Holiday message from Mark Hancock and Charle Fleury

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As the holiday season approaches, and as 2017 comes to a close, we want to send our warmest holiday greetings and our most sincere thanks to all CUPE members.

The past year has been full of challenges, as members across the country stood strong in the fight for fairness, respect and better working conditions, at the bargaining table and on the picket line. CUPE has led the charge against precarious work, and for more stable employment and retirement security for all Canadians.

CUPE members have never been in a better position to bargain forward on the things that matter most. As a union, with over 650,000 members, our solidarity has never been stronger. We are strong because of activists and leaders like you.

In the spirit of peace, justice and solidarity, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and the very best for 2018.

In solidarity,

Mark Hancock and Charles Fleury

 

Concerns raised under Ontario’s Occupational and Health and Safety Act

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In conjunction with concerns raised by the LDLC Health and Safety Committee, the focus of the following video is n relation to the contravention of the written policy I. It’s current state. Further concerns are raised within the included statements and the Backgrounder for Bill 177 section 30.

Most recently, our 2nd Vice-President, Len Elliot, was privileged to present a formal submission before the Legislature. The video has been included in the link to follow.

Here is his statement:

Today it was my privilege to present to the Finance Committee on Bill 177 Schedule 30 that would see the Deputy Ministry able to write Policy under Law for inspectors to follow circumventing the legislative process! Unacceptable!

video

 

Backgrounder;

On November 14, 2017, the Ontario Government introduced Bill 177, the Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures) 2017. The ombibus Bill proposes to amend 45 separate statutes. On November 30, 2017, the Bill passed second reading and is now before the standing committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Most notably from the standpoint of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Schedule 30 of the Bull seems to implement, among other smaller amendments, often discussed and long awaited changes I the allowable maximum fines under the OHSA.

Statement by Adrian Miedema – Canadian Occupational Health and Safety:

Schedule 30 to Bill 177 would also amend the OHSA to impose a requirement on employers who do not own th workplace (such as employers who rent or lease all or part of the building or facility in which the employees work), to notify the Ministry of Labour if the joint health and safety representative has “identified potential structural inadequacies of a building, structure, or any part thereof, or any other part of a workplace, whether temporary or permanent, as a source of danger or hazard to workers”. This provision appears to be in response to the tragic mall collapse in Elliot Lake, Ontario in 2012.

The Bill would also allow the government to make a regulation requiring employers other than constructors or mining companies to notify the MOL if certain events, described in the applicable regulations, take place. In addition, the Bill would allow the government to make regulations that impose expanded accident reporting obligations on all employers under sections 51, 52 and 53 of the OHSA.

Lastly, the Bill gives the Deputy Ministry of Labour authority to “establish written directives for use by inspectors respecting the interpretation, administration and enforcement of this Act and the regulations “ which must be “consistent “ with the OHSA and regulations and which MOL inspectors are required to follow. Interestingly, the Bill would not require employers to comply with those written directives, which would seem to permit employers to legally challenge the correctness of any interpretation set out in a written directive.We will have to wait to see what these written directives will look like.

Given that violations under the OHSA frequently relate to critical injuries or workplace fatalities, some commentators and critics have criticized the current maximum fines as too low to adequately provide a deterrent effect.

Tina Stevens – LDLC Secretary

Employee Skating Event

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skating poster Dec 2017

Employee Skating Event For additonal informaton, contact Social Commitee Chair Chris Ginty at ext. 4716. Come join a fun night of free skatng hosted by the City of London Social Commitee!  Thursday December 14, 6:00-8:00  Storybook Gardens  Free entry  Immediate family members welcome  Register online at our Eventbrite site by December 11  Skate rentals for $6  Hot chocolate and Timbits Bring an item for our Business Cares Food Drive campaign!