December 9, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 23
OTTAWA
The PSAC has increased the strike pay to $100 per day until further notice.
NOVA SCOTIA
Members in Nova Scotia were feeling very motivated today as they all knew the time had come to have a bigger impact. Members in Sydney picketed in Glace Bay at the post office and had good response and support from CUPW and RMS drivers. They expect a good cover story in the Cape Breton Post. Members wrote letters to the Editor. In the evening, the strikers met with the Cape Breton District Labour Council.
UPCE members in Antigonish sent a group of picketers to Truro to run lines at the Processing Plant. They greeted trucks until the police came. The police were supportive.
Lines went up at 6 a.m. in Halifax and Dartmouth. The mail carriers are now asking for management escorts through the picket lines. In The afternoon, members met with Canada Post Board Member, Dr. Daurene Lewis. Initially she tried to cancel the scheduled meeting, but the members gave her a package including sworn affidavits, press releases and some of our bulletins. She accepted the information package and the meeting ended.
NEW BRUNSWICK
It went down to -22 degrees last night (it's cold), but not cold enough to stop our picketers. If the cold can't stop them, for sure Canada Post won't stop them either.
Moncton and Saint John are going well.
Fredericton - Some difficulties on the line in the morning as the employer threatened to have the picketers arrested as they increased pressure. The police came and advised them that holding up the relays was a health and safety issue as it was too cold outside and they cited some stuff from the criminal code. After some serious negotiations with the police, the union and the employer, they agreed not hold up the relays more than 10 minutes, however, the trucks would now be held up for 30 minutes. Some of the members were prepared to spend a night in jail to prove their point (well, it is warmer in jail than outside)....but no jail for today, but tomorrow is another day.
ST. JOHN'S
The six St. John's members' spirits were high and their resolve strong. They are waiting to hear from their Team as to what their next step may be.
MONTREAL
Starting at 7.30 a.m. this morning, members in Montréal slowed down traffic at the plant on 555 McArthur for close to six hours, Mother Nature was on our side, shedding snow on the region, and causing major traffic jams. Canada Post has found a very efficient way of using the municipal taxes it pays, calling the police as soon as we show up. Police have been cooperative with the strikers.
QUEBEC CITY
The cold snap and the heavy snow did not stop UPCE members in Quebec City. First, they installed a solid line at Canada Post's Joly depot and then they held a much more visible demonstration at the Hochelaga post office, chosen because of its proximity to a very busy shopping mail.
NCR
Solid picket lines all around town today. Maria Fitzpatrick, REVP NCR and Jeannie Baldwin, REVP Atlantic and members of the PSAC staff bolstered the line on this snowy day in Ottawa. The members in Ottawa today responded to the employer's attempt last night to negotiate via internet. The response was to increase waiting time at the Head Office to 15 minutes per vehicle from 10. The picket lines at the plant toughened up and refused to let anyone cross until 10:30 a.m. The picket line at the Call Centre also toughened up and refused to let anyone cross. A flying picket squad also shut down the Merivale Depot until 10 a.m. Their message is loud and clear: "Canada Post, we want you to talk to our negotiating team, not to post inflammatory statement on the website.
Jesus Brochero, a Colombian Coal Miner who is an executive member of SINTRACARBON, the union representing over 3,000 Miners at the Cerrejon Grande mine, joined the line in solidarity. In their last round of bargaining, one of their key issues is the situation facing more than 800 miners afflicted by serious occupational disease. Those workers are not receiving adequate health coverage from the private health plan brought in by the company.
TORONTO
This morning picketers at Stony Creek decided to stop everyone entering the plant to educate people about the negotiations between UPCE and Canada Post. Canada Post employees entering the employee entrance were late getting in to work this morning. This means that management will now have to manually change every employee's start time this morning.
In Toronto the lines were up at Gateway, UMO and South central. New lines went up at the depot - Etobicoke B @ Kipling & Dixon. Station F (Kipling and Dundas) at Charles St, and at Eglinton and Yonge.
LONDON
The London Flying Squad went to the Waterloo Depot to bolster the lines between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The members maintained a solid line in London from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The London Flying Squad visited Guelph today. Publishing CPC Senior Vice-President Operations Mary Traversy's phone number was a highlight! The members invited the public to call her if they had any complaints about mail delivery services. She received so many calls that a CPC representative asked the members to provide local supervisor Brian Wilson's number instead -- Wilson is responsible for the Guelph area. “Too late” was the reply, the phone number has already been distributed all over the country. The letter carriers came out to spend their breaks with us. Superintendent Peter Marlow went ballistic and threatened them with disciplinary action if they didn't take their breaks inside.
Our Kitchener friends, dropped in with hot drinks and treats, and hung out with us for quite a while, giving everyone a chance to visit nearby "facilities"... they were a ray of sunshine! In Windsor, picket lines were up for 6 hours. Drivers are leaving their trucks parked while they go into and use the washroom. They then proceed though the line and into the plant. A CUPW angel came with hot soup and crackers. Supervisors said things are a mess inside.
WINNIPEG
Members were disappointed with the tactics of Canada Post and their unwillingness to negotiate. They were out in full force around the mail processing facility where the impact hits the hardest. CUPW drivers are supportive as always. UPCE members had support from other unions as gifts for children of UPCE members were dropped off by Local 110 of the Teacher's Union. Members are NOT broken! There were delays in Winnipeg today!
SASKATOON
The temperature keeps dropping in Saskatoon but the spirit and support on the line keeps reaching new highs each day. The information session held yesterday in regards to E.I. just strengthened the resolve to defeat this terrible offer and keep our sick leave in place. Members of CUPW, the RVP for USGE Barry Stolar and the Saskatoon area Council President, Carol Casey attended to bring messages of continued support from the membership. The picket line will change times each day to allow other PSAC members to join the line after work.
REGINA
Members were faithfully on the line again, waiting to hear from their Team regarding the ongoing negotiations.
CALGARY
Members were on the line picketing early in the morning and are currently in a planning session to determine what comes next. They are anxiously awaiting news from the recent negotiations and are doing research on one of the Board members that lives in Calgary.
EDMONTON
The Edmonton UPCE Picket line was set up at the main post office downtown early in the morning. The members missed their burning barrel on this cold day. Management seemed to be cranky and a couple of them came out to harass members on the line. They were told to get lost and they seemed to do just that. Because of their bullying tactics and expanding repertoire of dirty tricks members have escalated their actions on the line. They are angry and have dug in their heels. They shall not be moved!
VANCOUVER
Soggy day in Vancouver but, it is above zero! Picketers concentrated their activities on the main Post Office in Vancouver today. Spirits on the line seemed to be good despite the best efforts of Canada Post to drive a wedge between the members and the negotiating team.
VICTORIA
Picketers were out in full force as the rain pelted down in Victoria.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
