December 17, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 31
NOVA SCOTIA
Picket lines went up at 6 a.m. in Halifax, Antigonish and Sydney. UPCE members remain strong and determined. We had good media coverage yesterday coming from the John Baird demo. However, a late morning major weather system impeded our picket activity and lines were shut down.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Moncton, Saint John & Fredericton – A major snow storm hit the province again today. Snow began early this morning, but it didn't stop our picketers. By the time we took down the lines, the police were warning motorists to stay off the road. So, on the bright side, Canada Post had another snow storm to deal with and even more problems for management. In Saint John, CUPW members have started to walk the line. Management is not pleased. As this strike progresses, we are seeing more and more support from CUPW members.
ST. JOHN'S
Everything is running smoothly. REVP Jeannie Baldwin is in town drumming up additional support for the strike. We are picketing and working on cards, producing approximately 5000 each day. Morale is high. Resolve is strong and we remain determined. We are getting support from other PSAC Locals.
MONTREAL
Last night the picket lines were up at 555 McArthur. Canada Post changed its strategy slightly, relocating the entrance for incoming trucks. However, members were quick to adjust. Once again, the police were called and once again, the employer's actions did not deter the members!
QUEBEC CITY
To give more visibility to our struggle against Canada Post, the members picketed in front of a busy shopping centre yesterday.
NCR
The picket lines at Alta Vista plant were strong and spirits are still high. A group of approximately 200 picketers decided to greet Moya Greene as they heard she was speaking at a local lunch at the Chateau Laurier. CUPE National President Paul Moist and CUPW National President Denis Lemelin were in attendance to show their solidarity along with many of their members and members from the PSAC. CUPE also brought along a cheque for $10,000 which they donated to our struggle.
TORONTO
Strong lines are up and at Malton, at Gateway, at UMO and at Stony Creek. Members from South Central, along with CUPW members, London's flying squad and REVP Gerry Halebecki visited 1 Yonge Street to have a meeting with Moya Greene or Mary Traversy. Fifteen members stayed on the 8th Floor while the remaining members picketed outside. Mr. Sean Kennedy met the picketers at the door and told them he was going to get Moya Green. After 15 minutes Mr. Kennedy returned with Chris Worthman, the Senior Legal Advisor for Canada Post. Mr. Worthman advised the 15 members that Moya Green was not in the office and he had no idea what her schedule was. He then asked the members to leave. In response, the members requested a meeting by phone. Mr. Worthman advised that he could not arrange that since he did not know where Moya Green was at that time. Mr. Worthman advised the members that he would be calling the police. The police arrived and warned us about trespassing and then threatened to arrest the 15 members if they did not leave. The members left and joined the picketers outside. The event garnered media coverage and public attention.
LONDON
Picket lines went up in Windsor, London and Kitchener today. Also, CPC was in court today asking for an injunction against the eight women in Windsor who are being too effective.
WINNIPEG
Cold again today but at the least the sun is out! Members in Winnipeg again showed that they are the heartiest of the bunch as braved the weather to keep Christmas mail moving at a crawl throughout the downtown. The weather has hampered supporters from coming out to the picket lines but there have been other solidarity gestures. The Teacher's Union Local 101 dropped off wrapped children's gifts two weeks ago and, in true activist spirit, the members of the local decided to donate the gifts to Ronald McDonald house for the families that need to be there over the holidays -- just another indication of the resolve and spirit of this group!
SASKATOON
Our brave crew was out in the bitter cold again today, first picketing at the plant and then off to volunteer their services in the Community. They will be helping out today at Habitat for Humanity where they will be cleaning and painting new homes that are being built for families in the Saskatoon community. They are very appreciative of the generous support they have received and, as the festive season draws near, they are "paying it forward"!
REGINA
This morning brought a -40 windchill here in Regina, but our tough and determined group decided that we were going back out into the cold to remind Canada Post that we are here to stay until the STD goes away. We were out on the line from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and then back to the Regional Office for an information session on Employment Insurance. Apparently, Canada Post and the truckers thought we were gone, because we certainly had some testy semi drivers this morning. We had some fun with a couple of semis who got tired of waiting at one gate so they drove over to the other gate, unfortunately for them, they did not realize that the cold makes us fast, and we were at the other gate to greet them again. Too bad they changed gates, because they then had to wait their 10-15 minutes again. Truckers were making illegal turns, hanging their trucks up on boulevards, and helping us by becoming so congested in the CP compound that they just had to sit for a while. Morale remains high! Canada Post and the -40 weather only strengthens our solidarity!
CALGARY
Due to cold weather and lack of a burn barrel, members are grouping up for work within the community. Several members are working on the Salvation Kettle Campaign while other members are continuing with the letter writing program and also doing snow angels.
EDMONTON
Very exciting day for the Edmonton UPCE Flying Squad today. Starting at 4 a.m. we were able to stop and turn back three Canada Post trucks carrying priority mail. They had to unload at a Purolator loading dock and they missed the plane! That will be hundreds of “guaranteed” delivery packages that will not be delivered -- bet that costs the Corporation a pretty penny. The rest of the picketers were set up at our favourite location, the Edmonton Sorting Plant. The other bit of news that caused the members' spirits to soar was a report of a very sizable donation to the local's strike fund from the Health Sciences Association of Alberta. Big thank you to the HSAA!
VANCOUVER
Pickets are set up at the Main Vancouver Depot in downtown Vancouver. We will be handing out the postcards at the Stadium Sky Train station and we will be hitting two high-volume Canada Post customers who are currently not happy with the service they are getting from Canada Post. So, this should add to their dissatisfaction with Canada Post. We are planning on cranking up the action. We noticed that there were many HR and SI people out on the line and it makes us think that we may have some members crossing the line. We will see. The CUPW members are not very happy when they have to work with scabs and the one scab here has felt the wrath and isolation of being a scab. Spirits are high on the picket line in spite of the snowfall. Libby Davies, NDP MP for Vancouver East, came to the picket line along with CUPW Local President, Robert Mulvin and many other CUPW members who walked out to support our members. There was a brief rally at which Libby expressed the NDP's support for the strikers and stressed the importance of the sick leave issue both for them and other workers whose employers are watching this strike very carefully. She left a large box of shortbread cookies for all.
VICTORIA
Picketers were at the Glanford plant to welcome and greet drivers and letter carriers. Management was not as interested in coming out to document our actions today.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
