December 14, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 27 & 28
NOVA SCOTIA
Picket lines went up strong on Saturday morning as members learned of the ratification vote on the employer’s final offer. Members were even more determined to make their presence known as they walked the picket line in unity and solidarity. UPCE members were on the lines in New Waterford, North Sydney, Antigonish, Halifax and Dartmouth. The spirits of the members were good.
Lines were up again on Sunday and spirits were higher than ever. Support for the members has been good.
NEW BRUNSWICK
We had two lines in Fredericton on Saturday and due to yesterday's announcement, we weren't sure what the morale would be on the line, but members are so angry at Canada Post that it has actually reinforced our picket lines. Canada Post has awakened a giant.
Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc was visiting and said he will write a letter to Moya Greene and John Baird. He completely supported our members on the subject of sick leave & EI issue. He said it's totally unacceptable what Canada Post is trying to do. Mr. LeBlanc has always been in the forefront of the fight for EI.
All the voting took place on Sunday and members were anxious to vote on this piece of *&^%.
Sunday, the lines were up again as members voted on the employer’s offer. Spirits are high as the employer has built solidarity amongst our members that will never waiver. Their offer has served to anger members and make them even more determined to fight Canada Post.
ST. JOHN’S
Picket lines went up at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. Members delayed the trucks that were going to the airport. A member from the Coast Guard joined the line in the morning. Morale was high and our local is 100% opposed to the tentative offer. We will definitely REJECT this when we vote. Picket lines came down at 9:30 a.m. and we then finished off the remainder of the 10,000 post cards which will be put in the mail stream today.
MONTREAL
Saturday and Sunday, members had a picket line in front of the CPC building at 555 McArthur.
QUEBEC CITY
Members in Québec decided to hold demonstrations this weekend to increase their visibility and inform the public of their situation caused by Canada Post. Saturday, they went to the busiest shopping mall in town on Laurier Boulevard, and Sunday, they protested in front of the post office on Route de l'Église near the shopping malls. Well done!
NCR
The members had a B.B.Q. on Saturday. They were angry and insulted at the employer’s offer. They were on the picket line waiting for their turn to vote.
Weather was bad but spirits were high. The members had fun on the line this weekend by holding an old fashioned street hockey game, a football game and dancing in the streets. There was music, food and high morale to be found at the Alta Vista plant! Thanks to Al and Luc’s DJ BBQ.
Later in the day, they had a planning session to strategize the activities for this week. Watch out Monday!
TORONTO
Picket lines were up in the Toronto area. Members were so angered by the employer’s offer and their interfering behaviour with their vote that picket lines were solid.
LONDON
On Saturday, picket lines were set up in Windsor, London and Kitchener. After a repeat of yesterday’s intimidation and bullying by management, members decided that it was enough. A few phone calls were made to CAW and other local union brothers and sisters and within minutes there were at least 50 people supporting them. Nothing went out for FIVE hours. 2 local MPs and CUPW members were cheering the strikers while “A” Channel and CBC News were watching. No mail delivery in Windsor on Thursday or Friday….too bad…so sad. Members don’t expect to see Management on their picket line anytime soon. Management underestimated the members.
Waterloo Depot - Cornelia from Kitchener met the flying squad early in the morning. She was happy to report that 49 corporate trucks were delayed at the Waterloo Depot, as well as a few rsmc's. The impact of the members’ visit to this depot was significant, as the last drivers were delayed by approx 3 hours. Trucks drivers were happy to learn more about our struggle. One of them bought hot drinks for the members.
On Sunday, picket lines went up in Windsor, Kitchener and London. In London, members voted at the PSAC RO. Many complained that management was calling all members to get them to vote. Managers also threatened job cuts.
Kitchener voted at 4 p.m. at the CUPW office.
WINNIPEG
Picketers in Winnipeg braved frigid temperatures to send a message of resilience to Canada Post this weekend. The ratification meeting took place in the evening with PSAC Negotiator Erna Post attending. The members will have to consider strategies around picketing or alternate activities for Monday and early next week as temperatures fall to dangerous levels.
EDMONTON
Members were on the picket line this morning in weather approaching -34 degrees Celsius. They stayed there long enough to have a driver tell them he has 80 or so envelopes in his truck that he was to personally deliver to each member with the 'tentative' agreement in them. The members wrote rejected on the envelopes and sent them back!
At 11:00 members took the picket line down and had a lunch meeting. After the meeting the members voted on the employer's offer and overwhelmingly rejected it. The vote to reject this offer is much stronger than what the strike vote was.
Members in Edmonton remain committed to this very just cause and will stay on the line as long as the bargaining team wants them there.
VANCOUVER
On Sunday, members set up a line at the Vancouver Central Post Office, in Richmond at the VPDC, in Surrey at the Shoppers Drug Mart outlet, as well as at some other retail outlets in the Vancouver area.
VICTORIA
The local of 8 was on the lines both days over the weekend. Their morale is good and they await the result of the bargaining unit vote.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
