November 26, 2008
UPCE STRIKE –Day 9
NOVA SCOTIA
Members were informed that postal trucks would be coming in early in Antigonish. UPCE picketers set up a picket line at 4:30 a.m. to greet them. What a surprise for management! It was a wonderful way to start the day and to motivate the members.
In Sydney, the picket lines went up at 5:30 a.m. The members were very appreciative of the support and donations received from CUPW members. The morale was good.
Everything went well in Halifax as well. The executive of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour joined the members on the picket line in the afternoon to show solidarity and support. Picketers appreciated all of the support they received.
NEW BRUNSWICK
It was a hectic morning in New Brunswick. While it was smooth sailing on the Fredericton picket line, an 18-wheeler truck drove through the picket in Saint John. Members wrote down the plate number and called the police. In Moncton, members asked the police to investigate a driver that drove carelessly through the picket line. No one was injured.
ST. JOHN'S
Picket lines went up at 5:45 a.m. Again, it was a successful line with little mail going into the plant. A “Moya Green” giant doll arrived on the picket line and stayed with the members for the whole shift. CUPW sisters and brothers commented very favourably on the doll. They also reported that they are being offered lots of overtime. Some letter carriers did not finish their routes until 8 p.m. Home delivery, which is usually done around 11:30 a.m., did not reach residences before 3:30 p.m. The strike is having an impact. The picket lines came down around 10:30 a.m., as the members had a meeting to prepare for tomorrow's picket duties.
MONTREAL
Once again, traffic came to a standstill in front of the Léo-Blanchette building. Police came early in the morning and told the members to let 15 trucks come in every 15 minutes. After pressure from Canada Post, members had to let the line open for 15 minutes, then close it for 15 minutes.
QUEBEC CITY
Morale was at a peak on Monday night. Members went to the Hugues-Randin distribution centre with crutches, walkers and canes to protest against Canada Post's sick leave proposal. Members dutifully informed the truck drivers, which created a waiting line.
Members went back on the picket line in front of the Hugues-Randin building Tuesday morning, despite the raging snow storm in Quebec City. Once again, management called the police. Three cruisers arrived soon after to police the 35 members on the line. The members informed every truck driver crossing the picket line about the strike. In the morning, priority post was coming in from Toronto and parcels were being shipped towards the regions. Management showed no flexibility and refused to negotiate a picketing protocol. Managers went as far as reprimand CUPW members who walked with PSAC members on the line. They told the mail carriers not to talk to PSAC members anymore.
NCR
Lines were up and strong again today. Some members attended the press conference with PSAC President John Gordon and CUPW President Denis Lemelin. They felt supported in their efforts as CUPW has reported to the media that no matter how many times Canada Post states that their operations are not affected, CUPW members have concrete evidence that their operations have definitely been stalled.
TORONTO
The lines were set up at South Central and 1 Yonge St. The lines were also strong at Stoney. Managers were speaking to the picketers and giving out false information. Lines remained up at Gateway and a line was set up at 340 Matheson, which caused quite a stir. Picketers at Gateway would like to thank the United Steelworkers, Local 2020 for the help and support on the picket line on Friday, November 21. Even though they were not dressed for the cold weather, when they saw the picket line as they drove by, they turned around and joined us on the line until they were frozen. Members appreciate their support.
At Midland the lines remained up and were so effective that a Canada Post manager approached a picket captain and asked if we would change our strategy.
LONDON
The flying squad from London hit the Kitchener Mail Processing Plant on Monday night and Kitchener members were on picket line again today.
Windsor lines were up and management tried to put all the mail in the first few trucks and then let us delay the empty trucks.
London picket lines were up from 4:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the members expanded the line to Depot #4 in London, which took management by surprise.
WINNIPEG
Members set up their picket line and kept modifying their strategy to confuse Canada Post. Other actions and events are planned to keep up the morale for the rest of the week!
SASKATOON
Our group is still out and strong! They appreciated hearing from Janet May, UPCE's Vice-President for Western Canada, who answered their questions and concerns by conference call yesterday. They plan on changing up the picket lines and providing the employer with a few surprises!
REGINA
It was a nice morning here in Regina and morale was high. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has donated their big blue bus "Evelyn" for the line. The bus is now the strike HQ and with the addition of music, it raised all the members' spirits! Evelyn is quite noticeable so the strike's profile certainly was raised and members enjoyed all the horns honking. The line was small but strong here in Regina. Members have become more effective. Brinks advised the group that they will no longer cross the line and will not be back until the strike is over. The CUPW Local President and members showed support by walking with us, dropping off hot chocolate and cooperating at the line as well as honking their air horns.
CALGARY
The Calgary group picketed at the Chinook Postal Outlet today. They began at 6:30 a.m., with the entire group of 17 holding strong and picketing. Other union members respected the lines. They slowed down and took the time to hear about our issues. This was well-received by all. The members handed out candy canes and a letter of support from local CUPW President Robert Scobel.
EDMONTON
The lines were set up at the Sorting Plant from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It was a beautiful day and people were singing and walking. The third picket line was set up at depot #2 with great effect, judging by how upset management got. We continued to get great support from our CUPW sisters and brothers.
VANCOUVER
The pickets were set up at 5:30 a.m. CUPW members were cheering the picketers as they went to work. Spirits were good despite the falling rain. CUPW is supporting us every day, with their Local President out walking the line along with other CUPW executive members. UPCE members have fanned out to the outlying postal outlets with pickets set up at four different locations. One of the managers was on his way to Victoria and got a call that pickets were set up and he turned around and came back to his location. The members know that the proposed short term disability plan would be totally controlled by Manulife, as opposed to our current our sick leave plan which gives us the control. “No to concessions” is our mantra!
A petition supporting UPCE members collected 1,500 signatures at Simon Fraser University.
VICTORIA
Very effective afternoon picket yesterday. Police had to be called in to talk with management. There were six picketers and 10 management personnel watching them! Members changed their strategy just to keep management off guard. This worked well.
Write to your Member of Parliament and to Cabinet Ministers.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
