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Unifor wants Saint-Gobain to know that the union isn’t going to give up the fight, standing behind its members as they remain on strike in Plattsville, Ont.
The union recently held two solidarity actions in support of the 42 Local 12 members on strike since July 24. Members and supporters gathered Nov. 2 in Kitchener, and Oct. 29 in Ottawa, to put pressure on the company to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal for these workers.
“Saint-Gobain needs to understand that these manufacturing members have the strength of our union behind them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Our members have stood strong since July, and we will keep showing up and turning up the pressure until the company comes back to the table ready to negotiate a fair deal.”
The key issues around this dispute involve wages, strengthened pension security for the future, and opposition to the use of replacement workers during the strike. The Unifor members perform assembly, machine operations, mixing, shipping and receiving, tow motors, cleaning, and Skilled Trades work.
Unifor members, staff and supporters showed up for the solidarity rally held at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall to draw attention to the company’s use of scab replacement workers.
“Using scab labour undermines collective bargaining, prolongs disputes and sends a clear message of disrespect to the workers who make a company successful,” said Steven Pye, Unifor Local 88 President and lead organizer of the Kitchener rally.
“Many of these workers live in that community. We are mobilizing our members and supporters to stand with these members and keep the pressure on Saint-Gobain. The company needs to stop trying to break this strike and put its efforts into respecting its workers.”
At the Ottawa information picket, members from the region spoke to workers and handed out flyers at the company’s Certainteed insulation plant.
“We’re sending solidarity to the brothers and sisters in Plattsville,” said Local 31 member Joe Nixon, who was sharing their story with workers at the Ottawa sister plant.
Members of Local 80-O at Certainteed were interested in Saint-Gobain's behaviour towards the workers in Southwestern Ontario, and several expressed an interest in reinforcing their picket lines in Plattsville.
The members voted 97% of strike action during the summer. Unifor Local 12 President Kim Davidson said the members feel supported by their union and that solidarity has been steady.
“Our members appreciate knowing and feeling that their union backs them as they head to the picket line each day. The members of Local 12 continue to be surprised and encouraged by the number of ways that the National has taken to continue to support our strike,” said Davidson.
“The National's support has been unwavering and that support helps to boost our morale. We’ll continue fighting until we get a fair deal.”
