Need help with local transit strike.

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xriley's picture
xriley
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Joined: 25-06-07
Nov 12 2009 01:43
Need help with local transit strike.

The LTC (http://www.ltconline.ca/) specifically, the local ATU 741 (http://atu741.ca/news.php) are going on strike.

I would like as much information on what I can do to help the people on the picket lines. I've heard of people taking collection plates, handing out pamphlets and such. In this case, I would ask if you could provide as much literature that I would be able to distribute as possible.

I'm a student, and with the way things are looking the University holds a lot of weight with the way the contract will go. The university students are being extremely immature and have not been able to think in larger terms. These students have started a facebook group that is now numbering 4,000 people. I do not want the ATU to think that they do not have support within the university.

Please help me out as much as possible. I haven't really done much work with picket lines or strikes in general. Anything will be helpful, even a few words in solidarity.

Cheers,

Riley

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posi
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Joined: 24-09-05
Nov 12 2009 08:55

Hi xriley, why not start a facebook group of your own, write up a leaflet about why students should support the strike, and ask one of the more articulate strikers on the picket line if they'll come and talk at a meeting if you organise it? You could ask strikers what they think should go on the leaflet. You can put the meeting info on the leaflet and facebook.

I wouldn't make collecting money a big thing if there's just one of you, tho you could pass a bucket round at a meeting.

Go for it, you're thinking the right thing!

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Steven.
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Joined: 27-06-06
Nov 14 2009 01:10

Hi there, thanks for posting here, and good for you!

Having a look at your post, I did wonder if you might be in the same city as this poster with a similar question:
http://libcom.org/forums/organise/looking-advice-about-picket-line-stuff-where-i-work-01062009

Maybe if you are you two could talk and maybe combine efforts.

The student Facebook group you mention - is this a group against the strike? Like posi says, start a Facebook group supporting the workers. To get started you could advertise it on lefty/activist sites, and let the workers and the unions know about it as well - if you could make contact with some of the workers you could make one of them an administrator for example.

Posi's advice is good.

On strike days you can visit picket lines and pass on your support, you can talk to the workers, ask about their experiences, and share your own related ones from things in your life. If you felt confident enough, you can even interview the workers, and post up the result in the libcom library here. We have a template questionnaire you could use here:
http://libcom.org/forums/organise/a-questionnaire-about-workplace-struggles

In terms of literature to distribute, rather than something general if there is something specific to the struggle - for something like this, like posi says this would probably need to be led by one of the workers, with suggestions on tactics for how they could win the dispute. So if you don't have that sort of contact I wouldn't worry about it that much, unless you could do something like print up some accounts of similar actions elsewhere.

Anyway, good luck and let us know how it goes!

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Khawaga's picture
Khawaga
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Joined: 7-08-06
Nov 14 2009 02:11

xriley. I am also at UWO and part of the IWW there and we will do something in support of the workers. Send me a PM so we can exchange contact information.

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Khawaga's picture
Khawaga
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Joined: 7-08-06
Nov 15 2009 18:21

So the UWO want to break the strike.

Quote:
(This message has been sent on behalf of Susan Grindrod, AVP, Housing &
Ancillary Services)

Dear Academic and Administrative Leader,

We are in the process of planning for the possibility of a transit
strike, which may begin at midnight Sunday.

In response, we are coordinating a limited shuttle service to several
parts of the city where our students reside to help them get to and from campus.

The service will operate from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., with reduced
service during part of the day.

We are looking for volunteer drivers 25 years of age or older who have
a valid driver license. Volunteer shifts would range from 2-4 hours.
If you or a member of your staff is willing to volunteer, please email:
transitvolunteers@uwo.ca

A member of the Logistics Team will contact you with further details
over the weekend to coordinate your availability and the details of the
shuttle.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Susan Grindrod