Earthquake Disaster in Haiti
Our Charity Committee is the process of collecting donations for the Caw SJF Haiti Fund Relief to assist those affected by the Earthquake disaster in rebuilding and recovering from this disaster.
Donations can be made through Jackie McKie, Cheryl White, Linda Paluveer and Lori Miller in the South.
Please see attached link for (more information) from CAW National.
CAW Bursaries
Once again CAW National and CAW council are offering a total of 25 bursaries for $2,000.00 each to the sons and daughters of CAW members in good standing who are entering their first year of full-time post secondary education (university, community college, technological institute, teacher's college, nursing school, etc.) One bursary will be available for CAW members with at least one year of seniority
Application submissions should include,
An official application form (click here for application and information) and signed by a Local Union Officer
Letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or community activist
Transcript/record of marks (most current record i.e. mid term report is acceptable)
Grades are only one of several factors that will be considered. Documents indicating, definite acceptance at one of the institutions described above and proof of registration need to be submitted before the bursary can be awarded.
Completed applications are to be submitted to:
CAW National Office
Education Department
205 Placer Court
Toronto, ON M2H 3H9
Attention: Rick Rose, Director of Education
Deadline is April 30th (postmarked no later than April 16th), 2010
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Perception
..something to think about...
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk..
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: ? If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made....
How many other things are we missing?
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Paul and Brenda's Adventure
www.islandexplorertonga.com
CLICK HERE FOR THE PAUL AND BRENDA BURGOON STORY
*Map of the South Pacific*
"NOTES FROM TONGA"
"NOTES FROM TONGA [2] "
Tongan Ferry Tragedy
Public Hearings into Tongan Ferry Tragedy to start soon...
Fresh quake near Tonga, tsunami toll nears 200
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UNION MYTHS AND REALITIES
<<<<<<<Click here for Myth's 1, 2, 3 & 4
Myth #5: "Unions force people to join and pay dues."
Facts: It takes a lot of courage for workers to organize a union. A union is formed in a workplace when a majority of workers voluntarily agree to sign union membership cards. No one is forced to sign a card. Unions are democratic organizations, and the wishes of the majority rule.
The employer uses all kinds of tactics and strategies to try and persuade their workers not to join. The employer usually resorts to fear and intimidation tactics to keep the union out and in many instances workers get fired. Despite this employer opposition, unions exist because the majority of workers believe very strongly that the introduction of a union at their workplace will help to better their lives through better working conditions, wages and benefits.
When the majority of people in a workplace vote for a union the law requires that unions must represent all people in the workplace — even those that voted against the union. People who oppose unions are not forced to join the union or sign membership cards. They are required, however, to pay dues. There are several reasons for this.
People pay municipal, provincial and federal taxes whether or not they voted for the person or political party in office. If every worker in a workplace benefits from a union contract, everyone should pay dues. If a union wins a wage increase, it goes to every worker, not only to those that pay dues. If the union negotiates other benefits such as vacation, entitled leave or job security, the same holds true.
What are union dues used for?
Union members pay dues to finance the operation of their union. Unions require revenue to provide services and representation to members. And those services and representation are available to all members. Union dues pay for a variety of services, including operating a local union, costs associated with bargaining, hiring staff, legal services, health and safety programs, strike funds, education and training and per capita portions to central bodies such as the BC Fed or CLC. If the union costs nothing, it probably wouldn't be worth anything
Another large portion of most unions' dues is spent on "organizing the unorganized". About one-third of all Canadians workers are represented by unions. There are literally millions of people without protection and employers are able to use these workers to undercut hard-won and decent union contracts by operating non-union workplaces and cheaper competition to already unionized establishments. How much unionized workers receive in wages and benefits depends on how strongly unions have organized the industry or service.
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