Campbell Liberals set the tone for Community Health Care Bargaining; RALLIES TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS B.C.

Before the first bargaining meeting has even happened, Premier Campbell and Health Minister Kevin Falcon have sent their bargaining message to Community Health Care Workers through the Ambulance Paramedics. It is not good news.

In spite of the earlier Supreme Court ruling against the Liberal’s anti-worker Bill 29, Campbell and Falcon, apparently at the insistence of John Furlong and the Vancouver Olympics Committee, forced a substandard contract on the Paramedics by ramming through legislation, and ignoring the critical issues Paramedics had raised months before.

“The message Campbell and Falcon are sending to our Community Health Care members is crystal clear,” says UFCW Local 1518 President Ivan Limpright. “They are simply saying they do not care what our members deserve, what the community needs, or what the Supreme Court has ruled. They are sending a message that there will be no fair collective bargaining with UFCW Local 1518 or any of the other Community Health Care workers in 2010!”

TIME TO START FIGHTING BACK IS NOW!

Local 1518 members can’t wait until January to fight back. The time to tell Campbell and Falcon we will not accept their bullying is now. All UFCW 1518 members, and particularly those members from the union's Health Care Sector, are urged to join the fight back campaign, and rallies are scheduled to take place in communities around the province:

November 28, Saturday - Nanaimo

What: Rally

Time: 11 am - Noon
Where: Diana Krall Plaza (formerly Habourfront Plaza) Commercial Street
Donations to the Nanaimo Community Food Bank will be collected at the rally

Monday, November 30th – Vancouver

What:  Vancouver – Point Grey BC Liberal Holiday Party

Time:   6pm – 7:30pm

Where:  University Golf Club, 5185 University Boulevard

Join Santa as he greets guests and delivers the spirit of holidays!

Wednesday, December 2nd – Victoria

What:  A rally at Oak Bay–Gordon Head Liberal MLA Ida Chong’s Constituency Office

Time:  Noon – 1pm

Where:  #223- 3930 Shelbourne Street, Victoria

Saturday, December 5th – Kamloops

What:  A rally to protest Bill 21 and promote free collective bargaining

Time:  12:00 noon

Where:  Riverside Park Band Shell (corner of Lorne Street West and 2nd Avenue), Kamloops

**A collection of hats, toques, warm clothing and mittens will be made for those in need

Saturday, December 5th – Queen Charlotte

What:  Petition Signing and Food Bank Drive

Time:  11am – 2pm

Where:  City Centre Stores, 121 3rd Avenue, Queen Charlotte

Sunday, December 6th – Chase

What:  Public Assembly in Support of Health Care and Ambulance Services

Time:  Noon

Where:  Walk from the Health Centre Parking Lot to the basement of the Community Hall (Chase Street then along Shuswap Avenue)

**Hot Dogs and Hot Chocolate will be provided! Dress warmly!