Quebec locals show support as bargaining team meets Treasury Board

From Repentigny to Thetford Mines and Brossard to Sherbrooke, CEIU locals in Quebec marked their support for the PA bargaining team. The team negotiated with the Treasury Board from February 5-8 and members backed their efforts at the local level.

Using dress colour and bargaining buttons, members raised the profile of bargaining issues and sent their bargaining team member a message of support. At local 10359 (Repentigny) close to 90% of members wore black along with CEIU bargaining buttons. In Brossard (local 10462), members wore red on February 4 and black on February 6 while over 80% of the Sherbrooke local (10460) sported black on the 6th. Thetford Mines members used a sign and picket captain gear to send their message.

National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay congratulated the locals and emphasized the importance of their work. “These are first steps and they are important steps. They show our bargaining team—and the employer—that we are together. ‘United we bargain, divided we beg’ is the old union saying, and it’s true. I know our bargaining team appreciated the action members took.”

PA negotiating team member (and CEIU National Vice-President) Louiselle Laforest echoed Meunier-McKay in an email to members. “I want to thank all the Locals throughout Quebec who showed their employer that they support us at the bargaining table. We met with Treasury Board today and in view of its regressive attitude, I especially appreciated the telephone calls and messages of support you sent. Thanks to all.”

The union is scheduled to meet with Treasury Board again between March 4 and 7. “Keep up the great work you have started” urged Meunier-McKay, “when the Treasury Board meets us next time they need to know that we are just as firm in our demand for a fair contract.”