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Albertans want pension reform, despite what the province's finance minister might say, according to the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

On Sunday, Gil McGowan wrote a letter that ran in a Charlottetown, PEI newspaper, where Canada's finance ministers are meeting to discuss pensions.

In it, he argued that Alberta's finance minister, Ted Morton, does not speak for the majority of the province with his "anti-CPP rhetoric."
"Don't believe him," McGowan wrote. "The truth is Albertans have less retirement security than many other Canadians. While only 38% of workers in Canada are covered by workplace pension plans, that number is only 33% in Alberta."

He went on to point out that Morton's predecessor, Iris Evans, has said the government needs to play a role in addressing problems with pensions, possibly even expanding the CPP.

"Don't allow Alberta's finance minister to derail pension reform for all Canadians," McGowan said. "Please support reform that focuses on expansion of Canada's most efficient, economical and portable pension vehicle - the CPP."

Morton has argued that Albertans don't support changes to Canada's pension system because "it is not a targeted response to the issue at hand.

"Rather it is an overreaction," he said recently.

He also said CPP reform might benefit the "significant minority" who aren't saving enough for retirement, but it would give "additional and unnecessary benefits" to those who have saved.

Provincial and territorial finance ministers are slated to meet in PEI Monday to discuss pension reform and other issues.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has proposed two key changes to CPP, including increasing benefits and allowing financial institutions to offer defined contribution registered pension plans.

In a letter he urged his provincial counterparts to support his plan.

Edmonton Sun, Sun Jun 13 2010
Byline: Alyssa Noel

Edmonton - Canada's finance ministers are being urged to ignore the opinions they are hearing from their Alberta counterpart, Ted Morton.

In an open letter in today's Guardian newspaper in Charlottetown, P.E.I, where finance ministers are meeting to discuss Canada's pension crisis, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) says that Morton does not speak for the majority of Albertans.

In the letter, AFL President Gil McGowan says that Morton will probably tell the other finance ministers that ordinary Albertans oppose reform to the nation's pension system.

"Don't believe him," McGowan says in the letter. "The truth is Albertans have less retirement security than many other Canadians. While only 38 per cent of workers in Canada are covered by workplace pension plans, that number is only 33 per cent in Alberta. Individual Albertans also have smaller nest eggs as a proportion of their incomes than most other Canadians. As a result, if there is any province where working people would benefit most from CPP expansion, it's Alberta."

Morton is out of step with the vast majority of Albertans and Canadians with his anti-CPP rhetoric. His views are not even shared by his own caucus. Only six months ago, his predecessor, former Alberta Finance Minister Iris Evans, acknowledged that there is a serious problem with pensions and said government has an important role to play in addressing that problem. She even said that all ideas should be considered - including CPP expansion.

"Don't allow Alberta's finance minister to derail pension reform for all Canadians," McGowan says in the letter. "Please support reform that focuses on expansion of Canada's most efficient, economical and portable pension vehicle - the CPP."

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Media contact:
Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour, 780-218-9888

CALGARY — Fraud charges against a Calgary woman who headed a group for foreign workers have the Alberta Federation of Labour calling on the government to scrap the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

"There is a clear and obvious lack of oversight of the TFW program that can lead to appalling abuse of workers," AFL president Gil McGowan said Tuesday.

"The TFW program isn't working for foreign workers, it isn't working for Alberta workers and it isn't working for employers. It's time to admit the program is a failure and replace it with real immigration."

McGowan pointed out that Auditor-General Sheila Fraser panned the program in her 2009 report, saying there has been no systematic follow-up to ensure employers are complying with the terms under which the Labour Mobility Opinion application was approved, such as wages to be paid and accommodations to be provided.

Red Deer Advocate, Wedn., June 13, 2012

Two years after his death, provincial workplace health and safety inspectors have decided not to pursue charges in the death of local teen Mitchell Tanner.

Tanner was killed on June 7, 2008 when a forklift rolled onto its side at the Rona store on Inglewood Drive, crushing him.

The teen was a popular Paul Kane student and graffiti remembering him is still visible all over the community. Hundreds of his friends and classmates came out to his funeral and burial.

Chris Chodan, a spokesperson for Albert Workplace Health and Safety, said they do not believe charges would lead to a conviction.

"While it is obviously a terrible tragedy and we feel very sorry for the family, our regulations are pretty clear that our prosecutors have to meet a two-fold test to go ahead and lay charges."

In addition to whether prosecutors could reasonably expect a conviction, Chodan said the investigators gauge whether it is in the public interest to lay charges.

"You would have to prove that it was foreseeable, that it was preventable and that there was someone with the authority to do that."

Two forklifts at the store were pulled from service following the accident and sent for mechanical inspections before being returned to duty.

Chodan said the inspection found no mechanical problems.

The company was ordered to prepare a hazard assessment that identified how the incident could have been avoided.

"You have to go over the circumstances of the incident, prepare a report that includes the corrective actions and submit a copy to our office for approval."

He said the company also has to communicate the report's findings to all staff members to help avoid future incidents.

Second day
Tanner was on just his second day on the job when he was killed. The Grade 10 student was an avid guitar player and hoped to be a teacher one day, often volunteering at a local elementary school.

According to reports at the time, it appeared Tanner was riding on the side of the forklift when it rolled over on top of him. Chodan wouldn't confirm that version of events.

Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), said he is disappointed the government is not pursuing charges, but not surprised.

"The Alberta government has a sorry record when it comes to laying charges in occupational health and safety cases," he said. "Our government lays charges at a much lower rate than almost any other province in the country."

McGowan said the AFL would like to see tougher rules on forklifts in the workplace because they are often used incorrectly.

"The reality is that too many employers don't take the safety hazards seriously and they forget that a forklift isn't a toy; it is a piece of heavy equipment that is to be operated with care."

He also called for the government to explain more about their decision not to lay charges.

"The bottom line is whether or not the employer did everything they could to keep people like Tanner safe and if they didn't, they should face prosecution regardless of whether or not someone thinks the case is winnable."

Tanner's family declined to comment when reached by the Gazette.

St. Albert Gazette, Tues Jun 8 2010
Byline: Ryan Tumilty

There will be no charges in the death of a 16-year-old Alberta teenager who was crushed by a forklift two years ago.

The 16-year-old boy was working his second shift at the St. Albert Rona Building Centre's lumberyard back in June of 2008 when he was killed in a forklift accident.

Rona officials reported at the time that the teen did not have company permission to be on the machine. Mitchell Tanner was riding on the side of the vehicle when the driver lost control and the 2,300 pound forklift tipped, crushing its passenger.

A 17-year-old employee was driving the forklift without company permission when it tipped over.

The keys were left in the ignition prior to the accident.

At that time, the Alberta Federation of Labour said the tragedy pointed to a growing number of workplace injuries involving young employees.

The province made the decision last week not to lay charges in this case.

CTVedmonton.ca, Tues Jun 8 2010

It's been two years since the tragic death of a 16 year old St. Albert boy involved in a forklift accident at St. Albert's RONA Store. Occupational Health and Safety has been investigating the death of Mitchell Tanner, and has ruled that there isn't enough evidence in the case to secure a conviction.

Following the mishap, the Alberta Federation of Labour said the forklift accident could have been prevented if there were tougher labour laws in place.

Tanner was one of two junior workers involved in the RONA accident.

iNews880, Tues Jun 8 2010

There will be no charges in the death of an Alberta teenager who was crushed by a forklift at a lumber yard where he was working.

Mitchell Tanner, who was 16, was only on his second shift at a Rona store in St. Albert north of Edmonton when he was killed two years ago.

An investigation by occupational health and safety officials has concluded there isn't enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Mitchell was one of two junior workers involved in the accident.

The one-tonne forklift tipped over onto him when a 17-year-old co-worker who was driving lost control.

The Alberta Federation of Labour said afterwards that the accident could have been prevented if there were tougher labour laws in the province.

QR77 Newsroom, Tues Jun 8 2010

EDMONTON - Alberta is the only province in Canada that hasn't seen job growth since last summer, but the province is cutting employment training programs by more than $20 million, affecting aboriginals and youth the most.

"The government had in place a number of very successful programs that helped aboriginals and youth overcome obstacles and find meaningful work," says Mike Sutherland, a former job-placement co-ordinator with Native Counselling Services in Edmonton. "The stats show us that these programs are needed now more than ever."

While all other provinces have seen positive job growth since July 2009, Alberta alone has a stubbornly poor record of job creation.

The most recent Labour Force Survey showed unemployment among aboriginal people continues to rise. Aboriginal unemployment (both men and women, off-reserve aboriginal people) rose to 17 per cent in early 2010, up from 14 per cent in 2009. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high at 12.6 per cent, up from 11.4 per cent just a year ago.

At the same time, a recent AFL analysis shows Alberta dramatically cut job training programs in the last budget, especially for youth and aboriginal people.

The government of Alberta cut employment training programs by $23 million for 2010. Alberta's unemployment rate hit a 14-year high in March 2010, reaching 7.5 per cent for the first time since 1996.

Youth and summer employment programs saw 25 per cent of their budget disappear between 2009 and 2010, while upgrading and skills development was cut by 16 per cent. Aboriginal skills development experienced a seven per cent reduction. A further $10 million will be chopped from career development and programs that partner with industry.

Most other jurisdictions in the Group of 20 (G20) industrialized nations continue to increase employment and training program budgets.

"These job training programs were things that the government should be proud of. They showed how a small investment in people has a large return, many times over," says Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour. "We urge the Government of Alberta to rethink these cuts to these most important services and restore funding to employment training programs."

Sutherland saw first -hand how employment programs like Quest for Success helped aboriginal people overcome obstacles to getting and keeping meaningful employment. "Through concentration on personal development, the people I worked with were able to learn how to do all the practical things that many of us take for granted - things like budgeting and other life skills that are vital to getting and keeping work. Programs like Quest for Success taught these basic skills and the outcome was obvious."

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Media contact:

Mike Sutherland

Gil McGowan, President, AFL @ 780-483-3021 or 780-218-9888 (cell)

Backgrounder

Employment Training Program Cuts and Unemployment Rates

Employment Training Programs in Alberta, 2009-2010

Employment Program	2009 Forecast (in millions)	2010 Budget Estimates (in millions)	% Cut
Youth Connections	7.50	5.51	-26.59%
Career Development Services	60.02	52.41	-12.68%
Basic Skills/Academic Upgrading	27.48	22.93	-16.55%
Summer Temporary Employment	9.56	7.41	-22.48%
Workforce Partnerships	11.52	7.56	-34.36%
Aboriginal Development Partnerships	3.68	3.41	-7.39%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alberta Unemployment Rates, 2008-2010

Unemployment Rates, Alberta	2008 April	2009 April	2010 April
General Population	3.30%	6.00%	7.40%
Youth aged 15-24	6.40%	10.90%	12.60%
Aboriginal Peoples (off-reserve)	7.90%	16.90%	17.00%

 

Have your say on health-care reform!

• The Alberta government is hosting 28 "invitation-only" meetings around the province as it plans sweeping changes to the health-care system. Friends of Medicare, supported by the Join Together Alberta campaign, is fighting to make sure the public has a voice by staging eight fully public meetings across the province. For more details ...

Alberta unprepared to keep workers safe if boom times return

• New research released by the AFL shows that government spending on workplace safety has not kept pace with growth in the provincial economy and population - and, as a result, workers around the province are being put at risk, especially if the economy ramps up for another boom. Click here for more information ...

Albertans have a right to a clean environment

• Inspired by NDP MP Linda Duncan's private member's bill to create a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights (Bill C-469), the AFL Environment Committee wants the Alberta government to craft an environmental bill of rights covering the citizens of the province. For full text of the bill ...

Alberta's political landscape is changing

• The emergence of the Wildrose Alliance Party and the fracturing of the political landscape presents challenges and opportunities for the labour movement. Read all about it in the new Spring/Summer edition of the AFL's Union magazine.

Urgent Action

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Keep up the pressure for workplace health and safety

• The Auditor General's report severely criticized the government for failing to enforce workplace safety laws and called for action, including the naming of repeat corporate offenders. The AFL has long fought for stronger health and safety standards and enforcement. Workers have a right to know whether their workplace is safe or not. There is still time to pressure the Employment Minister to act. See the AFL press release on the report and the Auditor General's report - occupational health and safety

Events

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June 9, 2010 - Calgary/June 11, 2010 - Medicine Hat
On to Ottawa Trek

• 75th Celebration of On to Ottawa Trek

Saturday, June 5, 2010, Changing Together - Annual Multi-cultural Day (Centre for Immigrant Women) - light supper and entertainment

June 25/26, 2010 - EDLC/CLC Municipal Election Training

June 25, 2010 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; June 26, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Labour Centre Meeting Hall (downstairs), 10425 Princess Elizabeth Avenue. For more information...

June 18, 2010 - deadline for registrations for 2010 AFL Kids' Camp Camp dates are August 9 - 13, 2010

Camper Registration Form and Union Donations and Volunteer Form

Did you know ...

 

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• Alberta has more workplace fatalities than the national average, at 5.9 per 100,000 workers compared with 4.2 nationally
• The number of Albertans working in the four most dangerous industries has almost doubled since 1991, growing to 620,000 workers from 341,000
• Alberta employs fewer health and safety inspectors than the national average: 1.4 inspectors per 10,000 workers compared with the national figure of 2.1
• Alberta spends less per worker on occupational health and safety today (when 22 per cent of Albertans work in the top four dangerous industries) than the Getty government did in 1991 (when only 15 per cent of Albertans worked in the four most dangerous industries)

For more details ...

The Alberta government is doing a poor job of enforcing safety regulations on employers who ignore the rules and force their workers to face a significantly higher risk of injury.

The acting auditor general of Alberta, Merwan Saher, recently released a report that aims to improve the province's planning and reporting systems for occupational health and safety (OHS).

The report has revealed there are serious weaknesses in the Department of Employment and Immigration's systems to deal with persistent non-compliance.

"The department does not have a clear decision ladder for escalating compliance action from promotion and education to enforcement," said Saher in the report.

"A small, but high-risk group of employers, consistently fails to comply with OHS orders, often despite numerous reinspections by the department."

The auditor general identified 63 companies in a five month period in 2007-2008 that repeatedly failed to comply with health and safety laws for one year or more.

This group of employers had a Disabling Injury Rate (DIR) that is three to four times greater than the provincial average.

The DIR measures the number of injuries per 100 person-years, where the injured worker couldn't perform regular tasks and was assigned to modified duty, such as a desk job, until they could recover.

The Alberta DIR has decreased from 4.14 in 2006 to 3.63 in 2008.
"Without adequate systems to enforce compliance with OHS legislation for those employers and workers who persistently fail to comply, health and safety of workers continue to be exposed to otherwise avoidable risks," said Saher.

"Employers, who choose not to comply with OHS orders, may gain an unfair advantage over employers, who spend the time and resources to deal with and avoid contraventions."

According to Saher, half of those employers that persistently fail to comply with the OHS Act also continue to hold a valid Certificate of Recognition (COR), and continue to have elevated injury rates among their workers.
These employers don't comply with OHS orders, and their workers are much more likely to get injured on the job.

However, these employers continue to receive Partners in Injury Reduction financial rebates and use their COR to bid on contracts with major companies in such industries as construction, and oil and gas.
These unnamed high-risk companies operate in more than 30 industries and employ about 31,000 full-time workers.

"The problem is that this government just can't bring itself to crack down on employers - even if those employers have repeatedly violated the law," said Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan.

"You know your system is badly broken when companies are not only allowed to break the law, but they're actually handed rewards that are supposed to be reserved for companies that play by the rules."

One of the main recommendations of the report is that the Department of Employment and Immigration strengthen its proactive inspection program by improving risk focus and co-ordinating employer selection methods for its inspection initiatives.

The report also recommends that the government improve its systems for issuing COR by obtaining assurance on work done by COR auditors and consistently following-up on recommendations made to certifying partners.

"Voluntary compliance can only take you so far. Sometimes, for the good of all Albertans, the government has to be willing to take out the big stick and punish employers who break the law," said McGowan. "This is a lesson the Conservative government needs to learn - and learn soon. Because, if they don't, more working Albertans are going to pay with their lives.

The Ministry of Employment and Immigration reported that there were 110 workplace incident fatalities in 2009.

The construction sector had the largest share of these deaths with 34, or 31 per cent of all fatalities. There were 166 workplace fatalities in the province in 2008, with 59 in the construction industry.

The drop in fatalities in 2009 can be attributed to the slowdown in economic activity that resulted from the recession.

Journal of Commerce, Wed May 19 2010
Byline: Richard Gilbert