1998 was a very important year for our Labour Council and we accomplished many things. The high point obviously was the Kingston Community Day of Action. We should also remember a few others such as the Day of Mourning Street Banner, our summer student, education seminars, protests and rallies against the Harris government and the Queen's ProBono students who are doing research for the council. We are soon going to have the opportunity of participating in a Provincial election and the experience gained from the Day of Action will be useful as we look forward to getting rid of John Geretsen and recovering Ontario from the Mike Harris Tories.

When the elections for the labour council executive are completed tonight the work begins as we continue the resistance against regressive governments. Delegates at tonight's meeting will be asked to join with the executive in several ways. The C.L.C. is organizing a Canada wide lobby campaign against the Federal Liberals. We will be going to Milliken's office to ask that the level of benefits and the rules for qualifying for Unemployment Insurance be reversed from the changes made by the Liberals. Nancy Riche C.L.C. Executive Vice-President and Kevin Hayes from the Congress taped a Labour's Voice in the Community show today to inform people of the campaign and the status of unemployed in Canada. We are going to organize an event to raise awareness of Health Care in Ontario; delegates are encouraged to join with us with ideas for planning and on the day February 14th.

On January 26th there will be another Growing Gap workshop at the Steelworkers Hall from 7 - 9 PM. Natalie Mehra will facilitate the workshop, all delegates are encouraged to participate and ask their local union to send as many people as possible. The cost is only $5 and the information from the workshop will be very useful as we approach the election. Please call 531-1872 to register. Corporate Tax Freedom Day takes place at the end of January and after attending the workshop you will understand why we must get involved in closing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Our labour council is applying for a Job Creation Partnership with the Human Resource Development. The program is designed to give maximum unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed individuals. Our plan is hire a laid off union member to do outreach for our council in terms of an affiliation drive. If we are successful the individual would work out of our office until March at which time another application for partnership will be submitted. Our council is grateful to Natalie Mehra for bringing this program to our attention. We will also be applying for another summer student placement in March.

Labour's Voice in the Community taped a second show today regarding the PIC Press. Kate Cross and Alex Downie were interviewed about the history and the usefulness of having an alternative to mainstream media. We encourage each delegate to pick up a copy of PIC Press and to ask their organization to consider a small monthly advertisement in support of our friends. Also if you have an issue that you think the community should know about please submit an article or agree to an interview that can be published in PIC.

In closing please support the individuals who put their names forward to serve on our labour council executive as we start this most important year in terms of recovering Ontario.

As always,
In solidarity,

Charlie Stock
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