| IUPAT Ontario is working for you! | | | | Training: |
| As we enter the second half of 2009 there are | | | | The OIFSC is now offering all new applicants to the |
| numerous issues that affect the IUPAT membership | | | | IUPAT and existing members the opportunity to |
| in Ontario, Canada. | | | | prepare writing the Certificate of Qualification in the |
| • Unemployment in Ontario for all IUPAT trades is | | | | Painting and Glass Industries. Registered Apprentices |
| between 15-18% and rising among our membership. | | | | do not qualify for this program. Contact the OIFSC at |
| It is very important to keep in constant contact with | | | | 416-635-7300 to inquire about the next class and |
| your Union office and representatives to receive the | | | | register. Legislation was introduced on May 13th to |
| latest information on the work situation. | | | | establish the College of Trades, a regulatory College |
| • May 1st brought increases to our wages and | | | | to modernize Ontario’s apprenticeship and skilled |
| benefits. Be absolutely sure all appropriate collective | | | | trades system. The College of Trades will promote |
| agreement obligations are upheld by your contractor | | | | and attract more people to the trades; help make it |
| and by yourself to secure a level playing field for all | | | | easier for internationally trained workers to get |
| involved. | | | | certified; set training and certification standards to |
| • Stilts discussions continue and are getting closer | | | | serve skilled trades and the public interest; conduct |
| to regulation change by the government. The | | | | research to train for the future, and give the skilled |
| Provincial Labour/Management Committee of the | | | | trades sector ownership of critical decisions on issues |
| CSAO has referred the stilts regulation to the | | | | of compulsory certification and apprentice ratios. |
| Construction Legislative Review Committee (CLRC) | | | | Health & Safety: |
| whereby the committee gave the “green | | | | The STAR program continues to be active. An |
| light” to move forward. The training and | | | | amendment to the program will now recognize |
| development along with the regulation changes are | | | | certain training outside of the training centres by |
| winding down. Great job by the committees of | | | | discretion of the local union representative. |
| Ministry of Labour, and CSAO. | | | | The CSAO Annual report was recently published with |
| • The 2008 Dental Fee Guide rates will be in | | | | some interesting facts that may interest you: |
| effect on July 1st 2009. | | | | • Top 3 causes of Loss Time Injuries are over |
| The Hazardous Material Worker (235H) learning | | | | exertion/repetitive strains, struck by/against objects, |
| outcomes have been developed by the steering | | | | falls; |
| committee coordinated by MTCU. Next action is on | | | | • Musculoskeletal –related injuries are the |
| the Minister to waive the grade 10 prerequisite. | | | | leading cause of injury; |
| Employment Insurance Reform – Ontario | | | | • Occupational disease fatalities increase in |
| Federation Labour | | | | particular pleural mesothelioma as a result of asbestos |
| • Legislative Reform is required to promote | | | | exposures; |
| fairness for workers on the job and in transition: | | | | • Noise-induced hearing loss still a number one |
| Increase benefits to at least 60% of normal earnings | | | | cause of allowed non-fatal occupational disease claims. |
| using a worker’s best 12 weeks of employment; | | | | Vacation Pay: |
| • Reduce the qualifying hours to one uniform | | | | Please remember that there are two payouts per |
| standard across Canada; | | | | year (June & December). Applying for early payout |
| • Eliminate the 2 week waiting period; | | | | of vacation pay is not advised and discouraged. |
| • Remove pension income, vacation pay, | | | | Please contact us or your IUPAT Ontario Union |
| severance pay, and all other termination monies | | | | representative for more details. |
| received at time of lay-off; | | | | For more detailed information on this article feel free |
| • As a result of bankruptcy and insolvency, | | | | to visit our website IUPAT. |
| monies owed to workers must be paid as a priority. | | | | |