Conghaileach
9th November 2002, 15:30
This message is a little out-of-date, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless. - CB
Locked out Greenpeacers to protest AGAINST GREENPEACE!
GREENPEACE ILLEGALLY LOCKS OUT UNIONIZED DOOR CANVASS, THEREBY BREAKING
UNION CONTRACT
Starting Monday Nov 4 at 9 am, OPIEU local 343 (Greenpeace Door
Canvass) will be peacefully protesting their illegal lockout by
Greenpeace (GP)
management in front of their office at 250 Dundas St. W., just west of
University.
This will be an information picket with banners, placards, and
leaflets.
This is a call for justice in solidarity with the union movement and
all social justice movements in general.
Those who founded Greenpeace sought > to address wrongs by drawing
attention to them. Sadly, 30 years later, it is wrongs commited by
Greenpeace that we must draw attention to.
We hope that our actions will bring about much needed change at GP.
What happened?
In Oct of 2001, GP and the canvass ratified a collective bargaining
agreement (CBA) that expires Dec. 31 2003. The door canvass was closed
Oct
15 2002, despite the fact that the canvass was exceeding all terms of
the CBA.
Starting in early July, management had illegally attempted to
renegotiate the contract by threatening to shut down the program while
offering new numbers or terms that if attained might be acceptable to
management and prevent a shutdown.
The door canvass has raised millions of dollars for GP over its 14 year
history, signed up countless thousands of new members, and canvassers
have volunteered in hundreds of GP activities. Many canvassers have
been arrested on Greenpeace actions. It is no exxageration to say that
the canvass has been the heart of Greenpeace actions and activities in
Toronto. In fact, one could say that the grassroots of GP have been
locked out.
Recently,the union executive expressed the union's
concerns to executive director Peter Tabuns and chair of the board John
Dohery. To date they have not responded. Rather, Mr. Tabuns tried to
enlist the support of outside labour organizations for GP's position.
Tabuns' requests included asking a labour organization to advise the
union to refrain from their
democratic right of peaceful protest. These outside organizations have
since denied his requests.
Peter Tabuns expects governments to honour environmental treaties that
they have ratified. We expect Greenpeace to honour this labour treaty
that they have ratified.
Greenpeace Canada has a poor labour record. This situation further
damages their reputation.
13 employees with up to 8 years seniority are illegally and unfairly
locked out. One of whom is still facing court charges for being
arrested on a Greenpeace action.
Please contact Peter Tabuns and Development Director, Rebecca Moershel
to
let them know you think their actions are wrong and will suspend your
support for Greenpeace until their labour policies have clearly been
corrected.
Peter Tabuns ext. 3012, Rebecca Moershel ext. 3014, both at
416-597-8408.
[email protected] , [email protected]
For further information, please contact:
Gary Connolly, Union Steward 416-429-7658
or Patty Clancy 416-703-4448 ext. 29
Picketing will continue Tue, Wed, Thu, each day from 10am-2pm. Further
picketing is likely and more emails will follow. (Your support on the
picket line is welcome too!)
We appreciate your solidarity against these injustices.
AND Please forward."
Locked out Greenpeacers to protest AGAINST GREENPEACE!
GREENPEACE ILLEGALLY LOCKS OUT UNIONIZED DOOR CANVASS, THEREBY BREAKING
UNION CONTRACT
Starting Monday Nov 4 at 9 am, OPIEU local 343 (Greenpeace Door
Canvass) will be peacefully protesting their illegal lockout by
Greenpeace (GP)
management in front of their office at 250 Dundas St. W., just west of
University.
This will be an information picket with banners, placards, and
leaflets.
This is a call for justice in solidarity with the union movement and
all social justice movements in general.
Those who founded Greenpeace sought > to address wrongs by drawing
attention to them. Sadly, 30 years later, it is wrongs commited by
Greenpeace that we must draw attention to.
We hope that our actions will bring about much needed change at GP.
What happened?
In Oct of 2001, GP and the canvass ratified a collective bargaining
agreement (CBA) that expires Dec. 31 2003. The door canvass was closed
Oct
15 2002, despite the fact that the canvass was exceeding all terms of
the CBA.
Starting in early July, management had illegally attempted to
renegotiate the contract by threatening to shut down the program while
offering new numbers or terms that if attained might be acceptable to
management and prevent a shutdown.
The door canvass has raised millions of dollars for GP over its 14 year
history, signed up countless thousands of new members, and canvassers
have volunteered in hundreds of GP activities. Many canvassers have
been arrested on Greenpeace actions. It is no exxageration to say that
the canvass has been the heart of Greenpeace actions and activities in
Toronto. In fact, one could say that the grassroots of GP have been
locked out.
Recently,the union executive expressed the union's
concerns to executive director Peter Tabuns and chair of the board John
Dohery. To date they have not responded. Rather, Mr. Tabuns tried to
enlist the support of outside labour organizations for GP's position.
Tabuns' requests included asking a labour organization to advise the
union to refrain from their
democratic right of peaceful protest. These outside organizations have
since denied his requests.
Peter Tabuns expects governments to honour environmental treaties that
they have ratified. We expect Greenpeace to honour this labour treaty
that they have ratified.
Greenpeace Canada has a poor labour record. This situation further
damages their reputation.
13 employees with up to 8 years seniority are illegally and unfairly
locked out. One of whom is still facing court charges for being
arrested on a Greenpeace action.
Please contact Peter Tabuns and Development Director, Rebecca Moershel
to
let them know you think their actions are wrong and will suspend your
support for Greenpeace until their labour policies have clearly been
corrected.
Peter Tabuns ext. 3012, Rebecca Moershel ext. 3014, both at
416-597-8408.
[email protected] , [email protected]
For further information, please contact:
Gary Connolly, Union Steward 416-429-7658
or Patty Clancy 416-703-4448 ext. 29
Picketing will continue Tue, Wed, Thu, each day from 10am-2pm. Further
picketing is likely and more emails will follow. (Your support on the
picket line is welcome too!)
We appreciate your solidarity against these injustices.
AND Please forward."