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June 14th-Ian Kelly, Striking Diamond Worker Meets NDP Leader, Jack Layton in Halifax

Hello everyone! I want to share with you how the rest of yesterday(June 12th) played out in Halifax! I met and joined NDP leader Mr. Jack Layton in a "Main Street" public meet and greet session in support of one of the NDP canidates who is running in the Nova Scotia Provincial Election on June 13th. During this event I had the oppourtunity to speak to Mr. Layton about our struggle for a first collective agreement. Mr. Layton asked questions and listened intently to the answers. I would like you all to know that Mr. Layton informed me that he will be heading up to Yellowknife in early July!

Also yesterday ended with a great finale at the closing day of the PSAC Atlantic union school! The French Collective Bargaining class honoured our struggle by doing a skit encouraging us to be strong and for BHP Billiton to bargain with us fairly. The whole school echoed that sentiment, and with a show of solidarity they passed the hat around for us...People they raised for us over $700.00!!! Support for Union Workers is alive and well in the Atlantic!! Merci! The striking Diamond workers of Local X3050 Thank You all!!

Tomorrow (very early!) I am off to Moncton ,New Brunswick to meet with the CEP Womens Conference and two activists from CEIU!!

Ian Kelly, BHP

Report from Cathy Murphy Regarding Ian Kelly's Atlantic Tour - June 12, 06

This afternoon, Ian was "mainstreeting" with Jack Leyton as Jack campiagned for Linda Power. Ian had a good chance to update Jack on the strike and to invite him to visit the picket line.

This evening he addressed the Atlantic School and spoke about the strike. To loud shouts of Solidarity, members passed the hat and collected over $700 on the spot. The french Collective Bargaining Course pledged their support for the strike by making up and singing a song about the struggle. Ian was very moved.

Tomorrow morning, Ian will address the CUPE Women's Conference in Moncton, NB.

Cathy Murphy
Regional Coordinator (Atlantic)

JUNE 12, 2006-Striking Diamond Worker-Ian Kelly travels to the Atlantic

Hello everyone, well I made it to Halifax and was met by Cathy Murphy (who coincidently just happened to return from Ottawa the day before) who was as worn out as I was.Cathy brought me to the Union Training Session which is be held at St. Vincents University where I was introduced to more people than I can remember! I was greeted with support for our cause and the Atlantic Team started into action looking for venues wher I could speak and explain our plight and to sollicit support for our cause.This morning I spoke at a CUPW(Canadian Union of Postal Workers) Atlantic Bargaining Conference,let me share with you the overwhelming support that was shown there!They chanted "SOLIDARITY" commited to help us with letter writing, the labourwatch.org site and letters of support and in financial support. While I was there they passed a hat (there were approx. 100 people) and raised over $500.00 in support of our cause. A lump gathered in my throat at the show of support for us in our struggle to attain a first Collective Agreement, people we are not alone in this!! I have a"Main Street" event this afternoon with Jack Layton( there is an election down here tomorrow and there is a good chance the NDP may form the goverment!). My day may end when I address the PSAC union school this evening(approx 100 brothers and sisters from around the Atlantic Region) to bring awareness to our strike!

Share this with our Brothers and Sisters on the line!!

SOLIDARITY!!

Ian