Alcoa Must Pay for Its Reserved Preferential Rate Energy Block! All Out for ABI Workers' Energy March! The march's aim is to have the energy contract between the Government of Quebec, Hydro-Québec and Alcoa reopened. According to the government, the contract frees Alcoa from having to pay for its reserved, preferential rate energy block in the case of a lockout, which is described as a "force majeure" beyond its control. The contract is not a mutually beneficial business agreement, as the company's unilateral dictate is imposed on the workers and society, with the assistance of the government.
The Quebec government is extremely complacent and deceitful in this matter. It falsely claims that nothing can be done unless the contract is reopened, which of course it is not willing to do. At the same time, it refuses to enforce the contract's terms, which clearly state that a "force majeure" must be an "unforeseeable, irresistible event beyond the control of a Party that delays, interrupts or impedes the performance, in whole or in part, by that Party of its obligations under the Contract." Alcoa itself is responsible for the lockout, as the company planned and decreed it and the course of events has shown that it did so to smash the union and lower the working and living conditions at ABI and in the community. It did so while rejecting the bargaining efforts of the workers, who even agreed to concessions to arrive at a negotiated settlement that would not eliminate their gains over the years and would respect the union. The lockout cannot be considered a "force majeure" even within the contract's terms. In refusing to take up its responsibility, the Legault government is assisting in prolonging the lockout and giving the message to all supranational private interests that making "Quebec open for business" means that in Quebec the oligopolies are free to act with impunity against workers, communities and society, which is unacceptable. The government must do its duty and force ABI to respect its contract by paying for the block of energy reserved for it at preferential rates. It must apply pressure on Alcoa to lift the lockout and negotiate with the workers and their union so that a collective agreement, which they consider acceptable, can be reached. Note1. The United Steelworkers describe the two-stage march as follows: Tuesday, March 26: Trois-Rivières leg, ending in the Ste-Marthe-du-Cap sector Meet at 8:30 am at Stade Stereo Plus Parking Lot, 1550 Gilles-Villeneuve Avenue, Trois-Rivières. March to the office of Labour Minister Jean Boulet (1500 Royale Street in Trois-Rivières) The march takes place between 10:00 am and noon. Departure from Labour Minister Jean Boulet's office is followed by a BBQ in the parking lot of the Sanctuary, courtesy of the FTQ-Construction. Shuttle buses will bring participants back to Stade Stereo Plus at the end of the activity. Wednesday, March 27: Laurier Place leg, on Boulevard Laurier in Quebec City to the National Assembly March departs from Place Laurier at 9:00 am. Rally begins at the National Assembly at 11:00 am. Everyone is invited to accompany the marchers, or join them at 11:00 am in front of the National Assembly (a shuttle bus will be made available for those wishing to return to Laurier Place at the end of the event) If you are interested or want further information, please contact Daniel Mallette at 450-567-0170.
This article was published in Article Link:   Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca |
On March 26 and 27, ABI
locked-out workers and their allies are organizing an Energy March. It
is a two-stage event: a march in the city of Trois-Rivières on
March 26 and a march in Quebec City on March 27, ending at 11:00 am
with a ceremony in front of the National Assembly.[
