May 24 - 26
After getting back from Labour College I was fortunate enough to be sent to the WCMW conference in Edmonton, Alberta at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel. I have had the fortune of going to the conference in Winnipeg last year. The conference back then allowed us to run into the president of the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and their dealings with the JEQ. It stemmed another meeting where we learned some of the tricks of their evaluation procedure. It seems that the city of Kelowna is also dealing with their JEQ process. In their case the city has decided to not go through with the three year process that they themselves signed off on. I will be asking further questions tomorrow, but I find it interesting that of the two outside municipal jurisdictions that have recently finalized their JEQ process, some major issues have surfaced in a negative light. My hope is that we don't repeat those issues with our members.
An interesting side was a report from the workers of the University of Vancouver. They have been up against a board that seems to be able to dictate 0% increases. Basically people are making less when inflation goes up and their job doesn't compensate for the increase. The city of Calgary once went though a few 0% increases. It was tough to hear about the struggles other municipalities are going through right now. Our coalitions have helped us fight back against management dividing the unions, perhaps it should be expanded to more municipalities.
The flow of this conference is very comfortable. We are filling gaps between speakers with municipal reports, listening to very interesting issues about CETA and how we should stay vigilant in keeping water public. BC has been successfully fighting back on P3's and it isn't just the left leaning politics driving the desire to keep water public. I guess people from all political walks realize that some things should not be in a for profit capitalist driven system. We did touch on water rights and how in Alberta water markets are developing. Being from Calgary, many of you know that we are preparing to sell Calgary water to surrounding areas in a more profitable manor. Being from Calgary, I am in the middle of the issue.
The National President and Treasurer have stopped in and the address was pleasantly candid. It seems that this conservative government is making the world of unemployment even more difficult for those who need to access the program. It's too bad the workers can't buy credit default swaps on their employer... the derivative markets would surely collapse if we could guarantee our livelihood like investors can. But I digress.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
The CLC should triple the Labour College
For the last two weeks I have been attending a Labour College that is put on by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). The course material is massive and resembles the material the Labour Law course by CUPE week-long schools. It is a prerequisite in Alberta to take Labour Law before applying to the college and I now know why. The course attempts to prepare you for a higher level of thinking in the Union environment. If I knew just how much higher I would have brought a parachute.
Labour College is fast paced, and expects students to put as much forth as they possibly can. The days are long, the courses are advanced and the reading is unreal. It is worth every minute of it, and you get exactly what you put into the program. It was refreshing and exhausting all at the same time. The small size classes is my only complaint, but with the cost of the college I can see why the need for the concentrated classroom size.
I have been very critical with my Union local on the involvement we continue to have with the CLC. The convention floor of the CLC is overwhelming in both it's size and complexity of the unions involved. It offers a strict trait style approach to it's handling of business. The many Unions all meet under one roof had so much potential to come together. It was a disappointment to me when it became apparent that the convention floor is a very well choreographed piece of theater. With so much politics on the floor, I was amazed to see anything accomplished. The college offers me a sense of solidarity on the issue of the importance of the CLC. An importance that I desperately needed to see.
Even though I have only completed 1/3 of the course, the style and manner of the school is above and beyond any educational I have ever been a part of. This could be due to the exclusivity of the process in getting into this school, the sheer cost of the program or the lead up before even attending. When I was preparing for the course I was sent a small pacakage with the course material we would be covering. The small package was a substantial amount of books, and coiled binders that was half of my weight allowance on the plane ride out there. In Toronto I was able to meet about half of my classmates as we went to Port Elgin.
My classmates who are involved are so open minded to challenging themselves and the others it is almost surreal. From the very start, the collective group was able to socialize respectfully. We aren't all in agreement, but we know that everyone attending has a little different look at the system we are part of and are willing to share that experience in order to grow. I have enjoyed that in other educational processes put on by CUPE but when other Unions are involved the difference is palpable.
The school is located in the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. The campus is in my most sincere opinion resort quality. Condo rooms hold 1 to 3 students and are connected to a mirrored room by way of a double one person man-door. The rooms are ideal for sleeping, studying and unwinding. Complete with a mini fridge, television, living room, patio and study area. The dwelling is designed for short stay learning. My only complaint is the wired internet, for which I will remedy with a wireless router when I return in a month or so. The grounds are situated in a means that encourages walking and since the food is so rich, walking is the minimum we need to fit in our packed luggage.
I have subsequently returned home to my regular duties and I want to take a moment to tell you CUPE needs to send double or triple the amount of students. The course is just that good. Why is it good? The teachers are strong in their related fields, the material challenges you to your very core union beliefs, the pace is fast, and furious. In the end I came out with a different perspective going in. It is a shame that only only 31 could attend this term. The dedication level is quite unique to anything I have ever been a part of when it comes to the union environment.
For many people the thought of going to an educational for two weeks would be unheard of. For fourteen days I was asleep by one in the morning and waking up by five or six. There is so little time to benefit from the locations ammenities. I was engaged from the beginning to the end, and I want to go back for more.
Below I have included some of the videos I took while I was eating or had a spare moment. My next step is my ILP. I will be researching a proposal in bringing unions affiliated to the CLC even closer. I call it the "union app" because nothing yet exists out in the phone/tablet application world and I think it is high time we started in on that. I have a few months to prepare the project and hopefully I can put something worthy together by the time I go back in August.
Labour College is an absolute must for people looking in the movement to strengthen their resolve.
Labour College is fast paced, and expects students to put as much forth as they possibly can. The days are long, the courses are advanced and the reading is unreal. It is worth every minute of it, and you get exactly what you put into the program. It was refreshing and exhausting all at the same time. The small size classes is my only complaint, but with the cost of the college I can see why the need for the concentrated classroom size.
I have been very critical with my Union local on the involvement we continue to have with the CLC. The convention floor of the CLC is overwhelming in both it's size and complexity of the unions involved. It offers a strict trait style approach to it's handling of business. The many Unions all meet under one roof had so much potential to come together. It was a disappointment to me when it became apparent that the convention floor is a very well choreographed piece of theater. With so much politics on the floor, I was amazed to see anything accomplished. The college offers me a sense of solidarity on the issue of the importance of the CLC. An importance that I desperately needed to see.
Even though I have only completed 1/3 of the course, the style and manner of the school is above and beyond any educational I have ever been a part of. This could be due to the exclusivity of the process in getting into this school, the sheer cost of the program or the lead up before even attending. When I was preparing for the course I was sent a small pacakage with the course material we would be covering. The small package was a substantial amount of books, and coiled binders that was half of my weight allowance on the plane ride out there. In Toronto I was able to meet about half of my classmates as we went to Port Elgin.
My classmates who are involved are so open minded to challenging themselves and the others it is almost surreal. From the very start, the collective group was able to socialize respectfully. We aren't all in agreement, but we know that everyone attending has a little different look at the system we are part of and are willing to share that experience in order to grow. I have enjoyed that in other educational processes put on by CUPE but when other Unions are involved the difference is palpable.
The school is located in the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. The campus is in my most sincere opinion resort quality. Condo rooms hold 1 to 3 students and are connected to a mirrored room by way of a double one person man-door. The rooms are ideal for sleeping, studying and unwinding. Complete with a mini fridge, television, living room, patio and study area. The dwelling is designed for short stay learning. My only complaint is the wired internet, for which I will remedy with a wireless router when I return in a month or so. The grounds are situated in a means that encourages walking and since the food is so rich, walking is the minimum we need to fit in our packed luggage.
I have subsequently returned home to my regular duties and I want to take a moment to tell you CUPE needs to send double or triple the amount of students. The course is just that good. Why is it good? The teachers are strong in their related fields, the material challenges you to your very core union beliefs, the pace is fast, and furious. In the end I came out with a different perspective going in. It is a shame that only only 31 could attend this term. The dedication level is quite unique to anything I have ever been a part of when it comes to the union environment.
For many people the thought of going to an educational for two weeks would be unheard of. For fourteen days I was asleep by one in the morning and waking up by five or six. There is so little time to benefit from the locations ammenities. I was engaged from the beginning to the end, and I want to go back for more.
Below I have included some of the videos I took while I was eating or had a spare moment. My next step is my ILP. I will be researching a proposal in bringing unions affiliated to the CLC even closer. I call it the "union app" because nothing yet exists out in the phone/tablet application world and I think it is high time we started in on that. I have a few months to prepare the project and hopefully I can put something worthy together by the time I go back in August.
Labour College is an absolute must for people looking in the movement to strengthen their resolve.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Flying by...
It's day 5 or 6... I think. The days are physically flowing together now. I wake up at 5am and go to be at 12:30am the next day. It is all worth it, every minute of it.
We are stretching our minds together. Whether we know it or not. The discussion here is unheard of. In many ways I miss the scholastic part of my old life. As a group we are talking at a higher level of Union discussion than I thought possible. My personal view of the CLC convention is 180 degrees different from my view on this college. It would be far more beneficial to the membership of all the Unions involved to spend a month in this course.
Let me give you an example. Years ago I spoke about how I discovered my National and Provincial Union. It was a kin to discovering a mansion starting in the cellar. If the National is the property. The CLC is the neighborhood. Although not all the Unions are represented at the college, those in attendance are able to provide a perspective that is challenging to my conventional thought. The CLC is doing a great job pointing out the obvious and oblivious in a way that forces you to come outside your box.
The history presented itself here is a record of how we not only repeat our past, but it provided context for our future if we continue on this path. I have been in search of a study group like this for quite some time, and now that I found it, I don't want to miss any of it.
I am missing out on one thing. Our group socializes in the off hours. The course work and preparation is proving to be more time consuming that I planned for. My ability to connect socially is suffering but I have a plan. I am going to let loose on our day off which is a little under 24 hours away.
We are stretching our minds together. Whether we know it or not. The discussion here is unheard of. In many ways I miss the scholastic part of my old life. As a group we are talking at a higher level of Union discussion than I thought possible. My personal view of the CLC convention is 180 degrees different from my view on this college. It would be far more beneficial to the membership of all the Unions involved to spend a month in this course.
Let me give you an example. Years ago I spoke about how I discovered my National and Provincial Union. It was a kin to discovering a mansion starting in the cellar. If the National is the property. The CLC is the neighborhood. Although not all the Unions are represented at the college, those in attendance are able to provide a perspective that is challenging to my conventional thought. The CLC is doing a great job pointing out the obvious and oblivious in a way that forces you to come outside your box.
The history presented itself here is a record of how we not only repeat our past, but it provided context for our future if we continue on this path. I have been in search of a study group like this for quite some time, and now that I found it, I don't want to miss any of it.
I am missing out on one thing. Our group socializes in the off hours. The course work and preparation is proving to be more time consuming that I planned for. My ability to connect socially is suffering but I have a plan. I am going to let loose on our day off which is a little under 24 hours away.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Solidarity is a Pin - Day 3,4.
Today we dove right into the classes, I have enough readings and assignments to keep me busy all day. I am loving the conversations that are circulating. This is a really good group of people, and I am starting to settle into the routine.
Admittedly I am a little frazzled. My condo neighbor was nice enough to return my binder I left on the patio. If they hadn't done this I would have had some expensive paper mulch since it rained most of the night.
When I received the package I saw a lot of books. Now that I am here I see a lot of history and examples of how unions got to where they are now. It is kind of scary when I look at unions throughout history. Mostly because they are gone now or changed in ways that they are not even close to where they are now. I am learning about how unions are classified, how leaders struggle with paradoxes (but must realize they exist) and make decisions knowing full well the consequences. Time is always against us and I find myself falling asleep in my bed reading. I would not trade this experience for more sleep, maybe for some more workout time. I have been here for 4 days and I just rush by the gym to get to my next course.
I am starting to formulate a picture in my mind on the future of unions. The mere thought of what is to come is a little frighting. It seems that unions are caught in a dangerous loop of disconnecting with the members. Not because they are moving away, but more because they are doing their job of servicing the members more efficiently. The union movement is always transforming itself to combat negative attacks on the working class no matter where it comes from. Luckily I have an idea on how to bring the membership ever closer together, and it has everything to do with technology, and with a little lead time, I hope to unveil the idea in the near future.
Tonight we will be watching a film on the Winnipeg strike of 1919, specifically about a woman named Mrs. Armstrong. Afterwards I will be on a bike reading, and in my bed reading myself to sleep. In the morning I will start preparing an essay that will be due on Friday. So much to do my head is still above water and I hope to maintain that throughout the week.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Canadian Labour College - Day 1 and 2
This place is designed to teach courses. It is just far enough to be out of the way. It has enough of the amenities to never think about leaving. The rooms are designed to study and relax in. The people are friendly and the food is amazing... almost too amazing... am I sleeping... wait no I am awake.
The cafeteria is an assembly line of good food. I figure I will have to work out hard while I am here just to break even. On the menu yesterday. Turkey with all the fixings. Today it was prime rib. Yes prime rib.
This facility is set up mostly for the CAW members and education programs to help further their members. Each person is given PEL (Personal Education... ?) credits which they use to come out here. I can only imagine how expensive this place is. I estimate it is about $3000 per student per week and that is just for us guests.
I am looking forward to the next few weeks as today we are having a crash course into what to expect. The expectations are what brings this facility to the top of my list. The teachers really seem to want to teach the course material and I really want to learn about it. We have week long courses like this in Alberta, but there is a vibe here that is a little different and it is hard to explain why it feels so different. Maybe its the rose color glasses, I'll figure it out later.
This is how the days will go. Wake up eat at 7am. 8am we start classes and by 5:30 we finish the final part of the classes to go have supper and prepare for the next day. It is intensive and I am loving every minute of it. Yesterday we talked about what we wanted out of Labour College and for me this has been years of building to get here. There are only a handful of CUPE here. Out of 600,000 members I was one of a handful. It is an honor to be here knowing just how many things had to go right for my butt to be on the plane. I will update this blog as I go in the hopes that those who are thinking about what CUPE offers may just think about putting their name forth in the years to follow.
On a side note, this place is what I would hope that one day CUPE would have in Alberta. There is a facility like this in Naramata, BC but it is no where near the exclusivity of this place. I would say this is a resort compared to anything else I have ever been to. A resort of pure learning.
To give you a hint of what my days will look like, I am both updating this blog and writing a 2 page summary of an article entitled "After the Fur Trade: The Aboriginal Labouring Class of British Columbia, 1849 – 1890” by author John Lutz. You don't get that in many CUPE week long schools. The only course that was even close to this was "Labour Law" and it was a pre-requisite to apply for this.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Retirement Banquet 2012
Last Saturday we celebrated our retirees at our annual banquet. I have been fortunate enough to be able to go over the last few years and I enjoy the event for different reasons.
- I like seeing the many people who have had the opportunity to retire from this corporation and live long and fruitful lives.
- I get to have fun with the members of CUPE Local 37 and our guests. I also like seeing what our members want to see in the future.
My overall impressions of the event were wonderful. Right down to the Retirement Packets at everyone’s seat. The food was good, the band was good, and the people were great. This year we had cheerleaders from Strathmore who showed us their stuff on the dance floor. The routine was quite heart stopping a few times for me as I watched the group narrowly miss the roof in their pyramid manoeuvres. I think next time we may have to change up the entertainment but in the end I was very impressed with the crowd, the hotel, and the food.
Make sure you come to the next one.
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