Petro Canada boycott
Panda boycott
Carnaby
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West Fraser killed this link Hank Ketcham on their web page, how ever we will keep it live on our website
TOTAL VOTES CAST-----287
YES VOTES------------213
NO VOTES-------------74
PERCENT YES----------74%
PERCENT NO-----------26%
You can return to work on September 16, 2003 Tuesday morning.
If you are not able to return to work call your supervisor and inform the company.
If you are not able call your supervisor Please call the union hall.
On Monday September 08, 2003 Richard Longpre made a mediators recommendation to settle the dispute. CEP Local 298 and Eurocan agreed to recommend Richard Longpre's proposal.
The proposal contains NO CONCESSIONS
We are going to get the package ready for the Wednesday September 10 2003 Membership Meeting.
As per our bylaws the members must have the contract for five (5) days before voting.
It is our belief that there is a deal there but we don't see the value in any more face-to-face talks if the company is not interested in changing their way of meeting. We believe only a 3rd party will be able to resolve the Labour dispute. We have offered the company the option of a mediator but as of today the company was not willing to agree to mediation.
We are meeting on Friday September 05 2003 at 9:00 am for more Exploratory Discussions.
We are going to try to get a better scan
2003 union position: Protocol 6
Both parties agree to a complete 'media blackout'
for the entire length of the negotiations.
On Friday August 15, 2003 I was invited to a radio talk show, Eurocan declined to go on the talk show, now they say, 'They did not want to negotiate in the media.'
On Tuesday August 12 2003 at 10:15 am a truck hauling acid crossed CEP local 298’s legal picket line. On Friday 14 2003 at 8:30 am Eurocan is bringing another truck hauling acid crossed CEP local 298’s legal picket line. Why is Eurocan bringing another acid truck in? Everyone we have talked to says the same thing, “Eurocan is just trying to antagonize the workers.” It is the same “Stick in your eye” attitude we have had for the last 5 years
Remember this: Company's Relationship Improvement Opportunity
“We are preparing a document outlining our proposal to deal with the relationship improvement opportunity, which we offer as the sole agenda item for this meeting.”
Slowly but surely West Fraser and Eurocan is losing all creditability as more and more people realize what they are like.
As of today we have not received any letter from the District of Kitimat.
The meeting went well, first part was dispelling all the rumors that where out there, of course most of them started with the statement “a staff person told me.”
We handed out copies of Rick Maksymetz letter of August 05, 2003 that dispelled the rumor that Eurocan wants to negotiate and it must be the Union that is the problem. Most people were clear in their minds; the problems we had in the past 5 years are the same problems we are having now.
This proves the company’s relationship improvement opportunity will mean 5 more years of the same stuff. The saying is, “a leopard never changes its spots.” Why won’t West Fraser put all the great things we are getting told in writing (in a contract)? They must have no intention of honoring it because if it is in a contract, in clear language the courts will force them to honor it.
The question you have to ask yourselves is “Why won’t West Fraser put it in writing?” Hint: if there is going to be a vote we will post it on this site
Thank you for your August 5, 2003 and July 16, 2003 letters to Hank Ketcham and myself respectively
Regarding your specific question to me “Do you want to get back to the bargaining table?” the answer is that our final offer, which is still currently open for acceptance by your membership, stands
Regards
EUROCAN PULP AND PAPER
Rick Maksymetz
General Manager
We have scanned the actual letter and put it up on the web site Rick Maksymetz letter of August 05, 2003 .
Kellie Ruff is will be willing to take on this responsibility. Thursdays and friday you can come down to the union hall and get some canned good. This is a joint venture with CEP Local 1127
HELPERS Wednesday July 30 2003 at 2:00 pm at Overwaitea we have a food order coming in and we had a great turn out people to load and unload trucks.
We also have had a few People mention, they need some work doing that need some Expertise. So if you need some help or can help out please call down to the union hall.
Also at the meeting we discussed Richard Longpre from the Ministry of Labour booking out of the attempt to get Eurocan to the table and what it meant to us. The direction from the floor was to stop thinking about a quick resolve and start planning for a long one. So that is what the executive is working on now.
Richard Longpre from the Ministry of Labour was involved in the dispute between CEP 298 and West Fraser. His position was not to negotiate a deal it was simply to get the 2 parties back to the table.
CEP Local 298 agreed to meet ANYTIME
CEP Local 298 agreed to meet ANYWHERE
CEP Local 298 agreed to meet with ANYONE
CEP Local 298 agreed to meet with NO PRECONDITIONS
CEP Local 298 agreed to meet “AND REMOVE AGENDA ITEMS”
July 22, 2003 Tuesday night Richard Longpre called me at home to tell me he was not able to get the parties to return to the bargaining table.
Why was Richard Longpre not able to get the parties back to the table? You will have to ask him.
What was West Fraser position on these questions? You will have to ask West Fraser.
This is because of what happened with the Petro Canada fuel truck crossing our
Legal Picket Line.
PETRO CAN
CEP local 298 Consumer Leafleting
On May 27 2003 CEP local 298 began a Legal strike at the Eurocan Pulp and Paper mill in Kitimat B.C. CEP local 298 has had a Legal picket line at the Eurocan Pulp and Paper mill in Kitimat B.C. mill site. About 350 members are out on strike over safety and dignity issues. These people are your neighbors and customers in our city
Friday July 18, 2003 AT 9:15 AM a Petro Canada fuel truck crossed CEP local 298 LEGAL picket line this is a Canadian Company and they have assisted Eurocan Pulp and Paper in prolonging the strike.
We are asking everyone to BOYCOTT PETRO CAN and PETRO CAN products
West Fraser Timber’s 2003 Second Quarter Conference Call
Hank Ketcham talks about the Eurocan mill strike
We sent this letter to see if Eurocan was interested in going back to the table. letter to Eurocan So far no reply
Richard Longpre Assistant Deputy Minister of Labor was in town to try and get the talks restarted between CEP 298 and Eurocan.
We had 2 days of discussions, of what could get the talks to begin again. These talks were interesting but unfruitful.
Currently there is no talks scheduled
Company's Relationship Improvement Opportunity
Now the company has a NEW “Relationship Improvement Opportunity” Eurocan is taking us back to the Supreme Court again. Because a fuel truck refused to cross our legal picket line, Even though the RCMP were there to make sure we did not do anything illegal. Eurocan is going to waste the Supreme Court’s time instead of negotiating in good faith with us. Slowly but surely Eurocan and its management are losing all creditability as more and more people realize what Eurocan is like.
The company's relationship improvement opportunity on a CEP 298 web page
The company and CEP 298 negotiating committee will be meeting July 8, 2003 at 10:00 am. to discuss, quoting the company:
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“We are preparing a document outlining our proposal to deal with the relationship improvement opportunity, which we offer as the sole agenda item for this meeting.”
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All the people of Hazelton are holding a picnic at the Carnaby Saw Mill.
We are all invited to go out and have a good time.
It is at, 11:00 am Thursday July 3, 2003 at the entrance
CEP 298 supports all the people of Hazelton.
CEP 404 the First Nations and the citizens of the Hazelton are fighting for the future of the area while the sawmills are all shut down logging trucks are rolling by to export raw logs. This means jobs, their children’s future and money is all rolling down the road and getting exported with the logs.
Instead of coming out the front door and facing the concerned citizens and groups Gordon Campbell crept out the back door and into a police car and was whisked away. So people started to call him “Back Door Campbell”
The CEP was well represented and we had the big CEP banner with “RETHINK, RISE UP AND RESIST” on it. A special thanks To Karl-Heinz Luethje, Terry Lam and Dan Belleville who proudly carried the banner. Even though it was short notice CEP clearly had the largest turn out. Partly because our web site is checked out by every one in town on a daily bases!
The Picket line Picnic yesterday was interrupted when CN came down with their staff and took Loci 1375 across our picket line. Our brothers and sisters in the CN unions refused to cross our Picket line. The members of CEP Local 298 want to thank all the union members at CN for their support.
Picnic at the Picket line
2:00 pm today bring the family
STRIKE STEAKS AND POP
June 11, 12, 13, 2003
G.M. Meeting with Dave Coles Thursday June 12, 2003 4:30 pm the meeting Will be at the Union Hall.
The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
We don’t have the official ruling but this is what we understand. The company did not succeed in their application, but we must let the individuals across until we get a ruling from the LRB. We are waiting for the official ruling with an explanation of what it means from our lawyer.
It is disappointing that the company is willing to do this and not willing to negotiate in good faith with the union.
The court action by the company over the contractors on site was not decided on Monday but will continue Tuesday
The court action by the company over the contractors on site was not decided on Friday but will continue Monday
Why has the company not put these union positions in the news paper? Probably because it does not fit with the misinformation the company is pedaling. If they can get the public believing a lie then people will attack the union.
Why did they not close Smithers mill? Probably because no one from Smithers would be able to put pressure on us, but closing the Terrace mill and guess what happens?
It is disappointing that the company is more interested in stalling by going to the LRB and the B.C. Supreme Court, than sit down with the union and bargain in good faith to get a contract that both parties can live with. In our opinion it is because they don’t know how to negotiate.
Some of the items other mills in the province have got, Blue Net Card, full benefits for retirees, the 4- 10 work week and no concessions. They have the Blue Net Card else where in west Fraser why can’t we have it here?
Since the Union turned down the company's final offer on May 27, 2003 the company has not talked to us about further Negotiations.
MAY 31, 2003
People have been calling and asking if there is anything the members on the line need. I asked them and they said "fire wood, hot dogs and buns"
MAY 29, 2003
The question has been asked, “What will it take to settle the dispute that we are engaged in?” Your bargaining committee has made it clear to the company bargaining committee that to settle this dispute they will need to address your concerns in regards to safety, training, seniority, dignity in the workplace and that there will be no concessions on any part of the agreement. The Norske pattern was based on the premise that there would be no concessions; West Fraser and Kent Elliott are clearly demanding concessions.
We are continually asked about our outstanding demands on monetary issues and we have made it clear to the employer that money is not our main concern. Safety, training, seniority, dignity in the workplace and language issues are what is important to us. The workers that have retired from CEP Local 298 and Eurocan who built Eurocan are important to us. The company is putting out the spin that money issues are the only things the union is interested. The company knows this is not the case; this is another West Fraser and Kent Elliott strategy to spread misinformation.
We have shown the company what is necessary to allow the wounds of the last five years to heal and the blue print that needs to be put in place place to rebuild trust. Both parties agree trust will be necessary for Eurocan to be successful for another thirty years and for all workers at Eurocan to have dignity in the workplace.
MAY 27, 2003
ELIGIBLE VOTERS-----360
VOTES POLLED---310
YES----87---28%
NO----223---72%
SPOILED----0
86% OF LOCAL 298 VOTED
THE OFFER WAS REJECTED BY 72%
May 21, 2003
For 5 years West Fraser and Kent Elliot could not be trusted but now West Fraser and Kent Elliot say "TRUST ME" for the next 5 years.
Do they trust your negotiating committee? .
Do they trust you? NO! West Fraser and Kent Elliot are treating you like children. So they want grown ups to make sure you vote right.
West Fraser and Kent Elliot are telling you they are offering the Norski deal. The Norski deal is a NO CONCESSIONS DEAL. West Fraser and Kent Elliot want concessions.
West Fraser and Kent Elliot have not addressed your agenda items. The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Safety,------ The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Training, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Seniority,------ The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Blue Net card, ------The companies' answer is "NO" employees will forget to claim so we get to keep the money
Apprenticeships, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Relief supervision. ------The companies' answer is "NO"
Line of progression, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Safe manning levels, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
False job qualifications, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
A fair discipline process, ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME"
Acceptable Benefits for retirees, ------The companies' answer is "NO" They get enough.
And Clear no cost language, etc. ------The companies' answer is "NO" "TRUST ME
May 20, 2003
It is only Kent Elliot's culpability in the behavior of the Eurocan Pulp and Paper management team that prevents him from reaching an agreement with us over our contract language items. Kent Elliot and those like him are responsible for the unfair and unsafe working conditions in the mill for the last five years.
West Fraser and Kent Elliot are not moving on language positions. We have given them every opportunity to look for a resolve that meets your needs while addressing theirs. West Fraser and Kent Elliot have not addressed your agenda items, Safety, Seniority, Line of progression, Training, False job qualifications, Apprenticeships, Safe manning levels, Acceptable Benefits for retirees, Blue Net card, A fair discipline process and Clear no cost language, etc.
West Fraser and Kent Elliot have only one way to maintain the existing unfair and unsafe working conditions, and that way is to somehow lower our resolve, our resolve which has been forged in the last five years, it will not be broken in the last hours of this negotiations.
11% NO
72 HR. STRIKE NOTICE WAS SERVED AT
10:11 AM TUESDAY MAY 20 2003
The company refuses to pay the workers benefits and the worker pays the employer back after the strike or lock out.
The Union pays the benefits and the workers pay The Union back after the strike or lock out if no protocol is in place.
You should go into the bank and talk to them about your mortgage during a strike or lockout.
Strike pay will be $250.00 per week the usual rules apply, member in good standing, signed up for picket duty, etc.
On Wednesday Kent Elliot was challenged on false claims he had made the previous week. He had agreed to provide evidence to back up his false claims and he has not. He was told he would not be allowed to make false claims at the negotiating table.
Once again Kent Elliot has attempted to make a false claim while at the negotiating table. During a discussion on strike protocol Kent Elliot said that Local 298 delegates had proposed illegal picket lines as a threat. This is false. When asked for a copy of the company's meeting notes that would support the company claim, Kent Elliot refused to provide them.
In the past Local 298 picket lines have been token affairs, under law we are allowed a full moving picket line across all mill access points. We have said that if the company pays the health and welfare benefits of Local 298 members during a strike, if one occurs, the members will repay this amount to the company during the first six months when they return to work. Kent Elliot is not interested in a token picket line; whatever is allowed by law is his standard. We believe this is not good for the community. We offered to meet on Monday and the company refused, your delegates will be meeting with the company after the strike vote.
Ballet vote will be held at 3 meeting in the union hall on:
April 28, 2003 at:
2:00 pm 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
For vote meeting times and dates
Peter G. King
President CEP 298
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