Staying organized: CEIU plans for the summer

Summer is coming and thoughts naturally turn to family, vacation and relaxation. We hope you enjoy the summer season, but the current state of collective bargaining means that we must stay organized at all levels of the union.

To help this organizing, the CEIU national office will cover 50% of the cost for monthly teleconferences between National Vice-Presidents and the locals in their region. This contact is aimed at developing activities over June, July and August that will put the necessary pressure on the Treasury Board. We can’t forget that our employer has made a pathetic offer to us and that only pressure has a history of moving the Treasury Board to a fair agreement. Our members delivered a strong strike vote – now we have to build on it with organization and action.

Materials to help with activities have been sent to locals from the CEIU national office. These can be used around National Public Service Week, the PSAC’s Solidarity Week 3 (beginning June 14) and activities throughout the summer period. New picket signs will be available toward the beginning of July and can be ordered from your CEIU regional union office.

In previous bargaining rounds, CEIU locals have shown creativity and pizzazz in their summertime activities. These have included:

• Dress down days with noon-hour picnics and rallies;
• Increased visibility in the workplace with union T-shirts, buttons, balloons and stickers;
• Lunch hour sessions on key bargaining issues and local strike organization.

This list is not exhaustive – develop other activities and choose the ones that will work for your local.

Stay in touch with the locals in your region this summer, and mix some union action with your summer fun.