Just thought I’d send you a card…

Postcards are on their way to members of parliament with a clear message about collective bargaining: it’s time to get serious.

CEIU members in Saskatchewan decided to put contract negotiations on the agenda of their MP’s with a barrage of postcards. The postcard idea came out of a teleconference of local presidents in Saskatchewan. Della Winkler, national vice-president for the region, led the discussion which focused on activities to support bargaining over the summer months. “These MP’s are newly elected and we wanted to get onto their agenda quickly. The postcards are the first message they’ll hear from us, but probably not the last.” she said.

The PSAC in Saskatchewan liked the idea and agreed to pick up the printing and distribution costs. They may be used more widely within the union in the days ahead.

The message on the card reads:

As my newly elected representative in the House of Commons, I am writing to you about the current state of negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Treasury Board. My union has been involved in negotiations since September 2003 which have so far been fruitless.

As a citizen and constituent living in your riding, I am asking you to raise this issue with the President of the Treasury Board and the Prime Minister and that you urge them to take this process seriously. I ask that Treasury Board return to the bargaining table with a respectful and comprehensive offer that includes a fair monetary package. The alternative will be strike action that will have a major impact on the delivery of Federal Public Services.

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to your response.

Feel like sending your MP the same message? “Do it!” says Winkler, “there’s no copyright on our card and we need all the support we can pull together.”