Over the last several months, Steelworkers working at IPEX in London, Ont. have been working with their members to re-engage and build solidarity as they enter contract negotiations. This will be USW Local 49M’s second round of collective bargaining with the USW since the former GMP union merged with the Steelworkers.
USW District 6 Director Myles Sullivan and Assistant to the Director Kevon Stewart visited the workplace a few weeks ago to demonstrate the district’s support and solidarity as they began negotiations. During their tour at IPEX, they had the chance to meet with the local unions executives and discussed their upcoming roles during the negotiations and were able to witness the work of Steelworkers do at IPEX.
“I want to thank members of USW Local 49M and their executive for welcoming us to their workplace. They’ve got a big task ahead of them in negotiations and I am confident that the bargaining team will work hard to deliver a new contract that their members deserve,” said Myles Sullivan, District 6 Director.
At the London plant, the 155 local union members mainly make PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and plastic injection moldings for household and industrial uses. They have been organized for over 40 years and officially became Steelworkers in the 2016 merger.
Among the local union’s priorities for bargaining are improvements in their wages, pensions and benefits and they hope to be able to build support from a strong and engaged members during negotiations.
“We’ve got both the skills and dedication in our membership, who deserve to be compensated rightfully. We hope the company recognizes the significantly increasing costs of living and will put forward proposals that will help our members,” said USW Local 49M President Tyler Ross.
“It really is incredible what can happen when people work together. I firmly believe we are all stronger when we pull together, and my experience with Impala Canada and Covergalls is a perfect example of that."
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