S.O.A.R. CHAPTER 10

NEWSLETTER

Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees.

1031 Barton St. E., Hamilton, Ont. L8L 3E3.

 

SEASONS GREETINGS

It’s that time of year again, and your Executive Committee extend Season’s Greetings to you and your families.  We wish you a joyous celebration with friends and family and peace and health for 2012.

SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER:

It has been a busy fall for our Chapter 10 retirees.  On Labour Day, a number of our members took part in the Annual Labour Day parade walking with their local union.  As well, we had a vehicle in the parade for our members unable to walk the distance.

Our chapter has been active on many picket lines in the area and demonstrations at Queen’s Park and Ottawa on protection of benefits and pensions for workers in Canada.

Many of our members took part in the 65th. Anniversary Celebration of Local 1005.  Two members of our chapter took part in the 1946 strike against Stelco fighting for worker rights and 65 years later they are still active in fighting for the same rights.  We stood with and supported  USW Local 1005 when the members were locked out by a foreign company US Steel.  We congratulate the executive and members of USW Local 1005 for standing strong against US Steel in the 11 month lockout.

 

Within the past couple of months our political landscape in Canada has changed drastically as we were saddened with the death of NDP Leader Jack Layton. Jack will be greatly missed by retirees, seniors and working families in fighting for social justice on issues like pensions, health care and a decent standard of living.

In May we saw the election of a Federal Conservative majority government with Stephen Harper as Prime Minister.  This government will have major impacts on daily living for working families, retirees and seniors with its policies and economic legislation.  As well, in Ontario we are now dealing with a minority Liberal government that is more interested in dealing with the corporate agenda like cutting corporate taxes than issues affecting families like pensions, plant closures, home care and problems in health care to name a few.

 

 Our work is cut out for us as retirees in fighting those government corporate agendas.  We will have to continue to lobby our local MPP’s and MP’s on our important issues like pensions, health care and home care.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Our annual Christmas social takes place on December 6, 2011 at the USW Hall at 1031 Barton St. E.. @ 1:30 p.m.  Lunch followed with a visit from Santa.    Cost:- Lunch - $5.00

We also ask that you bring along a non-perishable food item and an unwrapped gift for our annual Chapter Christmas food and toy drive.  Please remember there are needy children of different age groups in families including teenagers.

At our social we will also be honoring one of our Chapter members, Brother Bill Scandlan, who will be receiving the Lynn Williams Canadian SOAR Service Award.  Brother Scandlan is recognized for his extraordinary volunteer work, since his retirement in 1983.

Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville Chapter of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) regional meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11th., 2012 at 10:00 a.m.  This meeting will be held at the District 21 OSSTF office, 1423 Upper Ottawa Street.  The main discussion for this meeting is the CLC Action Plan to save and improve our pensions.

 

Our Chapter 10 will be hosting a disability tax credit seminar in the New Year.  Details will be sent out in our next newsletter in early 2012.

MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2012:

Membership fees are due in January of each year.

                                                            Retiree -           $12.00/year

                                                            Spouse -           $ 3.00/year - $15.00 for both retiree and spouse

 

Fees can be mailed to our Membership Secretary: Ray Silenzi, 50 Shady Glen, Stoney Creek, ON. L8J 3W7.  Or they can be paid to Ray at our monthly meeting.  If you are a retiree from USW Local 1005 or 5328 and come out to meetings during the year, the Locals will cover payment for your dues.  Please notify either Ray of your new address changes as well.   Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Steelworkers Center, 1031 Barton St. E. starting at 1:30 p.m. 

 

E-Mail Address:-

 

If you have an e-mail address please send your e-mail address to President Lena Sutton at lena.sutton@bell.net.  The purpose of collecting e-mail from members is to inform you of events and information concerning retirees.  As well, our newsletter can be sent to you via e-mail to help cut postage costs.  Our web site is located at usw5328.com. 

In closing on behalf of our Chapter 10 Executive and members, a sincere thank you to the USW Locals for their support to our retirees.  We thank Hamilton Area Steel Council and Tony DePaulo, Area Co-ordinator, for the support given in our activities and including Chapter 10 in Area Council in Hamilton.   We also wish to thank Ken Neumann, National Canadian Director of the United Steelworkers for his continued support to our Chapter 10 and all retirees in Canada.

                                                                                                           

Issued By: SOAR Chapter 10

April 2011

It has been quite a busy time for our Chapter 10 since our last newsletter. Our President has met with local MPP’s and MP’s concerning issues that are important to retirees and their families. We were informed by area Conservative and Liberal area MPP’s and MP’s that because of the recession and economy they could not support giving pensions increases with OAS, Income Supplement or Canada Pension. We pointed out to them in our presentation if they stopped the corporate tax cuts they could afford to give those increases to our retirees and cost the government nothing. We also discussed with them the locked out at US Steel and the impact that it is having on our communities, retirees, the workers and families. We were told they do not get involved in labour disputes and we need foreign investment and competition in Ontario and Canada. We have said to them visit the locked out line at US Steel and tell that to the workers face to face about foreign companies coming to Ontario and trying to destroy workers rights. Tell that to the ECP workers in Brantford who have been on strike nearly three years against a nasty US company, watching every day scabs escorted across the picket line doing their jobs and now to be told the plant is closing, we are moving from Brantford. If we had anti-scab legislation in Ontario this would not happen. We had anti-scab under the NDP government, the Harris government took it away and a couple of weeks ago the Provincial Liberals voted with the Tories at Queen’s Park to pass new anti-scab legislation put forth by the NDP. I say as President of SOAR Chapter 10 shame on the Liberals and Tories. When we finally got a meeting with the provincial Liberal MPP on Hamilton Mountain a year ago, she informed us she would not discuss any union matters like pensions for retirees even though the pensions are deferred wages given up at the bargaining table by unionized workers. Right now in Canada and Ontario the only part that is fighting for retirees, seniors, working families and workers rights is the NDP both federally and provincially. We met with our local provincial and federal MPP and MP NDP members several times over the past year. Those NDP elected members took our concerns and issues on retirees very seriously and took our fights to the provincial and federal houses of parliament on our behalf, where they did not get support from either sitting Conservative or Liberal on these issues.

In Canada in this federal election we are faced with one of three major choices because we do not have representation by proportional representation. We have a choice of supporting Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals or Jack Layton’s NDP members seeking election in your riding. We know what Conservatives and Liberals stand for - it is for the benefit of large banks and corporation tax cuts, massive salary increases for CEO’s, less for working families and retirees. Jack Layton and his NDP members stand with working families and retirees to make a difference to their standard of living in Canada.

When the NDP tried in the House of Commons to pass legislation like changes to the Canada Investment Act which would not allow companies like US Steel to come to Canada and treat workers and retirees in the manner they are treated it was defeated by Liberal and Conservative votes. When the NDP presented a bill in the House of Commons, on pension reform and another bill on protecting workers wages, benefits and pensions in case of companies going bankrupt again it was defeated by votes from the Liberals and Conservatives.

The NDP though not always perfect, but one thing we can be sure when it comes to retirees, seniors and working families they are always on our side and stand with us in our best interest and not in the interest of Canad not the banks, CEO’s and large corporations. When election day approaching fast on May 2nd., it is very important that we get out and do what we can to elect and re-elect our NDP candidates and MP’s in our riding. Give their campaign office a call or visit and donate some of your time to help in their election. The NDP is the only party in Ottawa that will stand and speak for us in the House of Commons.

Right now we are in the sixth month of a lock out at US Steel, as retirees we need to support our brothers and sisters on the picket line. They have been locked out by a vicious US company that has no regard for workers or retirees. The workers are locked out because they would not agree to dismantling pension demands by US Steel. USW Local 1005 members did not look for wage increases or anything for its members only a stand pat agreement but US Steel would not agree only wanted major changes to our pensions like no indexing, etc. before they would talk about wages and other items. As retirees let us show US Steel we will not stand for this injustice in Hamilton, let us go to the picket line and support our brothers and sisters. As well on May 1, USW Local 1005 is taking buses to Ottawa give the Union office a call and join with them. The number is (905) 547-1417.

DAY OF MOURNING:

Just a reminder that the International Day of Mourning will be April 28th. Information on plans for this event can be obtained by calling Hamilton Labour Council at 905 - 547-2944.

ANNUAL DINNER DANCE:

Our Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, May 6th., 2011, in the Auditorium of the Steelworkers Hall, 1031 Barton Street East. Cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., with dancing to follow The cost for members in good standing (dues must be upto date) will be $15.00 per member (or $30.00 per couple), and $30.00 per person for non-members. Tickets will be available at the May meeting, or you can reserve your tickets by calling Dorothy Routenburg at 905 - 549-2272.

GOOD AND WELFARE:-

On behalf of our members of SOAR Chapter 10, we extend sincere sympathy to our Treasurer Gary Rutherford and his family in the passing of his wife June. June was a trustee in our Chapter 10.

SOAR Chapter 10 will be taking part in the Hamilton Day of Caring in our Community on June 2, 2011. Our participation will center around our local food banks. We are asking members to bring non-perishable food items to our meeting on May 3rd., or to the annual banquet on May 6th.,

If you have any questions about SOAR please call President, Lena Sutton at (905) 549-1305 or e-mail

Our monthly meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month (except July and August), commencing at 1:30 p.m. at the Steelworkers Auditorium at 1031 Barton Street East. Each Saturday following our monthly meeting we do a solidarity picket at the locked out Local 1005 workers line on Wilcox Street in Hamilton. If you cannot come to the meeting join us on the line.

　

　

Issued by: SOAR Chapter 10, Hamilton, Ontario

　

 

 October 2010

SEASONS GREETINGS

It’s that getting to the time of year again, and your Executive Committee extend Season’s Greetings to you and your families. We wish you a joyous celebration with friends and family and peace and health for 2011.

SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER:

It has been a busy time for many of our chapter 10 members. Our chapter has been active on many picket lines. As well, and demonstrations at Queen’s Park, Ottawa, Hamilton, Brantford and Sudbury on protection of benefits and pensions. We have been meeting with local MPP’s and MP’s on increasing Canada Pension, Old Age Security and Income Supplement Pensions as well as keeping retire pensions and benefits from their workplaces. We have and continue to take part in actions against the HST and cuts to health care benefits. We need to continue to lobby local politicians on keeping our health care, our pensions and keeping jobs in our community. Each and everyone needs to make an appointment with his or her MP and MPP and talk to them about those issues. We also continue to be active volunteering in our community whether it is a food bank, United Way or another group requiring volunteers.

We had another successful banquet in May at the USW Education Centre. We took part in May day activities at the Convention Centre in Hamilton. We took part in the Hamilton & District Labour Council Labour Day Parade. We had an active part in BBQ’ing hotdogs and hamburgers for the ECP Picket Line in Brantford sponsored by Hamilton Area Council in August. We also took part in the three day solidarity picket line in September. Many of our members took part in supporting strikers at USW Local 8782 Lake Erie Works, USW 6500 strikers in Sudbury as well as CAW strikers in Bowmanville. We took part in supporting Local 1005 motions at Hamilton City Council in September and October on US Steel.

Our President took an active part in the National SOAR Conference in Toronto in April in representing our members.

We continue to do volunteer income tax for seniors in the community and tax disability credits for eligible members in our community.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon takes place on December 7th., 2010 at the USW Hall at 1031 Barton St. E.. Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. followed by lunch and a visit from Santa.

Cost:- Lunch - $7.00/members, $9.00/non-members.

We also ask that you bring along a non-perishable food item and an unwrapped gift for our annual Chapter Christmas food and toy drive. Please remember there are needy children of different age groups in families including teenagers.

Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville Chapter of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) regional meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held at the District 21 OSSTF office, 1423 Upper Ottawa Street.

The Ontario Health Coalition is trying to re-start an active Hamilton Health Coalition Chapter to fight against the cuts to our local health care. A meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27th., 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton & District Labour Council at 1130 Barton St. E., Hamilton. Please come out and support this important cause to help save health care in our community.

Members are invited to an open house for Sina Childs-Mahoney (Bill) on the occasion of celebrating her 65th. Birthday Saturday, November 20th., 2010 at the Steelworkers Education Centre Auditorium from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments and sandwiches will be served. Best wishes only.

MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2011:

Membership fees are due in January of each year.

Retiree - $12.00/year

Spouse - $ 3.00/year - $15.00 for both retiree and spouse

Fees can be mailed to our Membership Secretary: Ray Silenzi, 50 Shady Glen, Stoney Creek, ON. L8J 3W7. Or they can be paid to Ray at our monthly meeting. If you are a retiree from USW Local 1005 or 5328 and come out to meetings during the year, the Locals will cover payment for your dues. Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Steelworkers Centre, 1031 Barton St. E. starting at 1:30 p.m. except July and August.

At this time we would like to thank Hamilton Steel Area Council, USW Local’s 1005, 5328 and 16506 for their continued support of SOAR Chapter 10. As well congratulations to the newly elected executive of the Area Council. We look forward to working with you in fighting for justice for our members and our communities.

On behalf of our Chapter a sincere thank you to Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller (SOAR Chapter 10 member) and his staff for including our Chapter in his senior’s fair at the Stoney Creek Legion.

If you have any questions concerning SOAR please call President Lena Sutton at 905-549-1305 or e-mail