November Newspaper

Letter to the Editor

Brothers & Sisters:

Now that the strike is over and we are back to work, as a member of your Bargaining Committee, I would like to thank you all for the strong support we received during this round of negotiations. It was a slow and tough process, but with your solidarity, we were able to achieve what I believe is a good contract.

The gains we made on our main issues, wages and basic pensions, are very respectable and are among the best increases in industry at this time. Unfortunately, we weren’t as with some of our other issues. In particular, early retirement and a form of indexing, but these issues can be back on the table next time if the membership chooses to go in that direction. It is the membership that decides where the priorities lie.

In 2008, which isn’t very far away, we will be going into another bargaining sessions and I urge all our members to start getting ready now. Work overtime, pay off your debts, open a savings account and start putting aside a small amount from each pay cheque just in case we have to go through this again. $50.00 per cheque would amount to over $3000 during this contract. Just remember that we may call on you for your support at any time and expect you will show the same strength and solidarity when asked.

For those of you who decided to go and look for work elsewhere, we all appreciate the sacrifice you made in leaving the area and I thank you for the financial donations that were sent sent back to help support the members who remained on the lines. Every little bit helped. You money was used to increase the strike pay handed out weekly to our members. If you haven’t yet contributed, consider the fact that the wages and benefits you are receiving today were hard-fought for by the members who remained behind with a great loss of income and family stress. For some, there is the continued threat of discipline from the Company and the courts. They fought for themselves and for you. You should do the right thing for them!

In solidarity, Bob Wishneski