Nanaimo gives boost to bargaining team

PSAC members at the federal building in Nanaimo, BC wrapped their support for the PA team in the spirit of Halloween on October 30. By the end of the day, the workplace was awash in orange and black, and the message of support had been delivered.

CEIU members Patricia LaMont and Christine Walker organized the support activities. LaMont is the Area Strike Coordinator for the PSAC and Walker is a CEIU National Vice-President for Women’s issues. The Nanaimo federal building houses members from a number of PSAC components, including the Union of Environment Workers, CEUDA (Customs staff), the Union of Solicitor General Employees, the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees and the CEIU.

LaMont and Walker distributed bargaining information (some of it attached to Halloween coins), stickers and balloons to members as they entered the workplace. “Members turned the three floors occupied by Service Canada into a sea of balloons” according to Walker. The Halloween coins were well received, but as negotiations proceed members are looking forward to legal tender coming across the bargaining table.

“This is just the kind of initiative we need to raise members’ awareness of bargaining and to support our team,” said National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, “and I appreciate the work done in Nanaimo and across the country.”