International Women's Day Celebrations

Today we all have come together to celebrate being a woman, we stand together in solidarity and our voices are loud and clear. We as women strengthen our union and recognize the diverse role women have in society. Today we will reflect on progress made, but we should be pressing the Conservative Government to support and fund women's equality agenda instead of attacking women's rights.

Today at our annual IWD celebration we congratulate all three nominees, Wendy, Nancy& Kim. They are solid women who we are proud to know, they are true leaders in their own individual ways. They care, support their union sister's, and also encourage other women to take control. All three of these women understand the importance of equality, making our workplace better for every member, but most importantly women.

This award is all about the three women getting and receiving respect from your peers. The outstanding female unionist award for 2007 went to Kim MacArthur, she is a Shop Steward for the RSMC, and all are very proud of her accomplishments.

Take this compliment to your heart, you are a great role model for the upcoming women in our local and we all applaud you. Breton local Women's Committee rocks.

Shop Steward course held in Sydney, 24-25 Feb 2007

The last weekend of February 2007 saw a Basic Shop Steward / Grievance Arbitration course facilitated by regional representatives, Jeff Callaghan, REOO and Kevin Buckland, RGO at the Steelworker's Hall. This educational was comprehensive and enjoyable seeing the 25 Breton local # 117 members who attended the course, receive certificates upon its completion.

Breton local # 117 took this unique opportunity provided to it by regional office to train its new Shop Stewards with this 'Brand new' course recently developed by Brother Buckland. This two day educational was designed to give stewards the skills and tools necessary to represent a union member, complete / file grievances and take a worker's complaint all the way to arbitration. Also covered in the seminar was CUPW history, our collective agreement, shop steward rights, union leadership and consultation.

Members were broken into groups to brainstorm, discuss and solve problems that they were assigned. Course candidates role-played in scenarios that were true to the CPC policies and actions causing many chuckles in the room. Some newer members who had never publicly spoke were given the opportunity to do so that could find their inner voice and further prepare themselves to challenge the employer.

The educational took a small break to allow for a presentation that was conducted by Breton president, Gordon MacDonald. Retired Brother Allie MacInnis received his lifetime CUPW membership in front of the class that was being molded as the next generation of our local union leaders. Allie's presence was poignant to symbolically pass the steward torch from the old guard to the new members joining the rank and file.

Allie spoke of the continuing struggle that the course candidates will experience and the feeling of satisfaction that he personally received while advocating the rights of the worker. Allie's wife, Rita accompanied him to the ceremony and the luncheon that followed.

The students left the educational with a binder of information for home study and on the job referral. The course wrapped up with each candidate feeling confident and capable to assume the role of steward and activist.

It must be noted that this class was a mosaic of Breton local # 117 members consisting of a cross section of job classifications and union components. The urban group consisting of letter carriers and clerks sat alongside RSMCs and worked with Breton's newest members CUS drivers for RMS Pope. All present thought the educational was a total success and hopefully the first of many facilitated in the Sydney area.

The following is a list of newly trained members that have completed the grievance arbitration course:

//signed//
Robert Garnier
Secretary Treasurer
CUPW, Breton local #117