SOAR

October 2010
SEASONS GREETINGS

It’s that getting to the time of year again, and your Executive Committee extend Season’s Greetings to you and your families. We wish you a joyous celebration with friends and family and peace and health for 2011.

SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER:

It has been a busy time for many of our chapter 10 members. Our chapter has been active on many picket lines. As well, and demonstrations at Queen’s Park, Ottawa, Hamilton, Brantford and Sudbury on protection of benefits and pensions. We have been meeting with local MPP’s and MP’s on increasing Canada Pension, Old Age Security and Income Supplement Pensions as well as keeping retire pensions and benefits from their workplaces. We have and continue to take part in actions against the HST and cuts to health care benefits. We need to continue to lobby local politicians on keeping our health care, our pensions and keeping jobs in our community. Each and everyone needs to make an appointment with his or her MP and MPP and talk to them about those issues. We also continue to be active volunteering in our community whether it is a food bank, United Way or another group requiring volunteers.

We had another successful banquet in May at the USW Education Centre. We took part in May day activities at the Convention Centre in Hamilton. We took part in the Hamilton & District Labour Council Labour Day Parade. We had an active part in BBQ’ing hotdogs and hamburgers for the ECP Picket Line in Brantford sponsored by Hamilton Area Council in August. We also took part in the three day solidarity picket line in September. Many of our members took part in supporting strikers at USW Local 8782 Lake Erie Works, USW 6500 strikers in Sudbury as well as CAW strikers in Bowmanville. We took part in supporting Local 1005 motions at Hamilton City Council in September and October on US Steel.

Our President took an active part in the National SOAR Conference in Toronto in April in representing our members.

We continue to do volunteer income tax for seniors in the community and tax disability credits for eligible members in our community.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon takes place on December 7^th., 2010 at the USW Hall at 1031 Barton St. E.. Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. followed by lunch and a visit from Santa.

Cost:- Lunch - $7.00/members, $9.00/non-members.

We also ask that you bring along a non-perishable food item and an unwrapped gift for our annual Chapter Christmas food and toy drive. Please remember there are needy children of different age groups in families including teenagers.

Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville Chapter of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) regional meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held at the District 21 OSSTF office, 1423 Upper Ottawa Street.

The Ontario Health Coalition is trying to re-start an active Hamilton Health Coalition Chapter to fight against the cuts to our local health care. A meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27^th., 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton & District Labour Council at 1130 Barton St. E., Hamilton. Please come out and support this important cause to help save health care in our community.

Members are invited to an open house for Sina Childs-Mahoney (Bill) on the occasion of celebrating her 65^th. Birthday Saturday, November 20^th., 2010 at the Steelworkers Education Centre Auditorium from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments and sandwiches will be served. Best wishes only.

MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2011:

Membership fees are due in January of each year.

Retiree - $12.00/year

Spouse - $ 3.00/year - $15.00 for both retiree and spouse

Fees can be mailed to our Membership Secretary: Ray Silenzi, 50 Shady Glen, Stoney Creek, ON. L8J 3W7. Or they can be paid to Ray at our monthly meeting. If you are a retiree from USW Local 1005 or 5328 and come out to meetings during the year, the Locals will cover payment for your dues. Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Steelworkers Centre, 1031 Barton St. E. starting at 1:30 p.m. except July and August.

At this time we would like to thank Hamilton Steel Area Council, USW Local’s 1005, 5328 and 16506 for their continued support of SOAR Chapter 10. As well congratulations to the newly elected executive of the Area Council. We look forward to working with you in fighting for justice for our members and our communities.

On behalf of our Chapter a sincere thank you to Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller (SOAR Chapter 10 member) and his staff for including our Chapter in his senior’s fair at the Stoney Creek Legion.

If you have any questions concerning SOAR please call President Lena Sutton at 905-549-1305 or e-mail

Hi Everyone,
 
Attached is the info from Hamilton & District Labour Council on bus to 
G20 Rally. Unfortunately, I will be away from the province and will not 
be able to partake. But I will be bringing up the cost of the bs 
security to Mike Wallace today in our meeting with him in pensions.
 
In Solidarity,
Lena Sutton
President,
SOAR Chapter 10,
Hamilton

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Subject: Re: G20 Labour/Community March and Rally: June 26
From: hdlc.secretary.atterton@cogeco.net
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:26:15 -0400
CC: sclancy3@cogeco.ca; ed.thomas@mountaincable.net; henryevansten@sympatico.ca; george.when@sympatico.ca; lena.sutton@primus.ca; ted.faulknor@sympatico.ca
To: mbuchanan@mountaincable.net

Hi all.

The Labour Council has chartered a coach to go to Toronto on June 26th. The bus will depart from the Labour Council offices (1130 Barton St. East) at 9 am. It will board at 8:45 am. There is no charge, but seats should be booked in advance. If the demand exceeds current capacity, we have talked to a couple of affiliates and a neighbouring labour council about making sure that everyone who wants to attend the G20 rally and march can get there. If you, as individuals or a group, would like to take a bus, please register with the labour council by phone (905-547-2944) or email (hdlc@cogeco.net). Be sure to leave contact information and the number of seats that you require. Updates will be posted on our website, www.hamiltonlabour.ca.

Tom Atterton

Secretary

Hamilton and District Labour Council-CLC

Hi Everyone,
 
From our retirees meeting (CURC & SOAR) with Sophia Aggolongitis, MPP 
Hamilton Mountain, on Friday May 21 on pensions.
Our groups in Hamilton are quite active in lobbying MPP's and MP on the 
pension issue.
Attendance:
Malcolm Buchanan, President, CURC Area Council
Doug MacPherson, National SOAR Co-ordinator, Vice-President, National CURC
Lena Sutton, President, SOAR Chapter 10, Hamilton
 
A couple of points:
 
I asked who attended the meeting in Hamilton on Wednesday from Labour 
with Dwight Duncan on pensions? She told me several labour groups were 
invited, there was a presention from CAW and other labour but none from 
Steel. She said that the Steelworkers were invited to the meeting to 
make a presention but no one attended. My question does anyone know who 
was invited and why no attendance.
 
When I asked her about unionized workers losing their pensions and 
benefits because of company closurers, bankruptcy, etc. and what the 
government was going to do in protecting those retiree and workers. She 
stated she was not interested in talking about unionized work places and 
pensions only pensions for everyone depending on whether it cost the 
government money. When it was pointed out to her that those workers 
gave up deferred wages in bargaining for penisons and benefits, she 
again stated she was not interested in talking about the issue about 
unions only pensions for everyone.
 
When Malcolm Buchanan, President of CURC (Congress of Union Retiree of 
Canada) Hamilton Area Council, which SOAR is also a member started our 
discussion with pensions being a political issue. Sophia stated she did 
not want to talk about pensions as a political issue, that Malcolm had 
mentioned a couple of times, and she would talk political issues next 
September. It was my chance to say OH Sophia you are running for 
re-election. Malcolm reminded her it was a political issue that affects 
a number of her consistituents who do vote and the number of retiree 
will only increase not decrease in her riding.
All three of us pointed out what it means to our communities with the 
loss of jobs, pensions, etc. and how many retirees are losing their 
pensions as well as having to support their grown children due to loss 
of jobs. We pointed out the rate of poverty this causes and the impact 
on social services. Again, she looks at pensions as a cost issue for 
the government but support CPP increase because it does not affect the 
provincial government it is a federal issue.
 
As well, she stated that you cannot have to many restrictions on 
companies coming into Ontario to do business and that is one of the 
reasons the Liberal government is granting lower taxes to companies 
especially in Hamilton. This was one of her comments when I asked her 
about protecting workers and pensions, etc. when foreign companies like 
U.S. Steel coming into Ontario with legislation that those companies 
would not be allowed to attack pensions and benefits. I told her 
again those were deferred wages given up at the bargaining table for 
retirement. She again stated she was not interested in talking about 
unions. We also brought to her attention when she got into cutting 
corportation taxes the impact the HST will have on retirees, low income 
and seniors receiving a pension which she proceeded to tell us low 
income will not pay Ontario tax.
 
It was quite obvious from our meeting that the Liberals are going to do 
nothing on pension issues especially when it comes to unionized 
workplaces. The meeting was given to us only to say Sophia had a meeting.
 
The last question I asked her before we left do you support Light Rail 
Transit in Hamilton which would give more jobs especially in 
manufacturing. She stated yes depending on the cost. If there was a 
cost affixed to it no.
 
I would ask as President of SOAR in future if any public meetings or 
hearings take place regarding pensions, retiree issues can you please 
let me know and we will make every effort to attend.
 
We are having a meeting with David Sweet this Friday at 1:30 p.m. as a 
follow meeting from our meeting with him in December. If you wish me to 
bring forward any issue please let me know.
 
At least when we meet with our NDP MPP's and MP's we know they are 
continuing to fight and stand up for workers and pension issues both 
inside and out the provincial and federal parliament buildings. This is 
a reason that we have to unite and support our allies in the NDP and 
work to get them re-elected and elect more NDP members in parliaments.
 
 
 
Lena Sutton
(905) 549-1305

S.O.A.R. CHAPTER 10

NEWSLETTER

Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees.

1031 Barton St. E., Hamilton, Ont. L8L 3E3.

February 2010

We hope you have recovered from the hectic pace of the Holiday Season. This year, so far, has been quite good weather wise in very little snow. Just hope that Willie was wrong on Groundhog Day and we will have an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

In 2010, we have welcomed two new members to our executive. Gary Rutherford, replacing Bill Fuller as Treasurer, and June Rutherford, replacing Sina Childs as Trustee. Both Bill and Sina had to step down from their positions due to health concerns. On behalf of the executive a sincere thank you to Bill and Sina for their time and committment to SOAR. Bill was one of the founding members of our Chapter 10.

On behalf of SOAR Chapter 10 congratulations to the successful candidates in the recent election for the International Executive Board of the United Steelworkers. We look forward to working with you on behalf of retirees and their families.

DECEMBER MEETING:

After our December meeting, members enjoyed our Christmas luncheon and a visit from Santa. At our December meeting, non-perishable food items and toys collected by our members were presented to Wendy Roy, Director of St. Matthew=s House, which were given to needy families in Hamilton Area. Monies donated at membership meetings to our coffee can Apiggy bank@ was evenly divided and $172.00 was presented to Len Lifchus, CEO of the United Way of Greater Hamilton & Burlington, and $172.00 was given to Dorothy Routenburg to be presented to the Women of the Moose to buy gifts for residents of Rygiel Home. On behalf of our SOAR executive a sincere thank you to members that donated.

DAY OF MOURNING:

Just a reminder that the International Day of Mourning will be April 28^th. Information on plans for this event can be obtained by calling Hamilton Labour Council at 905 - 547-2944.

ANNUAL DINNER DANCE:

Our Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, May 14th., 2010, in the Auditorium of the Steelworkers Hall, 1031 Barton Street East. Cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., with dancing to follow. Because of increased costs in all areas, it was necessary to increase the cost of the tickets for the Dinner-Dance. The cost for members in good standing (dues must be upto date) will be $15.00 per member (or $30.00 per couple), and $30.00 per person for non-members. Tickets will be available at the March meeting, or you can reserve your tickets by calling Dorothy Routenburg at 905 - 549-2272.

Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month (except July and August), commencing at 1:30 p.m. Each month we try to have a guest speaker at our meetings.

We are sponsoring a PUBLIC FORUM with Wayne Marston, MP Hamilton East-Stoney Creek on February 18, 2010 - Steel Hall, 1031 Barton St. E. @ 10:30 a.m. on seniors. You do not have to be a member of SOAR to take part. Come and bring a friend. (See enclosed flyer)

Fees can be mailed to our Membership Secretary: Ray Silenzi, 50 Shadyglen, Stoney Creek, Ontario, L8J 3W7. (Phone: 905-578-5523). Or they can be paid to Ray at our monthly meetings. If you are a retiree from USW Local 1005 or 5328 and you come out to meetings during the year, you do not pay dues. The local from which you retired will pay your dues.

Enclosed with this newsletter is information from AIL insurance company concerning a NO Cost - $3,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit for you as a SOAR member. In order to qualify for this benefit your membership dues must be paid up to date.

If you have any questions about SOAR please call Lena Sutton (President) 905-549-1305 or e-mail: lena.sutton@primus.ca

SEASONS GREETINGS

It’s that time of year again, and your Executive Committee extend Season’s Greetings to you and your families. We wish you a joyous celebration with friends and family and peace and health for 2010.

SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER:

It has been a busy fall for our Chapter 10 retirees. On Labour Day, a number of our members took part in the Annual Labour Day parade walking with their local union. As well, we had two vehicles in the parade for our members unable to walk the distance.

Our chapter has been active on many picket lines in the area and demonstrations at Queen’s Park and Ottawa on protection of benefits and pensions. Our President attended the CURC conference in Ottawa in October which focused on pensions for retirees. Our chapter picked over 100 bushels of apples for many of our shelters, food banks and USW members on strike. A special thank you to members Ben Desroches for providing the apples, Bob Sutton, Bill Scandlan and staff rep. Bryan Adamczyk for picking and delivery of apples. Our members passed the hat at our October meeting and collected $270.00 for the food bank at St. Matthews House for thanksgiving to help the needy in our community. Again, thank you to all of our members that take an active part in volunteering and helping in our community.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon takes place on December 1, 2009 at the USW Hall at 1031 Barton St. E.. Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. followed by lunch and a visit from Santa.

Cost:- Lunch - $5.00/members, $7.00/non-members.

Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville Chapter of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) regional meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held at the District 21 OSSTF office, 1423 Upper Ottawa Street. The main discussion for this meeting is the CLC Action Plan to save and improve our pensions.

SOAR Chapter 10 is hosting a seminar on November 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Steelworkers Centre, 1031 Barton St. E. Please read enclosed flyer for information.

Paul Miller, NDP Fundraising Dinner February 25, 2010. Please read enclosed information.

If you have an e-mail address please send your e-mail address to President Lena Sutton at lena.sutton@primus.ca The purpose of collecting e-mail from members is to inform you of events and information concerning retirees. As well, our newsletter can be sent to you via e-mail to help cut postage costs. Our web site is located at usw5328.com.

Congratulations to Canadian SOAR National Coordinator, Doug MacPherson, elected 2^nd. Vice-President of National CURC at the conference in Ottawa in October. Also, thank you to Dan McNeil, District 6 SOAR Executive Board member for his years of serving as a member of National Executive of CURC and working on behalf of retirees. Dan did not seek re-election.

In closing on behalf of our Chapter 10 Executive and members, a sincere thank you to the USW Locals for their support to our retirees. We thank Hamilton Area Steel Council and Tony DePaulo, Area Coordinator, for the support given in our activities and including Chapter 10 in Area Council in Hamilton. Tony is seeking District Director in the upcoming District 6 Steelworker Election. Our chapter is endorsing Tony for District 6 Director.

03/07/11