Brother John Doerksen, the Local Union Organizer has been busy. Recently the Local was certified for a group of approximately 30 employees working for the Canadian Diabetes Association, in their Clothesline Program in Calgary. These are the people who call you looking for donations. These members voted overwhelmingly in favor of Teamsters in the representation vote held February 22nd. Welcome to those members, and congratulations to Brother Doerksen on yet another successful campaign.
The Labor Board has handed down it's decision, and the employees of Consolidated Fastfrate in Calgary are now Teamsters. Brothers Porter and Wallace are currently negotiating with the Company for a first agreement for the 70 plus Calgary employees.
Garda of Canada has been awarded the pre-board screening contract for the Calgary International Airport, effective April 1/06 and currently Sister Glubrecht and Brother Frost are in negotiations with the Company for a Collective Agreement.
Byers Transport freight and Owner Operator agreements have been ratified and the Parties will be meeting in Vancouver next week to attempt to settle the Clerical Agreement which was turned down by huge majority of those casting ballots.
The Grimshaw Trucking Clerical Agreement has been signed and booklets are currently being printed. Watch for them over the next few weeks.
The Canadian Freightways agreements are at the Company for signature, as we speak.
Already this year, we have completed three movies, have one up and running, and are looking forward to a busy year ahead. Since the Academy Awards, we have been receiving calls from producers wanting to check out our area. The success of Brokeback Mountain has done nothing but good for the industry in Alberta.
I ran a list of the Retirement Awards, presented to retirees of the Local Union since 1993 and thought you might find it interesting. Since Jan 1993 we have awarded the following -
2 gold pendants - ladies award and 3 silver pendants - ladies award
71 gold rings - mens award, 51 gold watches - mens award, and 68 silver rings - mens award
68 of those awards were to members with more than 30 years service, and 6 were to members with over 40 years service.
Recently, Retirement awards have been preented to, or at least ordered for, Brother Mike Gordon a 37 year member with CFL Edmonton, Brother Wally Murphy an Edmonton MOP with 39 years service, Brother Dave Matchett who had 19 years service with Allied Systems Edmonton, and Brother Lloyd Massee with 33 years at Inland Grande Prairie. We have pictures of Brother Tony Atkins presenting a ring to Brother Gerald Anderson who recently retired f rom Byers after 33 years of service, and Brother Shane Pearce presenting a ring to Brother Dan Macrae and his lovely wife. Brother Macrae recently retired from Grimshaw Trucking.