Hi Dave I just thought I would pop in an say Hi. I had misplaced my name and password and just had that Eureka moment where it all came back to me. I am doing well and I have bumped into many of our Post Genfast Nations friends over the last year. I remember when you started this blog. It was the new thing. Alot changes in technology and communications in just a few short years. I don't believe there was Facebook or Twitter, and if there was, it certainly wasn't mainstream yet. You blog provided a great way for all of us to keep in contact. I am certain a handful of former Genfast still checkout the blog hoping to see a post or two, maybe a word from someone who lives out of town. I never realized at the time , but when we decided to close down the Steelworker Action Centre it would have been almost 5 years to the day. To think that our misfortune would become the starting place to rebuild for hundreds, ok thousands of newly unemployed who walked through our doors long after those from Genfast had re entered the workforce. We didn't know that at the time, but it was our way of giving back to the community. I thank you Dave, as you were one of our First Volunteers. We have all moved on but my memories of Genfast, my coworkers and all those who came through the doors at the Steelworker Action Centre will be forever with me. Friends, Coworkers, A large extended family to be certain. Perhaps one day I will come back and post some statistics when I get an idle moment. I am sure we will cross paths again Brian.

I was just cruising thru the blogger dashboard and saw that a few of you still drop by each day. This site will remain live until Google kills it so why not post on it. Leave your comments and I'll up them to the page. Let the rest of us know what you are up to. ............................dave

STEELWORKER ACTION CENTRE CLOSING

The Steelworker Action Centre will be closing on March 16th 2012

All items, resumes, certificates or files must be picked up before this date.

249 Murray Street
Brantford, Ontario

For more information

519 752 3333

Glen Camileri

I have just recently heard that Glen passed away a few weeks ago.
As far as I am aware there was no obituary in the papers that I could find.

Steelworker Action Centre BBQ

Steelworker Action Centre BBQ
Thursday June 09th, 2011
249 Murray Street
Brantford,

12 pm to 2pm

Pot Luck
Hotdogs, Hamburgs, Sausages and Beverages

tattrie

I was talking to my brother today. His wife was related by marriage to Jim Tattrie and they had attended Jim's funeral today. I wish I had known in time to attend. Jim was a good guy and someone I enjoyed working with. He'll be missed.

later.......................dave

STEELWORKER ACTION CENTER BARBECUE

EVERYONE WELCOME TO OUR BBQ AT THE STEELWORKERS ACTION CENTRE

THURSDAY JUNE 17TH
12 NOON

249 MURRAY STREET
BRANTFORD, ONTARIO

PHONE- 519 752 3333

Contact Information Help

If Anyone has Current Contact Information for

ROB PORTER
FORMER ROLLTHREAD OPERATOR
Working at Toyota Cambridge

Please Email us a

Telephone #
Address:


Our last records show him living in Cambridge.
But we have had no response.


GLEN CAMILERI
Just moved to Hamilton
We need
Telephone#
Address

Steelworkers Action Centre Needs Your Help.

The Steelworker Action Centre needs your help.

Starting with the former Genfast Employees of April 4th, 5th 2007.

We require/ask that Everyone who was employed in April of 2007 resubmitt their current mailing address with Postal Code, Telephone # and email address.

Please Contact the Steelworker Action Centre ASAP.We will be calling and emailing to confirm our records.

Please pass this information around to other former coworkers.

Many of us have new phones, addresses and of course employment since we closed.

The Steelworker Centre will remains open and future USW/Steelworker Centre correspondence may/will be forthcoming.

Steelworker Action Centre
249 Murray Street
Brantford, Ontario
N3S 5S4

genfastajustmentcenter@bellnet.ca
519 752 3333

USW vs MNP Corp

The United Steelworkers has scheduled Six More court dates.

These Court Dates are

February 2, 3, 4th, 2010
9:30AM,
2nd Floor Board Room,
505 University Ave, Toronto

And

February 8th, 9th, 10th
9:30 AM,
2nd Floor Board Room
505 University Ave, Toronto

Jack Layton in Brantford

http://www.brantnews.com/news.cfm?page=news&section=read&articleId=6327 Click link for full article.

Brantford manufacturing workers are part of a national elite, according to NDP leader Jack Layton."We've got the best manufacturing workforce in the world," Layton told Brant News Wednesday.

Layton was in Brantford at a party fundraiser for Brant riding candidate Marc Laferriere held at The Ring Carribbean Restaurant on Colborne Street.



"For more video Coverage of the 90cent fundraiser. "


Follow this link.http://www.brantnews.com/news.cfm?page=news&section=read&articleId=6330

Brant NDP 90cent fundraiser with Jack Layton

Brant NDP Federal Riding Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday Dec 16, 2009
NDP Leader Jack Layton and local Candidate Marc Laferriere offer a 90 cent alternative to the traditional fundraising dinner.

What can you get for 90 cents?


Brantford, ON – The Brant NDP is pleased to announce its campaign dinner at The Ring Caribbean Restaurant, 271 Colborne Street, on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 featuring NDP Leader Jack Layton and local candidate Marc Laferriere. The first seating for this full Caribbean-style Christmas dinner will be at 6:00pm, with a second seating beginning at 8:00pm.

The suggested price is 90 cents for adults and 50 cents for students and children. For those interested in donating to the campaign above the cost of dinner, any donations above $20 will receive a tax receipt and are much appreciated to continue our work during the campaign.

The Brant NDP is responding to other local parties expensive and elite campaign dinners which are often $90-$150 a plate. It is no wonder apathy is increasing in this system of party politics. "We were told by other parties that in order to be competitive we would have to organize expensive and exclusive events," stated Marc Laferriere, "we kindly disagree. The Brant NDP believes that accessibility and engagement are more important. This is what our movement in Brant is all about."

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton will be attending and speaking at the event to support candidate Marc Laferriere and to listen to the needs of Brant constituents. "I am pleased to be a part of this event that demonstrates the growing movement in Brant for more sustainable and equitable action from the government on issues like the HST, economic development, affordability, climate change and retirement savings among other vital issues.”

According to Layton, “Marc Laferriere is a strong, vibrant and hard-working candidate who would be a great representative for a strong, vibrant and hard-working Brant in Parliament. I am happy to support him and this wonderful area for what promises to be a great event.”

The Ring’s Proprietor Eddie Wisdom adds “We believe in giving back to the community as does our candidate Marc Laferriere. We need to move beyond politics as usual and are excited to host this new and exciting event while helping to feed the community during the holiday season.”



To RSVP for the 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm seating please contact our hosts:

The Ring Caribbean Restaurant
271 Colborne Street
Brantford, ON N3T
(519) 770-4691

or

Brant NDP: 519-751-9111

Gord Townsend

Obituaries
Gordon Townsend
TOWNSEND, Gordon - Sadly the family announces the death of Gordon at the Hamilton General Hospital Saturday December 12, 2009 of Brantford at the age of 54. Beloved husband of the late Doreen (Flowers). Loved step-father of Kelly Wylie. Proud Papa of Nicole and Emma. Dear brother of Janet (and Orys) Serkus. Loving uncle of Victoria and Natasha. Predeceased by parents Keith and Ethel Townsend and brother Ron. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at the THOMPSON- MOTT FUNERAL HOME, Waterford Saturday December 19, 2009 at 11am. Rev. Jeff Smith officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy the family would appreciate donations to the Lung Association. On-line condolences at www.thompsonmottfuneralhome.com

Letter to the Editor published on HST

Brantford Expositor.... Letter to the Editor


The HST is being forced upon the people of Ontario without significant debate and without proper public consultation . No political party campaigned on implementing in the HST in the 2007 Provincial election nor in the 2008 Federal Election. I oppose this tax along with the Federal NDP lead by Jack Layton and Provincial NDP lead by Andrea Horwath. Our Liberal Mpp Dave Levac and our Conservative MP Phil McColeman support the HST and will vote accordingly. I take issue with Mr. Levacs comments that there has been plenty of discussion and information on the HST. The Ontario Liberal implementation of the the HST is going to be a massive burden upon the people of Brant. The benefits of the HST are insignificant compared to the hardship it is going to create. This is a tax grab and nothing less. The Ontario Liberals have even gone out on a limb to say that this tax will create 600,000 jobs. My discussions with the people in this riding suggests they aren't buying this snake oil either.The irony of the

Conservative government diverting $8 Billion dollars in EI Surplus away from those who paid into EI is not lost upon me. Now during a period of significant unemployment and with the EI coffers bare, the Conservatives could only find $300 Million to put back into EI across Canada for 2010. Compare this to the $4.3 Billion dollars the Conservatives are willing to spend our tax dollars on to "bribe" Ontario to implement a new tax. Ontarians are looking at the new face of stimulus spending.

Welcome to the Harper Sales Tax.


Brian Van Tilborg
Provincial NDP Candidate 2007
Federal NDP Candidate 2008

Phil McColeman "SOLD OUT" on HST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 3, 2009 CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL MPs “SOLD OUT” SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO FAMILIES ON HST:

NDP New Democrat MPs stand alone in opposing the HST in the House of Commons OTTAWA – Federal New Democrat MPs say that Conservative and Liberal MPs sold out the people of Southwestern Ontario by standing up and voting in support of the Harper government’s $4.3 billion federal incentive payment to the Ontario government that enables the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in that province. “These Conservative and Liberal MPs from Ontario, such as Pat Davidson (Sarnia-Lambton), Jeff Watson (Essex), Phil McColeman (Brant) and Diane Finley (Haldimand – Norfolk), have sold out their constituents today and voted to support the HST which will raise the price of gas, hydro, home heating oil and propane, snow removal, hockey registration, internet, cable service, and funerals by a full 8 percent,” Rafferty said. “These Conservative MPs, joined by their allies in the Liberal Party, needlessly jacked up the price of these goods and services during the deepest recession in 80 years. The people of Southwestern Ontario have been betrayed by their elected representatives who stood up when Stephen Harper ordered them to and voted for a massive tax hike on families in this province.” The idea of harmonizing the sales taxes in Ontario and other provinces during the recession was first pushed by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in 2008, and the Ontario Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty agreed to the plan last spring after the federal Conservatives offered them a $4.3 billion lump sum “incentive” payment. The harmonization process for sales taxes unites the province’s 8 percent Retail Sales Tax (RST) with the 5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) into a single 13 percent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). However several items that were previously exempt from the PST will now see their prices increase 8 percent to “harmonize” their taxation under the new HST. Some of the items that will their price increase by 8 percent under the new HST regime include gasoline, home heating oil, hydro, cable, internet, haircuts, hockey registration and rink rentals, golf and gym memberships, mutual fund sales, and funerals among hundreds of others. “These Ontario MPs chose to stand in support of Stephen Harper and Dalton McGuinty’ s HST and against the very people of they claim to represent in Sarnia-Lambton, Essex, Brant, and Haldimand-Norfolk ,” Rafferty said. “These MPs had a chance to the stop the HST on behalf of their constituents and they refused to do so. I hope their people of Southwestern Ontario will hold them to account in the next election for this outrageous betrayal.”

Senator of the Week...

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/27/ndp-s-senator-of-the-week.aspx


SENATOR OF THE WEEK: Raymond Lavigne – Most Expensive per days worked The average Canadian would have to work every day for two and a half years to take home the amount that Canada’s least active Senator charged for only two days of work. While Canadians are working harder and harder to make ends meet, Senator Raymond Lavigne showed up for work only twice last year. But he has a good excuse: the Liberal-appointed Senator is on leave while being investigated for “alleged use of Senate resources for personal gain.” (RCMP press release, 14 August 2007) And while these charges prevent Lavigne from working very much, they haven’t prevented him from putting taxpayers on the hook for $58,000 in office expenses and $47,000 in travel, on top of his $132,000 salary. Seems there’s no price too high for the constituents who never elected Canada’s least active Senator. Also in the top 10 highest spending Senators per day is Liberal Mobina Jaffer who charged $7,900 for each of the 41 days she attended. Coincidentally, Jaffer is also presently under investigation by the BC Law Society for over-billing.

Conservative MP refers to Unemployed as "No Good Bastards"

When is an apology not good enough? When it is insincere and when what the person really thinks has already been spoken. Nothing would please me more then seeing Conservative MP Keddy turfed from office and lose that cushy MP salary. The statement that the unemployed are "No Good Bastards" is unbecoming of someone who is going to cash in on gold plated pension plan for a few short years on the Conservative government dole.

These comments go inline with the thinking of Conservative MP, Human Resource Minister Diane Finley who believes that EI is lucrative. There is a time when those disconnected from the real world need a dose of reality. In this case, its the Conservative MPs. Diane Finley need not worry, her husband, a Conservative insider landed a cushy patronage appointment to the Senate and a big salary, a job for the rest of his life, and another gold plated pension plan. He is likely the guy behind those Conservative propoganda flyers put out in Phil McColemans name, paid for by the Canadian Taxpayer. Those 13% newly unemployed in Brant under Mr McColemans watch pay taxes and paid into EI. They too have been slurred by this Conservative MPs comments.

Thank your fellow Conservative MPs and Conservative Minister for publicly treating people like dirt.... those very people thrown out of work by Conservative governments sellout/oneside trade deals, weak economic policy and the inability to understand the engine that drives the Canadian Economy. This Conservative government in 2 short years diverted $8 Billion in EI surpluses away from the unemployed and gave the money to their pet projects and only under duress decided to put back a significantly smaller 900 Million over a 3 year period.

I wonder who 900,000 newly unemployed in 2009 consider to be the "No good Bastards"

Shame.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091124/national/tory_jobless_remark

Christmas Pot Luck

Christmas Pot Luck
Wednesday December 16th
12 Noon
Steelworker Action Centre
249 Murray Street
Brantford
FREE
USW, Crane, Genfast, Easton Coatings,
Cascades, Stellarc
anyone reading this is welcome
Bring what you can, drinks, plates, cups, food, deserts, and children :)

Garage Sale

Brant NDP

GARAGE SALE

Saturday, November 14th

8 AM - 2 PM

87 Varadi Street, Brantford

To donate items contact: Don Bowen at 519-753-7533

Items to be collected, please advise by: Thursday November 12th

Help to recycle and support the NDP as well

Video News Coverage of Brant NDP nomination meeting

Enjoy.

http://www.brantnews.com/news.cfm?page=news&section=read&articleId=5836