A province wide strike by sheet metal workers is about to affect some construction projects in Thunder Bay, including the new elementary school at the Churchill site.
Dan Krupa is with a local union, and tells us action starting today doesn’t stop work completely, but will have an impact at local sites.
“There’s some other projects on the go as well that are going to be affected, some maintenance at the mill, just the construction field as a whole will probably be slowing down a bit, just because our members aren’t on site.”
The construction worker adds the dispute with the Ontario Sheet Metal Contractors Association is over a longer work week, and hiring people from outside of Thunder Bay, instead of locally.
“The electricians have a deal already, they settled earlier. I know the plumbers and pipe fitters are still negotiating, I know the iron workers are still negotiating. But we are the 1st construction union to pull our services.”
He adds they’re picketing outside a number of sheet metal companies, against the Ontario Sheet Metal Contractors Association, and not at any job sites.
“The contractors are looking for more mobility, so they bring more workers into the area, without having to hire our local guys. They’re looking to increase the work week, so from a 40 to 44 hour work week.”
The business manager explains this isn’t a normal strike in that they’re not taking action against an employer.
“This is different. With construction you deal with Associations. So, the Sheet Metal Contractors Association, that is who we’re striking against.”
Krupa adds the provincial union is looking for a lot, but not offering much in return.
The Ontario Sheet Metal Contractors Association’s Darryl Stewart tells us they are more than willing to come back to the bargaining table.
