Posted: Thursday, 12 May 2011

Delegates to the CLC convention in Vancouver were updated on four specific lockouts that are across the country. CAW members talked about their lockouts in Winnipeg and Toronto. In Winnipeg, the employer is attacking retirees’ pensions, as well as wages and cost-of-living allowances for members. In Toronto, an employer currently before the labour board for unfair labour practices, has locked out employees who are working under deplorable conditions.

In Edmonton, sixty-two UFCW members have been locked out for more than a month while the employer demands a three-year wage freeze.

A delegate from USW 1005 in Hamilton updated delegates about a six-month lock out. The employer is attempting to cut indexing for 9,000 pensioners and to close the pension plan to new hires. He commended the CLC for passing a resolution against bargaining for two-tier benefits.