| December 6, 1999. No.5
Strike
Deadline: Monday December 13 12:01 a.m.
Up-dates from your Mobilizing Committee
1. Mediation Date set for Friday
December 10
Your negotiating team will meet the employer with the
assistance of a mediator on Friday December 10. Mediation is a step along the way to
potentially getting a deal but there is no guarantee. Our strike prep is critical. There
are many key issues outstanding in negotiations. Management still wants to freeze our
wages, introduce a 2-tier wage grid, use more volunteers, interns, students, and contract
out our work. The employer's demands are another example of the Gallery's mismanagement.
We think the AGO is exploiting the volunteers. Volunteers, students and interns should not
do regular gallery work. Their contributions should enhance the gallery experience, but
they should not be performing the day-to-day tasks. We don't think this is any way to run
a premier Art Gallery. The quality of the services we provide depends on the quality of
our working conditions.
2. Strike preparation: Picket duty and the
Local 535 Phone Tree
Many members have signed up already. If you have not yet
signed up for your picket duty please see your information steward ASAP. At the same time,
please check your phone number, and make note of who will call you, and take down the name
and number of the person you need to call. On next Monday morning you will either be on
the picket line or at work. You will be getting a phone call over the weekend to let you
know about Friday's mediation. The mobilizing committee needs to make sure your phone
number is accurate.
3. Our Strike Headquarters: The Alternative
Gallery of Ontario 334 Dundas St. W.
Official Opening: Wednesday Dec 8, 7 p.m. (take a look across the street from the Gallery)
We got our own space and it is wonderful! Thanks to some
labour friendly local artists we will be having an exhibition opening as well. The art
reflects the struggles of workers and social justice issues. Get the latest up-dates on
our strike prep and come to the opening. Or, just drop by from Tuesday afternoon onward,
we will be working out of the office as we get things organized! We have the space rented
for an extended period of time.
4. Picket Captains Training: Thursday December
9 5p.m. at Strike Headquarters
The more picket captains we have the better! If you are
interested call Lisa Walter for info.
5. OSPEU Local 535 Hotline: Headquarters:
456-9950 or call 979-6660 ext. 543
Please do not leave a message on the 543 ext. This number
is reserved for outgoing calls only. If you need to speak to someone directly, please
contact the office.
Your Questions and Answers
about Strike preparation
Q. How will my vacation be affected by a strike?
A. You can take your vacation. If we are on strike and
you do not participate in your strike duties, you do not receive strike pay. If you cancel
your vacation during the strike and participate in your strike duties you receive your
strike pay. There is no guarantee that
You will gain your vacation days back after a strike. The
union would seek to negotiate no loss in vacation time or other seniority related benefits
in the"return-to-work" protocol at the end of the strike.
Q. How much is strike pay?
A. $ 125 per week, plus $20 for each dependent.
Q. What happens to our benefits while if we go on strike?
A. Prior to the strike deadline we would negotiate a
strike protocol with the employer which will cover issues relating to benefits. You
employer is indicating a willingness to discuss benefits. We will ensure that negotiations
happen before a strike. In the past, OPSEU has made sure that your basic benefits are
covered. Often your pension payment is not covered in the event of a strike.
Q. What about financial planning?
A. It is important to put some money aside to help you
through a strike. Check in with Randall, he has copies of a guide on your personal
finances during a strike. Talk to your bank or credit union now. Talk to your landlord
now. A few priority items to consider purchasing for walking a picket line include:
comfortable boots, a rain-proof coat, waterproof mitts, hat and scarf. It will be
important to dress in layers. As well, in the event of a strike, we will set-up a hardship
committee with very limited funds. This Hardship committee will assist in dealing with
creditors.
Q. What about my last pay cheque?
A. The employer’s current position is that they
will mail them to your home directly
Local 535 preparation –
checklist of things for you to do
- Set-up a meeting in your area - call Lisa
- Sign-up for Picket duty and talk to your picket captain
- Check your area’s Phone tree with your info steward. Is
your number correct? Do you know who to call?
- Come to the TSO/Local 535 Benefit December 7 at Factory
Theatre
- Come to the Strike Headquarters opening
Think up an activity and let the Mob Com know
Union Action – What’s
happening
Dec 7 - TSO/Local 535 Benefit performance "The
Glace Bay Miners’ Museum", Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. 7p.m.
Dec 8 – Strike Headquarters –
the Alternative Gallery of Ontario 7 p.m.
Dec 9 - Picket Captain training 5 p.m.
Strike headquarters
Dec 13 - Strike Deadline.
Dec. 13 the AGO will close - Unless we get a
fair contract
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