On Friday December 2, two Ontario locals stepped up to keep the momentum going after the Queen’s Park rally on November 30.
Hamilton’s Local 105 organized protests outside the offices of Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. Ottawa IBEW Local 586 managed to get about 200 people to the offices of John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South.
“In all my 30 years as a union member as a worker and a union official I have never seen the membership so agitated about a government bill,” said IBEW 586 Business Manager John Bourke. Read the reactions of Local 586 members to Schedule 17 on CBC.
The Ottawa protest drew attention from passersby on busy Bank street. Overall reaction seemed positive from those who learned about the public safety issues.
The protest earned the demonstrators a brief meeting with Fraser’s aide. Meanwhile, Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Navqi had already sent an invitation to representatives from three skilled trades organizations to meet the five Ottawa area MPPs that evening. The MPPs said that they would voice our concerns at caucus on Monday December 5th.
What Can You Do to Help?
There are lots of things you can do individually and as a Local.
- Protest. We think Locals 586 and 105 have the right idea: put the pressure on your MPP to have Schedule 17 removed from Bill 70.
- Spread the word on Twitter and Facebook. You can follow IBEW CCO on Twitter here and also on Facebook.
- Write your MPP. You can find out who your MPP is and their contact information here.
- Write Premiere Wynne and let her know how you feel.
- Sign the petition. <Petition no longer active>