On Oct.17, between 20 and 25 members of Friends of UNITE 1764 gathered in Ottawa at the Good-Bye Harris Rally. The rally, which was attended by between 7-12,000 people, was organized by student and labour groups to show their anger at Tory policy. One of the reasons the women of UNITE 1764 face such a hard battle is because of Tory changes to Ontario Labour law allowing scabs. It would have been hard to find a more supportive crowd.

During the initial rally we handed out 4,000 leaflets outlining the struggle faced by the women of UNITE 1764, and telling people what they could do to help. The reception we received was very warm and positive, with people saying they would return to their university groups and unions and get motions passed to provide political and financial support to the strikers By the end of the rally it seemed that every group and cluster of people had our information in hand.

One of the women from the local 1764 was the second speaker at the main stage. Her speech was met with overwhelming cheers of support. People seemed angry that such things could go on in today's society.

When the march began, the Friends of UNITE group marched near the very frontof the crowd, under the beautiful "Kingston Supports UNITE 1764" banner. The press took many photos of us with our banner and placards, and we welcomed the publicity.

After the march ended, supporters converged on the Eaton's store at the Rideau Centre. We handed out about 1000 leaflets calling on people to boycott Eaton's (one of JB Fields major customers) until there was a fair resolution to the strike. Two women from local 1764 were also at the Eaton's store, but they were handing out their own informational leaflets, advising people what socks JB Fields produced, and about the strike. When the leaflets were almost out we marched into the mall. Between 15 and 20 of us split up to leaflet the hundreds of Saturday shoppers, while two of us held the banner above a balcony in front of Eaton's. After ten minutes of this we were confronted by security and asked to leave. We demanded to see the manager, and only left when security agreed to pass on our information. We promised we would be back, and we will.

October 17th was a great chance for "Friends of UNITE 1764" supporters to meet each other and get acquainted. It was effective politics and good fun. The day was a victory in what is proving to be a long struggle.

Organize a BOYCOTT picket in your town. Contact friendsofunite@hotmail.com and we'll help you get started.