To CUPE members in Newfoundland & Labrador:
Your fellow union members working for Air Canada have been issued lock out notice as of yesterday morning. The employer served lock out notice after receiving workers’ strike notice.
As we all know, job action is one of our greatest tools as trade unionists—this is how we leverage our power as workers. This lock out is a direct attack on our right to collective action.
This is a direct attack on members of your union, and therefore it is a direct attack against you. We strongly encourage CUPE members to send a letter to your elected representative in support of workers’ right to strike.
I encourage every CUPE member in our province to show their support for Air Canada workers. Here are some ways you can take action:
SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS
Send a message of solidarity to your fellow union members facing a possible lockout. Please send to Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Air Canada Division, at w.lesosky@accomponent.com.
DEMAND AIR CANADA RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Visit unfaircanada.com and send a letter to Air Canada demanding they negotiate fairly and end unpaid work!
SEND A LETTER TO YOUR MP
Write your MP and ask government not to intervene, to let the parties negotiate a fair and equitable agreement. Below we have provided a template letter for CUPE members to sign and send to your elected representative.
You can find a list of MPs (and their contact information) here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search.
In Solidarity,
Sherry Hillier
President, CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador
Need help writing your email? Use the sample text below.
Dear [insert name of MP],
I am a resident of [insert name of electoral district or riding]. I am one of your constituents, and I am also a CUPE member.
I am writing to indicate my support of employees of Air Canada and their rights as workers and as union members. Workers must be able maintain their right to exercise their freedom of association, and I support my fellow union members in carrying out their collective bargaining and collective job action rights.
CUPE members should have the right to negotiate without government interference.
As my elected representative, I ask that you stand in solidarity with Air Canada employees and support their rights as workers, to freedom of association, collective negotiations, and strike action.
In Solidarity,
[Firstname Lastname]
[CUPE Local #]
[Postal Code]