Allie MacInnis' Retirement Party

A reception was held at the Steelworkers' Hall to honour a career and a lifetime of achievement as a union activist by Allie MacInnis. His service to Canada Post and members of Breton Local 117 spanned 31 years and he is surely one of the most interesting and vocal figures this local has ever seen. Allie revealed that his sense of strong convictions and his inclination to act on these convictions has been passed down from his father. Over the years, Allie has served as President of Breton and still has a guiding hand in its future. He has been nominated for a lifetime membership in CUWP and we hope that his strength and his strong beliefs will continue to be a source of direction for this local.

Recording Secretary, and good friend, Paul Hollohan presents Allie with his retirement letter, as Breton Local's President Gordie MacDonald looks on.	Allie is congratulated by President Gordie MacDonald on his retirement.
Paul Hollohan offers Allie's wife, Rita, a "peace offering" for all the times union responsibilities kept Allie away from his family.	Allie's daughter, Allison, read's a special letter to her father explaining what it was like growing up with such a devoted union activist as a father.

2006 Santa Claus Parade, Sydney Mines

On Saturday, 18 Nov 2006, the Sydney Mines' annual Christmas parade was held to the delight of the children that lined the parade route to receive the treats handed out by the parade participants. The weather cooperated so that the children in the town could pass on their Santa Claus letters in comfort to the Letter carriers from the North Sydney post office. They will ensure that Santa's helpers respond to the many letters received every year in this worthy cause.

This local commends to the North Sydney Sobeys store that generously contributed an entire case of candy canes ensuring that the children had a sweet treat on this special day when they anxiously waited to get a peak of the Jolly Old Gent. A special mention to Sobeys Manager, Mr. Ed Beaton, who did not hesitate when asked to assist the local and showed our members and community how a true corporate sponsor acts in a time of need. Mr. Beaton was quoted as saying, "Anything for the kids."

Thank you Sobeys, from Breton local # 117.

CUPW Atlantic Educational, Memramcook, NB

Below are photos taken at the recent CUPW Atlantic Educational, Memramcook, NB. As our collective agreement ends 31 January 2007 our union has ramped up activity and union educationals to deal with the potential job action in the winter or spring of 2007. Timely courses offered at the educational were Strike Preparation, Grievance Preparation and a Secretary Treasurer's course to have all locals in Atlantic on the same page if a strike is necessary.

All members of the fall educational	Fred Furlong and Jeff Callaghan - initial speech to course students
Secretary-Treasurer Course facilitators: Paul Hand, Ivy Shaw and George Kuehnbaum	Secretary-Treasurers of Cape Breton, Garnier and Helen Fougere with George Kuehnbaum course
Secretary-Treasurer Course classroom Secretary-Treasurer Course classroom Secretary-Treasurer Course classroom - with facilitators
Secretary-Treasurers Garnier and Gina Miller, Nova with George Kuehnbaum	Grievance Preparation course facilitators - Louise Comtois & Kevin Buckland
Strike Preparation course classroom - Facilitators: Marlene Hebert & George Nickerson Strike Preparation course classroom - on break Grievance Preparation course participants - Atlantic region Grievance Preparation course participants – Atlantic region Grievance Preparation course participants – Atlantic region

Departure of a Union Brother and Sister

This photo show the recent departure of a union brother and sister from the North Sydney Post Office on October 20, 2006. Dianne MacMillian retired on this day and Leo Deveaux had his last day in North Sydney before starting work in the Sydney office.

Study Session in North Sydney Postal Depot

Brothers and Sisters:

Tuesday, 26 Sept 2006, a study session was held outside the North Sydney Post Office to protest the poor leadership shown by Canada Post Corporation LAM (Local Area Manager) Dave Filmore. The past six months has shown inconsistencies in Mr. Filmore's leadership techniques and waffling over major decisions affecting all the employees in the North Sydney Depot.

CPC management decisions have lead to foul-ups time and again so a study session was organized by the executive of Breton local # 117 to make the public aware of Canada Post's wrongdoing, poor leadership and how these decisions affect customer's postal service.

While defending himself and his poor decisions, Mr. Filmore, stated that he has been overruled on occasion by Halifax area upper echelon CPC managers. It is obvious now that the CPC Atlantic region managers such as Michel Diotte and Wayne Beckles are micromanaging the local Cape Breton postal offices to the detriment of Breton local # 117 members.

Canada Post's waffling and poor leadership must stop immediately! If CPC Atlantic must remove Mr. Filmore form his present position then so-be-it because we feel this action will benefit the unionized workers of Breton local # 117.