The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) at Simon Fraser University wrote a letter of solidarity to striking PPWC Local 8 workers at Rogers Sugar, and provided a very generous donation to the Local 8 Strike Fund. Read the full letter below. A huge thank you to the sisters and brothers of TSSU, for your solidarity and gracious support. It will not be forgotten.
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The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) at Simon Fraser University extends a powerful fist of solidarity to the courageous workers of Public and Private Workers of Canada Local 8, on strike at Rogers Sugar in Vancouver for over three weeks. As a fellow independent union that recently ended weeks of grueling pickets, we intimately understand your struggle, a choice to go on extended pickets is neither easy nor taken lightly. Your fight for seniority rights, benefits, and shift schedules is righteous. We stand with you against the company’s attempts to erode these hard-won gains.
On the picket lines, we witnessed the depths your employer will sink. Scab truck drivers breaking your lines in a province with anti-scab legislation is utterly appalling. The employer’s attempt to strong arm you into 12-hour 7-day continuous shifts is reprehensible. This would rob your members, many with young families, of their work-life balance and family time. It is a transparent attempt to cut costs at the expense of your members and we applaud your steadfast rejection.
The health and safety violations are disturbing. Hot liquid sugar shooting at high pressure in the workplace is a blatant disregard for worker safety, a direct result of greed-driven outsourcing and subcontracting.
Moreover, Rogers Sugar’s refusal to comply with BC’s sick day legislation and their attempt to enforce frivolous documentation requirements is an insult to workers and the overburdened healthcare system. We are confident arbitration will favour you, but burdening BC’s healthcare system in a time of crisis is disgraceful.
We have witnessed the audacity of Rogers Sugar management. They have ordered catering delivered daily across your lines while you stand united in 24-hour pickets. This blatant and indulgent disruption is a slap in the face to every worker fighting for justice.
But comrades, take heart. The world is watching as you stand up to these egregious acts, and all eyes are on Rogers Sugar. Your fight is our fight, and together, we are an unstoppable force. This year, workers across the country and around the world have stood up to say enough is enough and have demanded more from our greedy and detestable employers—and we are winning.
We are incredibly impressed with your coordination, resilience, and power. Our city is running out of sugar without your labour, and it is clear that Rogers Sugar cannot hold out much longer. We look forward to your inevitable victory and your fair contract.
In conclusion, we stand with you in your fight for a fair deal. Victory will be yours, and we will celebrate with you, side by side. Please accept a donation of $1,000.00 to your strike fund.
In Solidarity,
The Teaching Support Staff Union
