Seven employees cleared of all charges from April sit-in at credit union

TORONTO, Dec. 3 (www.allCUnews.com [1]) - The seven striking FirstOntario CreditUnion employees who were involved in a peaceful sit in had all charges against them withdrawn in a Hamilton Court last week. On the heels of this news, COPE Ontario Director Janice Best contacted the new CEO for FirstOntario requesting a meeting to discuss the plight of these seven workers. The new CEO Kelly McGiffen was unwilling to discuss this issue despite the withdrawal of the charges.
The seven long time employees were involved in a peaceful sit in last April along with six others in an attempt to get the Credit Union to reschedule the 2006 Annual General Meeting, which had been postponed in

violation of the credit union's by-laws, and to get the strike settled. The strike ended after eight and one-half months when the employer finally agreedto refer the outstanding issues to binding arbitration, a solution that had been suggested by the union many months earlier.
The Annual General Meeting of FirstOntario Credit Union is set for Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at Chandelier Place, 660 Barton Street, Stoney Creek at 7:30 p.m. It is expected to be an interesting meeting as credit union
members challenge the Board of Directors on their failure to implement the 'will of the house' motion placed at the last AGM when the members directed the Board to immediately reinstate the seven terminated employees.

For further information: Patty Clancy or Janice Best at (416) 703-8515; or Don Fraser at (905) 966-2750