November 21, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 4
Halifax – We had a successful day on the picket line and received continued good support. Management called the police as an intimidation tactic. Canada Post telephone lines are not operating very effectively and can only handle urgent calls, at best.
Moncton – Morale was still good and Canada Post was experiencing some delays in its operations even if they wanted the public to believe that it is business as usual during the strike. Agriculture Local 60005 presented a donation to Cathy Fraser, UPCE local president in Moncton. “We have so much support from our Brothers and Sisters from CUPW. A large group came out yesterday at 5 p.m. to walk the line with us. They had a local meeting yesterday and invited me to speak to their members on our issues. Special thanks as well to our UPCE Brothers and Sisters from Fredericton and to the Agriculture/CFIA local 60005 for their support and donation!” Cathy Fraser said.
Saint John – Management called the police and CUPW members reached their place of work in safety. CUPW's postal clerks and letter carriers have been very supportive and helpful in Saint John. Pasty Dallon said: “We appreciate their help! And we also appreciate that our Brothers and Sisters from Fredericton Contact Centre were helping us on the line! We could not do this without them! As you can see - we are small - but mighty!”
Fredericton —“Things were being delayed in Fredericton! The morale was still very good, as members volunteered to picket extra time. We intend to continue until we get a fair contract!” John Chamberlain.
St. John's – Picket line went up at 5 45 a.m. despite torrential rains. Very successful. Management once again called police. They showed up, had a look at what was happening and left. Obviously management in St. John's is crying wolf. The support from CUPW is overwhelming.
Montreal – Lively and loud music accompanied more than 150 members of UPCE Local 10102 as they walked for 2 kilometres up Ste-Catherine Street. They distributed flyers to the public and had long talks with Canada Post employees in two post offices. Morale was at a peak.
Quebec City – We went back to the distribution center on Hugues-Randin Street. Management was annoyed to see us there again. Towards the end of the afternoon, we set up another picket line in front of Canada Post facility on Pierre-Bertrand Street. The sun was shining and the music was playing. A good day on the picket line.
NCR – Our picket lines became even more solid as we received financial and moral support from other unions. All that support has been very uplifting for the members on the picket lines. Canada Post experienced some delays at the Call Centre on Colonnade road. There is no question we are affecting their operations. Continued support from CUPW is much appreciated. Spirits are good!
Toronto –A Member of Parliament dropped by the Gateway picket line with coffee and treats for the picketers. Lines remained up and strong at Gateway, South Central, Midland and Stoney Creek. The employer has moved some of the mail from South Central to 1 Yonge Street. Picketers showed up at 1 Yonge Street this morning and picketed that location. Mail was also redirected to 145 West Mall and to another location on Dixie Road. Picketers again showed up at these locations. We hear that trucks are sitting in South Central and Gateway awaiting mail to be brought in and sorted. Canada Post has asked CUPW members to work overtime on the week-end.
London – Windsor picketing began at 8 30 a.m. and line was still up at 2 p.m. due to back up. Great help from CAW Local 444 Video can be found at http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/features/video/index.html
London Picket line went up at 4 30 a.m. and stayed till approximately 9 p.m. Mail was not moving well. CUPW has been offered weekend overtime pay. Kitchener picketed the area Conservative Member of Parliament and demanded to talk to him about Canada Post abusing the EI system and the Canadian tax payers. As the MP was in Ottawa his office said they would have him call our people. Thanks to National Component for there help.
Winnipeg – The mood on the line was still great in spite of the -23C temperature + wind chill factor. Canada Post tried to lessen the effect of the picketers by parking a large number of trucks - loaded early this morning - in the lot just in front of the main building. The picketers moved their line to that location much to management's dismay. Picket lines were up until 7 p.m.
Saskatoon – The weather has cooled off with snow on the ground so our picketers are dressed up warm and today got a burning barrel set up to help keep warm. They are doing a great job of with their picketing strategy. CUPW is having a local meeting today to discuss what they can do to help the UPCE members on the picket line
Regina – Early morning picketing began in -20C weather. The 8 members were committed to being on the line regardless of the temperature. Sister Connie Gress, President of National Component Local 40064 joined members on the line and provided hot coffee. There was further cooperation from truckers at the line. The truckers asked questions, took flyers and were interested in the issues.
Calgary – 11 picketers were on the line from 6 a.m. to10 a.m. They distributed flyers about picketing safety. We say thank you to those who slowed down while going to work and made sure everything is safe before going through. City police stopped by and asked us not to "stop traffic from going in". We informed them that we were not stopping any traffic from entering or exiting the premises but that going through the line was a slow process and needed to be safely monitored and conducted. Richard Des Lauriers, UPCE Component President stopped by around 10 a.m. and met with picketers.
Edmonton – Lines were set up at both locations from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. At PSAC's request we had a member of the police force talk to the picketers regarding safe practices on the picket line. Even though it is a cold and windy day spirits were high. Looking forward to our rally tomorrow.
Vancouver – After a very successful evening setting up a surprise picket line at the Richmond plant - the plant director had to come from home to manage the situation - UPCE members set up lines outside the main Vancouver depot early this morning. Despite the rain, turnout was excellent, including one member who is eight months pregnant, and spirits are high. Local Executive members Sharon Tieman and Neil Brown were both interviewed for CKNW radio. Once again CUPW members took their coffee break en masse and walked around the block in solidarity.
Victoria – We had rain this morning. It did not affect our line or our spirits. Overwhelming support from CUPW members.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
