03) WORKERS UNITED STRIKES IN GUELPH AGAINST TWO-TIER SYSTEMS

 

People's Voice Guelph Bureau

 

            Nowadays, the vast majority of workers across Canada are witnessing the erosion of long‑fought human rights, including vacations, pensions and overtime, in addition to decreased health and safety conditions at workplaces. Time after time, workers have been forced to make concessions, in spite of these prosperous times for companies. High profits have not been translated into labour investment and facility improvements; instead, the profits are increasingly transferred to overseas corporations.

 

            This seems to be the case for Tokyo-based Nippon Sheet Glass. For the year ending March 31 2014, the company showed profits of 606 billion yen, or over $6.2 billion (Annual Report 2014, page 3). The Guelph division of NGF Canada makes rubber‑coated glass cords for racing car tires, and was bought by NSG in 1995 from the Owens Corning group. After several years of concessions around wages and benefits, workers at the Guelph factory decided to defend what they had.

 

            The workforce of the Guelph NGF factory is determined to stop the implementation of a two‑tier system on new employees. On Sept. 30, the 26 members of Workers United Local 2641 began strike action, after multiple failed attempts at contract negotiations with NGF Canada.

 

            Over the last year, several attacks have been made on contract language, after a new manager took over the operations in Guelph. These consisted of changes to employee pension plans, reduced vacation time for new employees, changing criteria for overtime pay, and forcing workers to sign a five‑year contract. The workers reject the creation of a two‑tier system, which would negatively affect the salaries and benefits of new employees.

 

            Fortunately, "Workers United is presenting a united opposition to the company's attempts", as Dave Deml, a 33‑year employee said. Susan Taylor, president of WU 2641, Barry Fowley, B.J. Cardy, and other members are engaged in building solidarity across the city and Ontario.

 

            Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, joined the picket line to support the strikers in their just demands. These endorsements constitute a good push for the fight by WU 2641 workers to improve their contract and get a much fairer deal, for them and their families, and the new workers to come.

 

(The above article is from the November 1-15, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)