UPDATED ON October 4, 2006
RESOLUTIONS
PASSED AT
THE 2005 PEI FEDERATION OF LABOUR CONVENTION
RESOLUTION - 2005 -THREE DAY WAITING PERIOD - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS workers in PEI, when injured are hit with a three day waiting
period where they receive no benefits and they have to rely on their
sick benefits if they are available to them or stay at work injured;
and
WHEREAS this three day waiting period probably incurs greater costs on
our public medicare system while employers save money; and
WHEREAS it is clear that some employers are using the three day waiting
period as a mean to intimidate employees of under-reporting accidents
in order to maintain a lower assessment rate; and
WHEREAS reported claims have drop significantly since the introduction
of the three days waiting period, leaving us to believe workplace
accidents are being under reported;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEI Federation of Labour continue to
lobby the provincial government to remove the three days waiting period
from the Workers Compensation Board.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - WCB and COLLATERAL BENEFITS - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS when a worker is hurt on the job, he or she is entitled to workers compensation, and
WHEREAS severance pay is something that is earned throughout the
workers employment and therefore should not be considered collateral
benefits and deducted from the workers’ WCB claim;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour lobby the
provincial government to remove severance pay as a collateral benefit
from the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - Overtime - Submitted by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 864 (back to top)
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Whereas under the Provincial Employments Standards Act
certain overtime exemptions are currently under Section 15 to certain
industries in regard to overtime of up to 75 hours per week before
overtime is paid; and
Whereas one of these exempted industries i.e. community care facility workers was reviewed this year; and
Whereas the Provincial Employment Standards Act currently
sets the standard work week hours at 48 hours of work in a week before
overtime is paid;
Therefore be it resolved that the P.E.I.
Federation of Labour lobby the provincial government to remove all
Section 15 exemptions from the Provincial Employment Standards Act in
regard to the overtime regulation; and
Be it further resolved that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour
lobby the provincial government to reduce what is considered the
standard work week in the Provincial Employment Standards Act from 48
hours to 40 hours a week before overtime is paid.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
Emergency Resolution - Labour Relations Board - Submitted by IUOE Local 942 (back to top)
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Whereas the PEI Labour Relations Board is comprised of an equal number of employer and labour representatives; and
Whereas some of the senior labour representatives’ appointments are expiring; and
Whereas two of those representatives, Brother Crockett and
Brother McBride have served on the Board for a period of 17 and 19
years respectively, and are otherwise still active within the labour
movement; and
Whereas Brother Crockett and Brother McBride are not being reappointed; And
Whereas two other long service members, Judy Goodwin and
Brian Moriarity, were recently replaced by two inexperienced union
members, one of which has never worker under the Labour Act; and
Whereas the IUOE Local 942 has written twice to the Minister
Responsible for Labour to ensure that both Brother Crockett and Brother
McBride are reappointed in light of the complexities surrounding labour
relations, their personal knowledge and experience and the need for
stability and fairness; and
Whereas the Minister responded that it was important that there is a regular turnover of Board members; and
Whereas the IUOE Local 942 requested that the PEI Federation
of Labour send a letter to the Minister Responsible for Labour
supporting the reappointment of Brothers Crockett and McBride as panel
members;
Therefore be it resolved that the PEI Federation of Labour
send a letter to the Minister Responsible for Labour insisting in the
strongest possible terms that Brother Crockett and Brother McBride be
reappointed; and
Be it further resolved that should the Minister Responsible
ignore or refuse this request, that the Federation publicly petition
the Premier to have the Minister Responsible replaced.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - GLOBALIZATION - Submitted by the PEIFL Executive Council (back to top)
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WHEREAS the General Agreement on Trades and Services, Free Trade
Agreement of the Americas and other so-called free trade agreements are
really about placing the rights of corporations above
workers; And
WHEREAS minimum labour standards in these agreements would not be
meaningful when the point of these initiatives is to reduce labour
rights and lower wages; And
WHEREAS the labour movement opposes so-called free trade initiatives
and supports fair trade that promotes regional industrial development;
expansion of the public sector and economic diversification;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour oppose
trade agreements like the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and the
General Agreement on Trades and Services, and clearly state that labour
will neither be bought off by nor isolated from our allies by the
inclusion of minimum labour standards in such agreements.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - FERRY REPLACEMENT - Submitted by Canadian Auto Workers Local 4508 & Canadian Merchant Guild (back to top)
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WHEREAS the continued ferry service between Wood Islands, Prince Edward
Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia has been confirmed this year as being a
priority of the provincial and federal government; And
WHEREAS both the provincial and federal governments recognize the
Northumberland Ferry Service as being a priority transportation service
to economic growth in Eastern Prince Edward Island;
And
WHEREAS one of the current ferries on this service, namely the Holiday
Island, is an aging vessel and is proving costly to maintain and should
be soon replaced as soon as possible;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of
Labour support any effort by Northumberland Ferries Ltd to engage the
Federal Department of Transport to secure a replacement vessel for the
Holiday Island.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - IMMIGRATION - 2005 - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS the P.E.I. Federation of Labour recognizes that the current
working population of P.E.I. is shrinking without new immigrants; and
WHEREAS we have a large out migration of youth to seek employment
elsewhere including areas like the trades where we may experience
shortages in the future; and
WHEREAS the cost of post secondary education leaves students with crippling debt burdens; and
WHEREAS newcomers to P.E.I. have access to a limited range of services
they need such as ESL training and other settlement services; and
WHEREAS the Federal Immigration Office no longer provides direct public
services with the direct public services with the closure of public
hours at its offices in Charlottetown;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour call upon
the provincial government to enact labour laws and programs which would
encourage youth to remain in P.E.I. and encourage new immigrants to
stay here i.e. institute a fair wage policy, enhance labour standards
legislation;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the province increase funding for services
to newcomers by ensuring we have adult education and ESL programs
available to meet their needs and we increase funding to settlement
agencies;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province find ways to ensure young
people who stay here have the same opportunities as they do elsewhere
by ensuring they are paid a fair wage in construction and other
occupations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province will recognize the skills, talents and credentials of newcomers to P.E.I.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION ON CHILD CARE - 2005 - Submitted by CUPE Local 3260 (Education Assistants and Youth Service Workers) (back to top)
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WHEREAS the federal, provincial, territorial governments have failed to
sign an agreement on a national child care system based on the QUAD
principles with legislation and strong accountability measures; and
WHEREAS the $5 billion announced in the federal budget over 5 years for
early learning and care did not set any concrete conditions for how the
money is to be spent;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation undertake a
campaign to engage all its affiliated members to take part in
pressuring the provincial government to sign a
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Agreement with accountability measures;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour lobby the
provincial government to put in place a concrete plan with timelines
and timetables for establishing a regulated high quality child care
program based on QUAD principles of quality, universality, accessible
and developmental programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour work with
and commit resources to a provincial campaign with coalition partners,
including the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada and other
labour bodies including labour councils and federations on labour to
engage the broader public in pressuring the provincial government for a
non profit child care system.
Motion by S. MacKay (UPSE) to refer the resolution back to committee to
add phased in non profit child care system. Seconded by L.
Cheverie (CUPE) Carried
Should read:
Be it further resolved that the PEI Federation of Labour work with and
commit resources to a provincial campaign with coalition partners,
including the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada and other
labour bodies including labour councils and federations of labour to
engage the broader public in pressuring the provincial government for a
phased in non profit child care system.
RESOLUTION - POVERTY - 2005 - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS the labour movement has always had the mandate to fight for social justice; and
WHEREAS there are thousands of workers and their families living on the minimum wage and social assistance; and
WHEREAS the level of poverty has not decreased and our governments and
corporations do not want to bring meaningful changes to help these
workers; and
WHEREAS there is a need to continue the discussion on concrete ways to advance the fight against poverty; and
WHEREAS P.E.I. workers have some of the lowest wages in the country on
average both on an hourly and annual basis; and
WHEREAS demands on the working poor to meet basic needs has been
stretched to the limit as record numbers of Islanders depend on food
banks and soup kitchens to meet their needs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour support
organizations fighting poverty including continuing to support work of
the P.E.I. Working Group for a Livable Income and the work of its
member organizations including National Anti-poverty organizations
(NAPO) and ALERT;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour organize a
forum with other organizations to look at common ways to reduce poverty
on the Island.
Convention Decision: Concurrence Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - STATUTORY HOLIDAY - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS the number of statutory holidays provided for in our Labour
Standards Act currently provides for six (6) days off with
pay; and
WHEREAS P.E.I. has one of the lowest statutory holidays in Canada; and
WHEREAS holidays provide workers with much needed time with their
families or loved ones and also much needed rest; and
WHEREAS Thanksgiving Day is recognized by most of Canadian jurisdictions as a holiday;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour lobby the
Provincial government to add Thanksgiving Day as a seven (7) statutory
holiday.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - 2005 - TWO-TIER MINIMUM WAGE - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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WHEREAS some workers on P.E.I. receive minimum wage, and
WHEREAS the present government is re-visiting the issue of a two tier minimum wage; and
WHEREAS the PEI Federation of Labour fought hard to rid P.E.I. of a two tier minimum wage;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour denounce
any move to have a two-tier minimum wage and make this an election
issue in the next provincial election to ensure that no party
contemplates a two-tier minimum wage on P.E.I.;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PEI Federation of Labour push to have the minimum wage increased to $9.40 per hour.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - 2005 - PLEBISCITE ON ELECTORAL REFORM - Submitted by Executive Council PEIFL (back to top)
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Whereas the Province of Prince Edward Island is conducting a plebiscite on electoral reform on November 28; and
Whereas the P.E.I. Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour
Congress and many of its affiliates are in favour of the introduction
of a system of proportional representation to make elections fairer; and
Whereas the worst attacks against labour in this province
has taken place when provincial governments have had large false
majorities in the House of Assembly with few opposition members (i.e.
7.5% rollback, Polar Foods fiasco, program renewal); and
Whereas many social and community groups including labour
are advocating for a fairer system where more voices are represented in
the Legislature; and
Whereas the Binns Government has taken the unprecedented
step of requiring 60% of voters to vote yes as well as have 60% of
district vote yes in this plebiscite and at the same time reduced
resources to effectively inform Islanders and provide the usual number
of polling stations on November 28;
Therefore be it resolved that the P.E.I. Federation of
Labour call upon the province to recognize that if 50% of Islanders
plus 1 vote in favor of MMP that it should be implemented before the
next provincial election; and
Be it further resolved that the province restore funding so
that this plebiscite have the same resources as our previous plebiscite
as well as our provincial election campaigns
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - 2005 - POST OFFICE & PLANT CLOSURES - Submitted by CUPW - SUMMERSIDE (back to top)
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WHEREAS Canada Post is reviewing its entire postal network and has
announced plans to close a mail sorting plant in Quebec City as the
very first step in its review and recently announced additional
closures; and
WHEREAS the government appears to support Canada Post’s plan to
close the plant in Quebec City, beginning in December 2005, which would
eliminate 302 jobs; and
WHEREAS the government is allowing Canada Post to close rural post
offices in spite of a moratorium on post office closures in rural and
small towns; and
WHEREAS our public postal network connects communities throughout this
vast land, helping us to overcome differences and distances; and
WHEREAS our public postal network plays a key role in our social and
economic life by providing jobs and the infrastructure that healthy
communities need to thrive and businesses need to grow;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour write to
John McCallum, the Minister Responsible for Canada Post and request
that the federal government instruct Canada Post:
- to stop the closure of the mail sorting plant in Quebec City and proposed closures in other locations.
- to consult with the public,
postal unions and other major stakeholders to develop a uniform and
democratic process for making changes to the Canada Post’s
network.
- to maintain, expand and improve our public postal network.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
RESOLUTION - 2005 - Temporary Foreign Workers - Submitted by IBEW 1432 (back to top)
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WHEREAS both provincial and federal
governments, using the impending shortage of skilled tradesmen as an
excuse, seem more and more willing to let nonunion and CLAC represented
contractors bring in temporary foreign workers to man Canadian
construction
sites.
WHEREAS too often, the main reason these companies need to apply for
foreign workers is that they refuse to provide working conditions,
employee benefits, and wage rates comparable to union contracts.
WHEREAS many Island tradespeople rely on construction work outside PEI to make up for slowdowns in local construction.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour work with
IBEW local 1432 to lobby the provincial government and Island
MP’s to ensure that temporary foreign workers are not allowed to
be brought into this country to bring down
Canadian standards, union bust, and take jobs from Canadian tradespeople.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Federation of Labour work with
IBEW local 1432 to lobby the provincial government and Island
MP’s to get them to stop trying to use quick fixes and stop gap
measures to solve the impending skilled tradesmen shortage and come up
with a long-term plan that will provide long-term sustainability for
the Island construction industry.
Convention Decision: Concurrence. Carried.
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