Over the past few days, I have been consulting with my colleagues in CUPE about the offer to purchase advertising and editorial space in Mediaplanet’s upcoming World Water Day supplement, to be inserted in the Montreal Gazette.
 
While at first we were interested in pursuing the opportunity, our desire to participate ended when we learned that a group of workers at the Montreal Gazette have been locked out by their employer since August, 2011. These workers are the ones who would normally be inserting supplements and flyers into the Gazette.
 
As a result, CUPE will not buy ad space or otherwise participate in the supplement. We support the members of Teamsters local 41M in their efforts to reach a fair contract, and urge Mediaplanet to reconsider distributing their material in the Gazette until the labour dispute is resolved.
 
In solidarity,
 
Karin Jordan
Senior officer, communications branch
Canadian Union of Public Employees