OTTAWA - Managers of the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) have asked the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to place another restraint on the 200 striking employees and their peaceful methods of picketing. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is asking the NGC’s managers and members of the Board of Trustees, as well as the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, to stop this judicial nonsense immediately and help resolve the strike.

PSAC National President, Nycole Turmel, and the National Gallery union bargaining team will meet with the media in front of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice building at 161 Elgin Street, Ottawa, at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, to comment on the latest National Gallery management tactics. The striking employees will be present with their picket signs.

"The Gallery behaviour is completely ridiculous," says Turmel. Tomorrow, the Gallery will initiate contempt of the Court proceedings against 25 or our members. Tens of thousands of dollars are being spent on intimidation tactics, while the difference between the workers' demands and the Gallery salary offer is minimal. Rather than provide these employees with long-overdue wage increases, Pierre Théberge, the Gallery director and his managers have decided to spend lavishly to fight this strike and the fundamental rights of our members to picket."

When:     Wednesday, June 27, 2001
Time:       1:30 p.m.
Where:    Ontario Superior Court of Justice
                 Outside Plaza
                 161 Elgin Street, Ottawa

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Jim Prowse, president and member of the bargaining team, Local 70397 - PSAC
NGC and CMCP strike headquarters, 200, Dalhousie Street, Ottawa - (613) 244-0951
Pierre Lebel, communications officer, PSAC - (613) 560-5482