My Union, My Life
Jean-Claude Parrot and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Parrot, Jean-Claude
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
Year Published: 2006
ISBN: 1-55266-164-4
Dewey: 331.88'113834971
Resource Type: Book
Cx Number: CX25286
In the pages of this book, the reader will follow the life of one of Canada's greatest union leaders as he fights to give workers a voice.
Abstract:
In the pages of this book, the reader will follow the life of one of Canada's greatest union leaders as he fights to give workers a voice. Through Parrot's recounting of these years, we learn about how the struggle was waged, about how the grassroots membership became an integral part of union decision-making, and about how a union leader worked tirelessly in the service of his members. When Pierre Trudeau decided to make the post office a crown Corporation, Parrot was there to guide the transition. He was also there to oversee the merger of several postal unions into "one union for all". Throughout his tenure, he provided leadership to what became Canada's most militant and democratic union.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Preface
1. EARLY YEARS: FROM ASSOCIATION TO UNION
My First Years in the Post Office
The 1965 Strike
The 1965 CPEA Convention
2. FROM POSTAL CLERK TO NATIONAL UNION OFFICER
The Royal Commission of Inquiry
Negotiations of Wages, 1966
Certification of Part-Time Workers
CUPW 1968 National Convention
First-Time Negotiations for Postal Workers
Automation in the Post Office
The 1970 Negotiations and Rotating Strikes
The 1971 CUPW Convention -- Calgary: Tough Battles, Tough Issues
On to Ottawa
3. THROUGH ADVERSITY TO GREATER STRENGTH
Getting on with the Job
My First Confrontation with a National Officer
Saul Alinsky
Negotiations 1972-73
A Major Internal Problem About Negotiations
Aftermath of Agreements
4. A STRONGER UNION FOR HARDER STRUGGLES
The 1974 Two Week Strike
The Night of the Settlement
The 1974 CUPW Convention
1975 - First Negotiations as CUPW
A First Obstacle
The Montreal Strike and Firings
5. DESCENT INTO STRIKE, RISE TO RESOLUTION
Negotiating Troubles
Aftermath of the Report
"Hang a Parrot"
A New Difficulty - No More Strike Pay
Two Final Hurdles
Important Progress
6. EMPLOYER ATTACKS, GOVERNMENT ASSAULT
Aftermath of the 1975 Strike
Technological Change
Management's Battering Ram Against the 1975 Agreement
1977 CUPW National Convention in Halifax
Eighteen Months of Meetings and Conciliation
The Strike
Defying Back-to-Work Legislation
7. JUDICIAL PROCESS, PENAL EXPERIENCE
An Abuse of Judicial Power
Trial, Verdict and Sentence
Prison
8. 1978-1983 YEARS OF STRUGGLE, YEARS OF CHANGE
Program of Action Following the 1978 Return to Work
1980 CLC Convention
The 1980 Negotiations
1981: A Strike Caused by the President of Treasury Board
Canada Post: Becoming a Crown Corporation
1981-1983
1983 National Convention
A CUPW Christmas Gift
9. TURMOIL 1984-87
1984-85 Negotiations
1986-87 Negotiations: Early Stages
The LCUC Rotating Strikes of 1987
1986-87 Negotiations: Going Nowhere
Days One to Fifteen of the Strike
Some Reflections on the 1987 Disputes
10. MY FINAL YEARS WITH MY UNION
The 1989-92 Negotiations
Corporate Strategy
Negotiations
Rotating Strikes and Solidarity Pacts
Mr. Dunstan's Error
The National Union Education Fund
Reflections on Leaving My Union
11. UNION UNITY
Struggles with the CLC
Negotiations for One Union
The Giant Step Toward One Union
The Worst Period of My Life in the Union
12. THE MEDIA AND THE WIDER WORLD
The Media and the Trade Union Movement
CUPW and the Wider World
Conclusion
Appendix
Index
Subject Headings
