Annual wage increases of 6%, 8%, even 12%; cost-of-living adjustments; domestic violence leave; and more. Our members can be proud of the collective agreements we’re signing these days. We’re making real gains.
Of course, labour shortages are working in our favour. However, we’re not just picking the low-hanging fruit. Our members are standing together to demand the best contracts.
We can be particularly proud of our smaller units, who are wielding their bargaining power and showing they’re willing to strike if necessary to get what they’ve earned!
Hats off to Steelworkers at Océan remorquage
We salute the exemplary struggle of our members at Océan remorquage, a marine-towing operation in Sorel-Tracy, who waged a nine-month strike to secure decent wages and eliminate irrational work schedules.
With fewer than 10 members on the picket line, this group was supported throughout their battle by their greater Steelworker family – many of whom provided financial support and continually showed up in solidarity to reinforce the picket line, as the employer shamefully recruited scabs.
Our union proved once again that we will stop at nothing to support fellow Steelworkers who are fighting for better working and living standards, whether it’s a 10-member or 500-member group.
Federal anti-scab legislation
The courageous strike by our members at Océan remorquage, whose jobs are federally regulated, reconfirmed the importance of our campaign for federal anti-scab legislation. It showed how the absence of such legislation undermines the collective bargaining process and exacerbates labour disputes.
Our union has ramped up our campaign to demand that the Liberal government honour its commitment – as part of its supply-and-confidence agreement with the NDP – to pass an anti-scab law.
I encourage all Steelworkers to take up the torch that was carried by our members at Océan remorquage and to mobilize and demand that the federal government finally pass this long-overdue legislation!
In solidarity,
Dominic Lemieux
District 5 Director
This article appears in the Summer 2023 issue of USW@Work magazine.
USW@Work magazine Summer 2023
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