December 8, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 22
NOVA SCOTIA
A winter storm hit Nova Scotia over night shutting down schools and public transit systems but it did not deter UPCE picketers from hitting the lines at 6 a.m. in Halifax, Sydney and Antigonish. UPCE members wanted to send a clear message to the employer: they are still walking strong and nothing will stop them from standing in solidarity. That same message also went out to the Negotiating Team. The picket lines are solid and support for the Team is strong! Members in Sydney have been busy writing letters to their MPs while members in Antigonish have been keeping the local newspapers filled with letters to the editor. Public support is growing as word is circulating about why UPCE members are on strike.
NEW BRUNSWICK
All went well in New Brunswick today. The picket lines were up and members seem to have a renewed sense of energy.
ST. JOHN'S
Members in St. John's held a strategy meeting in the morning. Morale was great.
MONTREAL
Despite Siberian-like cold temperatures, members in Montreal maintained a strong picket line at 555 McArthur. The line stayed up for four hours. All vehicles coming and going received information about the negotiations. As they have done in the past, Canada Post called the police but the line was still very effective. The hope of an agreement keeps the morale high.
QUEBEC CITY
In Quebec City UPCE members set up a picket line in front of the Hugues-Randin in the morning. Picketers stayed on in spite of the brutal cold.
NCR
Picketers at the Ottawa Mail Processing Plant braved wind chill factors of -32 when they started their shift at 4 a.m. The temperature with wind chill rose to a high of -28 by mid morning. These warm-hearted members have asked that we give back to our community and so we are collecting a loonie per member along with non-perishable food items to be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Members at Head Office want to extend their sincere thanks to members of Agriculture Union Local 70075 from the Experimental Farm who brought out burn barrels to help keep picketers toasty on this oh so frosty day!
Despite the cold temperatures, morale is holding strong on the lines. Members have renewed hope as a result of news that the team tabled a counter offer. Everyone is feeling very encouraged and are eagerly awaiting news. We're all sending out positive thoughts to the team.
TORONTO
The lines are up and strong at Gateway, UMO, Southcentral and Stony Creek.
New lines went up at Station D - Keele and Dundas. Spirits remain up and members are strongly supporting the team in Ottawa.
LONDON
Kitchener lines were up until 2 a.m. this morning and they were back up again between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The London Flying Squad visited the Guelph depot. Windsor lines were up at 8 a.m. and stayed up until noon. In London, some members joined the line at 5 p.m. on Sunday and stayed as long as they could. There was a meeting for picket captains during the day.
WINNIPEG
The start of week 4 showed Canada Post that even in sub-zero temperatures, the UPCE members in Winnipeg are still here! We are not going anywhere. We had Santa, the Grinch, CUPW, other PSAC and members along with family and friends visit the picket lines. Who knows who will show up next? Who knows where the picketers will be this week? We could be on the move! For now, the line is strong around the mail processing plant and as we see piles of parcels stacking up and postal vehicles lining up, we'll sit back and sip on our hot soup (thanks Alice) and strategize for tomorrow!
SASKATOON
The Saskatoon line provided a real surprise today. With a little inside information, the members set up the picket line at a different location so that they could greet a very important Purolator delivery truck. Earlier in the day an information meeting was held at the PSAC Regional Office with guest speakers. Members from the Saskatoon Police department were on hand to discuss picket line safety and the Public Liaison Officer from Service Canada provided information on E.I. eligibility. Marianne Hladun, the Alternate REVP for the Prairies, joined by speaker phone and Carol Casey from the Saskatoon District Area Council also joined the group. CUPW brothers and sisters were also invited to join in the discussion.
REGINA
It was a very cold day in Regina but the members were solid on the line, greeting each and every truck. It was a very successful morning, the members remain strong.
CALGARY
Members were sending out letters, emails and post cards. There was a serious snowfall but it did not deter the members from finding some way to be effective and show their support to their Team.
EDMONTON
Status quo in Edmonton. Members' spirits were high but they were angry. Lines were set up at the Edmonton Sorting Plant and stayed there until 2 p.m. Members must have management concerned because they are resorting to dirty tricks. One cute little thing they do is to have empty trucks leave and then enter the line right away again to make sure that the members are over the maximum allowed by the protocol. Desperate perhaps?
The members on the Edmonton Picket Line wish the best for the Bargaining Team and that they are behind them 100%!
VANCOUVER
Picketing went on at three locations this morning. At Cloverdale picketers handed out postcards, which proved to be very popular items. Management at this site is not as bad as at some of the other locations—at least they are not out directing traffic. Home baking, hot chocolate and coffee on the picket line are bringing a bit of Christmas cheer.
In South Burnaby picketers stopped trucks and handed out information and post cards. The CUPW drivers are saying that they are averaging 150 parcels per truck now when normally they have between 30 and 50, so they are expecting lots of overtime today.
The picketers at South Vancouver Delivery Centre are not stopping traffic but, if anyone wants information, they will speak to them. There is not much of a management presence at this location today.
This afternoon and evening members will also be picketing at the main post office in Vancouver and at the main parcel distribution centre in Richmond.
All in all spirits are good and their resolve is strengthening.
VICTORIA
The picketers at the Glanford plant are in good spirits and members from CUPW remain very respectful of the picketers.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
