Jean-Claude Parrot
Encyclopedia
Jean-Claude Parrot was National President
of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
for fifteen years and its chief negotiator for eighteen.
Early in his career, CUPW had reached a low point with Canadians when, at the outset of a 42-day postal strike
, Parrot's presidential predecessor Joe Davidson responded to a reporter's hypothetical question by uttering "to hell with the public."
Capitalizing on the lack of support for the postal worker union
, the federal government
moved quickly in 1978 to crush the workers, imposing back-to-work legislation
. In defiance, postal workers remained on strike for seven days after the legislation took effect.
J.C. Parrot was eventually jail
ed for two months in 1980 for not telling postal workers to return to work.
He led postal workers to many victories such as the conversion of the post office
into a Crown Corporation, breakthroughs in collective bargaining
such as paid maternity leave, and CUPW's 1989 victory in a winner-take-all certification vote that doubled the size of the union.
Jean-Claude Parrot was elected Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress
at its 19th Convention in Vancouver
in 1992. He was subsequently re-elected to this position in 1994, 1996 and 1999.
On the fortieth anniversary
of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Jean-Claude Parrot published his memoirs in a book
entitled "My Union, My Life: Jean-Claude Parrot And The Canadian Union Of Postal Workers"
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers or CUPW is a public sector trade union representing postal workers employed at Canada Post as well as private sector workers outside Canada Post.-Activities:...
for fifteen years and its chief negotiator for eighteen.
Early in his career, CUPW had reached a low point with Canadians when, at the outset of a 42-day postal strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
, Parrot's presidential predecessor Joe Davidson responded to a reporter's hypothetical question by uttering "to hell with the public."
Capitalizing on the lack of support for the postal worker union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
, the federal government
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
moved quickly in 1978 to crush the workers, imposing back-to-work legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
. In defiance, postal workers remained on strike for seven days after the legislation took effect.
J.C. Parrot was eventually jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
ed for two months in 1980 for not telling postal workers to return to work.
He led postal workers to many victories such as the conversion of the post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
into a Crown Corporation, breakthroughs in collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
such as paid maternity leave, and CUPW's 1989 victory in a winner-take-all certification vote that doubled the size of the union.
Jean-Claude Parrot was elected Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
at its 19th Convention in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
in 1992. He was subsequently re-elected to this position in 1994, 1996 and 1999.
On the fortieth anniversary
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Jean-Claude Parrot published his memoirs in a book
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
entitled "My Union, My Life: Jean-Claude Parrot And The Canadian Union Of Postal Workers"