CUPE members organized a wildcat strike on August 7 after hearing that the city offer was 0 percent, 1 percent, and 1 percent over three years, plus 10 hour shifts for the water works department workers, and taking away overtime pay for the weekends.
The membership rejection came despite urging of support by the union leadership.
"We're fighting because were sick of employers pushing us around. Sometimes you have to take a stand," explained CUPE local 1004 striker Joe Chamberlain. "In 1993 we had the same offer of zero, zero, and one and it was accepted at that time. We should have taken a stand against it then."
"All we're doing is trying to keep up with the rising cost of living. Our benefit premiums, taxes, and other deductions keep on going up and up. We're getting smaller checks every year," added CUPE striker Ernie Dickson.
Garbage collector and striker Doug Storey said, "I support the UPS strikers in the United States because they face the same kind of problems as we do - employers that don't want to share the wealth."
At the August 10 meeting, 58 percent of the members accepted the offer but because collective agreements have to be ratified by a two thirds majority the offer was rejected. "They don't tell you that we gave a 95 percent strike mandate," explained Chamberlain.
Ned Dmytryshyn,
Vancouver, British Columbia
In defense of cigarette tax
I just read in your "Militant" newspaper that you folks
are against taxes on cigarettes and denounced the agreement
between the tobacco industry and government. Either your
brains are full of cigarette smoke or full of leftist
rhetoric. I think human lungs are the same for both a left-
winger and a right-winger. We are trying to combat cigarette
smoking and you people are against taxes on tobacco plus the
agreement. No wonder leftist philosophy is so discredited
around the world.
Mr. Ortiz
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Renew my subscription
Yours is the only newspaper I subscribe to and have for
three to four years. That speaks for itself.
S.P.
Atlanta, Georgia
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