Union vows to fight online censorship

OTTAWA , Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation is attempting to censor photos and comments posted to a Facebook page set up to support the 420 workers who are currently on strike at the Museum of Civilization and War Museum.

In a letter on October 28 , lawyers acting on behalf of the corporation demanded that content that they deemed to be defamatory be removed from the Facebook group, "Fairness and Justice for Museum Workers". They did not specify what they considered to be offensive and the Public Service Alliance of Canada has determined that none of the content on the page is objectionable.

The union, which represents the striking workers, has vowed to fight any attempts to remove content from the Facebook group or to curtail the workers' freedom of expression.

The museum workers are now entering their seventh week on the picket line. Employees at the two museums have been on strike since September 21, 2009 . The 420 workers voted 92 per cent in favour of a strike at the end of August and talks first hit a standstill on September 18 . Negotiations resumed briefly on October 7 , but broke off after the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation refused to agree to protections against the contracting out of the workers' jobs.

"CMCC's attempts at censorship are acts of desperation," said Maria Fitzpatrick , PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the National Capital Region. "We are appalled that a Crown Corporation is spending taxpayers' money to attempt to intimidate workers into silence, rather than getting back to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair settlement."

For further information: or to book interviews: Ariel Troster, PSAC Communications, [phone] (cell)