December 19, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 33
NOVA SCOTIA
It was another day of unity and solidarity in Nova Scotia. Picket lines went up strong and solid in Sydney at 5 a.m. and CUPW members continued to support the picket lines. UPCE members were feeling positive following the meeting yesterday with MP Eyking who committed to contact John Baird and to write a letter to support UPCE members in the local newspaper.
UPCE members were actively working on the shoe/boot campaign and have placed over 150 shoes/boots packages in the mail system for processing. This should give a "kick" to Canada Post. The lines were solid and the members remained in good spirits.
UPCE members in Antigonish provided support to Brother Duncan MacDonald whose mother passed away this week. Condolences are extended to Brother MacDonald and his family.
NEW BRUNSWICK
In spite of the cold temperature, (-14 degrees below), spirits were high as the solidarity on the line generated some heat. For over 3 hours CLC staff, Jean Claude and Dee Dee Daigle; the President of the Federation of Labour, Michel Boudreau and CUPE supporter Daniel Léger all joined the line. Picketers from Fredericton and St John also helped boost the numbers on the 2 lines up in Moncton. In Dieppe trucks were stopped for a half hour each which did produced some line ups of up to 6 trucks.
On Mark Ave, there were discussions with management about how long the trucks would be stopped. Manager Tim Blizzard threatened to take the fire pit out of the Dieppe site. After discussions, the pit remained in place and the trucks were held up for 2 hours. Management wants to talk next week about protocol. A retired CUPW worker with experience on the picket line donated some coffee. Members also received a $30.00 donation. Picket lines were maintained in St.John & Fredericton. The notice on the Canada Post site angered the members. They hope for Mary Traversy to be on the boot list.
ST. JOHN'S
Picket line went up at 7:15 a.m. The members followed the agreed upon protocol until all vehicles cleared at 9 a.m. They completed cards the remainder of the morning. CUPW made a financial donation plus supplied each striking member with a food hamper. This was very much appreciated. The morale is excellent and the resolve is strong.
MONTREAL
UPCE members put up a line at 225 Bridge and effectively slowed down Canada Post's operations for more than 6 hours. Once again, and despite the bitter cold, they showed an unwavering determination. As for the employer calling the police, well the story repeats itself day after day.
QUEBEC CITY
Members of UPCE Local in Quebec City picketed in front of the distribution center on Hugues-Randin Street
NCR
There were slightly fewer members on the line. People are confused by the employer's refusal to accept that the members have rejected its last offer. Members said “we want to negotiate; we don't want to play some sort of Public Relations Campaign with Canada Post”. The news that John Gordon was meeting with the employer in the afternoon raised the spirits of all the members on the line. Go John Go!
TORONTO
Lines were up at Gateway, Stoney Creek, UMO, Laird Depot, Dovercourt and Bloor and Southcentral. For the last 24 hours, the flying squad has been at Port Credit and Weston B. The flying squad will launch the red dot campaign in Toronto in the next twenty four hours. This will be a door to door campaign speaking directly to members of the public and consumers of Canada Post.
LONDON
In Windsor, members had a meeting to plan a demonstration on Saturday with the CAW and Local Social Justice Groups. Lines were also up in Kitchener and London. The Flying Squad #1 set out early in the morning for St. Catharines.
Members hit the depot on Scott St by surprise, just before 08 a.m. while the other Flying Squad (humorously referred to as the Flying Squirrels) set up the big line on Bunting Rd. Managers John Comeau and Sean Gould were quickly on the scene and tried to establish a protocol after calling the police. The officers who came were from the Labour Disruption Liaison and they distributed flyers to members. They also explain to management that members were within their rights and they were not going to do anything! The members started working the line.
CUPW members provided much support as well as on wonderful freshly made waffles and freshly brewed coffee, shortbread, etc. A picket line was also set up at another depot by the other crew.
Keep up the faith, stay strong!
WINNIPEG
Picketers were holding the line today as well as sending a personal message to Steven Harper. The Prime Minister was in town for the ground breaking ceremony for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. They peacefully protested the actions of Canada Post and tried to draw attention to the bad bargaining practices and treatment of their employees!
REGINA
As members awaited CPC's return to the table, they were also attending a strategy conference call with Saskatoon members and West RVP Janet May. They were successful in delaying a major Purolator freight truck. The weather being brutally cold, they worked inside writing letters and post cards and stocking up on "hot shots" and other items needed for next week. Management caught on to the new picket times and rescheduled deliveries to avoid the picket line. Next week will be a new surprise for managers as times and places will continue to change up in very strategic ways.
CALGARY
Still bitterly cold in Calgary. Four picketers volunteered at the local Sikh Temple. Another four were picketing the Calgary Central Post office downtown to hand out post cards and info to the public. Local president is ill and working at home trying to organize a meeting with local media as well as Calgary board member Sian Matthews. The members are also conducting a fundraising campaign to various unions to support this struggle.
EDMONTON
In extremely cold weather UPCE members in Edmonton set up a picket line at the main post office in Edmonton for a short while and then went to the PSAC Regional Office to regroup. They discussed strategy, made up new signs, wrote letters to the editor and tried to stay warm. A dedicated group of volunteer picketers will be setting up a line Saturday and Sunday at the Edmonton Sorting Plant. Yesterday saw a change in the protocol agreement as it seems the corporation forgot to include the Edmonton International Airport. Last night another surprise for management...another picket line! Members are undertaking a series of visits to MPs in order to explain CPC's attitude at the bargaining table.
VICTORIA
Members held a strategy session today to map out activities for the next few days.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
