SPEC Headlines, Sept. 21, 2003

CSN suspects FTQ of a monopoly on Gaspesia construction site
Intimidation convinces contractors to hire FTQ members, says the CSN
Gillles Gagné

CHANDLER - Alain Bédard, Vice-President of the Construction branch of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, the CSN, suspects another union, the Conseil conjoint de la construction and the main partner of that council, the FTQ-Construction, of implementing a monopoly for its members on the huge construction site of the Gaspesia mill in Chandler.
Mr. Bédard says that tensions created by FTQ delegates are strong enough to convince contractors and subcontractors to hire FTQ members and, sometimes, other members of the Conseil conjoint de la construction. That situation leaves CSN members and members of the other union active in construction, the CSD, with very few workers on the modernisation site of the paper mill.
Following two visits to that site, Alain Bédard and the CSN-Construction filed a legal action against five contractors, because they allegedly hired solely FTQ members, while they could have employed workers from the CSN or the CSD. Arbitration is the procedure required in that case, but Québec's Ministry of Labor must approve the nomination of an arbitrator before the procedure moves on.

Unemployed because they are members of the wrong union?
Gilles Gagné

CHANDLER - Chandler resident Richard Smith, a 47 year old former employee of the Gaspesia mill, and Pascal Langlois, 31, from Port Daniel, both possessing their competence cards in construction, can hardly understand why they do not work on the modernization site of Gaspesia Papers. The only reason they can see is their allegiance to the CSN, instead of the FTQ.

When they decided to get their construction cards, months ago, thinking that they would find employment during the refurbishing of the mill, they did not know that workers from outside the region would supplant them. They are still unemployed.

"For a change, we have this huge construction site in our backyard. We should be able to work there", affirms Richard Smith, a long term member of the FTQ when he was employed directly by the mill. He got his construction card in Montréal, "from the CSN, after I was refused by the FTQ. I worked in Montral for a while, on bridges, buildings, roads. Nobody ever asked me if I was a member of the CSN or the FTQ", says Mr. Smith.

Minister Mulcair frustrated by the attitude of his New Brunswick counterpart
Opposition still soaring on both sides of the Bay
Gilles Gagné

NEW RICHMOND - Québec Minister of Environment Thomas Mulcair is very disappointed by the decision of his New Brunswick counterpart Brenda Fowlie to grand Bennett Environmental the construction permit for an incinerator that will treat contaminated soils in Belledune.

Before that announcement, Mr. Mulcair thought he had a deal with Minister Fowlie and Bennett officials regarding an exchange of information with the New Brunswick government and the necessary consultation he had apparently secured for Gaspesians, who are predominantly opposed to the $20 million project.

"I consequently will not send civil servants of my Department to the meetings called by Bennett in the Gaspé. The company wants to "consult" Gaspesians once the decision is taken? I will not be the accomplice of people who think that we are fools, said Thomas Mulcair. The company, by neglecting to show transparency, will only stimulate the opposition".