Tell Paul Martin the January Freeze is over

In January, Treasury Board thought they could bamboozle you into accepting nothing by claiming they had no mandate to negotiate a contract. They thought we’d just curl up in the snow and go to sleep.

But let’s put the heat on Treasury Board now

The PSAC has called for a week of solidarity to coincide with the resumption of bargaining February 9. We need to show Martin and the Treasury Board that the winter of our discontent is over and we mean to be treated with respect.

Our bargaining team, made up of members like you, needs your backing. Imagine you were in their place facing Treasury Board: wouldn’t you appreciate solid support? They can’t do it on their own – so pitch in and help.

Each local is different. Some may already be active on bargaining issues while others are still developing their plans. As a result, we don’t expect every local to do the same thing – but we expect every local to do something during this week in order to send this message to the employer “The heat is on – negotiate a fair contract NOW!”

Members can start with a few basic activities. E-mail your bargaining team members to offer your support and to tell them what your local is doing. Your member of parliament has an e-mail address. Give MP’s your thoughts on a fair contract. And Paul Martin has an e-mail address as well so don’t forget him!

Beyond such basic activities, locals have a variety of choices and members have good imaginations. During the last years of the pay equity battle, members made their displeasure known in the workplace through slogans, buttons, T-shirts, letters, petitions, workplace discussions — and clearly telling the employer that some things weren’t happening because of the treatment we were receiving from Treasury Board. The employer got the message then, and the message is the same now: stop the delays and give us a fair deal.

For locals that want to be highly visible outside the workplace, there are options. On the traditional side, there are information pickets, leaflets and demonstrations. Less traditionally, locals could take out an ad in the local paper, speak to their local labour council and other community groups to ask for support, visit their MP or hold a mock funeral for the public service. The limit is only the imagination of the membership.

We recommend that locals contact their PSAC regional office to learn what other locals in their area are doing, and suggest that joint actions can be both effective and more enjoyable. If you need assistance or support from CEIU, contact your National Vice-President, regional bargaining committee or CEIU union office.

In solidarity,

Jeannette Meunier-McKay
National President