CEIU members speak up for a fair contract

CEIU members responded to the PSAC’s call for a day of action on June 19 aimed at pushing the employer to bargain seriously. Members of the PA group have been without a contract for a year and recently received an insulting pay offer from the Treasury Board.

Members in Ste. Ste-Thérèse wore black and raised their umbrellas in a salute to the bargaining team. In Vancouver, CEIU members joined those from other components in a noon-hour rally in the city’s downtown while those in Victoria sported “Contract of Walk” shirts at work.

The Ontario region of CEIU recently held a collective bargaining conference that provided critical information to local leaders as well as guides to mobilizing members in the months ahead. This is the first round of bargaining under new legislation that imposes restrictions on union activities and the conference briefed local leaders on key aspects. CEIU National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay acknowledged that the new legislation presents challenges but went on to say, “Our members are creative and together we are developing methods to deal with the new legislation.”

In Peterborough, Ontario members rallied at noon hour and received coverage in the local media. Local President Linda Vizza was especially pleased that former members who had been devolved to the provincial government under a labour market agreement joined the rally. At the Scarborough Town Centre in Ontario, members held a “Just Practicing” information picket. They wore green to tell the Treasury Board that only a fair pay offer would do and were joined by the president of the PIPSC (Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada) local and a number of his members.

Members across the country took part in a variety of events on June 19 and collectively sent a clear message to the employer: show us some respect by offering a fair contract. More action in support of the union bargaining is planned for the summer months.