The Monthly President's Report
Charlie Stock, President
Kingston & District Labour Council

BACK November 18, 1997
President’s Report,

Greetings,

Once more the labour council has been extremely busy on a number of fronts. The municipal election was a priority and members of the council in conjunction with the municipal/school board elections advisory committee, helped organize an all-candidates meeting for school board trustees. It proved to be an interesting evening with good participation from those attending. In addition we participated in the candidate surveys, and endorsements were published prior to the election. The results of the election are extremely disappointing and the community will certainly suffer the effects of this right-wing group of individuals.

We spent a considerable amount of time on the picket lines with our teachers giving them support and encouragement. Letters of support for the teachers on behalf of the council delegates were published in several newspapers. Letters were faxed and e-mailed to Lt. Governor Hilary Weston urging her to call an election.

As well, the council organized a teacher appreciation rally, which coincided with the Sisters of Providence Silent Vigil anniversary. The two events were well attended and the speakers did an exceptional job to highlight the issues of the day. Peter Boyle and the rest of the organizers deserve our thanks for a job well done. Members of the Labour Council attended the OFL Rally in support of teachers in Toronto Saturday, November 8th. Thanks to OSSTF for generously giving us seats and refreshments on the bus. It was great turnout and we were proud to be a part of it.

The labour council has forwarded a submission to the hospital restructuring commission, unfortunately it was late in arriving before the deadline. However, the council’s position is clearly on record with the commission and the Government.

Members of our labour council have been spending time on the picket line with the members of O.N.A. at Comcare . These nurses need our help in their struggle for a first collective agreement. The employer is bringing in replacement nurses to our area rather than trying to bargain a fair settlement. Please join the picket line at Sydenham Street and ask other members of your local to consider doing the same. The labour council will be asking the affiliates to send financial contributions to them as well.

Labour council supported the P.S.A.C. members from Ottawa at an information picket in front of the Salvation Army on Princess Street. These members are trying to achieve a first agreement with the Salvation Army in Ottawa. They were highlighting the fact of Kingston non-union workers earning more than their members were. They also demonstrated at the headquarters on Cataraqui Street.

The labour council laid a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice on Remembrance Day and also joined with the Elder from the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre in the laying of their wreath. Members from our council attended the rally for the Dudley George family in Toronto on Saturday, November 15. Although the turnout was smaller than anticipated, the demand for a public inquiry was loud and clear. The Tyendinega band council supplied the school bus and driver for the people from our area. The labour council is grateful to Natalie Mehra for organizing the bus list for us.

Gary Wilson attended the "Building a Moral Economy" conference in place of Bente Millar on behalf of the labour council. Sister Pauline Lally represented the Kingston Action Network subsidized by the labour council. We are grateful to Gary for taking part in this very important event on short notice.

Mike Harris is coming to Kingston on November 28th at 11:00 am to officially open the BioSciences Center at Queen’s University. Everyone who is not at the Ontario Federation of Labour convention should do their utmost to give him a proper Kingston welcome.

We have invited Paul Forder and Wayne Samuelson to address the delegates of the labour council tonight. These two brothers are running for the Presidency of the Ontario Federation of Labour and I would encourage everyone to support the successful candidate who will lead the labour movement in a united front against Mike Harris and in support of electing New Democrats in the next Provincial election.

This Thursday evening members of the Labour Council will be joining with KAN and LINC to focus on strategies to fight Bill 142, the Social Assistance Reform Act.

The United Way campaign has been building momentum and is now over 52% of the campaign goal. Please consider asking your local union to make a small contribution and if you have not yet given, please think about giving a small donation to our United Way. If you have given, thank you! The labour movement must be successful in this year’s campaign; after all we are the ones who give the most. Let’s show the right wingers who would like to see us fail that labour can and will do the job.

As always,
In solidarity,

Charlie Stock
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