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MEDIA ADVISORY

(Guelph) - Sid Ryan, President of CUPE Ontario and Wayne Samuelson, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), will join members of Local 1334 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), for a rally tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 18th) at the University of Guelph Fair, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The two are lending their support to 273 operations staff currently at the centre of a bitter labour dispute with the university.

The University of Guelph has asked Labour Minister Chris Stockwell for the power to lock out maintenance and operations staff in a heavy-handed approach to labour relations, charges Local 1334. Tomorrows rally for Fairness at the Fair is intended to raise public awareness and win community support for the workers cause.

The university has refused to deal with equal pay for equal work, further entrenching a longstanding gender bias.

Maintenance and Operations staff have been bargaining with the university since early this year. Key issues include improved job security and fair wages, and equal pay for equal work.

The university will be in a position to lock out workers within two weeks.

(Attn: Labour, Education, and CityPhoto Editors: Members of Local 1334 and supporters will be gathering at Johnston Green at the University of Guelph for the rally beginning at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 18th. Guest speakers include: Sid Ryan, President of CUPE Ontario and OFL President Wayne Samuelson.)

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For further information, please contact:
Kirk Sprague, President, Local 1334
(519) 836-5470
Tom Baker, CUPE National Rep.
(519) 743-7781 (o) - (905) 630-1107 (cell)
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications Rep.
(416) 292-3999 (o)

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