Welding Seminar

The Alexander Group has expressed an interest in doing a presentation for people who are interested in pursuing a welding career. If you are interested in attending a seminar at the action centre please call or come to the centre and register on a sign up sheet. If we have 5 or 6 people, we will put on the seminar here.

Action Centre
519 752 3333

CKPC Radio

Today CKPC radio called to ask how effective the action centre has been. I expressed that the action centre doesn't get you the job, but is a liason or a tool that both companies and former employees can benefit from. Like any good reporter, they also wanted to know how many of us have found work.Former Co-workers who are newly employed have been our most effective tool in promoting our capabilities and good work ethics. Many companies having tested the waters with one or two candidates have since taken on more of our former co-workers.Did I mention the temporary service agencies?Yes I did.

Benefits Packages

The Action Centre has three copies of the benefit packages available to look over if you haven't ordered a copy for yourself but wish to look at what is available.

Lift truck Certificates

Lift Truck Certificates have arrived at the action centre for those who attended July 19th.

Resume Course Postponed

The Resume Updating Course scheduled for July 31st has been postponed.
The new date is August 7th. The times are the same. If you have signed up and cannot make the new date, please contact the action centre.

519 752 3333

Temporary Service Help Business and Government

Here is a snip of a letter to the editor from the organization that speaks on Behalf of Hundreds of Temporary Agencies,

Services help business and government operate efficiently
Editorial - Saturday, July 21, 2007 @ 07:00 In the July 18 story, "Van Tilborg acclaimed provincial NDP candidate," Brian Van Tilborg suggests that the government should address the proliferation of temporary job agencies. While we applaud his focus on the need for "good paying factory jobs in Brantford and across Ontario" this objective will not be served by diminishing options or limiting access to agencies supporting those looking for employment

Here is the link to Letter on the Expositor Webpage

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=621382&catname=Editorial&classif=

Alex MacPherson

MacPHERSON, Alexander - Peacefully, after a long battle with cancer, at St. Peter's Hospital on July 19, 2007, in his 65th year. Beloved father to Lila and Alex. Cherished grandfather to Austin, Joshua and Jordon. Will be dearly missed by Carol MacPherson. Dear brother to Joe, Elvin, Doug (Bernadette), Harvey (Anne), Jack (Tish), Father Gary, Sister Jovita, and his sister-in-law Jean; all of Nova Scotia, and Mary (David) Labum of Maine. Predeceased by his brothers Gordan, Sam and R.J., and twin sisters Theresa and Alexandria in infancy. Will be dearly missed by all of his nephews and nieces. Alex was employed by Genfast, Brantford, and was a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish. Special thanks to Dr. Naganabu, Dr. MacMillan, and the staff of 2 West at St. Peter's Hospital. Family will receive friends at the P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, 796 Upper Gage Avenue (between Mohawk and Fennell) on Monday, July 23, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the St. Peter's Hospital Foundation would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made to www.pxdermodyfuneral.com

Benefits Packages

The United Steelworkers held a benefits package meeting today at 10am.
We have Coverage Summaries at the action centre for those who are interested but couldn't attend the meeting in Hamilton.

If you require more information

Call 1 800 867 5615

We will be asking for the complete package information to be sent to the Steelworker Action Centre.

Brian Van Tilborg is the Provincial NDP Candidate

Yes it is official.

Your former co-worker is the NDP provincial candidate.I can't thank the co-workers at Genfast enough for coming out tonight, and showing support for my candidacy. Words cannot explain this......

Thank you

Temporary Service Public Inquiry

July 17th, 2007
Queens ParkMain Legislative Building
Toronto, Ont.M74 1A4

Dear Premier McGuintyI am writing this letter to call for an immediate public inquiry into the actions and functions of the temporary labour services. I reside in the city of Brantford, in the riding of Brant, which has suffered a series of plant closures and there is one more announced plant closure occurring in the following month. It has come to my attention that many of the jobs available in our riding are under control of the temporary labour services. These temporary labour services are experiencing rapid growth, while our good paying jobs disappear. It would appear that the temporary labour market and the expansion of these temporary services are creating a barrier between the employees and the employer. Many of the people whom work for a temporary service can spend months and years at the same job at the same place of work within the jurisdiction of the company. I believe that is wrong. There is a place for temporary agencies, but as the number of temporary agencies grow, it is my understanding that they are taking fulltime good paying employment and reducing the wages and the job to part time, non permanent status.

We need action today, before the system of temporary labour market becomes a way of life for the people in Brantford who are looking for full time work, but will have no other recourse then to submit to using temporary employment agencies.

Brian Van Tilborg

NDP Nomination Information

I have received some emails asking if you have to be a member to attend the NDP nomination meeting.

Friends and coworkers who worked at Genfast/Eastons etc. but reside out of the riding are welcome to come out and support my nomination.

You do not have to be an NDP member to come out tomorrow night.
You do not have to have a membership, nor are you required to sign one.
You do not have to live in the riding to come out to the meeting.

If you want to see change in the manufacturing sector.
If you want to see laws that protect working people first.
If you wish to support my efforts and the direction the NDP is taking on these important happenings.

Then you are welcome to attend.
I look forward to seeing you there.Tuesday July 17th7:30 PM
Brantford District Labour Centre.
1100 Clarence St. South.

Hamilton Specialty Bar

"Local 4752 has fought so hard to save Hamilton Specialty Bar for itsmembers and retirees. No one deserves a break more than they do." DePaulo said no details will be released until next Tuesday's 11 a.m.meeting at LIUNA Station on Barton Street in Hamilton. If accepted, Woodsidewill seek court approval for the purchase. If approved, the new plant wouldbegin to recall 120 workers with a view to bringing back more over time. In early May, Local 4752 President Bill Baker and several USW membersoccupied the plant, with Baker chained to a machine. The occupation ended whenthe company agreed to reinstate retirees' benefits, which had been ended inadvance of the closure. As well, the company agreed to provide activeemployees with vacation and unpaid wages. "Now we have an opportunity to build what we always knew were good jobsand a good product line," said Baker. "We also want to thank the community forsupporting us throughout this most recent struggle."http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2007/10/c5347.html

NDP Nomination meeting

Brant NDP Provincial Nomination

TUESDAY JULY 17TH, 2007 at 7:30 PM

Location: Brantford District Labour Centre
Costs: FREE, All are welcome.
Directions: 1100 Clarence St. South, near colborne st.

See map here http://www.brantndp.ca/ Click on the nomination text.

Registration begins at 7pm, the meeting starts at 7:30.

All members of the NDP living within the riding of Brant are entitled to vote
1) If you are a current member and became a member on or before June 17th 2007
2) If you last paid for your membership in 2006 you can renew at the meeting.
$25 for employed, $5 for everyone else.

For more information
519 751 9111
email: events@brantndp.ca
website: brantndp.ca

Duration: Should there be two or more people standing for the nomination, the meeting is expected to conclude by 9 pm.

You are invited to: Come to the meeting and feel welcome to bring family and friends.

Help support and select our next candidate.

Fork Lift

Any who wishes to participate in the fork lift instruction will be required to secure their spot with a deposit in full at the place of instruction. This deposit will be returned to you upon completion of day. For more information contact the action centre 519 752 3333.If you haven't taken this instruction and our still interested, please let us know.

First Aid

The Steel Worker Action Centre (Formerly the Genfast Adjustment Center) is going to go through with the First Aid instruction. There will be 2 different levels of instruction dependent upon your background in first aid. People who signed the list or wish to sign up, will be required to secure their positions with a deposit (in full) that will be returned immediately upon completion. Those who fail to attend will lose their deposit in full.For more details please contact the action centre. 519 752 3333.