/ g) , STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS PHOTO BY MARIO FORTUNATO. = Local 306 members took successful strike action to acheive some concrete gains in their second collective agreement. Northumberland crew wins IWA Local 306 dairy workers reached a five-year deal after four week job action in New Brunswick WORKERS IN MIRAMICHI and other parts of New Brunswick scored victory following strike action in June. One hundred and fifty workers walked out against the Northumberland Co-op erative Ltd. dairy and distribution facili- ty on June 2 in their battle for better wages and against contracting out. When the dust cleared in late June, the strikers ratified a collective agreement which made significant improvements. On June 30, the crew ratified a five- year agreement that expires on December 31, 2008. By the end of the agreement the top pay rate (for mechanics) will be $17.82 per hour for full-timers. Some part-timers will see wages go from the $9.00 per hour range to the $14-15 per hour range by the final year. By 2005 full-time work- ers will be paid overtime after 40 hours. The employer agreed to pay 95 per cent of the full job rate upon completion of the probationary period (90 working days). This will be achieved in the fourth year. “Our union achieved a lot of con- crete gains, for what is only the second collective agreement.” says IWA Council chairman Norm Rivard, who acted as chief spokesperson. Other members of the negotiating committee Taking on THE CREW AT NORTHWEST Hardwoods in Delta, B.C. had enough of parent company Weyerhaeuser’s pulling the strings in attempts to wring conces- sions — so over 90 Local 13567 mem- bers pulled the pin on July 1. Issues include the company’s attempt to drive a three-year deal that would pay a two per cent lump sum in each of the first two years and a mere two per cent in the third. The company cancelled its training agreement despite the union's effort to accomommodate bona fide concerns. Plant chair Aman Sihota says the company wants to circumvent seniority and promote whoever they want. He said the crew is dug in over the issue and wants a training agreement back, with seniority as a base for selection. included local president Mario Fortunato, chair Greg Matheson, Eugene Russell, Paul Savage, Amanda Cooper, Marcel Lavoie, and Allan Ramsay. Brother Rivard points out there is language to stem the company’s efforts at contracting out delivery ser- vices. During the term of the contract, Northumberland has agreed to not contract out jobs done by delivery route drivers and tractor/trailer dri- vers. Ifa route is lost, layoffs will take place respecting seniority. In recent years, about 30 jobs, mainly in deliv- ery, had been contracted out. Brother Fortunato says the workers have been upset when they see man- agers doing their work. “With the new agreement, we will see an end to that, except in an emergency when a bar- gaining unit employee can’t be located to immediately do the job.” The strike, which was attended to by nearly every member, began late in the day on June 2. Pickets were solid in Miramichi where the plant is located. Local 1-306 is also certified to Northumberland’s main competitor, Baxter Foods Ltd. located in Fredericton. Sources say during the strike, Baxter picked up an extra 13 per cent market share in the province. At one point, Northumberland shipped cartons to Quebec to fill them with non- union milk. “They tried to sell New Brunswickers scab milk and that didn’t go over very well — either with customers or workers in the province,” commented Fortunato. Local members leafled vari- ous retail outlets where the non-union product was being sold, including the Atlantic Superstore and Sobeys. Brother Fortunato says workers are seeing a change in the way the employ- er operates. “Now workers are seeing more respect from the company. Their concerns and grievances are being addressed immediately rather than being delayed or swept under the rug,” he says. During the strike, the Steelworkers threw support behind the striking Northumberland crew. Ontario/Atlantic director Wayne Fraser issued a press release backing the wro- kers. “Their fight is our fight...employ- ers have to understand that when they take on the IWA, they take on the strength of two organizations commit- ed to supporting each other,” said Brother Fraser. Weyerhaeuser again! Local union president Sonny Ghag says that Weyco is trying “American- style management tactics” in trying to divide workers. “It won't work - our members are united.” He adds that the crew has reacted positively to the merg- PHOTO BY NORMAN GARCIA = Right, Local 1-3567 president Sonny Ghag addresses crew at a rally. er with the USWA, which will give it additional clout to take on Weyco. Second vice president and business agent Earl Graham notes the crew struck the company for 6 weeks following the 2000 strike on the coast, to back up demands. PHOTO BY JOHN GOLDTHORP: = Local 1-1000 crew on the line. Superior Hardwood veneer crew vetos employer’s offer In late July, Local 1-1000 members at the Superior Hardwood Veneer picket line near Sault Ste. Marie turned down an employer's lousy offer which asked for 17 of 32 work- ers to be recalled from a strike which began on March 29. One hun- dred per cent of the 21 members who voted on the offer, presented through a mediator, said no to an agreement which would have not respected seniority on recall, paid no increases in the first year and offer a mere 15 cents per hour increase in each of the next four. The American-owned company has filed for bankruptcy and the picket line is being maintained as Steelworker lawyers help in the fight for severance pay. “Our people are solid. They would rather see the place close than agree to anything that would discriminate against their fellow workers,” say John Goldthorp, the local’s financial sec- retary. The union’s alleged Superior was bargaining in bad faith. FILE PHOTO = Local unions will be entitled to unique strike benefits. Local unions going over to USWA strike pay system In future strikes, local union mem- bers will have access to the USWA's nearly $150 million Strike and Defense fund and have the same rights as long-time Steelworkers. After a three week waiting period, $100 is paid for each member in the bargaining unit. This amount increases to $115 per member in week ten. Those who appear for picket duty get an equal share of the total money paid out weekly. For instance if there are 100 people in the striking barganing unit and 50 appear on the picket line, each worker gets $200 a week. On top of that each local will administer their share of assets returned from the IWAss strike fund at the time of the merger. One-half of the remaining fund is to be split pro rata amongst the locals. In addition 15 per cent of per capita paid to the International will be transmitted to local strike funds. 8 | THE ALLIED WORKER SEPTEMBER 2004