November 18, 2008
Strike Bulletin – Day one
HALIFAX – Picket lines went up in Sydney at 3:00 a.m. City police visited the lines. PSAC members in Antigonish established two picket lines at the National Philatelic Centre and two lines at the main Canada Post building. The lines were up until 10:00 p.m. Lines went up at 6:00 a.m. in Halifax at the Main Post Office and in Dartmouth at the Distribution Centre. The members were upbeat and very motivated. Mike Moeller, UPCE National Officer, was busy with media interviews. The strike has been covered widely in newspapers and on local radio stations across Nova Scotia. The members feel the strike is effective and that they are having an impact.
MONCTON – Off to an excellent start as members established picket lines on Mark Avenue and Malenfant Blvd in Moncton. In Saint John, a line was set up on Rothesay Avenue. Two lines were set up in Fredericton: one on Waggoners' Lane and other at the Call Centre on Hughes Street. One member was hit by a car driven by Corporate Security on Waggoner's Lane. Fredericton City Police were called and an official complaint was filed.
ST. JOHN'S – A very effective picket line was established at Canada Post's St. John's, NL location at 6:30 a.m. The police arrived at 8:00 a.m. and escorted people across the lines. We have had excellent media coverage from radio, television and the print media.
MONTREAL – Great start! More than 150 PSAC members set up picket lines at 225 Bridge street and at 555 McArthur in Ville Saint-Laurent in Montreal.
QUEBEC – In Quebec City, members were on the line from early morning in strong show of support and were able to slow activities at Canada Post.
NCR – Lots of members were out early in the morning on the picket lines. There was very strong support from UTE, and CUPW members. The National President and first Vice-President of CUPW were on the line as well as PSAC REVP Maria Fitzpatrick and PSAC National President John Gordon. Excellent media coverage.
TORONTO – Picket lines went up at 5 a.m. at the Gateway and South Central Postal Facilities. Two entrances at Gateway were enthusiastically picketed. Picketing will continue throughout the day and into tomorrow. CPC is feeling the impact. Picket lines were also established at the Scarborough Mail Facility and at Stoney Creek (Hamilton). Picketing continued until 6 p.m. Most strike locations received media coverage from TV, radio and the print media.
LONDON – An early morning start as PSAC picket lines were set up in London at 4:30 a.m. Picket lines were also established in Windsor and Kitchener. Kitchener reported four reporters monitoring the line.
WINNIPEG – The picketing went really well even if it was cold. Morale was good. Police officers visited throughout the day and were very supportive. CUPW support was very visible, their members patiently waiting for their turn while the contracted employees were more aggressive. At noon, we had a joint media event and CBC TV French and English were there as well as CJOB and many more. The REVP did 5 or 6 interviews and many clips of our members were on the CBC noon hour news.
REGINA – Members were out at 7 a.m. handing out hundreds of flyers. Many reporters were on the scene as well as members of the Regional Women's Committee and a fellow PSAC member from the Regina Airport.
SASKATOON – We had a great first day in Saskatoon. All the members of local 40100 were on the line at 7:30 a.m. It was cold (-12) so we had to bundle up. Traffic in and out of the distribution center was slowed down as supportive users stopped to talk to the pickets and find out about their issues. CUPW and APOC members were very supportive. The coffee, hot chocolate and donuts kept coming and were greatly appreciated. CTV news and the Star Phoenix were on site to get the story.
CALGARY – Picket lines were up at 6 a.m. CTV camera was on site for TV interview done by Local President Heike McCrae. 2 members from Calgary District Labour Council picketed in support this morning and 7 CUPW members over the lunch hour. The members distributed a message from CUPW President.
EDMONTON – Picket lines in Edmonton were set up at 7 a.m. with 60 members on the line. Spirits were high and we had very good media coverage. Approximately 60 CUPW brothers and sisters joined the line in a show of solidarity.
VANCOUVER – Lines were set up at 6 a.m. accompanied by music and food. Strong support was provided by CUPW members. All were in excellent spirits and media coverage was considerable.
VICTORIA – We had strong support from CUPW members; all members were in an excellent mood. We had good media coverage as well.
WHITEHORSE – About 30 PSAC members walked the line in Whitehorse from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in minus 20 degree weather to support our lone UPCE member!
YELLOWKNIFE – The lone PSAC member in Yellowknife set up picket line and received great support from members of the public. Bravo!
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Date Modified : 2008/11/19
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