December 3, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 17
NOVA SCOTIA
It was another sunny day in Nova Scotia. Picket lines were up at 5 a.m. in Sydney and support continued to grow. Letter carriers have reported that they are getting 2 or 3 hours of overtime everyday. The lines in Antigonish were strong. The strikers were very appreciative of all the support received from the community. Lines are now running from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day. The lines remain solid with the extra support received from family, CUPW members and affiliate unions. PSAC union activists met for a pizza party in the evening to work on the post card campaign. Support for striking UPCE members is strong.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Saint John - The picketers in Saint John were delighted with negotiating team member Andrew Baranowski's visit as he spent some time on the line with them. A couple of CUPW members also went on the line. Fredericton - Andrew visited Fredericton's line this afternoon. The Employer told our picketers that they'll have to get their video camera and start recording the picketers, which is certainly an intimidation tactic. Moncton - We saw Santa's nastiest list and only one name on this list...it's none other than "MOYA GREENE" to the delight of all. Members were very festive (dressed up like the Grinch, Santa, the Elf, Rudolph). The picket lines were well decorated and members now have a fire barrel on. The members got a surprise visit from Jeannie Baldwin, our REVP for the Atlantic. CBC must have found out Jeannie was coming to Moncton, because they showed up on the line and the story was on the 6 o'clock news. Jeannie gave a great interview. She is never at a loss for words and for some of our members it was the first time they heard her speak. They were in for a treat. There has been a challenge within locals in NB and it started with Jennifer Boucher, RWC President in Saint John, NB challenging locals for donations to our strikers. It caught on and locals have started to donate, it's a really great show of solidarity.
ST. JOHN'S
Picket lines went up at 01:30 a.m. Members greeted the 2 a.m. shift and discussed their issues with the local highway services trucks (5 trucks) leaving the plant, mail trucks (premium products) going to the airport and the driver of a Christmas Transport truck (Besner). Members were also still there to greet the 05:00 shift. They caught management off guard by showing up this early. Management personnel showed up around 02:30 a.m. Picket lines came down at 06:00 a.m. and they talked about strategy for tomorrow or possibly tonight.
MONTREAL
Picketing started at 5 p.m. at the plant at 555 McArthur. More information will be provided tomorrow. The whole Montreal local will be traveling to Ottawa.
QUEBEC CITY
Members of the Quebec City local visited the offices of the MPs of the region – 3 Conservatives and 3 members of the Bloc Québécois. They had a very interesting discussion with the representative of Christiane Gagnon's office. Canada Post had the security and investigation service follow the strikers all morning. The Employer even called the police to say that the strikers were occupying the office of an MP and that their presence was required!!!! Canada Post wants to deprive the UPCE's members of even their freedom to speak with their MPs. In a word, a very good day and the spirits are excellent!
NCR
A group of over 50 members picketed John Baird's office (Minister responsible for Canada Post). While he was not there, his office took down appointments for all his constituents so that he will meet with them soon. If not, members will return in large groups. After this the members went picketing to other locations. Mood was extremely positive! Surprise pickets pop up during the night at different postal locations. Members of the PSAC's NAIM Circle were in town for meetings and they walked the line with their UPCE sisters and brothers.
TORONTO
The lines remained strong at Gateway, South Central, Midland and Stony Creek. The picket lines at Mount Hope Airport - Hamilton had quite the impact. Management was forced to have the trucks park and unload the mail before workers went to lunch. The empty trucks then had to go out to pick up incoming mail from the plants. It appears that the mail did not leave Mount Hope and the incoming mail was delayed. Canada Post produced documentation that demonstrated that 90% of their business was impacted by the picketers from Toronto, London and Hamilton. A picket line went up after Noon at the Cargo entrance at Pearson Airport. Canada Post trucks were greeted by picketers upon entering and exiting. New picket lines went up at Courtneypark Drive, and 21 Arnold St in Richmond Hill and 330 Charles St. Members from Treasury Board and UPCE were leafleting customers outside Shoppers Drug Marts with postal outlets.
LONDON
London Lines went up at Mail Processing Plant at 3:30 a.m. and stayed until 9 p.m. Flying Squad hit Depot #4 and Shoppers Drug Mart postal patrol. In Kitchener, the lines were up from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Good night, lots of trucks. CUW members provided coffee (2X), donuts, homemade cookies and pizza. A CUPW clerk reported that the mail is piled up in there. They had support on the lines from some CUPW employees and PSAC components. Mary Anne Walker and Melanie Jessup from PSAC were very supportive. All the participants provided great encouragement to that small group of picketers!
The London team arrived in Kitchener around 9:30. They have been a HUGE support to the Kitchener group. Wow! The members had the opportunity to meet Ralf (Parks Canada) and spend some time with him. He,s a very kind man.
WINNIPEG
Winnipeg - Cold and bitter outside with a 3 a.m. start but picketers were fired up over the delay of Canada Post vehicles. The lines were effective as Canada Post re-negotiated picket line protocols and had Managers stationed at every door. The support of CUPW started early this morning before shifts. The members know they are making a difference!
SASKATOON
Bitter cold days here in Saskatoon but the spirits on the line are warm and strong! The gang bundled up and continued with the strike strategy, effectively greeting traffic at three gates. A staff member brought out Hot Shots (mitt warmers) to help ward off the cold. A welcomed call from Janet May brought encouraging messages from across the region. CUPW brothers and sisters continued their support in so many ways!!
REGINA
It is a cold morning in Regina. The snow is flying but the UPCE picketers are heating it up out here with a solidarity barbeque serving burgers and hotdogs at lunchtime. Janet and Rene are in town to support the members on the line. The Director General for the Prairies stopped by on his way to the Employer's Christmas lunch to remind the picketers that they are welcome to come back to work. The members replied that he should tell Moya to get the STD's off the table.
The employer called the police for a parking violation on the strikers. We have had the meters bagged in front of the Post office for the past three weeks. The police came and UPCE explained that the city of Regina has given them permission to bag the meters. They then asked the friendly police officer if he would like to stay for a burger. He declined the offer but wished us luck as he left.
CALGARY
Calgary picketers changed locations in the morning and went picketing the Deerfoot South outlet. APOC provided excellent support by joining the lines to ensure vehicles obeyed the established protocols and things proceeded in a safe manner. CUPW was co-operative as usual in respecting the slowdown. The picketers then went out to lunch courtesy of one of the member's husband's donation.
EDMONTON
The picket lines were set up at the Edmonton Sorting Plant as usual at 7:30. Members even started their burning barrel and walked the line for two. Then things changed. Picketers went and did volunteer work at several different charitable organizations including the Edmonton Food Bank, the Bissell Drop in Centre and Santa's Anonymous. A great opportunity to have union members gives back to the community. And as a bonus the chance to stay warm on a cold wintery day! The members loved this opportunity and everybody felt pretty good.
VANCOUVER
The picket line went back up at the Main post office in Vancouver. Hot dogs at lunch time! The members from Vancouver who traveled to Victoria to lend a hand yesterday found one of the managers from Vancouver out on the line about half an hour after they arrived. Members are having fun keeping the employer guessing!
VICTORIA
The members picketed one of the Depots they had not been to yet. Confused management finally arrived a while after members got there. Good spirits. Once again there were more managers than picketers. The managers wrote down every word members said to them.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
