Local Dispatch (24/11/18)
Friends and comrades,
This week's Dispatch is a bit earlier than usual, not only because I've lost all sense of time by picketing in the early morning at the EMPP, but also because it's important to get information out sooner rather than later during this time.
In this Dispatch, we will be covering striking and picket pay, a second CUPW support rally, and what to do if you see a notification of layoff from our employer.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has been picketing and maintaining the picket lines. Thank you for your hard work!
Solidarity,
Kyle Turner, Communications Officer
Striking and Picket Pay
We are still on strike. If this changes, we will send messages out over the texting service, update the website, and update the phone message at the office. Until then, proceed to the picket lines. We have a list of picket lines on our website HERE, but it isn't exhaustive. If you have any questions about other locations, please call the office at 780-423-9000.
Also I'm sure you can feel it now, but the temperatures are dropping. We have heat sources, but please dress for the weather!
If you attend a picket line, make sure you sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave. If you are not on the line for the majority of that shift, you will not get paid. The longer the line, the shorter the strike. If you have any questions about how strike pay works, you can read the bulletin from National HERE. You can also call the Local office if you have any questions.
CUPW Support Rally #2
We will be hosting another family-friendly rally and barbecue at the Edmonton Mail Processing Plant (12135 149th St) on Saturday, November 23rd from 11 am until 1 pm. This rally will be happening whether or not we are on strike. If we are on strike, you will be able to use this rally toward getting strike pay if you stay at the EMPP for 4-hours.
Notification of Layoff
Some CUPW members across the country have been receiving notification that they have been laid off. The following is a message from our Local Grievance Officer Elizabeth Smallwood on what you should do if you receive this kind of notification:
Friends, Comrades, Sisters and Brothers,As you are aware, CUPW has been on nationwide strike for both bargaining units since 11-15-2024 at 00:01. The employer has since modified our working conditions for both bargaining units (RSMC and Urban), and the employer has taken steps to lay off members, including temporary and permanent employees.If you have received a call or notification about being laid off, please request the lay-off notice in writing. The local will be sending a list of affected members to Regional CUPW. Anyone laid off should receive an ROE, and apply for EI benefits, and will also need to file an individual grievance. Please reach out to the union office if you've been laid off. Please email grievance@cupwedm.net or call 780-423-9000.This is temporary, they cannot maintain lay-offs after a labor dispute. Do not panic, this shows you how they would treat us if we were not unionized.In Solidarity,Elizabeth SmallwoodEdmonton 730 Local Grievance Officer
Reminders
- GoFundMe for Devon Rundvall: To donate or share the link to the GoFundMe, click HERE.
- Strike Relief Fund Merch: For more information, see prior Dispatch HERE.
- Upcoming Education Committee Meeting: For more information, click HERE.
- Regional Educational Opportunity: For more information, click HERE.
- Teamsters Canada Rail Petition: To read and sign this petition, click HERE.
- Women's Committee Workplace Harassment Survey: To take part in the workplace harassment survey, please click HERE. This survey is open to all members.
- Disability Supports: To access the Disability Supports portal, which provides a list of programs and services in your community, click HERE.
- Union Savings: To take part in these savings, you can register at unionsavings.ca/