PICKET LINE PROTOCOL BETWEEN CUPW AND PSAC IN THE EVENT OF STRIKE ACTION BY PSAC - UPCE MEMBERS
RECOGNIZING that the purpose of strike action, including picket lines around postal installations, is to place maximum pressure on Canada Post Corporation to reach a just settlement with the Union of Postal Communications Employees - PSAC; and
RECOGNIZ1NG that the solidarity with PSAC-UPCE of workers at CPC who are not members of PSAC-UPCE is an important component of this pressure and may be demonstrated in a number of ways; and
RECOGNIZING that workers at CPC who are not members of PSAC-UPCE and therefore not in a legal strike position face the prospect of disciplinary action and other penalties when they do not report for work during a PSAC-UPCE strike, a situation which in no way assists PSAC-UPCE in reaching a collective agreement with CPC; and
Recognizing that similar picket line protocols have been reached between CUFW and PSAC in past strikes tailed by CUPW and by UPCE;
THEREFORE CUPW and PSAC have agreed to the following:
1. When a PSAC-UPCE picket line is in place around an installation where members
of CUPW and PSAC both work it is understood that CUPW members will not be
prevented from reporting to work.
2. It is further understood that CUPW members working in installations picketed by
PSAC are strongly encouraged to express their solidarity with PSAC by joining
PSAC picket lines before or after their work shifts and in other ways to be
determined by the CUPW and PSAC Local leaderships where the postal
installation is located.
3. Members of CUPW will refuse to perform any work that is normally performed
by members of the PSAC, in line with section 94(3) of the Canada Labour Code,
4. In order to ensure efficient and effective coordination of this agreement, PSAC picket captains/strike coordinators will determine the entrance which will be used by CUPW members to report to work. CUPW members will be expected to show their union cards or colour coded employee badge to PSAC picket personnel appointed to coordinate access by CUPW members.
5 CUPW National Office and PSAC National Office will ensure that all of their respective Locals receive copies of this protocol,
Original signed
John Gordon National President
PSAC
Denis Lernelin National President
CUPW
/rfcope225 November 5, 2008
