December 16, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 30
NOVA SCOTIA
PSAC/UPCE members were joined by CUPW members in a march from the Provincial Legislature to the Delta Hotel in downtown Halifax. We were looking for John Baird, Minister responsible for Canada Post, who was to meet with Premier Rodney MacDonald but could not be found. About a dozen members PSAC and CUPW stood at the entrance of the hotel. UPCE RVP Mike Moeller and Jeff Callahan of CUPW gave speeches. The media was present. When the Premier arrived, he came over and shook hands with Mike Moeller. The crowd waited for Minister Baird for an hour. We suspect he was in hiding. We left a Christmas box for the Minister and a request that he call Mike Moeller. Nova Scotia is now issuing a challenge across the country to UPCE members to find John Baird.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Saint John - All is well, morale is good.
Fredericton - At the crack of dawn this morning, about 70 CUPW members left their workplace and walked the picket line for about 10 to 15 minutes and chanted. Our members had tears in their eyes and were told by CUPW members that they have decided to work to rule and that there's more support to come.
Moncton – When members arrived on the line at 5 p.m. on Monday, the police, company security and management were already there. Our members were ordered to get off Canada Post property and to get rid of the fire pit. Less than 30 minutes later, management came back and told the strikers they could continue picketing on Canada Post property. We're not sure why management had a change of heart. The strikers got their fire pit back, and, since we were on a roll, we negotiated an extra 10 minutes for holding up vehicles with the police. We're not sure why management had a change of heart. Maybe something was in the air. Maybe Santa?
ST. JOHN'S
The Picket line went up at 6:30 p.m., Monday. Members' morale was high and their resolve, strong. After the picket line came down striking members completed another 4,000 post cards for the mail stream.
MONTREAL
Last night, members in Montréal were in full form, picketing in front of the plant at 555 McArthur. They managed to considerably slow down the incoming and outgoing traffic. Canada Post failed to convince the police that members were hindering the flow of vehicles. Not really believing management's arguments, police officers decided not to meddle in our discussions, dismayed by the fact that Canada Post was not telling the truth. Allies are not always who we think they are!
QUEBEC CITY
Picketers set up their line in front of the Hugues-Randin plant.
NCR
We had more than 30 people served with contempt of court notices by the employer, contrary to management's promise the day before that it will not do so. This is more proof that Canada Post is more intent on intimidating people than on negotiating. The numbers on the lines today were high again and as were our spirits. Picketers are confused: The employer asked us to vote on the offer, but now that we have, they don't want to accept the results. This week we'll have a number of surprises for Canada Post.
TORONTO
Lines are up at Southcentral, Gateway, UMO, Stony Creek, Burlington, Eglinton and Yonge, Don Mills, Willowdale and Malton. Two UPCE members visited Canada Post Board Member William Sheffield's office. He refused to meet with them. Spirits are high, and members are hoping that Canada Post will get back to the table.
LONDON
Windsor, London and Kitchener picket lines were up. The Flying Squad arrived in Windsor Monday at 4:30 p.m. We delayed the first transport by almost two hours. The police arrived when we had delayed the second truck by about 30 minutes. They left when they determined that our line was peaceful. We gradually reduced delay times to 20, 15, 10 minutes, etc., but we caused Canada Post to miss their commitments. Also, the Priority and Xpresspost trucks going to Kitchener had missed the shift that was waiting to process it. When those trucks finally arrived at Kitchener, another strike team was there to greet them. We had teams that took shifts on the picket line almost around the clock. Although Canada Post continues to play their games, our members' spirits were high. We will NOT let them win. I think the plant was surprised with our resolve, as we picketed in minus 18 degrees, with wind and snow.
SASKATOON
We picketed from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and had a radio interview at 1:00 p.m. We continued to show solidarity by again volunteering at Salvation Army, arranging the sacks of donations for two hours. Back at the PSAC office, we filled out tons of cards, mailed them in and discussed our plan for this week.
REGINA
With a windchill of minus 29, the group continued their work on the postcards and writing letters to MPs. We will be out on the picket line this week, but will have an information session with Employment Insurance tomorrow, due to the freezing weather. Morale remains high among the group as we plan for the cold.
CALGARY
We had a small group meeting at the CUPW office, trying to make arrangements for a burn barrel. We planned activities for the rest of the week, given the cold weather and bad roads. We will focus on activities within the community. Spirits are good. We received significant monetary donations from PSAC Components, the Calgary Area Council and UFCW.
EDMONTON
The Edmonton picket line was set up today from 8:00 a.m. to noon at both the sorting plant and a depot. We must be getting to the management as they seemed a bit agitated today. There is some concern about what dirty tricks the corporation might still have up their sleeve.
VANCOUVER
We had pickets set up at the Vancouver depot downtown, Surrey Depot 2 and at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Port Coquitlam. We have two flying picket squads that are hitting the high-volume customers at a time we know that Canada Post trucks will be appearing. These were at Mountain Equipment Coop and Purdy's Chocolates. We are developing new strategies every day where the high volume customers are going to be affected, which should result in some angry corporate customers.
VICTORIA
Victoria group of eight remain intact and on the line. We broke into two groups to cover two separate depots. While spirits are good, members are angry with the Corporation's delay tactics.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
