- For up to date strike news see www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca
Here is a letter to all CUPE civic workers in BC’s lower mainland
July 23, 2007
Sisters and Brothers:
On behalf of our entire national union, all 560,000 members, we are writing to offer you both our full support and our message of solidarity.
Lower Mainland employers have to date refused to bargain in good faith and to address the real issues in this round of negotiations.
BC’s economy is good, but the cost of living has risen and as workers, we are entitled to share in good economic times and to have some protection against the rising cost of living. In short, we want fairness and to date this has not materialized at the bargaining table.
The employers you are dealing with have to firstly resolve to come to the bargaining table to talk about your issues. Secondly, a Vancouver, 2010 Olympic agenda cannot be the sole driving force for the employers’ bargaining agenda throughout the entire lower mainland.
The communities you work in benefit greatly from the services you provide. There are many issues within your respective communities and these must be dealt with in a fair way, at the bargaining table.
CUPE members across Canada applaud your solidarity and your resolve. Please know that our entire union is behind your efforts to secure fair collective agreements. If we must strike to achieve fairness, so be it. We are all with you and urge you to stand together and stand strong.
In solidarity,
PAUL MOIST National President
CLAUDE GÉNÉREUX National Secretary-Treasurer