STRIKE !

CUPE 1975 Members:
Most of you will have already received an automated phone message &/or been contacted by a Picket Captain by this point.
Despite an incredible turnout and massive show of support at our rally on Tuesday, the employer doesn’t believe we are serious enough to walk out to get a fair contract.
During our meetings in Regina Wednesday, our bargaining team was in contact with the provincial Conciliator. He in turn was in contact with the Universities, to see if they were prepared to move from their unreasonable position. Unfortunately, they remain unwilling to drop their demands for concessions from our members. As such, Conciliator Doug Forseth will not reconvene the parties.
As you likely know by now, CUPE 1975 members are on strike beginning 7:00 am tomorrow (Friday) morning. We will be running 3 picket shifts (4 hours each) at several locations around the perimeter of campus. If you don’t know where you are supposed to be, you can call our strike headquarters (1012 Central Avenue) at 374-6580. They can help you locate your picket duty, or you can check in with the picket captain at the Wiggins Avenue entrance at 9:00 am.
Picket Captains should be able to answer most of your questions. Make sure when you report for picket duty or leave your shift that you sign in AND out... or you won’t receive strike pay for that shift.
Your bargaining committee and executive members will be around throughout the day, both on the picket lines and at strike headquarters, should you need to speak with any of them.

Open Letter to All Employees who are members of CUPE 1975

Subject: Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace

As we bargain a new collective agreement with the University and face the potential of further job action, we are aware that this is a difficult time for the Community.

Ensuring a safe and respectful environment is everyone’s responsibility. We must keep in mind that we will all continue to work together once an agreement has been reached.

The employer indicates that they have been approached by members of CUPE 1975 who are afraid. They have reported bullying, harassment, intimidating behavior and threats being made by union members against other members if they do not participate in job action. CUPE also had many members making these same accusations against their supervisors and managers.

If accurate in their description of the allegations, this behavior is appalling and will not be tolerated. It is in violation of Occupational Health and Safety Act (Section 4), the Trade Union Act (Section 11 (2), our collective agreement and CUPE’s Equality Statement.

CUPE is committed to providing you with a safe environment. We will take complaints received seriously and investigate them fully.

If you have concerns about your safety or have been subject to harassing behavior please contact your picket captain or the union office at 374-6580.

Together we will move as quickly as possible to resolve this situation.

Thank you

CUPE Local 1975

UPDATE

CUPE 1975/1975-01
UPDATE
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The CUPE 1975/1975-01 Joint Bargaining Committee met today in Regina. We evaluated feedback from the rallies at our respective campuses yesterday and arrived at a plan of action for the near future.
Tomorrow evening, we will be posting a comprehensive update on the Union website. It is imperative that all CUPE 1975/1975-01 employees check the UNION website as soon after 8:00 pm Thursday, Nov. 1st as possible. Be advised that you may also receive a pre-recorded voice message, so be on the alert for that as well.
This will be your fastest, most accurate source for the correct information on “what’s happening” with our labour dispute.

Rally Report

“This is what solidarity looks like.”


It was an extraordinary sight. Shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday, hundreds and hundreds of CUPE members filed out of their offices and buildings at the university and created a procession that extended through “the bowl” and down College Drive to the bridge.

As one CUPE 1975 member enthusiastically told onlookers, “This is what solidarity looks like!”

“I’ve never seen such a huge mass of people on this campus,” Heather Wagg, the president of the CUPE sessional lecturers’ local told the cheering CUPE 1975 members and their supporters during a rally near the President’s house. “It’s a sight I’ll never forget.”

The two-hour walkout by 1,800 CUPE 1975 members at the U of S and another 600 CUPE 1975 members at the University of Regina was organized to send a strong message to the employer to get back to the bargaining table with a fair contract offer.

“By your actions today, you have shown this employer that you mean business,” CUPE Saskatchewan President Tom Graham, told the crowd. “You deserve respect and you deserve a fair collective agreement,” he stated.

CUPE 1975 spokesperson Wayne Foley commended the membership for their support.

“We wanted to send a message to the employer today. I think we’ve accomplished that,” he told the crowd. “We hope the employers have enough sense to come back to the bargaining table and offer members a fair contract – one you so richly deserve.”

CUPE 1975 members at both universities returned to work at 1 p.m., but they haven’t put their picket signs away. If the employer refuses to improve its contract offer, more job action is expected.

Rally Today

A BOWL Full O' CUPE's

more pictures
Here is this morning's press release

Important Message to CUPE 1975 Members

As you know, conciliation talks failed to produce a contract settlement.

Our negotiating committee made significant movement on all issues in an effort to conclude an agreement. Unfortunately, talks stalled over benefits, wages and the employer’s performance reviews.

As a result, we will commence job action on Tuesday, October 30, at 11 a.m. This is a major step and we need everyone’s support and participation.

All members will leave work at 11 a.m., go to the front of your building, and join your co-workers as they march to the university bowl, where we will rally for a settlement.

Members are encouraged to wear warm clothes and bring a bag lunch.

Show your solidarity and together we will achieve a fair collective agreement.

In Solidarity
Linda Reiber
on behalf of the Negotiating Committee

Beware of fear-mongering messages

A number of members have called about the email from Administration and the coverage in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. Our Plans remain the same as they were in the Sunday night telephone communication.

We should add that members benefits are covered, during job actions, by CUPE. Finally if you feel the University can't afford the economic package we are requesting to ensure adequate benefit coverage and a modest wage increase for all of our members. ..Consider how they compensate themselves .