COPE Local 343 employees at First Ontario Credit Union in Hamilton have been on strike for six months. Yesterday, a handful of employees occupied the Mountain East branch, using a chain to padlock the doors shut. No customers, but a handful of managers were inside.
The 70 emplpyees have been on strike for six months over such issues as sick pay, benefits and language protecting full-time positions. Since the strike has lasted for six months, First Ontario can legally deny employment to the striking workers, although it claims it will not do that.
Don Fraser, president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council, was among those who occupied the branch, and was charged with obstructing police. The female employees were not arrested, though 'remain under investigation.'
Brenda Moulton, who worked in mortgage administration, broke down and cried. "The reason I did this is because I have four kids. I'm on strike. My husband lost his job. I had to do something. They have no idea what I'm going through."
Negotiations continue as we speak. Blog updates will continue as well.
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3 comments:
Negotiations are NOT ongoing, they broke off April 16th. The union has asked the CEO John Lahey to join them in "interest arbitration", and to let an arbitrator settle this 6 month old strike, but Lahey has refused on both ocassions. He was quoted on TV, as saying that "no one will tell him how to run his Company". How arrogant and absurd; this Credit Union, as we all know, belongs to the "Members"; this is NOT Lahey's Credit Union. This strike can be settled immediately by way of an arbitrator. Let's put pressure on Lahey and the Board of Directors to "do the right thing" and let a 3rd party settle this strike and get these 69 women back to work.
Lahey's comment re the cost for each employee is very misleading. On reading his comment, one might conclude that these employees earn $35/hour...this is incorrect...they do NOT make $35/hour, but rather their wages range from approx $16.57 - $20.72. These Credit Union employees are one of the lowest paid in the "Credit Union" industry in their area.
As a regular, run of the mill Hamiltonian, who is not organized in a union but cares about the city and its people, I am very glad and excited to see this wonderful blog. Keep up the good work!
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