Workers involved in Standoff at Seneca Manufacturing win Settlement
The Union is pleased to report a settlement to end the work stoppage at Seneca Manufacturing has been reached. At 9 pm on Monday night after a full day of bargaining workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the agreement that includes immediate payment of lost wages withheld by the Employer as well as a full settlement to the outstanding arbitration and Labor Relations Board rulings.
The agreement will see up to half of the fourteen workers return to work beginning Wednesday however, the future of the business with the current ownership is questionable as a result of the negative financial environment and failing business model. The agreement allows for the terms of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement to be enforced month to month as well as a continued relationship with their current customers into 2017 as we look for new investment.
A resolve to this very difficult labor strike was reached after a nine-hour standoff on Sunday evening when the employer tried to remove parts from the plant. The standoff brought the parties back to the bargaining table on Monday. This settlement could not have been achieved without the outpouring of support of so many union activists from all over the province who walked the picket line night and day throughout the stoppage.
The Local Union would like to thank the Seneca Bargaining committee and Unifor National Rep Doug Orr for their hard work pulling this agreement together. The Bargaining Committee would also like to acknowledge the people of the community for their generosity to the picket line over the two week work stoppage as well as the Niagara District Labour Council, MPP Wayne Gates, MPP Cindy Forster and the support staff for their support.
Images from the Seneca Standoff have been posted on our website at the following links.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/caw199edu/albums/72157673142694533
https://www.flickr.com/photos/caw199edu/albums/72157673261913853