With municipal elections less than a month away it is exciting to see so many good candidates come forward to offer their expertise to the citizens of Kingston. We can only hope that a council that will put people first will be elected. It has been a disappointing few years where the mayor and his star studded crew of business misfits jumped from one pothole to another on a road to nowhere for our city. The Tuesday night nut show had some good moments …but not many, and we now have an opportunity to install balance and credibility back into our city structure. We hope to endorse some of those candidates tonight at our meeting who can show leadership, not make the occasional curtain call like we have being use to seeing.

The Canadian labour movement, is still fractured as the CAW/SEIU membership issues are not settled as of this date and the CAW continue to raid other unions. We sincerely hope balance and a renewed commitment to Canadian working people can be a shining light to those involved at the heart of this issue. We need now more than ever a strong central labour movement in Canada that links us as we continue to be attacked by internationally motivated profit seeking scavenger corporations bent on profit not people. Being content to limit our selves to within our borders just doesn't measure up to their cutthroat tactics.

Earl Manners, president of the teachers federation was in Kingston to do our Labour's Voice show today and talk about the effects of Bill 74, the Teachers Accountability Act. The OSSTF have a campaign with a video called “Let teachers teach” to inform the public that the Bill 74 coupled with the employment standards act changes are about lowering the costs for business, not raising the quality of life in Ontario. The second show will be about the Kingston Health Care day of action on October 28th. Gavin Anderson, who will speak at the rally, will discuss the issues involved and the Tory tax break that is breaking apart good health care.

Now officially injured workers have a place and dedicated people to turn to in our community as the help process for injured workers in our community continues. Ken Wynne of PSAC was elected chairperson of the Injured Workers Support Group at the AGM in September. With an executive in place they are preparing for the next meeting on October 26, 7 pm, Steelworkers Hall.

We had a good contingent at the Women's March 2000 last weekend in Ottawa and we thank Gavin Anderson and Carole Milligan along with the OSSTF and CUPE council for their efforts to have a fine Kingston showing.

There is an emergency meeting called by the OfL for this Saturday October 21 in Toronto at 10:00 AM at the Toronto Colony Hotel to discuss strategies on the “It's All On The Line” Campaign and a demo at the Tory convention after.

We have an Ontario Federation of Labour regional mobilizing meeting for all union leadership and activists scheduled in Kingston on November 7th, to discuss implementation of the “It's All On The Line” campaign. Your union will contact you about that meeting and the KDLC president has been asked to chair the presentation.

Our KDLC - CLC weekend school will be located at the Parkway Islands Inn in Gananoque on the 27 to 29 of October. We have three courses running, Stewards level 1, Collective Bargaining 1, and Labour Law for the weekend with a group of 40 scheduled in.

Thanks to those who stood for positions in our council that were open last month. Because some moved up into vacant positions last month, we now have elections scheduled this month to fill the positions of Vice-president and Officer at Large left open by last months elections. We ask that you consider standing for a position.

As always,
In solidarity,

Peter J. Boyle
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