Good morning Brothers and Sisters:
A legendary day in the Central Okanagan is now in the history books. Our members should be proud of what we accomplished yesterday. The City of Kelowna washed their hands publicly of having anything to do with our negotiations with First Canada. A picket that our members conducted across Hardy Street in front of the City Works yard was respectfully honoured by all unionized city CUPE members. CUPE 338 President Lee Mossman and Vice President for the outside workers Larry Oakley joined us on the picket line and supported our cause. CUPE members parked their work vehicles where they could (in the street and in adjacent parking lots) and were permitted to cross into the yard on foot to get their personal vehicles and leave unobstructed. We are very thankful for the support and respect that CUPE members showed on this day. The city is now on notice that we need their pressure to get First Canada to negotiate a fair deal and to quit bargaining in bad faith.
Today, November 11th, we are asking all members to report to the picket line in some sort of Union apparel (nothing with First name on it please). Most importantly, please remember to wear your poppy as close to your heart as possible! We will attend Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour those men and women that fought to protect the very rights that we are exercising to get a collective agreement. No picket signs will be worn at the Remembrance Day events and all members are asked to not comment or talk about our labour situation while attending out of respect for our fallen veterans.
If any members took pictures on the line, or at any of the external picket sites (Queensway, UBC Okanagan, Orchard Park bus loop) please email them to newsfeed@atu1722.ca and we will add them to the online gallery that we have started.
Global Okanagan and other media outlets have been getting our story out there. Links below are provided.
In Solidarity we stand with you,
ATU 1722 Executive Board
http://infotel.ca/newsitem/city-of-kelowna-has-few-options-in-transit-strike/it36646\
http://globalnews.ca/okanagan/videos/#
http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-180611-1-.htm#180611
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91dACO_qRKA
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/16/11/10/Transit_strikers_say_management_is_unreasonable_but_hope_for_quick_end_to_strike/