Photo courtesy of striking Calgary Herald photographer

GCIU Rep. Alan M. Tate is arrested during the sitdown demonstration at the Calgary Herald by Alberta 34M and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) Local 115A.

After standing "shoulder to shoulder" for eight months, more than 200 members of GCIU local Alberta 34M and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local Union 115A ended their strike at the Calgary Herald.

In mid-June, Local 34M pressmen, paperhandlers and full-time mailroom workers, who were locked out during contract negotiations on May 2, and a new unit of distribution, machine shop, loading dock and press cleaning workers ratified a four-year contract that includes wage increases and signing bonuses.

Journalists in the CEP local and the new Local 34M unit went on strike Nov. 8, 1999, over management's unfair labor practices while negotiating a first-time contract.

The CEP unit members voted to end their struggle for a first contract after it became clear that media mogul Conrad Black, who controls the Hollinger-owned newspaper, would not compromise on seniority and job security provisions important to the editorial workers nor apparently forgive the CEP unit for criticizing his strident editorial policies and right-wing ideology.

GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi said "ending the strike was a difficult and emotional decision for both local unions. The members of the GCIU and CEP locals deserve the highest praise for their strength and solidarity during their fight for fair contracts."

Local 34M Pres. John Webster said his local members went back to work with mixed emotions. "We were shoulder-to-shoulder for eight long months with CEP," he said. "It was really a tough haul for all of us, and I wish all of them nothing but the best. I have nothing but respect for every woman and man who walked that picket line. We've seen the corporate culture for everything it is, and it's just not pretty."

Citing Alberta's corporate-friendly labor law in Alberta, Webster said: "The very fact that we did maintain our 90-year old agreement in the pressroom and reach an agreement for the new unit is still a victory for us in this province....[The Herald] was prepared to destroy 90 years of labor relations with us. It's going to take time to heal."

Webster thanked all those in Calgary and across Canada, the United States, and the world who lent support to the union members during their contract struggle. He said the public developed a healthy scorn for Herald management for their actions during the strike and lockout. "We had a lot of public support," Webster said. "It's been quite heartwarming."

Webster said the public got a wake-up call on the government and corporate response to unions when the Calgary police brought in the riot-control squad and turned the high-power lights of the Hawk police helicopter on the picket line. "When did it become a criminal activity to exercise your democratic right to join a union?" he asked. "I think we've had a huge impact on labor relations in this province and on the public's opinion of labor."

Webster praised GCIU International and local leaders and rank-and-file members who lent their support on the picket line, including International Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau and GCIU Vice Pres. Duncan K. Brown.

Webster said International Rep. Alan M. Tate, who assisted the local during the strike and bargaining, proved "a terrific asset to this union. From the heart, he is what a union rep should be. He was always right there on the front lines, whether the front line was on the picket line or at the bargaining table. He stuck with us from the beginning to the end – everything from being arrested to being there when individual members needed counseling. He did it all."

Tate said he was glad for the settlement for GCIU members. "It is a testament to the resolve of our members," he said. But he said he is very disappointed that the CEP was not able to achieve a first-time contract. "It underscores the weakness of our labor laws to protect workers against corporate power that robs them of their democratic rights for representation," he said.

Tate said contract provisions for both the pressmen and the new unit include a 3 percent wage increase upon ratification and 2.5 percent wage increases in each of the remaining three years of the contract. The GCIU members received an immediate $1,000 signing bonus and another $500 bonus to be paid April 1, 2001. The contracts for both units expire March 31, 2004.

The pressmen agreed to change from a four-day workweek to a five-day week for the afternoon shift only, Tate said. The day shift was already on a five-day work week and the night shift retained the four-day week.

Webster said that, under the agreement, room manning in the pressroom increased from 36 to 44. However, when the press unit returned to work, he said, they found that management had reduced unit manning, contrary to management representatives' declarations during bargaining that they would not change unit manning.

The local filed an unfair labor practice charge against the Herald over the unit manning, Webster said, because under Alberta labor law, management must disclose any plans or information that may impact the economic terms of an agreement. The hearing on the issue was scheduled for July 11 and 12.

Webster said possible remedies by the Alberta Labour Relations Board include an order to management to restore unit manning to previous levels or an order for the union to conduct another ratification vote since the manning changes took place after the return to work. Members in the pressroom voted 78 percent in favor of the settlement, while the distribution, machine shop and press cleaning unit members ratified the agreement on a 67 percent vote.

CEP Local 115A Pres. Andy Marshall said a large number of the unit's members decided not to return to work at the Calgary Herald. Under the terms of the agreement, members who opted not to return were offered buy-out packages.

"We have chosen to end this dispute with dignity, rather than sign a contract without normal job security and seniority provisions," Marshall said.

Marshall added: "Our members are proud of the struggle they have waged for fair and responsible journalism. Our decision today is recognition that we cannot remain on strike forever against an employer that apparently will never agree to recognize the rights of its employees, regardless of the costs. Many of our members now wish to get on with their lives elsewhere. Those who return to the Herald do so with honor. They have demonstrated their professionalism and integrity."

Photo courtesy of striking Calgary Herald photographer

Alberta 34M Pres. John Webster, seated at left, and other GCIU and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers members stage a sitdown protest following the Calgary Herald's lockout of the GCIU press unit in May. Some 230 Local 34M members and CEP journalists struck the paper in November after management balked at a first contract.