(UPDATED ON 6TH MAY: We recently learned that Easypark lost their appeal of the WCB order and have been ordered (again) to fix their ventilation system. This is a big victory for CUPE 1004 members! However Mr. Mullaly has yet to be reinstated.
WHAT IS NEEDED: As a show of support, and to put pressure on EasyPark, a solidarity picket has been called for this Friday, 8th May. Starting at 4:00 pm please join us at the parkade entrance to the EasyPark lot at Library square, downtown Vancouver.
An injury to one is an injury to us all!)
On 12 April, 2009 Jim Mullaly, a CUPE 1004 Health and Safety Rep and union activist, was fired from his job at EasyPark in Vancouver. EasyPark is a public-private partnership owned by the City of Vancouver and the Downtown Vancouver Association. Mr Mullaly recently led a safety campaign demanding proper ventilation and clean air in the underground parkade that he works in. The campaign was picked up by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and appeared nation-wide on radio and television. (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/02/16/bc-parkadefumes.html) He is now a shop steward for the union local.
While the company claims to have fired Mr. Mullaly for repeated tardiness, they have falsified at least one disciplinary document and are ignoring a provision in the union contract which allows a grace period for employees who punch in within the first five minutes of their shift start time. This appears to be a classic case of discrimination against a union activist.
The following demands are being made of EasyPark and the City of Vancouver:
- Reinstate Jim Mullaly;
- Stop discrimination against trade union activists;
- Protect the health of EasyPark workers; fix the ventilation system!
Please send your protest letters to:
- Fax (604) 682-7469
- reception@easyparkvancouver.com
and letters of solidarity to:
- Fax: (604) 324-2459
- 1004@members.cupe.ca
A sample protest letter is provided below:
To whom it may concern,
I recently heard of the shameful and unjust firing of Jim Mullaly from EasyPark in Vancouver. This firing was clearly politically motivated and is an attack on the rights of trade unionists everywhere. This sort of thing does not go unnoticed. I hope that you will take immediate steps to right this wrong; reinstate Jim Mullaly and install a proper ventilation system at the parking lot in question.
Sincerely,
