|
The Electronic Informer
|
This edition published
by
|
|---|
The Informer Newsletter Member Services Executive Members Committees Other Services Downloads Communications etc Items of Interest |
Self Defense: Is it for You?By Al Maine, Steward (S) On a hot sunny afternoon last August, a small group of bus operators
that included my wife and I attended a program for personal self – defense. The
program, workshop really, was held at a martial arts training school
in Hespeler village here in Cambridge. No, we did not put on judo
suits and take up learning jujitsu. We are and still remain bus
operators, not jujitsu experts, and that afternoon we did not learn any
martial arts at all. We went in wearing our normal street clothes
to do this program and left the same way. Instead of martial arts,
we learned about something called “Fast Defense.” Now before I go on any further, I want to say that what you are about to read is not an ad of any kind. This article is not an endorsement, paid or otherwise, for the Fast Defense program. Rather this is my own account about what we experienced attending this program and what this all might mean for you. What is The Fast Defense Program? The Fast Defense program is taught in various martial arts schools across Canada though it has nothing to do with martial arts. The Fast Defense Program teaches about awareness, boundary setting, and de-escalation skills. The instructor team provided us with real life training scenarios in addition to sit down discussion sessions to explain each part of the program we were about to do. Most of the program first covered the use of visual and verbal techniques to diffuse and deter anger directed at you from becoming violent. Only the last 45 minutes or so of this 3 ½ hour program was actually dedicated to learning and practicing physical self defense techniques. These simple moves we learned are designed to incapacitate an attacker without inflicting any severe injury. So if you can’t diffuse the situation first by the learned verbal and visual techniques practiced in the scenario based settings, you can still avert physical harm by being able to defend yourself long enough to get away. For the physical self-defense part of the program, the Fast Defense Instructors put on heavy padding (“bullet suits”) from head to foot and you practice on them, using your full force, to master the self defense moves they have instructed you in. The full rush of fear and adrenalin you experience in an assault is what you are to direct outwards against the assailant. Addressing the Problem: Anger and Violence We all know what makes for good days and bad days as bus operators. People,
traffic, As our transit system is at present, what can Operators choose to do about this problem right now? We can’t purchase our own surveillance cameras, hire our own transit police, or booth ourselves in behind our own protective covers in the driver station. Until some sort of solution is found, I remarked to my wife, I felt then that we as bus operators are in need of some sort of extra training, to deter and defend against this rage that gets directed our way. I figured this training should be something quick and simple to learn, much like the way one learns first aid to deal with medical emergencies. Yet all I was aware of were the martial arts schools and their belt programs. They involve continuous physical training towards being able to fight. No ‘first aid’ solution here. So then what? Where is this one time ‘quick fix’ workshop that instructs first on how to deter a conflict from ever happening? To this deterrence training add some basic instructions on how to escape a physical conflict should all else fail? To my surprise and to my wife’s credit, she found this Fast Defense program right from the yellow pages of the phone book… Concerns and Legal Issues Again, our group did not need to: wear any kind of martial arts suits; do any kind of continuous training; and nor did we need to reach any level of physical fitness for this program before or after. Refresher programs, though offered at a reduced price, are not considered necessary.
According to the Fast Defense handout, you are allowed under Sections 34 and 37 (providing all other preconditions are met) of the Criminal Code of Canada, to defend yourself when you believe you are truly being threatened and that you use no more force than absolutely necessary to stop the assault. So that begged the first question then of how much force is too much force to use in defending yourself? And the next question, how much then of a threat for you does the threat have to be? Our group sat down and we discussed this matter at the end of our program with the Fast Defense staff. It turns out there is no one clear single answer to either of these two questions. It all depends on the individual circumstances of each Assault Incident. I can sum it up this way: Assault Incidents are a lot like traffic accidents that we as bus operators are all too familiar with. Just as no two traffic accidents are exactly alike as to the outcome of who may get charged with what, it is likewise with Assault Incidents. The verdict rests on all the particulars of each Assault Incident on a case by case basis. So Operators beware. The following are all the factors to consider and the choice is yours alone to make should you choose to act in self-defense. (1) There is no guarantee that you won’t be charged with assault and / or that you may get sued even though you know you are the victim. (2) There is no guarantee either that you won’t get hurt just because you have used the Fast Defense techniques (or any other techniques) to defend yourself with. You could get hurt a lot. (3) An assailant could also pull a weapon on you to hurt you with that too. This makes an Assault Incident a dangerous high stakes game that is just not smart to play. Yet if you are being turned into a punching bag, you may want to make
that assault stop long enough to get away. As bus operators, therein
lies our dilemma with the legal system and the state of our working conditions
at present. Is self-defense then good for you? The choice
is for you and for yours alone to make. For me and my wife, the Fast Defense program’s best sell was what it most focused on: deterring anger and physical conflict by learning verbal and visual techniques to diffuse and deter escalation. After that, the self defense techniques they taught us were easy to learn and we practiced them fully on the Fast Defense staff themselves. Luckily for them they wore a lot of protective padding. The knowledge alone that my wife and I had gained from Fast Defense was quite empowering. For more information you can call Professional Self-Defense and the number is in the yellow pages. They do provide individual and reduced group rates. My Conclusion Even so, I believe that this Fast-Defense program or any sort of self-defense is not the final answer to the problem. The solutions that we need to better prevent violence against bus operators and to better deal with angry perpetrators afterwards first require us to involve Management more directly. In the October issue of the Informer, Wayne Mastramatteo Chief Steward (S) wrote in his article the ‘Winds of Change’ of the “Operation Protector Protocol Committee” he formed with Management to achieve these ends. It’s a promising start but that’s all it is - a start. Only when Management seriously stays the course towards providing better protection for us all, is only when less of us will get hurt having to choose how to better protect ourselves on our own.
Dec. 13 Run-off Elections for VPBy John A. McDonald,
Nov. 15 VP Election results: (two top candidates) You may view the candidate’s platforms here: http://caw4304.ca/elections/vp.htm
2007 Casual DaysCasual days for United Way unless stated otherwise. $3 for sticker
The Ant and the GrasshopperFrom “Aesop’s Fables” In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. “Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead or toiling and moiling in that way?” “I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.” “Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper, “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew… It is best to prepare for the days of necessity
Crystal Ball If OnlyBy Phil Whitehead Little is known with certainty about Aesop. He may have been a slave living in the 6th century B.C. in Greece, and who wrote stories intended for children, with each story ending with a moral lesson. His stories remain relevant to this era, including to members of CAW 4304 as the contract expires in December, 2007. A Dismal Economic Trend North America is a land of few “ants”, but many “grasshoppers.”
The Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, Ben Bernanke said, “Unfortunately, many years of concentrated attention on this issue by policy-makers and economists have failed to uncover a silver bullet for increasing household savings.” Canadians are not much better. The savings rate for Canadians
has been variously reported in the range of 0.5 to 1.0%. But at least one banker has been prompted to address the issue. “Canadians have a pretty dismal savings rate,” according to Bark Melek, an economist for BMO Nesbitt Burns. “The debt load could become a problem if income and employment growth don’t continue.” Bucking the Trend The need for financial preparations is essential given the possibility of an income disruption following the expiration of the current contract. Rick Moffitt, president of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council, attempted to ready his teacher colleagues for a loss of income during the year prior to the 1997 political protest against the education policies of Mike Harris. He recommended repeatedly that they ask themselves, “How much money do I need to live on?” His own preparations even included stocking the freezer with food. The eventual political protest lasted three weeks, which, incidentally, is the approximate length of recent strikes in the public sector. He suggested that preparing for a five week loss of income would be advisable. During the three weeks of the protest, Moffitt received word of some teachers being in financial difficulty, such as those who began the work stoppage with maxed out credit cards. During the contract negotiations at Kitchener Transit in 1996, one bus operator, who insisted that a strike was needed to press contract demands, pronounced emphatically to anyone who would listen, “Start saving boys, because we’re going out.” This was said about a month prior to the strike deadline. Unfortunately, one month is far too short of a time frame to prepare for the loss of an income. A Matter of Control Naomi Klein, the left-leaning critic of corporate clout, and author of No Logo, made the point that, “Debt is the most pervasive form of social control.” Her point is worth heeding. When an individual’s debt is burdensome, the power to control the direction of one’s life is minimal. However, the corollary is also true. When savings are substantial, a person is less of a marionette, and has fewer strings attached
I Need to be Told!By Maurice Levesque co-chair Health & Safety I’ve been on the Health and Safety committee at GRT for six years. I greatly enjoy being on the committee and the challenges of make this workplace as safe as is possible. One thing however that has always surprised me is that people think that because I’m on the committee I am aware of every safety issue on the property.
If you hear about a safety issue be it conventional, Mobility Plus, Or Dept. 2 give me a shout! I am happy to hear about issues anytime anywhere. If you see me I’m on duty for H&S. You can also phone me on my union cell (519) 497-7870. You can e-mail me at So when you see me ask me if I’ve told today
A Strong and United Union
As your Political Education
representative for this Local, I’d like to take this opportunity
to thank the participants who ran for the important position of vice
president. The fact that five individuals felt strongly enough to rise
up to the challenges that the vice presidency requires tells us all that
there indeed is a great amount of interest within the union membership
of becoming involved.
New Year’s resolutionsInternet/CALM I will channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion
and paranoia.
Annual Financial AuditBy Jacky Eng, For your information, our annual financial audit was under way on the week of Nov. 21. Marty Capputo, the CAW national Head Auditor, is conducting the audit. His report will be delivered at the next union meeting.
Congratulations Everyone We Did It!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scenic Caves Nordic
Adventures 06/07 |
||
(Groups of 15+ and must be prebooked) |
||
Trail Passes |
Weekends/Holidays |
Weekdays |
Adults |
$12.00 |
$10.00 |
After 1pm. |
$ 10.00 |
|
Seniors/Youth |
$10.00 |
$9.00 |
After 1pm. |
$ 9.00 |
|
XC Ski Rentals & Pass |
Weekends/Holidays |
Weekdays |
Adults |
$ 30.00 |
$ 28.00 |
After 1pm. |
$ 28.00 |
$ 26.00 |
Seniors/Youth |
$ 28.00 |
$ 26.00 |
After 1pm. |
$ 26.00 |
|
Snowshoe Rentals & Pass |
Weekends/Holidays |
Weekdays |
Adults |
$ 25.00 |
$ 23.00 |
After 1pm. |
$ 23.00 |
|
Seniors/Youth |
$ 23.00 |
$ 21.00 |
After 1 pm. |
$ 21.00 |
|
Guides/Instructors |
|
|
$20 per hour & per guide |
|
|
* Seniors are 60+ years old |
|
|
* Youth 8-17 years old |
|
|
By Jose Fonte
Are you being categorized or labelled at work? Has it happened to you? Or have you been witness to your employer being rude or insulting? Did it bother you? Can you stop it?
There is help.
You have rights. Contact your Union Representative
Under the Human Rights Act, every employee has the right to respect and
dignity in the workplace. Are there situations where direct management
are violating the rights of employees? It might be so common place that
you might not even be aware of it any more. Perhaps it started a long
time ago as an offhand comment or an insult directed towards a fellow
employee. You might have found it funny. After all, it wasn’t directed
at you.
These comments can quickly escalate and turn into a degrading conversation
or an inappropriate discussion. After a while, you may feel they might
as well be talking about you, your friends, your fellow co-workers. It
could become personal.
When management is stressed and pressured, they may not always deal with
employees appropriately. They might not have been provided with the appropriate
training to handle the pressures they are confronted with.
Rude comments can become an easy way of expressing job dissatisfaction
by shifting the blame away from themselves to the employees.
Expressing frustration needs to be handled carefully. When not handled
professionally, you could hear generalizations, stereotypes and potentially
discriminatory comments.
Pointing out individuals or groups is a way to avoid focusing on the
root cause of the frustration. Difficulties in dealing with stressful
situations could initiate additional problems and emotional build up
that could result in a lash out.
No one needs to be insulted or hear their co-workers being put down.
When we are called “drivers” or “mechanics” in
negative tones it becomes insulting, as if we are lesser people due to
our job rank.
Actions by management should not be looked at as the cause of problems.
Their role is to supervise and facilitate the workday. Their qualifications
and abilities to manage are reflected in our work. Ultimately you can
only be as good as your source.
What steps can we as the employees take to help rectify this problem?
Initially, all employees and management need keep respect and dignity
at the forefront of their conversations. Outdated disciplinary methods
need to be reviewed and corrected. Coaching or training methods can be
implemented to focus on success. An open door to discussion is needed.
We need to concentrate on the positive.
This would benefit our morale and improve our workplace. The employer
should be made aware there are options and ways to motivate employees.
We can create a great place to work.
These concerns need to be brought to the forefront and addressed, not
hidden.
Any implication of reprisal is unacceptable. Your Union representative
is there to help you.
CALM:
So, Osama walks into this bar, see? and Bush says, “Whad’l’ya
have, pardner?” and Osama says, “Well, George, what are you
serving today?” and Bush says, “Fear,” and Osama shouts, “Fear
for everybody!” and George pours a round for the crowd.
Then the presidential bartender says, “Hey, who’s buying?” and
Osama points a thumb at the crowd sucking down their brew.
“They are,” he says. And the two of them share a quiet laugh.
– from Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Class War by into this
G bar... reg
Photos taken by Wil Wirtz at a recent CUTA– Expo
show in Toronto.
(Click to enlarge photos)
Nova Bus LSF is diesel electric combination. Orion and Nova have Hybrid
buses.
Has convex mirror on top instead of bottom. All highway coaches are set
up this way. for a better line of vision vs. looking down as we do on
our buses.
TTC is actively pursuing the design and installing protective barrier for
the driver. This is constructed of a 1/2 “ thick Plexiglas panel
that has little holes drilled in it for the driver to talk to the passengers.
It also has an option to be put away if the driver wishes not to use
it.
A poster from TTC that shows that there is no tolerance whatsoever on any
type of assault on their operators.
COLLINGWOOD, ONT.
Downhill skiing at: BLUE MOUNTAIN
Or
X-C skiing/snowshoeing at: SCENIC CAVES NORDIC CENTRE
* In order to participate, EACH SKIER AND INVITED GUEST MUST RAISE MINIMUM
$50.00 IN
DONATIONS
from sponsors (or make a $50.00 donation) for our charity.
By raising money for our charity, you will receive reduced rates for
downhill skiing at BLUE MOUNTAIN!
- lift ticket: $25 (regular
$52), rentals: $19 (regular $34), group lesson: $16 (regular $29)
Rates
for x-c skiing/snowshoeing: (see Klaus’ article)
(MINIMUM
AGE for participants: 12 YEARS OLD)
All proceeds to:
THE CHILDREN’S WISH FOUNDATION
On
September 2nd 2006 Jennifer Rudnisky married Jurgen Kleylien. As Jennifer
puts it, it was love at first sight. Jennifer has been at Mobility Plus
for approx. two and half years, and then accepted a position upstairs
in customer service. Jurgen has been a dispatcher at mobility plus for
four years. Jennifer says we are extremely happy now that we are married.
I have know
Jurgen from my past days at Airways Transit. As so many of our fellow
operators have come from at G.R.T. and would like to wish both Jennifer and
Jurgen many years of happiness and good fortune.
By Johanne Mac Kay
Start: ¼ cup soft margarine or butter
2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup corn syrup & 1/3 cup maple syrup
Pinch salt
1 beaten egg
¾ tsp vanilla
¾ cup raisin, nuts, and cranberries.
Mix all ingredients together in bowl, use hand mixer for a few
minute’s pour into tarts.
Last put in nuts, cranberries, or raisins.
Bake at 375, for 20 -25 min. Keep looking at them.
You can double or triple this according to the number of tarts you want
to bake.
By John Mac Kay
I
would like to wish all the membership of CAW local 4304 on behalf of
our president Rick Lonergan the executive, and the staff of the
Informer John A Mc Donald, Wayne Bell and myself John Mac Kay Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
To our fellow
brothers and sisters who on the sick list we hope you get well soon, we miss
you and hope for your healthy return.
We at the Informer have worked to give you the reader a union view and
print issues that we thought were important .
With out
all the contributions from our rank and file this paper would not be possible. In
the coming year there are some very important issues. Our
contract is up for renewal ,our membership will vote in a new executive to
negotiate it .Their decisions will affect us in many ways. Our stable of writers
will try and keep you Informed.
As Tiny
Tim said in a Christmas carol God Bless every one of you.
(END)
Contents:
Self Defense |
Run-Off Election for VP |
| 2007 Casual Days |
| The Ant and the Grasshopper |
Crystal Ball |
I Need to be Told |
A Strong and United Union |
| New Years Resolutions |
Annual Financial Audit |
| Congratulations Everyone, We Did It! |
The Message Is |
| Tourists |
| Winter's Quotes |
Leadership Means Making Difficult Decisions |
To Back or Not to Back? |
| OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD |
Ski-a-Thon: Cross Country |
Put Downs |
Osama |
CUTA– Expo |
Ski-a-thon: Downhill |
| Wedding Announcements |
Butter Tarts recipe |
Christmas Message |
Contributors for Dec
2006
Local 4304 members helping out with this issue were: Al Maine |
The Informer is
a publication
of CAW Local 4304 and is intended to educate and inform the members. The views
expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the CAW or Local
4304. The Newsletter Committee reserves the right to edit for clarity and fact.
Material of a sexist, racist or defamatory nature will
not be printed.
Publication Dates:
The Informer is published 5 times per year: February, April, July, October
and December. The submission deadline is two days after the Union meeting.
Contact Webmaster, John A. McDonald:
or call 519-241-5623 | Site Map | 
= Members Only)
I had made it plain that I wanted to see from Fast Defense all the legal
references from Canadian Law that they have giving the victims of an
assault the legal right to defend themselves and to what extent. This
the Fast Defense instructors provided for us, for information purposes
only, in the handouts for us to take home after the program.
September 2006 was the seventeenth consecutive month in which the savings
rate of Americans was negative. Americans spent 0.5% more during
that month than they earned, and progressively moved deeper into debt.
By Klaus Bieman
$138,884.90 pledged to date (2. % over our target of $135000.00)
Once again, as
in the previous years, our annual charity fundraiser for the Children’s
Wish Foundation Skiing for Dreams ski-a-thon is fast approaching. I will
be looking after the cross-country and snowshoeing part of the event.