Canada - Wildcat Strikes and Ongoing Workers' Struggles

February 24, Quebec City (Quebec, Canada) - Workers heading into their second week of a strike at Jean Lesage International Airport are being accused of sabotage. Two workers have already been fired for vandalizing some firefighting equipment. Quebec City police are also investigating an incident in which telephone cables at the airport were cut with an axe. The union, of course, does not support their workers actions. "I mean, as a union we don't ask for these kind of things to happen, and we don't back these things up either. We are telling our members that any type of violence and vandalism or mishaps are not recommended," said Richard Coté, vice-president of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees in Quebec. On February 23 a Quebec Superior Court judge issued an injuction to prevent workers from slowing down business at the airport. The workers include firefighters, office workers and seasonal workers who clean snow off the runway, and many are maintaining essential services.

February 24, Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) - The Vancouver Island Health Authority layed-off about 1,400 workers who are members of the Hospital Employees Union. Workers walked off the job in a wildcat strike and picketed the Royal Jubilee Hospital. About 24 police showed up and tried to interfere with the picket, but with the support of anarchists and members of the Communities Solidarity Coalition, the workers stood strong. There were no arrests.

February 20, Mount Royal (Quebec, Canada) - 30 snow-clearing and public works employees went on wildcat strike and occupied the Borough hall. The workers say they are being mistreated and disrespected by foremen and bosses. Management offered to meet with the workers if they stopped their strike but they did not accept. The workers also went on wildcat strike on February 19.

February 4, Quesnel (British Columbia, Canada) - About 150 city workers walked off the job in a wildcat strike to fight the threat of layoffs and the privatization of an arena and recreation centre. As a result of the strike City Council and the Cariboo Regional District agreed to postpone their plans for a year.

January 30, Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) - About 24 Hospital Employees Union members staged a sit-in outside the office of Providence Health Care CEO Carl Roy to fight against plans to lay-off 275 workers and privatize outpatient and retail food services. Union bureaucrats reportedly tried to quell the action initially, but then decided to support it when it got media coverage.

Perspective on the Illegal BC Ferry Strike:
http://www.geocities.com/insurrectionary_anarchists/bcferry.html

Insurrectionary Anarchists of the Coast Salish Territories
(Vancouver, Canada)
http://www.geocities.com/insurrectionary_anarchists/