Winding up the campaign in Okanagan

Sunday Feb. 10
I travelled 1100 km through the Okanagan region, started in Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna and ended in Penticton. It was a long day, but I did get to meet a number of members whom I would not have met if I had not taken the opportunity to do so. I want to thank thoses that I had met and spent time listening to the concerns that need attention. What is the the union role in there life today and what to they expect to see there union do for them? Thank-you and it was a pleasure to get to know some of you!

election day

The campaign in the north!

Myself and Nick Amoroso flew into Prince George on Monday and drove 911 km and flew out Wednesday evening, back home.
We had a great exprience meeting, greeting and listening to members concerns as we traveled from property to property. Thank you to all who embraced and questioned our motives to run in the current elections.
Below are examples to the weather conditions and the wonderful beauty of the Bald Eagles.
We really enjoyed the our travells and hope the future will give the opportunity to do more.

The North Prince George, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert

Vancouver Island on the campaign trail

Local 40 Members (Workers United)

Two bell men from the Hyatt with over 65yrs of experience and Local 40 members.
Altogether over 80 yrs of experience with the cooks at the Westin Bay Shore.
Gerhart semi retiring after 17 yrs as a Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel.
REMEMBER WHO TO VOTE FOR - THE BALLOTS ARE NOW OUT.
The next three pics are in our office with some of our supporters - way to go Workers United !!!!

1st day on the Campaign Trail

Local 40 Members at GM Place negotiate a great contact!

Union members working for Aramark Ent. Sevices at Gm Place stood strong with their bargaining committee and where rewarded with a successfully negotiated collective agreement that they ratified by a margin of 77% at a vote held at the facility on March 11, 2006.

Members of this round of bargaining team, led by Local 40 Vice President Jim Bock , Cindy Csere, Brad McLean, Barney Nicholl, Dwayne Bohoychuk, Tina Casio and Mike Kennedy, stood united and accomplished what they set out to do. Get the best contract possible.

GM Place known as "the Garage " to the locals is home to our very own Vancouver Canucks.

Supported by the mandate of a strike vote of 92 % from the membership, the bargaining committee worked hard in hammering out their demands with their employer who was seeking major concessions. The bargaining committee stood strong with the support of the membership

Wage increases were the highest since ever at $1.45 over the term of the agreement. The agreement will expires on December 11, 2008.

Our Family

My Mixer Report that was never reported!

I will begin with the enthusiasm and excitement for our achievements.

· Internal committee building, training, education, and equipping.
· Relationship Building; members, E.B, office staff, national & international
· Great negotiated contacts Cara Flight Kitchen and Greater Vancouver Hotel Employers Association (G.V.H.E.A.) Aramark GM Place Coast Plaza Hotel and Coast Master
· Campaigns and Rally’s Service Workers Rising, (Vancouver Worker Rising) Aramark G.M. Place, and the Hotels Workers Rising G.V.H.E.A.

I have now seen the effects of transparency within our local union. I personally have gone through a vast adjustment period to learn and grow as an elected official and have accomplished many achievements.
All of these have been great accomplishments in strengthening and building a stronger, more effective union. I trust that we will continue on the path of rebuilding a STRONG, UPRIGHT and HONEST union that fights for the rights of the working class families.
Since the beginning of the year I have watched, observed, assisted and learned what it takes to carry out such a large-scale campaign to build committees necessary in the process to rebuild.

Without the help and support of the staff, E.B., the national, the international and the members this could not have been possible.


During the next months and years to follow I will focus in continuing to build and grow myself, and the union as a whole.
Ahead of us, bargaining for three-major Hotel’s (Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre, Delta Vancouver Airport and the Hilton Metro Town Centre) the achievements and gains that were reached at the G.V.H.E.A will also be achieved at these three Hotels. We should not look at anything less. We need to realize that others are watching and we need to continue to set the standards as the Number One Hospitality Union in B.C.

I would like to share with you today, that I, as most of the members in our union came here as a landed immigrant! I came to Canada with my parents, their dream for a better life. I am a doer who embraces change and know that I can not do it on my own, with out the help of those around me, who believe and trust in me to achieve the gains needed for families just like me.

So I look forward to the days, months and years ahead in continuing to serve the membership to benefit the hard working class families were my roots lie.