Heather Dillabaugh – Prairie School for Union Women

Education
Prairie School for Union Women June 9-13, 2013 Report by Heather Dillabaugh  I attended the Transforming Conflict into Union Activism.  The course was geared towards being able to understand basic conflict resolution theory, the difference between functional and dysfunctional conflict and how gender and culture affect how we view and act in conflict. The week was centered around learning a Solidarity Skill Set to be used in conflict. There were seven key areas we focused on. After a week of education, we all left with the following skills: Encouraging the Speaker (Body Language) Open-Ended Questions Restating Key Points Reflecting Emotions Validating Values, Indentifying Interests Generating Options, Choosing a Solution Setting Limits, Taking Action There were 21 people registered in the class and we had two instructors.  We did a lot…
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Heather Dillabaugh – COPE National Convention

Education
COPE Conference June 7-9, 2013 Report Submitted by Heather Dillabaugh The COPE Conference is the first conference I’ve ever attended and was completely enthralled by everything! There were a number of speakers that were very interesting to listen to. Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, spoke and thanked COPE for its work on Bill C-377.  He predicts that Bill C-377 will end up in the courts.  Georgetti also stressed that we (unions) have to learn to communicate differently and put out a different image of ourselves.  We are about fairness and have to explain the union advantage. Another speaker was Education Rep Marie-Josee Naud from  the Quebec Federation of  Labour and she spoke on defending define benefit pension plans. Alexandre Boulerice, MP, Rosemont-Petite-Patrie, NDP Labour Critic, spoke and…
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Porter Strikers Ratify First Collective Agreement

Porter
Porter Strikers Ratify First Collective Agreement TORONTO, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Twenty-two Porter Refuellers on strike since January 10, 2013 have ratified their first Collective Agreement on the evening of June 24th. Members are looking forward to returning to their jobs. COPE Local 343 and Porter FBO have withdrawn all litigation between them. The parties are looking forward to building a relationship for the future. The labour movement's tremendous support was integral in helping to resolve this dispute. SOURCE: COPE Ontario For further information: Mary Stalteri 416-659-2897
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National Women’s Committee Report – French

Uncategorized
Réunion du Conseil exécutif national Les 12 et 13 juin 2013 COMITÉ NATIONAL DES FEMMES  Le Comité national des femmes (CNF) s’est réuni à Ottawa les 13 et 14 mai 2013 et les membres ont été heureuses de constater que la plupart des consœurs ont pu y assister. Le Comité a accueilli la consœur Debra Kendall à titre de nouvelle personne membre représentant le SEPB et a adressé ses remerciements à la consœur Kelli Lawrence qui a représenté le SEPB auprès du CNF pendant plusieurs années. Les consœurs ont également souhaité chaleureusement la bienvenue à la consœur Irene Jansen qui s’est jointe au Service de légalité récemment, en remplacement de la consœur Darcie Beggs qui a pris sa retraite. Le Comité a passé du temps à discuter de nombreux enjeux liés au prochain congrès, dont :…
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National Women’s Committee Report – English

Uncategorized
National Executive Board Meeting June 12 and 13, 2013 NATIONAL WOMEN’S COMMITTEE  The National Women’s Committee (NWC) met in Ottawa May 13 and 14, 2013 and was pleased that most of the sisters were able to attend. The Committee welcomed Sister Debra Kendall as the new member representing COPE and extended its thanks to Sister Kelli Lawrence who was the COPE representative on the NWC for several years. The sisters also extended a warm welcome to Sister Irene Jansen who has recently joined the Equality Branch replacing Sister Darcie Beggs who has retired. The Committee spent some time discussing a number of issues related to the upcoming Convention, including: Planning for the Equality Forum which will be held on the Monday evening. The general theme will be the celebration of…
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