Euro-Rite Cabinets:  Things are starting to slow down again. So far in the month of June, four employees have been laid off and additional layoffs can be expected unless things pick up.

   Sears: We have finally confirmed June 23rd and 24th and the week of July 5th to commence bargaining. Rav also met with Julia Mogridge (Regional HR Manager, BC) on June 4th to deal with a grievance the Union filed regarding the letter technicians received rescinding some of the benefit changes/improvements that were mentioned in the April 7th memo given to the technicians.  In a letter dated June 8th Sears confirmed that the rescinded benefits will be restored and anyone who suffered a loss will be made whole.

   Our 500 sisters and brothers represented by the USW at the Sears warehouse in Vaughn, Ontario have been locked out since April 1, 2010.   On May 28th the employees were forced into a final offer vote by Sears.  The final offer was rejected by a strong majority of the membership that cast a ballot.

   Trader Corporation:  The dates to resume collective bargaining have been rescheduled for July 14th and 15th at the Labour Relations Board of BC, in front of Mediator Grant MacArthur. Rav met with HR regarding the grievance the Union filed alleging violation of Articles 15 and 29 of the collective agreement.  Dealer Services Representatives (DSRs) start and end their day from their residences and they get paid to drive to and from their homes. The Company has decided these provisions do not apply to part-time DSRs and as such are re-fusing to pay accordingly. On June 10th the Company made an offer to settle the grievance by agreeing to pay for the time spent traveling.

   Direct Energy:   Rav will be meeting with the new owner of Direct Energy Gerhard Fiedler and his management team on June 25th to find out the direction of the Company going forward.