Workers Want
a
Negotiated Contract Not
One-Sided Company Dictate
ABI smelter workers, March 1, 2019, outside Premier Legault's
office.
USW Local 9700 called a vote on the latest company
contract to ensure every member had a say and vote on the matter
after
14 months of lockout. Steelworkers pointed out that the offer and
accompanying back-to-work protocol are worse than what had been
negotiated before the January 2018 lockout was imposed, when only
two
points were in dispute.
 Workers highlighted
that
the current offer, or rather dictate, is vastly inferior to what
had
previously been negotiated regarding work organization,
scheduling, the
pension fund, respect for seniority, the use of subcontracting
and the
abolition of unionized positions. The so-called back-to-work
protocol
had never even been discussed with the union and could only be
considered disrespectful to workers and their rights. It demanded
the
return to work be spread over a period of 10 months, which could
be
extended according to various pretexts. During this time,
managers and
subcontractors could occupy the positions of unionized
employees.
"Such a prolonged return-to-work period is
unprecedented," Local 9700 President Clément Masse said.
"The
principle of a return-to-work protocol is to negotiate the
armistice to
the conflict. This protocol does the opposite, it sets fires. By
way of
comparison, following a labour dispute in 2004, everyone was back
in
the plant within six
weeks."
The union members made it clear during the
meeting and
with their vote that they do not want to go back to work under
these
conditions, even after a difficult 14 months of lockout and a
coming
period full of uncertainty.
Workers' Forum greatly respects the
decision of
the ABI workers to reject the company dictate. The courage and
determination of the ABI workers to defend their rights in the
face of
a powerful international force and a spineless government that
refuses
to do its duty and protect its own people, gives heart to
millions of
workers across
Quebec and Canada who are fed up with the current one-sided state
of
affairs between employees and employers.
Workers' Forum congratulates all those
across
the country who have come forward to support the locked-out ABI
workers
in many ways. The Alcoa/Rio Tinto cartel is not invincible but
the
struggle demands the active stepped-up support of all workers and
allies throughout the country. The determination of the organized
working class can win this battle for its rights, respect and
terms of
employment agreeable to those who do the work and produce the
social
wealth.
This article was published in
Number 9 - March 14, 2019
Article Link:
Workers Want
a
Negotiated Contract Not
One-Sided Company Dictate
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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