November 27, 2008
UPCE STRIKE – Day 10
NOVA SCOTIA
Members in Sydney had an exciting morning, when all letter carriers asked for a management escort through the picket line. Again, the picketers were grateful for the support shown by CUPW and spirits stayed high. All was well in Antigonish. The RCMP has been working with the local to provide advice and support on any incidents. The morale continues to be strong. Lines went up this morning at 6 a.m. in Halifax. A flying squad was assembled for late night picketing.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Moncton – Lines were up and stronger than ever! The day before, a local French radio talk show played an interviewed about the strike at Canada Post from the PSAC's point of view. The members had an opportunity to talk about the possible use of Employment Insurance by Canada Post. The station was bombarded all day long with calls regarding EI.
Saint John – Trucks were not being delayed for very long, as the Canada Post building is located in a heavy traffic area. But the trucks went across the line very slowly as they left the Canada Post premises. The drivers all stopped to speak with PSAC members on the line.
Fredericton – Picketers caused confusion for the employer by removing the picket line from the call centre and moving to Waggoner's Lane.
ST. JOHN'S
Picket lines were up at 7 a.m. It was a cool and windy day, but the small group of picketers was very alert. They spoke with every employee as they arrived at work. They also spoke with the driver of each mail vehicle going to the airport or coming back to the depot. CUPW was very supportive. TV news was at the line at 10 a.m., responding to Canada Post's remarks that there was no impact on the mail. When the reporter arrived there were more than 20 trucks lined up to leave the postal plant – much later than normal and going slow. This small (seven member) local is punching very much above their weight and determined to stay out as long as it takes. Morale was extremely high.
MONTREAL
Members appeared at center where a mail volume count had been scheduled. It was a hit! Canada Post cancelled the work for the day as well as for the rest of the week. Ginette Bertrand invited the mail samplers to join in the strike activities. The car of a supervisor was hit by a Canada Post truck while it was backing up in the parking lot. Leaving some 40 members on the line, two busloads of strikers headed for Laval at around 7.30 with the intent to target two distribution centers. Three targets! Three hits!
QUEBEC CITY
In the cold pouring rain, two Santa's joined the members on the picket lines. They informed CUPW members of the issues at stake and handed out donuts. Members warned other members hired to do mail volume counts of the strike. The samplers left the location. All mail volume counts were cancelled for the week. Our strategy was a hit!
NCR
Picket lines continued at the Alta Vista plant. Members set up surprise picket lines last night, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Canada Post loading dock at Ottawa airport. All outgoing mail was cancelled including priority post. This activity was a great morale booster despite the terrible weather. A DJ was on hand to provide picketers with great music including the song ''I fought the law'' (but we won). This sure captured the attention of Canada Post managers! Members heard rumours that managers are fighting amongst themselves because they have to stay long hours and there is no work and that the service is down to zero.
TORONTO
At UMO Scarborough, the lines are running from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. There is also a line that is running from 10-12 p.m. at the 280 Progress site. Sharon DeSousa, who is on annual leave from her employer, attended the picket line today and brought donuts and a $50 Tim Horton's gift card for the members. Sharon is shuttling members between UMO and Progress.
In Hamilton, Mona Jovetic, CEIU 00627, stopped by the Hamilton line yesterday and walked the line this morning, providing coffee and donuts. Mona's local donated $200 to UPCE Local 104 and also provided donations from Hamilton TUB. Mona will challenge other Hamilton locals to make similar donations and advise them to get on the picket line. Jane Marsh will take CUPW members to Hamilton today for the 4-8 p.m. shift. Jamie VanSydenborgh, UTE 00014, will donate $250 to UPCE Local 104 and provide picket line support in the coming days. The lines remain strong in Toronto and Stoney Creek and during the night, a picket line was set up in Brampton. Canada Post is constantly requesting that we set up a generic protocol for all of the Greater Toronto Area. Canada Post managers continued to fear-monger and have directed veiled threats toward the picketers. Picketers' spirits were lifted by the joint press conference with CUPW in Ottawa yesterday. The striking workers are hoping that Members of Parliament will pay attention to the calls they are receiving from the public and other PSAC members.
LONDON
The 2nd London Flying Squad is working on postal depots. The postal plant has picket lines up from 4 a.m. till 9 p.m. PSAC National President John Gordon was on radio this morning, which raised spirits. Plans are going well for a rally. In Windsor, picket lines have been up and going from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m., or after the last CPC truck leaves. In Kitchener, picketers are running the evening shift and the London Flying Squad is handling the10 p.m. till 2 a.m. shift.
WINNIPEG
It's sunny and bright today in Winnipeg! The Winnipeg Area Council provided a wonderful chili and bun lunch and walked the picket line with us. Members from MGEU also showed their solidarity by picketing in support. The longer the line, the shorter the strike!
SASKATOON
All was well on the Saskatoon line. Janet May walked with our members all morning, giving them a much needed morale boost. Steelworkers brought out refreshments in support yesterday. We expect a good number of visitors tomorrow. We're staying strong!
REGINA
Morale is high this week, as members are determined to see this fight through. We've received much support from the CUPW local president and members. We've also had cooperation from truck drivers – many have stopped to offer support. Egg sandwiches, granola bars and coffee were brought out to the line – thanks to all. We are now planning for solidarity BBQ.
CALGARY
The Calgary group is picketing from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the plant and at Purolator. Janet May, UPCE's Vice-President for Western Canada, is flying in tomorrow afternoon to join our lines. We will include more information in our report tomorrow.
EDMONTON
WARNING to all other locations: Canada Post is finding ways to sneak through the picket line. They cut a hole in a fence about 100 meters from our main picket line and tried to get trucks through this portal. Of course, we quickly moved our picket lines to prevent further trucks from making it through the hole in the fence. Picket lines at the Edmonton Sorting Plant ran from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. again today. The weather continues to be great, with lots of sunshine and plus temperatures. To further boost already good spirits, the members were treated to hotdogs cooked over an open fire and mandarin oranges.
VANCOUVER
Pickets were set up this morning at the main Canada Post building in Vancouver, as well as in Langley, New Westminster and North Burnaby. Police have shown up in Langley, along with the media. Spirits are high. We are developing a new picket sign that depicts Canada Post CEO Moya Green as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Members are being creative and having fun with it. Telus workers have been coming out at lunch with their banner to walk the picket line and show their solidarity. We know that management is struggling as they are coming out and talking with members about coming back to work, stating they are back at bargaining table. We are telling them to get the facts straight and negotiate with our bargaining team! Now that we have spread our picketing outside of downtown Vancouver, we have been leaving management guessing. They sent one manager out to Langley on Monday, who sat for two hours waiting for us, while we were all picketing in Vancouver. CUPW, as always, is showing continuing support for our fight against Canada Post.
VICTORIA
Members had a great day today. Members of the Victoria CUPW Executive Committee were on the line. They have been on the line for the whole strike. Picketers were happy with the results of the line. Managers watch us as we walked.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
