May 27, 2011 at 2:40 PM
In Air Canada call centres, customer relations and Aeroplan offices across the country, Local 2002 members stood in solidarity, united in their resolve for a fair deal for the Air Canada workers and to let everyone know that our pensions are not for sale.
After years of sacrifice, members are fed up with a company that strokes executives with one hand and gouges workers with the other. Members have worked for years in good faith, through good times and bad. In this round of bargaining, they want their just rewards, including job and retirement security and up to date pay increases.
Rallies of solidarity were synchronized and coordinated nationally, with Air Canada CAW workers who all stood as one, to be recognized and treated with fairness, at 1100 Eastern Time.
Here are the reports from some of the front lines:
Darryl Draeger, District Chairperson, Winnipeg Reservations
75 activists supported the membership, including CAW members from other locals (including Bristol workers who have been on strike for nine weeks), IBEW and CUPW. Messages of support were given by Tom Murphy, CAW Regional Director, and Dave Sauer, Winnipeg Labour Council President (and former CAW2002 vice-chair of Winnipeg Call Centre, laid off in 2003).
Cheryl Robinson, VP Atlantic region
This morning there was a sea of yellow-gold Time for a Fair Deal shirts worn in the call centre office. As we prepared for the rally outside, members were anxiously awaiting the countdown to Stand in Solidarity at the same time as brothers and sisters in other reservation offices across the country. Outside we had support from local area unions, CUPE, CUPW, CEP, ILA, the president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, Michel Boudreau, secretary Treasurer of the Saint John and District Labour council and other executive officers, members that were on a day off or with later shift times, and huge supporters, my mom and dad. More than fifty activists counted down and after were encouraged to sign a petition and send it to Calin Rovenescu. Shouting solidarity, we all marched to the front of the building for a photo opportunity which was captured by local radio and media. There was also a video interview taken.
Jeremy Rabbitte, District Chairperson, Customer Relations, Calgary
Due to the structure of their workstations, our members in the Customer Relations Department instead had a "CAW Picnic” in the workplace with cinnamon buns and discussions about what actions were happening across the country with our VP, Corinne Aubin. We also filled the recently posted positions in Air Canada's "Career Opportunities" as "STRIKE CAPTAINS”, start date Jun.14/11. No shortage of applicants!
Benoit Lapointe, District Chaiperson, Montreal Reservations
Montreal "went to the dogs" as even the pet dog of VP Sandra Cormier marched outside in support of our members who were taking a stand inside the Call Centre.
Lia De Palma, District Chairperson, Toronto Reservations
It was really great to see a lot of familiar faces outside of our reservation windows, marching and waving banners and signs. The members at Toronto reservations really appreciated the support of other members from different locations and also our brothers and sisters from CUPE Airline division. It shows the solidarity between the Air Canada unions. Sean Smith and all of the members of the strike mobility team did a great job; everything went off without a hitch. What a fantastic moment. We were definitely all together in this!
After the big purple CUPE Local 966 (Mississauga city workers) "Flying Squad” bus (with Rosie the Riveter emblazoned on the side) left Toronto Reservations, pumped participants continued their Magical Mystery Tour into downtown Toronto with "Solidarity Forever”, "We're not Going to Take It” and "Girls Just Want to have Fun” playing from the big speakers mounted on the roof of the bus.
Along the way people waved and Postal workers honked their horns in support. Our issues were raised front and centre at CUPE's Ontario Provincial convention at the Sheraton hotel where CAW Local 2002 President Jamie Ross welcomed the Local 2002 and Air Canada Component of CUPE members as they arrived downtown.
Air Canada workers, CUPE members from throughout the province and several Toronto based community groups, numbering over two thousand activists, joined in a March of Communities to Queen’s Park. There we raised our banners and our voices to became one voice for justice, a better society and to say "Enough is Enough!”
Before leaving Queens' Park, Air Canada Component of CUPE President, Jeff Taylor thanked the Airport members telling them that no Air Canada worker should have to sacrifice their pension for corporate greed.
On this "Day of Action” an email petition was also presented at the same time. We urge you to add your voice in solidarity with those who stood and those who marched.
Send Calin Rovenescu and Jim Flaherty a message at:
http://petition.web.net/caw/node/40
Rise up and raise your voice!
See Photos on Flickr®