To All Members:
January 2011:

I would like to start out by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. It will be a very interesting year as far as our work at the Union goes. A number of things will happen this year and for sure input and action by the members will be necessary.

First of all let me reiterate that this will be my final year as President of your local, it is time to pass the duties on to someone else. It is up to you, the younger officers or clerks of this branch to get involved in the running of your union. The new President will be looking for stewards, members of the executive branch, treasurer and secretary, and just people to help out. It is important that newer members pick up where we leave off; we must remember Unions are only as strong as its membership. I know some of our members think this department and government will be giving you rate increases, more days off, generally improvements in all categories etc. because they are in a giving mood. I am here to tell you that all of our gains were received because we fought for them. You get vacation pay, sick days , a fairly decent wage because we fought for it and members in the field weren’t afraid to get involved in some action, even a strike where necessary. I am sure that with the upcoming set of negotiations members will have to show solidarity and show we are indeed one unit. This could include a number of actions up to and including strike action. The loss of severance pay for all our clerks surely sends a message that management is here to take and not to give.

For the first time officers will actually be on the picket lines as we will NOT be designated as in other years. This will mean that some of us could be working while others are on strike. It will therefore be important that those who work will pay into a fund to support our striking members. Our local has a healthy strike fund which we intend to use to its fullest if necessary. Let us hope that management will see that a strike is neither healthy for the department or their staff as a strike always leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth.

Once again at the Board of Directors Meeting in Ottawa I was elected to be a member of the FB bargaining team. This will mean that once again I will spend a fair amount of time in Ottawa to represent the membership. We have a good new team and I can assure you that with your help back in the field we will do our best to get the best contract possible. Whenever I will be out of town I will be able represented by Shelly Kurgan who will be acting President.

Fred Milligan

President
Local #16
Niagara Falls