4 February, 2022

Dear Member;

Brother Kevin Rebeck today reported on a very important initiative undertaken by Elmwood-Transcona MP Daniel Blaikie.  Some of you may remember that brother Blaikie was a member of the IBEW before beginning his political career. I'm pleased to say that in his role as a federal politician, brother Blaikie is still fighting for labour's concerns.  Please see the text of brother Rebeck's letter below.

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034

Brother Rebeck's Letter
 

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,

Yesterday, NDP Finance Critic and MP for Elmwood-Transcona Daniel Blaikie introduced an important bill in the House of Commons to protect the pensions and benefits of workers when they are caught in corporate bankruptcy proceedings. 

Every worker has the right to live in dignity after they retire from working life. Sadly, it is all too often the case that workers and the pensions and benefits owed to them are treated as an afterthought in these situations. After paying into their pensions for years, workers are often left with little or nothing to show for their years of hard work because our bankruptcy laws value big banks and money lenders over the workers that built the value and profits of the company. Instead of worrying about bailing out banks and other lenders, this bill would protect the pension promise of Canadian workers. 

As we saw when Sears declared bankruptcy a few years ago, 17,000 workers had their pensions significantly reduced to protect the bottom line of banks. That's just not fair. 
In addition to protecting pensions, this bill would also force companies to provide termination and severance pay before secured creditors get paid.

Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske had this to say in support of the bill:
“Asking pensioners to bail out banks is wrong, but that is what our current bankruptcy laws require. We are glad to see Daniel Blaikie pick up the torch from former NDP MP Scott Duvall and lead the charge to right this wrong. We encourage MPs on all sides of the House to support this bill.”

You can show your support for Brother Daniel's bill to protect workers' pensions by signing up at https://www.danielblaikie.ca/pension_protection.
In Solidarity,
 
Kevin Rebeck
President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour