December 7, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 20 and 21
NOVA SCOTIA
Picket lines were up on Saturday morning in Sydney with members picketing postal outlets in New Waterford and Sydney. This provided a good opportunity to educate the general public on the issues of the strike.
Picket lines went up at 9 a.m. at the Dartmouth Distribution Centre. This created many delays to CPC's Christmas operations as employees inside were sorting large parcels. Other UPCE members continued to work on the postcard campaign in Halifax.
It was an awesome, sunny day in Antigonish which provided excellent conditions for an anti-Harper coalition & solidarity rally for UPCE members with over 100 persons in attendance. This proved to be an exciting & morale boosting event for our striking UPCE members. Also joining the striking workers during the rally was Sister Jeannie Baldwin, REVP, Atlantic & directors of the Atlantic Council. The event had speakers representing a wide array of organizations and groups. Sister Betty Campbell a striking UPCE member addressed the rally and made a moving and up-lifting presentation. There was good media coverage.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Moncton - Members needed to have someone on the Moncton line for the middle of the night. They called their friends from other unions and at 3:30 a.m. there were 13 people on the picket. They stayed on the line until 7 a.m. and had many visitors: CPC Security, the police and CPC management who threatened to take away the fire pit. After longs discussions, members kept their fire pit.
Some UPCE members in Moncton sent postcards all day on Sunday and they got some volunteers from Parks & CFIA helping out. They also have two lines going well in Fredericton.
PS – Their other union friends can't wait to come back and give a hand; they really want another encounter with Canada Post Managers.
On Sunday, 20 members had a strong line at both entrances at Waggoner's Lane in Fredericton. One large truck showed up and the driver left his truck and went for breakfast then returned and entered the plant after discussing the members' issues in detail. It was snowing the whole time but members were in very good spirits. Yeah, another snow storm in NB.
Several trucks were greeted during the shift, probably in the range of 10-15. Cars going by were starting to honk and wave a lot more. The members received increasing support from the public. People are seeing that the members are there 7 days a week from dusk till dawn, regardless of the weather conditions. The message from the strikers in Fredericton for the team is: "Good luck to the Negotiating team, don't give in to Canada Post until we get what we deserve!” In Moncton members spent the day mailing postcards. Because of the freezing rain, members were asked not to travel today.
ST. JOHN'S
On Saturday members set up the picket line at 11:15 a.m. A rally was held outside the plant at noon. CBC, The Telegram, VOCM and NTV all conducted interviews. There were numerous speakers including Mike Moeller, Lorraine Michael (Provincial NDP Leader), Nancy Riche, Representatives from other PSAC Locals in the Province, St. John's District Labour Council, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, numerous trade unions and the general public. The PSAC bargaining team for Memorial University (new members) attended as well.
Locals also contributed to the cause. Overall, they had a successful rally, a very successful day complete with excellent media coverage. Resolve was strong and the picket line solid.
Sunday morning picket lines went up at 07:30 a.m. Members welcomed the workers going in at 8 a.m. and spoke with them on their way in. People were really cheering the members and telling them that they are effective and to keep up the good work. This UPCE Local is getting stronger by the day and morale is high.
They took down the picket lines at 08:30 and strategized for the coming week. Picket line was solid again today.
MONTREAL
On a bright and sunny Saturday, members went to the pro-coalition and anti-Harper rally in front of the Guy-Favreau centre downtown Montreal.
On Sunday, members set up a picket line in front of Post Canada building at 555 McArthur to show their support for their negotiation team. Music and pizza, along with news about the return to bargaining table, helped members keep morale high.
NCR
On Saturday, lines were up at the Alta-Vista plant today and spirits were high with the news that we're back at the table. At the peak we had almost 150 picketers on the line with visits from Betty Bannon, National President UTE and other UTE members. Our members were also joined by a number of IAN and CUPW brothers and sisters who stopped by to show their solidarity. The members attending the grievance course held at the Gatineau RO, collected $109.00 and provided the picketers with a pizza lunch when they joined them in solidarity at noon.
Sunday has been the coldest day in Ottawa yet but morale was solid. Members have been very successful at greeting trucks. The members received great "cooperation" from most drivers and workers around the plant. It sure makes it a lot easier for the sisters and brothers on the line. Members were very surprised when they saw some Management people from Head Office. NO, they were not there to monitor the line, they were there to support their FRIENDS on the line. One of them cried because that person does not like what is happening to his/her friends. It took a lot of courage for these Management colleagues to show up on the line. Members want to thank them from the bottom of their heart.
TORONTO
On Saturday UPCE members joined the large rally to hear Mr. Layton and Mr. Dion speak. There was a large number of PSAC members as well as VP Patty Ducharme and REVP Gerry Halabecki. On Sunday, members set up a line the UMO and trucks had to slow down a lot. Spirits were still high on the line and members hoped that the bargaining went well. Santa paid a visit to the UPCE picket line in Stony Creek where he delivered a cheque for $1, 200 to UPCE local 104. The donations came from the locals in the Hamilton/Niagara area. Santa clearly showed his support for the striking workers and the PSAC.
LONDON
Snow squalls on Saturday and Sunday. Strategic picketing in London at 4 a.m. until weather closed in. In Windsor the picket lines were up and despite the cold wind the morale was good. The London Flying Squad surprised the busiest depot. Management is getting increasingly frustrated with the drivers as they're fighting amongst themselves for a spot at the beginning of the exit line from the yard. 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 pm – 6 members braved the cold, cold night. Management's presence was minimal. There were noticeably more trucks queued up all night. This was our heaviest night all week for trucks. A CUPW member brought some coffee and another brought chocolates. Extra firewood was delivered and most welcomed. On Sunday, Snow Squalls continued. There were 6 inches of snow last night with more falling during the day. London picket line was up at 4 a.m. and stayed as long as weather allowed. Kitchener picket line was up at 8 p.m. until midnight. Windsor picket line was up as weather permitted.
WINNIPEG
The members were around the mail processing plant and greeted the parcel delivery trucks. It is expected that most of the mail is to be moved Sunday morning. The weekend picketers were also taking part in the post card campaign with no postal codes to jam up the sorting. The additional weekend pressure is a sign of solidarity and support for the negotiating team and to send a message to Canada Post; we are here and we are standing together until we get a fair contract with no concessions.
On Sunday, Winterpeg came back but members stayed on the line! The big fluffy flakes of snow did not chill their spirits. The group was out in anticipation of all of the additional vehicles on the road to move the mail. They are resolved to be there to greet them at every turn! To prove that the members of UPCE aren't as callous as Ms Greene, they are even volunteering their own time during strike activity to reply to Santa letters.
EDMONTON
An amazingly high number of members came to the first Saturday picket line. They surprised management and one even came out of the plant and told us that they couldn't be there today. They told him differently. It was snowing but the weather was not dreadful and the members are picketing, dancing and having a good time.
VANCOUVER
The UPCE members were on the picket line at the Vancouver Central Post Office on Saturday, handing out the UPCE postcards to the general public and to CUPW members who are coming and going from work. The spirits were good and hopeful that there will be some movement at the bargaining table. Members have developed other plans that involve a greater degree of political action.
Sunday, pickets went up at the Vancouver Parcel Delivery Centre in Richmond. Management usually is called in shortly after we arrive along with S.I. squad, they all try to put a damper on our time, so we hope they like giving up their time to monitor us…. so we keep them guessing.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
