Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of taking part in an important work of performance art.
I walked on the picket line with members of local 70397 of the Public Service Alliance of Canada who have been on strike at the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography since May 10.
They have painted their picket duty worn shoes bright red and placed them on the line beside them as visual reminders of their uniqueness and as a symbol of their passion and solidarity.
These 200 men and women do all of the preparation work for the exhibits as well as serve the visiting public from across Canada and around the world. They enjoy the work they do and they take pride in the quality and professionalism of the service they provide.
All they are seeking is the same wage increase given to their colleagues at other national museums. It is time that their employer recognized that they are equal to their counterparts at the Canada Aviation Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. It is time to give this hardworking, proud group of cultural workers the recognition they have earned and so deserve.