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Strikers ask union to discipline managers
WebPosted Jul 8 2004 09:20 AM ADT

CHARLOTTETOWN — Striking Aliant workers in Prince Edward Island are complaining to their union about having to watch their members go to work everyday. That's because of a unique situation on the Island where level one managers are represented by the same union as the people walking the picket line.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union represents 70 of the phone company's managers in P.E.I. They are part of a different local than the strikers, and because of their job classification must walk through the picket line each day and report to work.

"We're just totally disgusted that the people are doing this," said Noel Pauley of the striking union.

He said five of the managers have chosen to stay at home without pay rather than handle work that used to be done by the people on the picket line.

Aliant spokesperson Brenda Reid said the law does allow workers to make that decision without risking their jobs. But she wouldn't confirm the number of managers on leave.

"We are extremely pleased with the response and the dedication of our management employees there on P.E.I."

The strikers want the union to penalize the managers who are still working. Pauley said that could include suspension, or heavy fines to fellow CEP members.

"I've been assured by our union leadership from the national there is action going to take place and its not just window dressing."

Until then, the strikers shout at the managers as they go into work each day, and Pauley said things won't be much easier when everyone goes back to work.

Pauley said the 70 managers should have stayed at home to allow the strikers maximum bargaining power.

"Once a scab, always a scab, its going to be hard to, we might forgive but we will never forget. These people have the protection of a national union with 150,000 strong that says they'll support them. And yet they've allowed themselves to be sucked in by either intimidation or the greed for the dollar."

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As managers, they are going to be required by upper management to work during a strike by their fellow workers. Being in the same union causes the type of grief that the strikers are now feeling. It can only weaken the union, unless the union really cracks down on the managers. In that case the managers will be mighty upset, and the union weakened.

[ 13 July 2004: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]

Those who are in the bargaining unit that is not in a legal strike position face reprisals by their employer for refusing to report to work. Those who are on legal strike naturally resent those who are crossing the picket line.

In terms of legal protection, in this particular situation the Canada Labour Code gives the managers the right to refuse to do the work of those who are on strike.