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TORONTO, February 9 – A rally will be held Friday in Scarborough for workers at Vast Auto, forced on strike last weekend by an employer refusing to pay them more than poverty-level wages despite the rapidly rising cost of living. “This company makes large profits off the backs of workers by exploiting a workforce of marginalized workers and immigrants hired through temporary agencies,” said Unifor National Representative Paulo Ribeiro, adding Unifor is prepared to return to the table at any time to negotiate a fair collective agreement. Vast Auto walked away from the table last Friday, February 3, where the 29 members of Unifor Local 1285 are negotiating their second contract at the parts distribution company’s Brampton location. Friday’s rally will be held at the Vast Auto location in Scarborough. Most workers at the Vast Auto facility in Brampton make about $12.70 per hour and pay for their own benefits. None of the workers make more than $14.80, still below the $15 widely targeted by activists to pull workers out of poverty. In Montreal, the same employer pays between $18 and $21.80 per hour. The solidarity picket and demonstration is being held to show support for the strikers. • WHAT: Rally for striking Vast Auto workers • WHERE: Vast Auto facility at 31 Canadian Road, Scarborough • WHEN: 8a.m. to noon • WHO: Vast Auto strikers from Vast Auto in Brampton, national Unifor leadership and supporters Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged. -30- For more information, please contact Unifor Communications National Representative Stuart Laidlaw at @email or (cell) 647-385-4054.
