i've just sent an e-mail to [Mountain Equipment Co-op] MEC and to the MEC newsgroup about the UNITE strikers. i told them that MEC was violating its mandate and principles--and principles of the International Co-operative Alliance as well--by not respecting the UNITE strike. i also told them i intend to speak with the manager at MEC in downtown TO and to leaflet the customers there.

i'm not sure when though as i am quite busy but i hope to do it soon.

i encouraged all the members on the newsgroup to pressure MEC to remove JB Fields socks from the product line until justice has been served. i checked about a week ago and MEC's was still carrying the socks--although they had a notice saying there was a labour 'dispute' going on at JB Fields. they claimed they could not obtain sufficient information on the 'dispute' and thus were leaving it up to consumers to decide whether or not to purchase the socks. if this were an ordinary business, this action would be laudable; however, for a co-operative which prides itself on social responsibility, ethical business, and community--and on solidarity, apparently--this is not enough.

anyway, i hope this helps.

lily