[LabComm] CUPE to follow Solidarity Monday with protest in Prince George

[Louise Leclair]

CUPE to follow “Solidarity Monday” with protest in Prince George
Victoria rally draws 20,000; Island workers walk off the job to support 
BCTF

BURNABY—Education Minister Shirley Bond will get a lesson in the ABCs of
democracy tomorrow (Tuesday) when the Canadian Union of Public Employees
holds a massive rally outside her Prince George offices demanding that 
the
BC Liberal government repeal Bill 12 and return to the bargaining table 
with
B.C. teachers.

The rally comes a day after a crowd of more than 20,000 gathered at the
provincial legislature to support striking members of the BC Teachers’
Federation—a day that will be remembered throughout Vancouver Island as 
a
pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for free collective bargaining in 
B.C.

Despite rainy weather, the large demonstration was accompanied by a 
massive
work shutdown in Victoria and surrounding communities including Saanich,
Sooke, Ladysmith and Chemainus. Municipal government, transit and a 
variety
of regional services were shut down by working people acting in support 
of
the assault on B.C. teachers’ collective bargaining rights in the wake 
of
Bill 12, the legislation that prematurely terminated collective 
bargaining
by extending the teachers’ collective agreement until June, 2006.

While thousands gathered in Victoria, CUPE members were “solid in 
Saanich”
where most services from the pools to the dump remained shut for the 
day.
 From Nanaimo to the North Island covering Comox, Campbell River, Tofino,
Gold River and Port Alice, stories of tremendous support were reported 
from
CUPE picket lines. And in Powell River, managers brought coffee and
doughnuts to the protest lines. Throughout all this, CUPE members 
ensured
that many childcare operations and all health care and social services 
needs
were maintained.

Tuesday’s CUPE protest in Prince George follows today’s rally in front 
of
MLA Pat Bell’s office. On October 18, CUPE Prince George members from 
city,
school, post secondary and the regional district will walk off the job 
and
attend a protest and street barbeque in front of Shirley Bond’s office.
Special guests will be announced in the morning.

In the neighbouring Northern communities of Smithers, Dawson Creek,
Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Houston, Telqua and Hazelton, CUPE members will
join the teachers on their picket lines. In Mackenzie, CUPE members will
also support teacher picket lines as well as hosting a Candlelight 
Vigil at
7:00 p.m.

				-30-


Contact:  Louise Leclair, CUPE Communications Representative 
778-228-2099.

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