Dear Sheridan Faculty,
There is a good story out of Conestoga, a mass rally to advertise, and the latest Bargaining Team Publication to read (attached). So, I’ll hang back a bit tonight. But first, let’s start with a top-up update.
Your full-time top-up cheques will be at the campus where you are picketing. You can pick them up on any shift. If you can’t make it in, please email office@local244 with the subject line “Cheque” to make alternate arrangements; if it’s mail you want, please supply your address. Please don’t expect a prompt reply, we are dancing as fast as we can.
Now back to the News!
Kathleen Wynne was touring the Kitchener Waterloo (KW) area today like a whack-a-mole. Everywhere she stuck her head up in KW, our Conestoga colleagues were there to hammer her with CAAT-A strike demands. Here’s the narrative from Lana-Lee Hardacre, Local 237 President.
Local 237 set up a pop-up picket at each stop Wynne made in KW today. We started at 11:30 am and we made friends with her security. I shared the photos of me from 2014 (when people I shall not name) joined me at the Wynne victory party at the Sheraton. One of her security shouted to us "We support you!"
I asked for Wynne to meet with us to acknowledge that she sees us and that she hears our message. It turned out better than we expected. I was invited to meet with her (no media) for a private discussion. She was running late so instead of our private meeting she met with me with the picketers. We spoke for about 10 minutes. She is a very good listener. She eventually took off her glasses and said that she "promised" to pressure both sides to get back to the table. She also firmly stated that no group will be excluded from Bill 148.
Will this help? After all we have her word! Again as you’ll see in the attached Update. Have hope, but don’t put too much faith in a politician’s promises. It’s her desire to be re-elected that bodes best for us.
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MASS RALLY on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 25
The GTA colleges will be holding a mass rally and picket on Wednesday to bring our message to the provincial government and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Deb Matthews. This rally will replace regular picket duty on Wednesday, if you attend. Regular pickets at all Sheridan campuses will still be held.
WHEN & WHERE
Wednesday, October 25, 7:30am-noon – that’s for GTA Colleges.
For Sheridan 10:00 to noon (plus travel) will be equal to a regular shift.
900 BAY ST (just south of Wellesley St.)
Please try to get there as early as possible so we can bring our message to staff arriving at the Ministry. There will also be speakers and performances at 11am.
You have to organize your own transportation. We strongly recommend you take public transportation. The closest subway stop is Wellesley Station on the Yonge line.
Sheridan: You’ll find Me (Jack Urowitz) or David How or Terry Kostiw on the northwest and southwest corners of Bay and Wellesley, immediately after the last speaker, with signature sheets for your shift. We’ll stay for twenty minutes or so.
A few details about the rally on Wednesday.
- All GTA colleges should have the rally as picket duty for everyone on Wednesday (Outlying colleges can organize it as you see fit, since you are coming from a distance)
- Members are responsible to organize their own transportation. OPSEU Central will not contribute anything toward transportation costs.
- Locals need to arrange to bring enough picket signs to cover your own members (Sheridan take your signs home Tuesday night)
This is the Facebook Invite:
Good night or good morning,
Jack
P.S. Don’t forget the attached Bargaining Team’s strike publication #2 On The Line
Jack Urowitz,
President, OPSEU Local 244
Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
(905) 845-9430 Extension 2832
Union Office 4065
(905) 845-9430 Extension 2832
Union Office 4065
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Link OPSEU Bulletin - On the Line: College Faculty Strike Bulletin #2