Montra006c, Monday, November 4, 2002 - Employees of Hydro-Quebec, members of three CUPE Locals, have decided to make a concrete gesture of solidarity by giving close to $31,000 every week to the Vido0074ron members who have been locked out for the past six months. In fact, every Hydro-Qub0065c union member has pledged to support their co-workers at Vido0074ron in their struggle by making a two-dollar donation each week.
“This is a fine example of solidarity between workers,” says Charles Paradis, representative, “These 15,000 Hydro-Qub0065c employees did not hesitate to get involved, and during our general meetings, the majority voted in favour of this measure. Everyone in Qub0065c knows that this labour dispute is going to be decisive for the entire labour movement and could very well set standards for several sectors. This is why we are joining with the thousands of other union members in Qub0065c who are refusing to buckle under to Pierre Karl Pl0061deau.”
Gilles Dub,0020President of the union for the Qub0065c region considers this move to be a heart-warming example of solidarity. “Bargaining has begun again, but our members are still in need. The amounts we are receiving from several union organizations are not only a big help, but they are also sending a clear message to Quebecor, demonstrating the support we have in our efforts to find an honourable settlement to this labour dispute,” he said. This recurring donation will take care of a good portion of the strike benefits paid to the locked-out Vido0074ron workers.
CUPE represents some 17,500 members in the hydroelectric sector and is also active in 10 other sectors, including health and social services, education, the municipalities, government corporations and public agencies in Qub0065c, urban and air transport and communications. With close to 100,000 members in Qub0065c, it is the largest QFL affiliate.
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (QFL)
“This is a fine example of solidarity between workers,” says Charles Paradis, representative, “These 15,000 Hydro-Qub0065c employees did not hesitate to get involved, and during our general meetings, the majority voted in favour of this measure. Everyone in Qub0065c knows that this labour dispute is going to be decisive for the entire labour movement and could very well set standards for several sectors. This is why we are joining with the thousands of other union members in Qub0065c who are refusing to buckle under to Pierre Karl Pl0061deau.”
Gilles Dub,0020President of the union for the Qub0065c region considers this move to be a heart-warming example of solidarity. “Bargaining has begun again, but our members are still in need. The amounts we are receiving from several union organizations are not only a big help, but they are also sending a clear message to Quebecor, demonstrating the support we have in our efforts to find an honourable settlement to this labour dispute,” he said. This recurring donation will take care of a good portion of the strike benefits paid to the locked-out Vido0074ron workers.
CUPE represents some 17,500 members in the hydroelectric sector and is also active in 10 other sectors, including health and social services, education, the municipalities, government corporations and public agencies in Qub0065c, urban and air transport and communications. With close to 100,000 members in Qub0065c, it is the largest QFL affiliate.
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (QFL)