OTTAWA On the fifth day of a strike by Ottawas taxi dispatchers, CUPE National President Paul Moist rallied picketers and pledged the continued support of members across the country in this fight for a decent living wage and benefits. Spirits were high as the striking dispatchers and supporters welcomed the backing and media attention brought by Moists visit. The members of CUPE 4266 are on strike for the first time against Coventry Connections ZipTrack Dispatch Centre.
Your fight is one that millions of Canadians struggle with everyday. Wages that are not enough to make a living on, non-existent benefits, and an employer that is unwilling to respect your work, Moist told the picketers. Together we say no to poverty wages and jobs where getting sick is a luxury.
Moist reassured the strikers that they had the full support and strength of the 530,000 CUPE members across Canada. Your strike is our strike and we will not let you down. No one should have to work without benefits, he said. Moists comments were met with loud cheers.
The dispatchers brought in the New Year on the picket line with their families while flanked by BlueLine and Capital taxi drivers and their cabs parked in support. Marathon negotiations broke off only an hour before midnight, as ZipTrack was unwilling to budge on the locals central demands of a decent wage increase and benefit plan for all members.
Supporters are asked to support the striking dispatchers by not using ZipTracks dispatch service for the duration of the strike. Since ZipTrack takes calls for BlueLine, Capital, Veterans, and DJ taxi, this means making no calls to these taxi lines.
For more information, please contact:
Donna Reaney
Chief Steward, CUPE 4266
(613) 797-9806
Andy Mele
CUPE National Representative
(613) 878-4444
Diane Kalen
CUPE Communications
(647) 224-0662
Your fight is one that millions of Canadians struggle with everyday. Wages that are not enough to make a living on, non-existent benefits, and an employer that is unwilling to respect your work, Moist told the picketers. Together we say no to poverty wages and jobs where getting sick is a luxury.
Moist reassured the strikers that they had the full support and strength of the 530,000 CUPE members across Canada. Your strike is our strike and we will not let you down. No one should have to work without benefits, he said. Moists comments were met with loud cheers.
The dispatchers brought in the New Year on the picket line with their families while flanked by BlueLine and Capital taxi drivers and their cabs parked in support. Marathon negotiations broke off only an hour before midnight, as ZipTrack was unwilling to budge on the locals central demands of a decent wage increase and benefit plan for all members.
Supporters are asked to support the striking dispatchers by not using ZipTracks dispatch service for the duration of the strike. Since ZipTrack takes calls for BlueLine, Capital, Veterans, and DJ taxi, this means making no calls to these taxi lines.
For more information, please contact:
Donna Reaney
Chief Steward, CUPE 4266
(613) 797-9806
Andy Mele
CUPE National Representative
(613) 878-4444
Diane Kalen
CUPE Communications
(647) 224-0662