WHISTLER The resort municipality of Whistler (RMOW) saw its first ever labour march and rally yesterday organized by CUPE 2010, Whistler municipal workers. The workers were joined by almost one hundred supporters, including BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and CUPE BC President Barry ONeill.
The struggle for fair wages has been going on for centuries, said Sinclair to the rally outside RMOW council chambers. I want to be there when you win your struggle.
The rally filled and overflowed council chambers where CUPE 2010 and their supporters were greeted by Whistler Mayor OReillys refusal to hear the protestors in his council chambers.
CUPE 2010 President Pete Davidson and others corrected OReilly. These are not your council chambers. They are our council chambers and we have a right to speak.
Davidson invited both Sinclair and ONeill to address council. Sinclair explained that Whistler workers should not be subsidizing the Olympics and ONeill challenged council to practice what they preach in their sustainability and affordability studies.
If you are thinking of taking on the entire BC labour movement right here in Whistler, you better think twice, Mr. Mayor, said ONeill.
Supporters of CUPE 2010 included CUPE Local 389 (North Vancouver city workers), CUPE 15 (Vancouver city workers), CUPE 409 (New Westminster schools), CUPE 774 (Abbotsford city workers), CUPE 2278 (UBC graduate students), CUPE 779 (Howe Sound school district workers), IWA, Teamsters, BCGEU 303, BCGEU 403, Longshoremen and CAW.
CUPE 2010 has been engaged in job action against the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) since February 22, 2005 in an effort to win a fair contract that is free of concessions and includes a Whistler living allowance to offset the high cost of living.
Over half of Whistlers municipal workers cannot afford to live where they work.
For more information, please visit CUPE 2010s website at www.2010.cupe.ca.
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Contact: Peter Davidson, CUPE 2010 President, c: (604)935-8603 or Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, (778)229-0258.