April 27, 2006

Labour

Union calls for probe of takeover

Members encouraged to not show for work

PETER KENTER

correspondent

TORONTO

An estimated 1,500 members of Local 183 Universal Workers Union blocked traffic on Toronto’s University Avenue, just outside the offices of The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) Tuesday afternoon.

Union members were encouraged to attend the rally after a meeting held at the local’s headquarters earlier that morning. Crowds at the morning meeting were estimated at anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 members.

Representatives of the local were scheduled to appear at a Board hearing at 1 p.m. where they would ask for an investigation into the takeover of Local 183.

UNIVERSAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 183

Members of Universal Workers Union, Local 183 gather in the courtyard outside the local’s headquarters on Tuesday morning. Crowds were estimated at anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 people.

The takeover is by parent organization the Labourers International Union of North America (LIUNA). The local was placed in the trusteeship of LIUNA after independent labour arbitrator Brian Keller found the local’s leadership guilty of misconduct last month.

Local 183 Business Manager Tony Dionisio argues that LIUNA’s actions violate the local’s autonomy in a takeover bid designed to plunder the resources of the 34,000-member organization.

“We are going to renew our request before the OLRB to intervene,” says Andy Manahan, Development Promotion Representative with the local.

“Basically, we would like them to hear the whole case over again.”

The OLRB has the power to determine if LIUNA has just cause to place the local under trusteeship.

But Daniel Randazzo, LIUNA Legal Counsel for Central and Eastern Canada, says the Board had already declined a request by Local 183 representatives to involve itself in the union’s affairs prior to Keller’s hearings.

“It’s extremely unlikely that they’ll find cause for intervening,” he says.

Local 183 representatives argue that the trusteeship places wages, benefits and pensions at risk. Randazzo says the trusteeship is a temporary measure to ensure collective bargaining agreements are honoured and pensions and benefits are distributed equitably.

“Over time — and we hope a short period of time — a new slate of union officers will be elected,” he says. “If the former leadership acts responsibly, the trusteeship can proceed in a calm and orderly manner.

There is no reason for our members not to do their jobs or for construction to be delayed. Any disruption will be the direct result of the former leadership recklessly trying to cling to power.”

Print | Email | Comment