Dear Local 79 Sisters and Brothers: 

Earlier this month, many Local 79 members of the Joint Health and Safety Committees participated in the 14^th Annual Joint Health and Safety Recognition event. The participants heard encouraging and supportive speeches from a number of speakers. Local 79 Equity Vice-President, Ainsworth Hamilton addressed the participants in my absence, and in his remarks he applauded the important work being done by our Local 79 members, and by the City, on our Joint Health and Safety committees. He emphasized that positive outcomes happen when we all work together for the greater good!

Congratulations to all Local 79 members working in the Shelter Support and Housing Administration Division, and the Facilities Management Division. These two Divisions were awarded the Dr. Sheela Basrur Health and Safety Award, and the Domenic Mele Award for Health and Safety, respectively at the recent event. Local 79 really appreciates the remarks made by Councillor Janet Davis, Chair of the City’s Occupational Health and Safety Coordinating Committee, during the presentation of the awards at City Council. She thanked the Joint Health and Safety Committees and the role of Unions for their dedicated involvement. (Please go to the link on the Local 79 website to listen to her speech and for additional information)

I recently sent a letter to the General Manager of Children’s Services, questioning why the City is allowing Bellevue Child Care Centre to close when there’s such a great need for child care in Toronto. The City intends to close down Bellevue Child Care Centre on July 19, 2013. Local 79 strongly urged the City to rethink their decision.

Local 79 First-Vice President Nancy Murphy sent a letter to Mayor Ford and the members of his Executive Committee regarding an item on the April meeting agenda on Quality Jobs, Living Wages and Fair Wages in Toronto. Local 79 warned the Committee against the increasing level of precarious employment in Toronto, and asked the City not to take part in creating that type of work by facilitating the contracting out of cleaning services. The Committee deferred this agenda item until July 2013.

Local 79 First-Vice President Nancy Murphy, Chief Steward David Kidd, and Treasurer Lily Chang gave individual letters to Mayor Ford and the members of his Executive Committee at the special meeting called in April to discuss the proposal for a new casino and convention development in Toronto. Their comments focused on specific concerns raised by Local 79 members working in Toronto Public Health, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Toronto Employment and Social Services. (To read their letters, please go to the Local 79 website)

Now that the Ontario Budget 2013 proposals are public, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants to hold the Liberal government accountable for their promises.  She wants some guarantees and timelines attached before the New Democrats support this budget. Local 79 is encouraging our members to go to the NDP website, set up by Andrea Horwath to consult Ontarians about the Ontario 2013 Budget. Please go to www.yoursayontario.ca and “have your say”.

A very sad anniversary was marked recently. It was ten years ago that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) first appeared in Toronto. From February 23, 2003, to June 7, 2003, 387 people in Toronto were infected with SARS and 44 of them died. On April 23, 2003 the World Health Organization issued a travel advisory for Toronto. (See Local 79 website for additional information)

The month of May provides several occasions to celebrate the rich diversity of Local 79 and the City of Toronto. May is Asian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario, and May 17^th is the International Day Against Homophobia. (Please see the Local 79 website for more details)

The Local 79 Annual Retirees’ Recognition and Awards Tea will be held on Thursday, June 13^th. This event recognizes the contribution of our active retirees, and is an opportunity for Local 79 to express our appreciation for their efforts. Our retirees always tell us how much they enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones at this event.

Keep these dates open for Local 79 summer social activities:

• Saturday June 22^nd is Local 79’s first “Old Fashioned” Picnic which promises to be a great fun-filled day in High Park. Bring your family and enjoy!
• On July 24^th and 25^th we will be returning to Wild Water Kingdom for one of Local 79’s most popular summer events for the whole family, Local 79’s Annual Summer Picnic. (See enclosed flyer for information on both events)

Applications are now being accepted for the Rudy Draxl Memorial Scholarship and the Stan Dalton Memorial Scholarship. (See Local 79 website for information)

In Solidarity,

Tim Maguire
President