Fenner Dunlop, a local employer in Bracebridge, has locked out their workers from United Steelworkers Local 7949, after the company asked for concerning concessions from their last contract.
Workers were again on the picket line on Friday, one week after the lockout began.
The North Simcoe Muskoka & District Labour Council said they shocked to learn that one of those concessions are a reduction in the number of paid sick days allotted to those workers.
“During a global pandemic, in a community that is working hard to keep COVID-19 under control, and as the issue of paid sick days makes the almost-daily news cycle, we find this company totally tone deaf,” shared Mike De Rose, NSMDLC President. “These workers are in a manufacturing setting, a setting that has been problematic in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the 905 and 416. They need paid sick days so that they can stay home and keep their colleagues safe if they develop symptoms, require a COVID test, or have to wait for results.”
Fenner Dunlop, a division of Michelin out of France, is no stranger to contentious negotiations. Negotiations to reach the last few previous contracts were strained. USW 7949 representatives say that over seven pages of concessions were presented to members since their contract expired last year.
De Rose knows how important these jobs are to Muskoka. “These are good paying jobs and the workers here are worthy of respect and of good-faith bargaining. These are the kinds of jobs we want in Muskoka. Workers can support their families as well as the local economy, and, while treating workers well, employers can still make a lot of money in the process.”
The NSMDLC is calling on local citizens to use social media to call Fenner Dunlop back to the table, or to support the workers by stopping by their picket at 700 Ecclestone Drive with snacks, or to picket with them, or even just to honk their horns in support.
“I have worked here for 15 years and it used to be a good place to work” a worker on the picket line told Muskoka411 who asked to remain anonymous
Workers on the picket line said the support from the community has been so appreciated. Motorists are driving by and honking horns to show support while others are dropping off food and hot drinks.
1 week since workers @ Fenner Dunlop in Bracebridge have been locked out after turning down a final contract which included drastic changes to sick day provisions. Drivers honk to show support and the public drops off food & drinks. Workers said it used to be a good place to work pic.twitter.com/fHMkD5OVuc
— Stefan Ottenbrite (@StefanM411) February 20, 2021
I’m sure that F.D. Has a number of alternate sites around the world in which to make these products if the union continues to play hard ball!
Wow – thanks for your support. I guess you read the article and you have researched other plants that are owned by F D. And noticed they have done the exact same thing to them, right. You also must be there with the union and know exactly what’s going on. Of course you do –
Oh, and glad to see what you think these factory workers are worth.
If it “used to be a good place to work”, then find another job. It can’t be that hard, unless you’re completely useless.
[…] was a very difficult process for Local 7949 members. It was our first labour dispute ever, since we formed the union in 1987 and I’m relieved and happy that it’s now over. People […]