Compass Minerals mine workers on strike

GODERICH, ON, April 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The employer's demand for concessions have forced mine workers at the Compass Minerals' facility in Goderich to take legal job action.

"Our members are pivotal to the success of the Goderich mine," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Miners deserve a fair deal, not dramatic concessions."

The company's latest offer included a long list of concessions including reducing benefits, extending shift length, forced overtime, and weakening existing contracting-out provisions in the collective agreement. Unifor Local 16-O says the employer ignored the majority of its proposals.

"The employer has taken a very aggressive approach that simply left our members with little option but to take strike action," said Glenn Sonier, Unifor National Representative responsible for Local 16-O. "Compass has created a climate of disrespect that must be resolved before this mine can operate again."

Unifor represents 348 miners in production, shipping, and maintenance. In February 2018, the union says the employer tried to mislead 48 laid off workers into accepting a severance package that would have cancelled recall rights.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor