Striking workers to accept nomination for museum prize

QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Striking workers from the Museum of Civilization and War Museum are en route to Quebec City this morning, to attend a reception put on by the Société des musées québécois. In spite of the contempt shown to its employees, the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) is in contention for an award. The museum workers have decided to invite themselves to the reception.

Represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the 420 workers are demanding the same protections that are in place for other museum workers in the Ottawa/Gatineau region. The museums' management continues to deny their demands for workplace fairness and protections against contracting out.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization and the War Museum had the highest attendance and brought in more revenue than any other museum or gallery in the National Capital Region last year. Meanwhile, workers' salaries at the two museums are lower than all of the other federal museum workers in Ottawa/Gatineau - in some cases 40 per cent lower.

On October 9 , talks between PSAC and the CMCC broke down when the corporation asked its employees to withdraw their demands relating to the protection of their jobs against contracting out.

The workers voted 92 per cent in favour of a strike at the end of August and talks first hit a standstill on September 18 .

Employees have decided to invite themselves to the reception, as they are the driving forces behind the fine achievements at the Museum of Civilization and the War Museum. They will voice their demands on October 14 at 6:15 p.m. in front of Hôtel Château Laurier in Quebec City.

For further information: and interviews: Pierre Parker, PSAC Regional Coordinator - [phone]