Cyber Support Requested!!! Purdy's Chocolates On Strike!!!

From Gordon Flett, Chair, Vancouver & District Labour Council Strike Support Committee, 5 May 2001

E-mail Purdy's Chocolates: choklit@purdys.com
E-mail The Sreikers: strike@mediaunion.ca

Please note that the Purdy's Chocolate strikers now have a new e-mail address to send messages of support to. There is now a website set up also: http://www.mediaunion.ca/purdys.htm . The phone number for strike headquarters is 438-2747.

The 103 members of the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 2000 who work at the Purdy's Chocolates production plant in Vancouver, B.C. went on strike on Monday, April 30th, at 3 AM.

The company has covered over the windows, hired a security company and appears to want to maintain some level of production. One guy hopped the barb-wired fence the first day of the strike to scab on his fellow workers, and the next day went across the line in the trunk of a manager's car. Just because he has absolutely no self-respect, he wants to deny his co-workers the right to have dignity in their workplace.

The issues include health & safety, sick leave, wages and in general dignity and rights in the workplace.

This is a predominantly female workforce who are trying to negotiate a second collective agreement with the company, and this is their first time on strike.

The strikers are requesting that you contact Purdy's by e-mail and tell the company to negotiate with their workers instead of treating them with such disrespect. Purdy's address is choklit@purdys.com .

Messages of support would be greatly appreciated by the strikers and can be sent to strike@mediaunion.ca .

Yours in Solidarity,

Gordon Flett
Chair, Vancouver & District Labour
Council Strike Support Committee;
Rank & File Member of the Communications,
Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada,
Local 2000