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Friday 3 January 2014

Armada union, management resolve to meet in new year

Armada union, management resolve to meet in new year

ARMADA LOCKOUT


Armada Toolworks locks out workers

 

Union disappointed with management’s actions just 10 days before Christmas

Kawartha Lakes This Week
(LINDSAY) Contract talks have ground to a halt at Armada Toolworks Ltd., resulting in workers hitting the picket line.
The Lindsay-based, automotive industry supplier employs 320 full- and part-time people.
A press release issued by Unifor Local 222 on Monday (Dec. 16) morning, stated contract discussions with management had been ongoing to address the current contract that expired on Dec. 3.  At 9 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 15), the company’s management had refused to allow workers to enter the plant for their regular shift, essentially locking them out 10 days before Christmas, the release states.
“The 22,000 members of Unifor Local 222 are shocked and disappointed at this attack on the community of Lindsay just days prior to Christmas,” stated Local 222 President Ron Svajlenko.
According to the press release, 70 per cent of the company’s roughly 200 unionized workers are women; many of them single parents.
Company president Ross Chandler countered the union’s position, maintaining the company has not locked out its employees.
He explained that, on Saturday (Dec. 14) a water main in the building burst and the area was cleared. He did not refute the fact that employees were stopped at the gates and prevented from entering the building on Sunday evening, but affirmed the company “did not lock them out.”
The company did, however, know the union was in the process of making preparations for a strike; a legal position as of Dec. 5.
“They’re on strike,” said Mr. Chandler, adding he thought any action would be delayed until after Christmas.   
Nonetheless, the gates to the property remain locked as long as employees remain on strike.   
At this point, the union is calling on management “to immediately return to negotiations and responsibly bargain a fair, collective agreement that will allow the union members to celebrate the season with their families instead of facing the bleak future this corporation has chosen to give them.”
Steve Rose, skilled trades representative who has worked at Armada for three years, said the employees simply want to “be on par with employees at other companies with the same union.” The majority of the workforce currently earns $14.26 per hour and an additional 123 non-unionized temporary workers earn $10.25, or minimum wage.  
Mr. Chandler countered the company had tried to level the playing field, presenting a four-year offer in June, at a time when finances would have supported it, that included a $1.70 raise in total - or 9.61 per cent - for the majority of employees, as well as some changes to language and benefits. That offer was rejected, and while it is no longer on the table, Mr. Chandler said the company wants to return to negotiations. Management agreed to meet on numerous occasions this month, but the union claimed none of the dates would work. He hopes the two sides come back to the table Dec. 20, and recognizes “we can’t resolve anything in one day.”
“We need to get back to the table,” said Mr. Chandler.
Mr. Rose agrees.
“We were negotiating in good faith...The union was willing to negotiate,” said Mr. Rose, adding workload is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by the company.
He said the company has been “mandating overtime” since the end of August with employees working as many as 12 consecutive days.
Mr. Chandler explained the “stockpiling” that took place in recent months was done so the company would be able to continue to supply customers in the event of strike; something the union was in the position to do as of Dec. 5.