Tag Archives: cupe ontario

CUPE National and Ontario leaders lead solidarity rally for striking Bonfield workers on Thursday

Posted on by

BONFIELD, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Sept. 11, 2013) – Paul Moist, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), along with CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), will lead a solidarity rally for the striking Bonfield municipal workers on Thursday, September 12, at noon (12:00 p.m.). Henri Giroux, President of the North Bay and District CUPE Council will also attend the rally.

“On Tuesday the Mayor of Bonfield fired five workers without true cause,” said Steve Boyle, CUPE national representative for CUPE 4616-2. “Firing workers in the middle of a strike is not a tactic that will end the strike that is hurting the Bonfield community – sooner or later the Mayor will have to sit down and negotiate with us to end this strike.”

“Our leaders and supporters will be here on Thursday to show solidarity and stand with our members for fairness as they fight for a fair contract,” continued Boyle. On strike since August 1, the 16 workers were forced into a defensive strike to fight off concessions, including the threat of contracting-out services.

Solidarity served at BBQ rally hosted by CUPE leaders

Posted on by

Aug 14, 2013    http://cupe.ca

The Bonfield Township Council meeting was cancelled by the mayor and the forecasted rain never came, but CUPE leaders led by Charles Fleury, CUPE national secretary-treasurer, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer and Henri Giroux, president of North Bay CUPE District Council along with CUPE members and Bonfield residents, did come out on Tuesday afternoon to show support for the striking CUPE 4616-2 members at a solidarity BBQ.

“You have the support of over 600,000 CUPE members across Canada,” said Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, bringing greetings and support for the 16 municipal workers on strike in Bonfield. “CUPE supports your fight against concessions and we are with you every step of the way.”

Echoing brother Fleury’s remarks, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary treasurer said: “We will stand by you and provide you with all the resources you need to win this fight.” Henri Giroux, who helped organize the event, also thanked the community for their continued support for the striking workers.

More than 150 people, from Bonfield residents to CUPE members from across the province, to local union members, brought solidarity messages and let the strikers know that they have the full support of their Ontario brothers and sisters.

Garth Pigeau, President of CUPE 4616-2 was encouraged by the support shown to his striking members and said, “Solidarity, this is what the union is all about.”

The workers have been on strike since August 1, 2013.