rayburn
They were very appreciative of the guys on the floor who took the time to talk with them and relay their thoughts on the operation of this mill. They were very impressed on how some people have taken ownership of their jobs. On the other hand they did compare this visit with their last one and in particular the chair tossing, door slamming tantrum by one of our members and are still questioning what that was all about. Despite the negative impression from that visit, I feel they left here satisfied if not impressed that we are doing what we said we would do in order to get A4 back up and running.
Pete Rayburn
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Marc St. Thomas (OH&S Committee)
ABOUT THE WCB
“The WCB was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The WCB is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.”
This next article is from the Public Compensation Coalition, it tells a little more of the story of how the present provincial government and industry has ruthlessly reduced the WCB benefits to injured workers. These policy changes have eroded the very intent of the original 1917 workers compensation compromise. Many of these large companies are foreign owed and have made huge profits from our natural resources. Industry seems to be dictating policy to the Liberal puppets. We all lead busy lives and the government banks on apathy and unawareness when making changes like these. The Liberal government and Industry have created a real false sense of security for the people of BC. We don’t want our labour standards reduced to third world levels. If you are willing to accept these changes then you don’t have to do anything. If you want to help regain the benefits that this government has taken away, you can make a difference with by going to the Public Compensation Coalition website and read more about the changes made to WCB and become a member of the Public Compensation Coalition. I ask you to do this is not only for ourselves, but also for the new workforce, our sons and daughters.
Marc St.Thomas
Fact Sheet
Since 2001, British Columbia’s public workers’ compensation system has faced legislative, regulatory, policy and organizational changes. These changes mean many workers are not adequately protected in their workplaces. These changes also mean that workers are not being fairly supported and compensated in the event that they are injured or made ill in their workplaces. Below are some facts about the changes, what they mean, and what might be in store for our workers’ compensation system.
ERODING OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM
· The WCB closed its world class Rehabilitation Clinic, moving rehabilitation services to other
public and for-profit operations
· First aid services have been contracted out to for-profit companies
· One-third of BC’s workplace health and safety regulations were eliminated
· Penalities imposed on employers have decreased despite an increased number of
recommended penalities
· Life time pensions were eliminated and replaced with a one-time post retirement payout
REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR REAL PEOPLE
· Only 39 Loss of Earnings pensions were awarded in 2006, compared to 927 awarded in 2002
· Formerly, disabled workers received a pension for life; now they receive a one-time lump sum
payout of 5 per cent of the total benefits they received
· The injury rate for young workers is more than double that of the overall population
· Changes to the appeals process has made it much less accessible to injured workers
EYES ON PRIVATIZATION
· Liberty Mutual, the second largest provider of private workplace insurance in the US, recently
conducted research on opportunities in Canada
· Recent developments could open the door to an employer-pay system where injured or ill
employees don’t file claims and employers have the right to pay benefits directly
· The current WCB board management says it doesn’t support privatization — for now. We must
always be ready to defend our public system in the case of a change to the board, or further
legislative and regulatory erosion
SPOTLIGHT ON CMS
· The WCB is currently developing an automated claims adjudication program called the Claims
Management System (CMS), which is budgeted to cost $65 million
· The CMS has the potential to narrow entitlements for injured workers, and eliminate the human
discretion to consider individual circumstances
· Those involved in the development of the CMS program have said that it could facilitate the move
to an employer pay system
“The WCB was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The WCB is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.”
This next article is from the Public Compensation Coalition, it tells a little more of the story of how the present provincial government and industry has ruthlessly reduced the WCB benefits to injured workers. These policy changes have eroded the very intent of the original 1917 workers compensation compromise. Many of these large companies are foreign owed and have made huge profits from our natural resources. Industry seems to be dictating policy to the Liberal puppets. We all lead busy lives and the government banks on apathy and unawareness when making changes like these. The Liberal government and Industry have created a real false sense of security for the people of BC. We don’t want our labour standards reduced to third world levels. If you are willing to accept these changes then you don’t have to do anything. If you want to help regain the benefits that this government has taken away, you can make a difference with by going to the Public Compensation Coalition website and read more about the changes made to WCB and become a member of the Public Compensation Coalition. I ask you to do this is not only for ourselves, but also for the new workforce, our sons and daughters.
Marc St.Thomas
Fact Sheet
Since 2001, British Columbia’s public workers’ compensation system has faced legislative, regulatory, policy and organizational changes. These changes mean many workers are not adequately protected in their workplaces. These changes also mean that workers are not being fairly supported and compensated in the event that they are injured or made ill in their workplaces. Below are some facts about the changes, what they mean, and what might be in store for our workers’ compensation system.
ERODING OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM
· The WCB closed its world class Rehabilitation Clinic, moving rehabilitation services to other
public and for-profit operations
· First aid services have been contracted out to for-profit companies
· One-third of BC’s workplace health and safety regulations were eliminated
· Penalities imposed on employers have decreased despite an increased number of
recommended penalities
· Life time pensions were eliminated and replaced with a one-time post retirement payout
REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR REAL PEOPLE
· Only 39 Loss of Earnings pensions were awarded in 2006, compared to 927 awarded in 2002
· Formerly, disabled workers received a pension for life; now they receive a one-time lump sum
payout of 5 per cent of the total benefits they received
· The injury rate for young workers is more than double that of the overall population
· Changes to the appeals process has made it much less accessible to injured workers
EYES ON PRIVATIZATION
· Liberty Mutual, the second largest provider of private workplace insurance in the US, recently
conducted research on opportunities in Canada
· Recent developments could open the door to an employer-pay system where injured or ill
employees don’t file claims and employers have the right to pay benefits directly
· The current WCB board management says it doesn’t support privatization — for now. We must
always be ready to defend our public system in the case of a change to the board, or further
legislative and regulatory erosion
SPOTLIGHT ON CMS
· The WCB is currently developing an automated claims adjudication program called the Claims
Management System (CMS), which is budgeted to cost $65 million
· The CMS has the potential to narrow entitlements for injured workers, and eliminate the human
discretion to consider individual circumstances
· Those involved in the development of the CMS program have said that it could facilitate the move
to an employer pay system
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