REPORT OF THE AFL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

TERM PROJECT - ACTIVIST HANDBOOK

The 2001-2003 Health and Safety Committee decided to revise and update the 1992 AFL booklet "The Struggle for a Safe and Healthy Workplace" as their term project. All committee members felt it was important for unions and activists to have up-to-date information they can access when health and safety concerns arise. The more the committee worked on this project, the more they found that numerous changes have occurred around health and safety in the province of Alberta over the last ten (10) years.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY REGULATIONS

One of the most noticeable changes was the mandate from the provincial government to review the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Proposed changes by numerous task forces were signed off by the Council on Workplace Safety. These task forces reviewed General Safety, Explosive Safety, regulations on Chemical Hazards, Mine Safety, Noise Regulations, Ventilation and the Labour Code. Some of these regulations have been approved and implemented, but some are still waiting approval by Cabinet. With all these changes and pending changes to regulations it is prudent unions and health and safety activists are aware of what will affect them and their members.

REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS, UPDATES AT MEETINGS

Committee members were appointed as representatives on both the Alberta Workers' Health Centre (AWHC) Board of Directors and the Workers' Compensation (WCB) Coalition. The representatives to both these boards gave up-to-date information from these two very important committees.

Updates on local union activities, District Labour Council/Committee initiatives, labour schools and activities by the Canadian Labour Congress were provided to committee members at all of our meetings.

Having a diverse committee that represents unions across the province in various industries provided interesting discussions around health and safety and how it is administered. We encouraged that this information from our meetings be taken back to the locals and utilized wherever practical.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION COALITION

Our WCB Coalition representative kept everyone informed with the proposed changes to how WCB will administer compensation to injured workers. The new process is to expedite denied claims through the appeal process. Currently the customer connect program shows it can work if management, union and WCB work in the interest of resolving issues that can lead to industry related problems. On the down side it was reported that a tribunal to review and resolve outstanding WCB claims has not been implemented as suggested by Minister Dunford over a year ago. Coalition members must keep up their vigilant fight to help make changes occur wherever possible. The AFL Committee encourages unions to support their valuable endeavors in changing WCB regulations and helping injured workers receive their just compensation.

ALBERTA WORKERS' HEALTH CENTRE

The Alberta Workers' Health Centre, which has been created by unions, provides workers with up-to-date information on health and safety concerns. The Centre also provides health and safety courses tailored for unions and affiliates. The Workers' Health Centre representatives reported that expanding the Workers' Health Centre services to Calgary and other areas around the province and planning a health and safety convention for 2004 are only a few of the projects that are being considered. The AFL Committee supports this valuable resource Centre and encourages all unions, and affiliates to support their future projects.

HEALTH CARE SECTOR

When the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) came into the House of Labour, the call for representatives to sit on this committee was delivered. This proved to be a definite asset for the AFL and this Committee. The UNA representatives provided up-to-date information about ongoing and current struggles within the health care sectors of this province and Canada.

We encourage UNA to continue supporting the AFL Health and Safety Committee with their expertise and knowledgeable representatives. The current Medicare fight that is going on is everyone's struggle.

JUST TRANSITION - A COMMUNITY HEALTH ISSUE

Communications, Energy and Paper Workers (CEP) representatives provided the Committee with information about ongoing campaigns their National and local unions are involved in. CEP demands a Just Transition Fund program be structured by the federal government to ensure that workers and communities are not left behind during the Kyoto Accord transition. It is not believable by CEP that trying to stop global warming and promoting renewable energy resources will lead to massive layoffs of members in certain industries. CEP members believe that the Kyoto Accord is not only an economic and environmental issue - it is a community health issue. Support by all unions around CEP campaigns towards this major issue is requested from the Health and Safety Committee.

TRADES QUALIFICATIONS

Wally Land from CEP is monitoring a NAIT program that has the potential of watering down trade qualifications, as we know them. The committee wants to applaud his endeavors in overseeing that all compulsory trades maintain the requirements we currently have. We must have fully trained and qualified trades people working to ensure jobs are correctly performed in not only a safe manner but also to codes and regulations as set out for designated trades.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING

Numerous members are involved in local ceremonies and activities on April 28, the International Day of Mourning.

This day is set aside to remember our Sisters and Brothers that have suffered from workplace injury, chemical diseases and death.

Speeches, wreath laying, lowering of flags and moments of silence are still not enough. Labour's message is a demand for all employers to commit to taking occupational health and safety seriously so that workplace disasters are reduced.

Lobbying for legislated changes from our governments and bargaining for health and safety language in union collective agreements will help to combat the ongoing onslaught workers suffer daily.

RESOLUTIONS

AFL resolutions concerning health and safety from the last convention were also addressed as required. Resolutions from unions and affiliates give the incoming Committee some issues that require attention and direction. Resolutions required research and lobbying numerous agencies and governmental departments.

ACTIVIST HANDBOOK

The AFL Health and Safety Committee encourages all unions and affiliates to utilize the revised version of "The Continuing Struggle for a Safe and Healthy Workplace" booklet. We wish to thank the unions, associations and everyone that helped make this project possible.

CONCLUSION

It was a pleasure to work with the dedicated health and safety activists on this Committee. Lack of quorum for meetings this term was never an issue and all meetings where productive and informative.

We hope that when unions and affiliates choose their representatives for the next term's Health and Safety Committee that these representatives will be as dedicated as these members have been. Not only are these members active in their unions, they are also active in their communities.

As Chair of this AFL Health & Safety Committee, I would like to personally thank every person on the Committee for his or her dedication and support. It truly was a pleasure and inspiration for me to have the privilege of working with you all. Keep up your ongoing fights in the struggle for safe and healthy workplaces for your unions and for all Albertans.

In solidarity,

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Committee,

AFL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, 2001-2003
 

Walter Moodie, Chair                        ATU 583 Barbara Ward, Secretary              PSAC 30025 Chandra Clarke                                     UNA William Climie                                 CEP 777 Holly Heffernan                                     UNA Steve Kerrigan                                 CEP 445 Wally Land                                      CEP 855 Aloma Mitchell                                     CDLC Vicki Pederson                              OPEIU 458 Enrique Reye                                 CUPE 474 Mick Shiels                               TWU Calgary Allan Sztym                               IWA-Canada Mike Tarnawski                           CUPW-Edm. Dan Uchacz                                   IAM 1722 Kerry Barrett (ex-officio)                          AFL Les Steel (ex-officio)                               AFL

Committee members who completed partial terms:

Cindy Darby                                  OPEIU 458
George Rozon                                 CEP 1118

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