Canadian Council Call 2018

Transcription

1 August 17-19, 2018 Halifax Convention Centre TO: Greetings! Local Union Presidents and Recording Secretaries The fourth Unifor Canadian Council will be held from August 17-19, 2018, at the Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Council will convene on Friday, August 17, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., in the Ballroom on the second level of the convention centre. There is no registration fee for Canadian Council, however pre-registration is required. Industry Council meetings, scheduled in conjunction with the Canadian Council, will be held on Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16. More details are enclosed. Included with this letter is the delegate registration form, local union delegate entitlement information, child care registration form, information on submitting resolutions, along with travel and accommodation information. Local union representation at Canadian Council is governed by Articles 9.8 and 9.10 of the Unifor Constitution. All locals are encouraged to send equity representation (Women, Aboriginal Workers, Workers of Colour, Workers with disability, LGBTQ and Young Workers aged 35 years or younger) as part of their delegation. The deadline for receiving registrations is 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 12, The deadline for receiving resolutions is 5:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, July 17, In solidarity, Robert J. Orr National Secretary-Treasurer Canadian Council Call 2018

2 Important Information for Registering Delegates Delegates to Canadian Council are as outlined in Articles 9.8 and 9.10 of the Unifor Constitution and based on the dues period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, Your local union entitlement is on the attached entitlement breakdown sheet. If you have questions, please contact a) There is no registration fee to attend Canadian Council; b) The attached registration form must be completed, signed by the local union president and sent to the National Secretary-Treasurer s office one of the following ways: 1. to: treasurer@unifor.org 2. Online: unifor.org/canadiancouncil 3. Fax to: Mail to: Unifor National Office Attention: National Secretary-Treasurer s Office 205 Placer Court Toronto, ON M2H 3H9 c) Delegates who self-identify as part of an equity seeking group are asked to complete the enclosed self-identification form. d) The deadline to submit registration forms is Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Article 9.8 Local Union delegate entitlement to the Canadian Council shall be as follows: Local Unions with 1 to 500 members 1 delegate Local Unions with 501 to 999 members 2 delegates Local Unions with 1000 to 2999 members 4 delegates Local Unions with 3000 members or more 6 delegates Local Unions may apply to the Secretary Treasurer to send one (1) additional delegate who shall be a woman or from an equity-seeking group. The Secretary Treasurer may restrict these delegates according to the cost and space limitations. To apply for an Additional Equity Delegate please send an to treasurer@unifor.org or mail the completed registration form to the Secretary Treasurer (address above). Article 9.10 The following individuals will also be delegates to the Canadian Council with voice and one (1) vote each: In addition to the Chairperson, 4 executive members of the Quebec Council and Regional Councils. 3 members of each Standing Committee of the Quebec Council and Regional Councils established in this Constitution. Executive members of Industry Councils. Members of the National Executive Board. Members of the Executive of the National Council of Retired Workers. There are no alternates to Canadian Council. Attendees other than delegates are either observers or an approved equity delegate.

3 Accessibility Unifor seeks to make all union meetings and events accessible and barrier free. If you require accommodation for human rights related needs, we invite you to provide us with your relevant information so that we can take all reasonable steps to address any barriers to your participation in your Union. Please requests to Registration Information Registration will take place at the Halifax Convention Centre during the following times: Thursday, August 16 12:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 17 7:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 18 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Industry Council Meetings If your Industry Council is meeting in Halifax prior to the start of Canadian Council, you will be notified directly by your Industry Council. PLEASE NOTE: Registering for Industry Council meetings DOES NOT register you for Canadian Council. Agenda Wednesday, August 15 Industry Council Meetings Automation Conference Thursday, August 16 Industry Council Meetings Standing Committee Meetings Resolution Committee Meeting New Delegate Orientation Roundtable on Racism and Islamophobia Registration & Agenda Friday, August 17 LGBTQ Caucus Breakfast Council Session Commences at 9:00 a.m. Women s Caucus Lunch Young Workers Caucus at Adjornment Canadian Council Reception - Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Saturday, August 18 Workers with DisAbility Caucus Breakfast Council Session Resumes at 9:00 a.m. Solidarity Action at Lunch Aboriginal Workers and Workers of Colour Caucus at Adjornment Sunday, August 19 Council Session Resumes at 9:30 a.m. Council Adjourns by 12:00 p.m.

4 Resolutions to Unifor Canadian Council What is the process for submitting a resolution? Resolutions must be submitted by Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Each resolution must be approved by the members at a membership meeting, include the date of the meeting when it was approved and be signed by a Local Union Officer. Resolutions submitted by either fax or will be accepted as long as the deadline date is respected and each resolution bears the required signatures. Please submit resolutions only once. It is not necessary to mail in your submission if the resolution has already been faxed or ed with the required signatures. Ways to submit your resolution: 1. to: treasurer@unifor.org 2. Fax to: Mail to: Unifor National Office Attention: National Secretary-Treasurer s Office 205 Placer Court Toronto, ON M2H 3H9 What should resolutions contain and how should they look? Resolutions should: Be sent on the official letterhead of your local. Be typed whenever possible or ed in word format. Have the official seal or stamp of your local, if you have one. Explain why your local is submitting the resolution. Explain what your local wants done. Be no longer than 200 words. Cover new issues or change current policies. Why is Unifor inviting resolutions in clear language format? Traditional resolution format uses words like Whereas and Therefore be it resolved. These words are unfamiliar and confusing to some members, especially new delegates. Using simple words like will and because helps delegates understand the resolution.

5 What are some other ways to make resolutions clear? Cover only one main issue per resolution. Use sentences that are clear, direct and short. Use words that your readers will easily understand - avoid jargon and acronyms. Be specific. Explain what you want to see happen: what you want to change, how you want it to be done, who you want to do it, and when you want it to happen. Sample Resolution in Clear Language Format UNIFOR NATIONAL WILL: Local: President: Recording -Secretary: 1111 Jane Smith John Smith 1. Encourage all chartered locals to use the recommended format for resolutions; and 2. Encourage chartered locals to keep resolutions at 200 words or fewer. BECAUSE: Canadian Council runs smoother when resolutions are worded and laid out correctly; and The Resolutions Committee needs proper signatures to know the resolution comes from a chartered local and has been approved by its membership; and Unifor has to translate, print and process many resolutions. Typed on letterhead. WILL section calls for action you want the Council to take. BECAUSE section gives reasons. Resolution Submissions SUBMITTED BY UNIFOR LOCAL 1111 Local Union number Jane Smith, President Signature of President John Smith, Recording-Secretary Signature of Recording Secretary lgcope343 Affix union seal here Seal of local (if available) RESOLUTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

6 Travel Discounts to get you to Halifax Air Canada Air Canada has offered savings to our delegates who will be traveling by air. If you wish to take advantage of these savings, please contact Air Canada at (in Canada), TTY (hearing impaired) or online at aircanada.ca. In all cases, please quote promotional code 3YN6XZM1. Via Rail Via Rail has offered 5% off the best available fare in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus and Sleeper Class. If you wish to take advantage of these savings, please contact VIA Rail at (in Canada), TTY (hearing impaired) or online at viarail.ca. In all cases, please quote promotional code Hotel Accommodations In preparation for the Canadian Council, Unifor has negotiated special rates and reserved blocks of rooms until Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the accessible Halifax hotels below. When making your reservation, please keep in mind that Unifor has to secure this space in advance and may be financially responsible if the block commitments are not met. Delta Halifax 1990 Barrington Street Reservation Code: Unifor Canadian Council $199/night Westin Nova Scotian Hotel 1181 Hollis Street Reservation Code: Unifor $219/night Hollis Halifax - Double Tree Suites by Hilton 1649 Hollis Street Reservation Code: Unifor $209/night DoubleTree by Hilton Halifax Dartmouth 101 Wyse Rd reservations@hiharbourview.ca Reservation Code: UNR $130/night Homewood Suites by Hilton 1960 Brunswick St Reservation Code: Unifor block under UNI $209-$219/night Hampton Inn 1960 Brunswick St Reservation Code: Unifor Block under UNI $194/night Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites 1515 South Park Street Reservation Code: Unifor $199/night Halifax Marriott Harbourfront 1919 Upper Water St Reservation Code: $199/night (This is the only non-unionized hotel so please reserve here last)

7 Child Care Registration Child care will be provided during business hours of the Canadian Council at the Halifax Convention Centre. Included in this package, you will find the Unifor Child Care Registration Form. The form must be completed and returned no later than Thursday, July 12, Please submit your form one of the following ways: 1. Mail to: Unifor Family Education Centre Attn: Laurie Wright 115 Shipley Ave. Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0 2. to: 3. Fax to: Shuttle Services There will be shuttle buses running from the Halifax Convention Centre to the various hotels and back during the Canadian Council. Buses will run each morning beginning at 7:00 a.m. and again in the afternoon starting at 4:30 p.m. There will also be shuttles available to take you to and from the Unifor reception at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Bus schedule details will be available in your delegate kits, on the mobile app as well as in the lobbies of the respective hotels. Travel, Accommodations & Child Care

8 Canadian Council Call 2018 Automation, New Technology and the Future of Work Conference Wednesday, August 15, 2018 All day event Automation and new technology have the potential to affect the quality and quantity of work in substantive and meaningful ways in the years ahead. This poses both threats and opportunities for workers in almost every sector of the economy. At Unifor s conference you will have the opportunity to engage with experts; discuss how automation and new technology are affecting the workplace today; learn what is similar and what is different to past waves of technological change; and hear from workers who are at the forefront of interacting with changing technology in the present. This is an all day event, there will be opportunities to participate throughout the day. We are looking forward to seeing you there! National Roundtable on Racism and Islamophobia Thursday, August 16, :00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. As Canada s largest private sector union, Unifor has been actively working to advance racial justice and equality in both our workplaces and our communities. Through member and public education, political advocacy, and supporting our partners and allies across Canada, we have worked hard to ensure that equity, anti-racism, and social justice continue to act as our guiding organizational principles. However, we are gravely concerned about the wave of racist and Islamophobic incidents we are witnessing across Canada. From the shocking deaths of six Muslim Canadians in a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City; the murder of Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man in Saskatchewan; increasing racist harassment and attacks on our city streets; anti-black racism and racial profiling of youth by police, and groups that are actively rallying against immigrants and refugees, we know these are issues that impact not only our union members, but everyone from coast to coast to coast. In light of these events, Unifor will be convening a special National Roundtable on Racism & Islamophobia on Thursday, August 16 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the lead-up to the Canadian Council meeting. Bringing together representatives from a variety of social justice organizations, grassroots advocacy groups, labour activists, academics, and government representatives, our goal for this roundtable is to engage in an open discussion about the role of the labour movement in combatting racism and how we can forge better alliances with activists and organizations that are already leading the fight against racial and religious intolerance. Our desire is for members to leave with concrete strategies and tools they can bring to their workplaces and communities, and leave them feeling motivated, inspired, and supported to become active anti-racist allies and activists. Please join us for this important event. lgcope343