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News Feed Mar 12 Mar 11 Mar 11 Mar 10 Mar 8 Feb 29 Feb 14 Feb 13 Feb 13 Feb 11 |
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What are people saying about the Quotations from Labour Leaders. |
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CULE has also posted the text of their letter as well as a small description of the lock-out on their website. |
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Bob Bymoen Dear Brother Bymoen: We are writing on behalf of the 25 members of the Canadian Staff Union in Saskatchewan. We are employees of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. We are extremely concerned and disappointed with the actions of the SGEU during the current round of bargaining with your staff, members of CEP Local 481. We do not believe responsible employers lock out their workers. We do not believe responsible employers place concession proposals on the table. Benefits won at previous negotiating tables should not be up for grabs when collective agreements expire. We believe SGEU’s actions in this matter have sent a very dangerous message to the new provincial government on the eve of widespread public sector bargaining early next year. It is not acceptable to lock out workers, nor is it acceptable to undertake concession bargaining. We know well that disputes can arise between a union as an employer and employee unions. Because of who and what we are, we must find ways of resolving those disputes without resorting to actions that publicly embarrass specific unions and the labour movement in general. We urge you to remove the concessions from the table and get your valued employees back to work.
Rhonda Heisler |
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Subject: Support from the East Coast! Sisters and Brothers! My name is Mike Conrad and I am the President of CEP Local 165 and we are the Administrative Support and Servicing Staff of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union. We too have faced some rather “un-trade-union-like” treatment from our employer, the NSGEU. Specifically, they too sought concessions in our last round of negotiations and we have just served notice to bargain and are expecting nothing different from them this time. It truly is a sad day for the labour movement when a trade union acts so much like the employers we as professional union staff face in representing workers on a daily basis. It is unconscionable that they act in such a hypocritical fashion, espousing the doctrine of “do as I say, not as I do”. And it is truly stupid of them to believe that they carry out these actions in a vacuum, absent of any consideration for the handcuffs that they place upon us as we try to represent their members at grievance meetings and bargaining tables. What employer of a SGEU bargaining unit wouldn’t counter the positions of the Union with a curt “It’s good enough for your employees – it’s good enough for your members!” when denying improvements and demanding concessions. At a Local meeting we held tonight, our membership adopted a motion by which we are sending our message of solidarity and encouragement as you face down a struggle that you should never have had to face. In addition, we are going to forward a financial contribution in support of your struggle. Please forward a mailing address and information as to whom the cheque should be made out to and we will get it in the mail as quickly as possible. While we are separated by a vast amount of geography, our spirit and wishes of support are on the line with you every step! Stay strong and you will be rewarded with a victory, not only for your own members, but for CEP, and for the labour movement as a whole! Somebody has to stand up for solid trade union principles – Congratulations on being somebody! In Solidarity, Mike Conrad |
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Subject: Lock-out of CEP 481 Members At the December 7, 2007 Provincial Council meeting of COPE 397, CEP 481 President, Kelley Diebel made a presentation on behalf of the locked-out members of your local. We appreciate the information and are supportive of your cause. At the request of Greg Fox, President COPE 397 , we would encourage you to continue to press the employer to return to the bargaining table. We have sent the employer a written communication encouraging them to return to the table to resolve the issues before you. We will continue to support you and trust this situation can resolved expeditiously. Dave Miller |
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Subject: Message of solidarity to the sisters and brothers of CEP local 481 To the sisters and brothers of local 481 On behalf of the members of the Technical Staff Union of NUPGE we extend a message of solidarity to the locked out sisters and brothers of CEP Local 481. It is a terrible shame that instead of being able to use your exceptional Sadly, being located in Ottawa, we are unable to provide assistance to you on the picket line but would like to make a contribution to your strike Hasta La Victoria Sempre! In solidarity Len Bush |
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Subject: Solidarity Dear sisters and brothers, As a member of the Canadian Staff Union and an employee of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, just a note to offer you words of solidarity and support in your struggle. Having faced the same issues earlier this year I know how disheartening it can be to be in your situation. Stay strong. In solidarity, Elaine Ehman National Representative CUPE |
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Subject: Support for the locked out workers Hi there! It is with great sadness that I write this e-mail. I believe that it is contrary to our trade union principles to lock out the staff of unions. As the President of a union local, I know that sometimes it is very hard to bargain with the staff. But at the end of the day, the staff provide great service and skills to our members, they provide support and advice to the elected leadership and ensure that unions are on the front-line of the fight. There are so many things I could mention, but I'd be gushing! I believe, like many of you, that unions should be held to a higher standard when dealing with the staff of the union; we talk the talk and must walk the walk. I currently am sick, so I can't walk the picket line with you, but I am with you in spirit. SEIU Local 299 stands with the CEP 481 workers at SGEU across the province. We salute your solidarity and encourage your employer to reconsider their decision and bargain a fair and equitable collective agreement! Solidarity Forever! Barbara Cape President SEIU Local 299 |
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Subject: SHAME! Sisters and Brothers of CEP481: It must be the year of Union employer's brains taking a holiday. The Canadian Staff Union (my Union) and the other CUPE staff unions had to strike against our "Union" employer earlier this year as well. It was unpleasant but necessary, as your fight appears to be. I want to encourage you all to stay strong and stick to your guns. Right makes Might! In solidarity Bill A. McKinnon Charlottetown Area Office |
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