December 21, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 34 – 35
NOVA SCOTIA
Picket lines went up Saturday morning in New Waterford and North Sydney. UPCE members said that support from the general public is increasing. Members in Sydney worked on the postcard campaign on Sunday.
Picket lines were up early Saturday morning in Antigonish. The lines were running well and vehicles were delayed at the main post office. The picketers made their presence felt and morale was good.
Picket lines were busy on Saturday in Dartmouth and Halifax. At some peak times there were as many vehicles in the line as there has been during the work week. The spirits of the members were good despite the bitter cold. UPCE members were working on the "Give Moya the Boot" campaign. On the third day of the campaign they have now mailed over 700 shoes. WAY TO GO!! As well, members were still working on the post cards and were joined on Saturday by supporters from the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU).
ST. JOHN'S
Picketers spent Saturday completing the last of the 50,000 cards. Morale was high and resolve was strong. On Sunday, they spent the day debating the employer's last offer and voting on the offer.
QUEBEC CITY
Saturday, the members rallied inside a shopping centre where Canada Post has an outlet. All were proudly wearing their black t-shirts. Sunday, to take advantage of the holidays' customer traffic to gain some visibility, the strikers gathered in front of the Place Laurier located on a very busy boulevard. The Siberian cold didn't discourage them!
NCR
In Ottawa, almost 200 people attended the UPCE Local's Whoville Holiday Party for kids. It was a stunning success. Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa and District Labour Council, presented the strikers with a $2,000 cheque for their hardship fund. To prepare for the party, the members collected gifts and other merchandise from labour friendly businesses as well as friends and staff of the PSAC. They were able to give a loot bag to every kid at the party. In addition they received $500 from UTE Local 70000 to purchase gifts for the children. There were also some very nice gifts that were drawn as door prizes for the picketers, including a weekend for two at the Hampton Inn. The Grinch was also present, but it was a friendly Grinch who generously distributed gifts to the children. Many said that it was better than any of the employer's Christmas parties. Pictures can be viewed on the PSAC web site.
WINNIPEG
Saturday and Sunday the members kept the lines up as Canada Post scurries to delivery all the mail they could during the last weekend before Christmas. The hotel where the members have their headquarters provided two tickets to the local AHL team for Saturday nigh. It was a nice treat for one of the picketers! Some planning is being done for strike activities leading up to and following Christmas if required.
VANCOUVER
Pickets went up at the Vancouver Main Post Office. Members distributed leaflets and postcards and they informed the public about their fight with Canada Post at a number of the Retail Outlets in the greater Vancouver Area. The support was good from the public and other unions especially with this cold snap that has hit the coast. The West Vancouver Bus Drivers let the members warm up in their buses. The members were glad to get out of the cold and to rest for a while. Many people brought warm drinks and offered their moral support in the fight against the Corporation.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
