Regina's Secret

Know the issues, act on the facts.

In the October edition of the Labour Reporter you’ll find details about some of the things that we’ve been up to over the summer. You’ll have a chance to read about the recent SFL Summer Camp, the progress of Station 20 West, and the recent memorial for Nick Schaack. You’ll also find details about important issues including water, greenhouse gases, and other things to think about prior to the provincial election.

As the next provincial election swiftly approaches, it is extremely important for those of us that live and work in Saskatchewan to consider the issues that are important to us, and important to our families. An election is an important opportunity to discuss ideas and to make decisions about what we want our province’s future to look like.

There are some that say that in Saskatchewan unaccountable, unelected CEOs and their corporations should decide how our province is managed. Those same individuals believe that environmental standards aren’t as important as corporate profits, that regulations protecting working people’s safety aren’t as important as dividends for shareholders, and that the widening gap between the rich and everyone else isn’t as important as the bottom line.

There is another way, and it’s a proud part of our history in Saskatchewan. Instead of handing the keys to the province over to corporations, we can insist that our government keep our province in our own hands! We can insist that we decide what happens with our potash, our water, our conservation lands, and the rest of our beautiful province. The coming election is an opportunity for us to elect members of government that represent our shared values: cooperation, public ownership, and practical local solutions to complicated problems.

In order to help inform people about just some of the issues facing the people of Saskatchewan today, the SFL has ramped up our Labour Issues Campaign. Our sixth Labour Issues booklet, which deals with issues of the environment and the economy, is now available. In the coming days it will be increasingly important to order Labour Issues booklets, to send members to training sessions, or to order presentations. On November 7th let’s demand, with one clear voice, a government that puts the interests of Saskatchewan people first!
Download the October 2011 SFL Labour Reporter here.

Federation of Labour files legal argument in massive law suit against Sask. Party government

Over the summer months, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and 25 additional plaintiffs (SFL et al) filed their legal argument in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench related to the Charter Challenge by the SFL et al against the Sask. Party government's unconstitutional anti-worker and anti-union legislation.  Legislation which the Wall government introduced and passed in late 2007 and early 2008.

In what is arguably the largest lawsuit ever filed by working men and women against a sitting government in Saskatchewan (and quite possibly Canadian) history, the SFL filed its 230-page legal argument and tendered thousands of pages of evidence.

In support of the SFL et al's case, three additional intervenor unions filed thousands more pages of argument and evidence.  The arguments of the intervenor unions re-inforced that the ill-conceived Bill 5 and Bill 6 violate workers constitutional rights as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

The intervenor unions are:  Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE); Service Employees International Union - West (SEIU-West); and the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN)

In addition to the Charter Challenge, the SFL and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU) won a case in March 2009 wherein the Sask. Party government was found guilty of violating Saskatchewan workers international human rights by the United Nations International Labour Organization . 

The ILO requested that the Sask. Party government take action to repair the offending legislation in consultation with representatives of the labour movement.  The government has steadfastly refused to comply with the ILO ruling and refuses to meet with the labour movement to discuss the matter.

This historic Charter Challenge case will be heard in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench from November 14 - 25th, 2011.

Download PDF's of the unions' legal arguments below:

1.  SFL et al argument
2.  CUPE argument
3.  SEIU-West argument
4.  SUN argument

What happens, when no one's there.... to pick up the phone?

We have a choice - SFL Issues Campaign

Check out the newest SFL Labour Issues Campaign Booklet on the economy and the environment. (pdf):  We have a choice

Saskatchewan People Set to Celebrate Labour Day - 2011

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saskatchewan People Set to Celebrate Labour Day

On Monday, September 5th, people across Saskatchewan, of many backgrounds and traditions, spanning several generations, and representing a variety of occupations and professions, will gather together to celebrate Labour Day. Originally a day to commemorate the struggle of working people to reduce the workday to eight hours, Labour Day is an important opportunity not only to celebrate, but also to renew commitments to improving people’s quality of life.

“Labour Day is an extremely important day,” said Larry Hubich, President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, “not only for the women and men that work in Saskatchewan and across the country, but for all people who now benefit from the efforts of working people. Working people from Saskatchewan have been instrumental in creating many of the things in our society that all people hold dear today: Medicare, pensions, quality education, and laws regarding health and safety, just to name a few.”

First observed as a Canadian national holiday in 1894, Labour Day is now observed in a number of countries across the globe every year. Celebrations typically include barbeques, picnics, and parades, complete with singing, storytelling, and speeches from community leaders.

“As important as it is to celebrate what we have achieved as working people and as a society, it is also important to view Labour Day as an opportunity to renew our commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of the province. We believe that it is always possible to improve upon what we’ve already achieved in our province, and Labour Day is an opportunity to recommit to making those improvements. As the economic gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow, it will be increasingly important for us to strive to improve upon the things that make Saskatchewan a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

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The SFL represents over 98,000 unionized workers across the province in 37 affiliated unions.

Olbermann: Keith's Special Comment: The Four Great Hypocrisies of the Debt Deal

Who gave the G20 commander his commands? - The Real News

Join Us For the Unveiling of a Headstone In Memory of Nick Schaack

Join Us For the Unveiling of a Headstone In Memory of Nick Schaack

What: Unveiling of a commemorative headstone for Nick Schaack, who died as a result of his participation in the Regina Riot, July 1st, 1935, struggling for economic security on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan and all Canadians.

When: Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 11:00am.

Where: We will meet at the Regina Cemetery (the corner of 4th Avenue and Broad Street) for the unveiling ceremony and then travel to the office of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (2330 2nd Avenue, Regina) for a FREE BBQ!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Air Canada Workers Make a Deal Under the Gun - The Real News

CAW President Ken Lewenza on Back to Work Legislation

Courageous Page - This is what democracy looks like!

Wall government continues to embarrass Saskatchewan on the world stage

The posting below is reproduced directly from the ITUC website.  The Wall government's record on labour and worker rights continues to be a global embarrassment.

Restrictions of Labour Rights in Canada

25 May 2011: A new report by the ITUC on core labour standards in Canada, published to coincide with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) review of its trade policies, finds some significant workers’ rights restrictions.

Despite the fact that federal law grants workers in both public and private sectors the right to join and form trade unions, many restrictions of trade union rights exist due to the legal regimes in force in several Canadian provinces. Furthermore provincial governments frequently use back-to-work legislation to unilaterally end strikes by their employees.

The report also finds that, although the laws of Canada prohibit discrimination, women still face a considerable pay gap and the labour market is segregated on gender lines.

Canada has only ratified five of the eight ILO international core labour standards.

To read the full report

TREK: Documentary film of the On To Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot

Vote for "The Sheepdogs" for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine

http://www.rollingstone.com/choosethecover

Stand Up for our Human Rights - SFL Labour Reporter

The following is the lead article from the May 2011 issue of the SFL Labour Reporter - the issue is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights, in Saskatchewan, Canada and abroad. 

You can download the complete issue here...

Stand up for our human rights

The provincial government’s attempts to roll back human rights are steadily mounting.

Among the first official acts of the current government, upon taking office in 2007, was to strip working people across the province of their freedom to associate and to express themselves as union members.

The “essential services” legislation has robbed tens of thousands of Saskatchewan people of their right to assemble, to raise awareness of their concerns, and to strike.

The Trade Union Act was simultaneously weakened, making it much more difficult for people to band together and to negotiate collectively with their employers.

Last year, the International Labour Organization ruled that these laws violate workers’ freedoms under international law, but the government refuses to comply with the United Nations ruling.

Inside you will read about the government’s attempt to amend the Marriage Act, to legalize discrimination against same-sex couples.

The unanimous Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision on the duty of marriage commissioners to marry same-sex, inter-racial and inter-faith couples in our province is a human rights victory for Saskatchewan citizens.

Now the government has introduced Bill 160, which if made law, will seriously weaken the Human Rights Code.

I invite you to read selections from a very important address given by Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.

He sounds the alarm on several aspects of Bill 160, including the abolishment of our human rights tribunal and changes that will make complaints much more likely to be dismissed by the chief commissioner.

Governments are supposed to promote human rights, not lessen them. As you’ll see on p. 7, the Harper government has an equally offensive record on human rights. I encourage you all to vote for human rights and for open and transparent government on election day.

And I look forward to seeing you all at Movement for May Day on May 1 (p.8), where together we’ll tell our elected officials it’s time to respect our human rights!

In Solidarity,
Larry Hubich

Stephen Harper is an Evil Astronaut - ShitHarperDid.com

ShitHarperDid.com

Noam Chomsky on the State-Corporate Complex: A Threat to Freedom and Survival

Hey, Mr. Wall ............ Pay Attention!



Sask. Party Premier, Brad Wall

Since being elected in November 2007 the Brad Wall Sask Party government has been busy stripping away workers rights, and bringing in legislation that attacks democratic institutions and undermines the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I suggest to you, that Mr. Wall has been following disgraced past B.C. Premier, Gordon Campbell's playbook chapter and verse.

Yesterday, the courts once again ruled that the actions of the Campbell government violate Canada's constitution.

The following is reproduced from the NUPGE web site:

BC Supreme Court rules legislation removing teachers' bargaining rights unconstitutional

“We now have four years of consistent jurisprudence that recognizes the constituional obligation of governments to respect the collective bargaining process and refrain from enacting legislation that strips away the Charter rights of their employees.” James Clancy

(14 April 2011) – In a landmark decision handed down yesterday, the BC Supreme Court ruled that laws which take away collective bargaining rights from teachers unconstitutional and in breach of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Bill 27, the Public Education Flexibility and Choice Act, prohibited the inclusion of certain items in teacher collective agreements, including staffing, class size and composition limits.

Bill 28, the Education Services Collective Agreement Act, amalgamated school districts and local bargaining units, imposing one collective agreement on teachers in the newly amalgamated districts who had previously been covered by two or three local agreements.

Madam Justice Griffin declared that Bills 27 and 28 were a substantial interference in bargaining rights and infringed on freedom of association guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  continue reading here......

Having Their Cake and Eating It Too: Stanford - CCPA

CAW Economist Jim Stanford exposes the Big Conservative/Corporate Lie.  The truth and the facts are that corporate tax cuts do not stimulate the economy and do not generate jobs and investment.

Corporate tax cuts economically ineffective

National Office          News Release

April 13, 2011

OTTAWA—The Conservatives’ proposed 3-point reduction in corporate tax rates would cost the public purse $6 billion per year, yet only stimulate about $600 million of new business investment annually, says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

The study, by economist Jim Stanford, examines historical data on business investment and cash flow from 1961 through 2010. Using econometric techniques, the study finds no evidence in the historical data that lower taxes have directly stimulated more investment. Moreover, the indirect impact of tax cuts on investment (experienced through corporate cash flow) has become much weaker over time.

“Business fixed capital spending has declined notably as a share of GDP and as a share of corporate cash flow since the early 1980s—despite repeated tax cuts that have reduced the combined federal-provincial corporate tax rate from 50% to just 29.5% in 2010,” says Stanford.

After adjusting for other determinants of investment spending, incremental cash flow has elicited only small amounts of business investment in recent years: about 10 cents in new investment for each dollar in extra cash flow.

“Given this statistical evidence, the federal government would have a far more powerful impact on both public and private investment by investing directly in public infrastructure, rather than providing additional tax reductions for businesses,” Stanford says.

If the federal government spent $6 billion on public infrastructure instead of corporate tax cuts, the total increase in investment would be more than ten times as great as the increase in private investment from tax cuts alone. This includes the new public investment itself ($6 billion), as well as an additional $520 million in private business investment that would be stimulated through the positive spin-off effects of the resulting economic growth.

According to the study, Canadian corporations have received $745 billion in excess, uninvested after-tax cash flow since 2001: cash flow that was not reinvested in real capital projects in Canada. This excess corporate saving reduces expenditure and purchasing power in the Canadian economy. A lack of business investment spending was the major source of Canada’s recent downturn, and the sluggish rebound in business spending is a key reason why Canada’s recovery from the recession has been uncertain, sluggish, and incomplete.

“Corporate Canada has been consistently receiving far more after-tax cash flow than it is reinvesting in Canadian capital spending—to the tune of $745 billion since 2001,” Stanford says. “Supplementing that cash flow through further tax cuts is like pushing on a string. Those tax savings would only add to the large sums of uninvested cash flow Canadian businesses already possess.”

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For more information contact Kerri-Anne Finn, CCPA Senior Communications Officer, at 613-563-1341 x306.

Download the full report and analysis here.....