Quebec City Update

Support for the Quebec City Local has been pouring in from across the country, through petitions, postcards, and other means.

· Politicians at the national, provincial and local levels have joined tens of thousands of other people in signing the petition calling for government intervention in Canada Post's plan to close the Quebec City mail processing plant. The deadline for the petitions has been extended to September 29, 2005.

· At various Labour Day events across the country, CUPW members succeeded in getting the signatures of Jack Layton (leader of the federal New Democratic Party), Fred Muzin (President of the Hospital Employees Union), Bruce Bell (President of the Telecommunications Workers Union which is currently in a labour dispute with Telus in British Columbia and Alberta).

· Brother Bill Saunders, President of the Vancouver and District Labour Council which represents 65,000 union members, wrote that « You should also be assured that we will not allow our sisters and brothers in Quebec to fight this struggle on their own. Solidarity knows no borders or provincial boundaries ».

· The Toronto Labour Council participated in signing the petitions and postcards. Other labour councils, federations of labour and unions are also active in our campaign.

· The CUPW Montréal Local adopted a resolution at their membership meeting, pledging full support of their sisters and brothers in Quebec City. Messages have also been received from other CUPW Locals across the country.

· We would be remiss if we do not mention the postal workers in Kitchener, Ontario who sent the message « Save our Quebec Posties » on mail-bags.

Actions:

· The federal government will shortly be reconvening. Thus, we will turn our focus to the political arena. Members of the Quebec Local have already met with the Bloc Québécois (B.Q.) on September 14, 2005. Party leader Gilles Duceppe was in attendance at this meeting, along with seven B.Q. Members of Parliament who represent ridings in Quebec City. They pledged their support and will be presenting our case in the House of Commons. A demonstration in Quebec City will take place on the same day as the presentation of the petition.


· Members of the Quebec Local are writing to Prime Minister Paul Martin plus seven other Liberal MPs in Quebec.

· Our National President, Deborah Bourque, and our 1st National Vice President, Lynn Bue, will meet with CPC President Moya Greene on September 19, 2005. We will be reporting on this meeting at a later date.

Consultation:
· To date, three meetings with the employer have been held, regarding the proposed closure. A full two months has gone by following the July 14 announcement of the closure but the employer has not yet provided the Union with concrete figures or a detailed description of the project. They have not disclosed how their proposal will impact on employees, mail processing or service. These obligations are required under clause 29.03 of the collective agreement.

We will fight to keep the mail processing plant open in Quebec City.

We will fight all current or future attempts to close down postal plants or offices.

We will fight to maintain the quality of a public postal service which is accessible for everyone in Canada and Quebec.

With your help, we can achieve this. If you haven't already done so, sign the petition and the postcard. Ask your family members, neighbours, friends, etc. to sign the petition or contact your local for ideas on how to help.

Act now before Canada Post decides to introduce cuts in your community!