Apology and Retraction

In January of 2001 the RWU published an article on its website concerning a successful raid which had been conducted by the RWU on the CLAC unit at DSL Distribution (Canada) Ltd. Included in the article were certain statements with respect to the conduct of the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC). These comments have given rise to legal action against the RWU and its locals.

One of the statements in the article suggesting the CLAC usually acquires representation rights as the result of an invitation from the Employer, is incorrect.

The RWU, and Locals 517 and 580, retract the statement in question and extend an apology to CLAC for having published it.

Local 580 members proudly display a baked representation of the $6,600 they raised for Tsunami relief. The dollar sign was particularly delicious.

Retail Wholesale Union Members At Canada Bread Step Up To The Plate To Support Tsunami Victims.

When asked if they would give one hour of pay to the Tsunami Relief Fund
Raiser, Retail Wholesale Union, Local 580 members at the Canada Bread - Annacis location rose to the challenge.

The fund-raiser theme was "donate a part of your day for the chance to win time-off from work." Staff Representative Shawn Lakusta noted that several members donated more than one hour with one member even donating an entire work week (40 hours) to the cause.

However, it didn't take a draw for employees to donate a part of their day to help the people of the South Pacific. Just knowing that they were helping was motivation enough for the employees to happily donate over $6,600.

Showing Solidarity with HEU

RWU EV Logistics' workers on the line supporting our Sisters and Brothers of the Hospital Employee Union in Abbotsford.

Plant Chairman, Brother Sparrow (third from the right) rallied the troops from the graveyard shift to support the battling HEU.

Over 20 RWU members from EV Logistics walked the line indicating their disappointment, in what could only be described as an aggressive attack on Labour contracts by the Liberal Government.

The RWU will continue to support the HEU in their continuing battle wherever possible.

Supreme Court Allows Secondary Picketing!!!

The Retail Wholesale would like to congratulate and thank the Retail Wholesale Department Store Union Saskatchewan for their victory in the Supreme Court of Canada. The decision allows trade unions to set up picket lines at secondary work sites.

Chris Banting, (left) RWDSU's Secretary Treasurer, was a major player in the battle for free expression in the form of secondary picketing.

Seen here; Chris is a guest speaker at the RWU's convention giving a fiery speech about the situation at Pepsi Cola.

On Friday January 25th 2002 RWDSU was victorious in a battle that has been going on since 1997. This decision will help all Unions to apply pressure to employers during Labour disputes.

The RWDSU was involved in a lawful strike and lockout at a Pepsi plant in Saskatchewan. The RWDSU escalated the strike to secondary picketing at some of the retail outlets and at a hotel where scab workers were staying. Pepsi applied and received an injunction prohibiting picketing activities at secondary locations.

The Saskatchewan Court's decision allowed the RWDSU peaceful picketing rights at secondary locations.

Pepsi's appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was dismissed. Once the Supreme Court of Canada makes a decision you cannot appeal it. It was decided that secondary picketing was lawful unless it involved tortuous or criminal conduct.

Organizers Shawn Lakusta and Chris McCuaig in Saskatchewan posing with RWDSU's mobile strike shack while attending their Biennial convention in Fort Qu'appelle.

For example, if Summit Logistics was on strike, the workers of Summit could legally set up picket lines at all the Safeway locations in Canada. Prior to this decision, only leafleting was permitted outside of the retail locations. Although leafleting is an effective way to give people information, it did little to convince people to shop elsewhere. A legal picket sign will stop Union workers and Union customers from entering the facility. Most Union Constitutions have penalties against Union members who cross legal picket lines.

With the current political climate this decision could not have come at a better time. British Columbians have been exposed to some of the most damaging Labour Code changes in recent history and it will only get worse for working people. This decision will provide Unions with a significant and effective negotiating tool when employers come to the bargaining table. This will be particularly so when the bosses arrive with unreasonable demands.

The strike bus is equiped with high powered heaters to fight off the cold Sask. winters. The bus is very popular on picket lines in Saskatchewan. The RWDSU receives may requests to borrow the mobile strike shack. It is our understanding that the bosses sincerely hate to see the bus arrive and they become infuriated when asked where the nearest plug in can be located.

RWDSU President, Diane Melrose, (to left of Shawn) pays close attention to Shawn as he discusses some of the battles that the RWU has gone through in the past two years.

Shawn's report was very well received by the RWDSU delegation.

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