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"Our members appreciated the solidarity, not only of the brewery movement but from people across sectors. The donations, words of encouragement and campaigning for a fair deal helped the strikers keep going until the end." — James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (27 Feb. 2014) — On February 8, 2014, a settlement was reached in a 11 month strike by members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) at the Labatt brewery in St.John's, Newfoundland. It was a long strike for the 45 members who walked the picket line but in many ways, it was the epitome of labour strength and solidarity.
"The support that was shown by the labour community here in Canada and around the world was astonishing," said James Clancy, National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "Our members appreciated the solidarity, not only of the brewery movement but from people across sectors. The donations, words of encouragement and campaigning for a fair deal helped the strikers keep going until the end."
Members of the NUPGE National Executive spent time on the picket line this fall to bring that solidarity to them personally. "NUPGE members across the country are pleased to hear about the settlement and glad to see the workers back on the job."
Local news agency reports on the strike and what it meant for the Newfoundland community
Hans Rollman, a reporter for the province's The Indpendent.ca online newspaper, recently wrote an article detailing the history of brewing and labour rights in Newfoundland and Labrador. His piece brings the reality of a strike to the reader and tells the story of the impact within the community.
"Strikes are not like other news events: accidents or parades or political drama. They are living, active symbols of the determination of workers in our community to assert their freedom and political rights, and to exert control over the conditions under which they work and labour. In many ways, they are among the most powerful and important symbols of the democratic and social liberties that define us as a free society."
Read the full article.
More information:
Workers rafity new collective agreement at Labatt to end eleven month strike; Boycott lifted
NAPE launches boycott on Labatt products
NUPGE solidarity with striking Labatt workers in Newfoundland
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE