Thousands Rally to Support CAW27

ATU members from London, Guelph, Brampton and Canadian Council President Stan Dera joined thousands in Victoria Park Saturday for a rally in support of locked out members of CAW27.

"It is of utmost importance that we do not let this rally, in support of CAW local 27 fade from our minds," said ATU741 President Brian Tansy.

"It needs to be a point of reference of how concern for our fellow workers' treatment can lead to change. Change in how we view our own employment, our city and community's welfare; change in how we trust our government to care for its citizens. Trust given to a government or employer that cares little for its citizens or employees is wasted."

"Challenge your local, provincial and federal politicians to earn that trust by working for their citizens and not remaining silent before a corporate bully," Tansy stated after the rally Saturday. "Challenge our employer to show faithfulness to us by defending us against injustice and treating us fairly and humanely. Thanks to all who attended the rally and special thanks to the volunteer shuttle drivers who gave up their time selflessly!"

Day of Action

Buses are coming from all corners to this event, and workers are stepping up to the plate from all corners of London too.

ATU Local 741, OSSTF, LDLC, and a host of others are arranging buses to transport supporters from marshalling areas at Saunders S.S./Westmount Mall and Clarke Rd S.S./Argyle Mall with other stops possible on the way into the core. LTC Employees can catch the bus at the yard or from wherever convenient.

Buses will return to the parking areas after the rally in the park.

Buses will be leaving 450 Highbury (tentatively) at 9:00am to get to the parking areas, and will leave for the core as they fill with departures starting about 9:30. We will make as many trips as it takes to get everybody downtown. Dress warm, bring water and a snack and anything else you might need.

Mutual respect and respect for workers is what this is all about and we're sure everybody will act accordingly.

That being said, we will be on the world stage. Bring your signs, bring your loudest voice that together we will make a roar that will be heard in Ottawa and around the world!

Updates:

The London Food Bank will be at the park to collect any non-perishable food items you can bring.

London Day of Action January 21

Despite the attention it has received, the lockout at ElectroMotive is not unique to London.

Our brothers and sisters at 1587 have been on strike against York Region contractors since October 24. USW Local I-500 have been kept out on strike for nearly three years by Engineered Coated Products (ECP) in Brantford because they have been busing scabs across the picket lines. The employer has demanded a 25% rollback in wages and benefits. UFCW Local 416P have been locked out since April 25, 2007, by their employer Horizon Milling, a grain milling operation whose parent company is Cargill Ltd.

All the while all levels of government are keeping with the Corporate Tax Cut Agenda while slashing services to pay for it. Effectively taking our money and giving it directly to the corporate trough while Canadian corporations are sitting on almost $1 trillion in cash reserves, and waiting to see if Caterpillar is going to get away with this.

The fight at ElectroMotive is bigger than one plant. Its audience is global. The fight is for our kids, and for their kids, and for the futures we will leave for them.

January 21 has been declared a Day of Action to oppose Caterpillar and its attack on decent paying Canadian jobs.

Please plan to join us in Victoria Park at 11am. More details will follow.

Electro-Motive Locks Out CAW Members in London

January 1, 2012, 5:30 PM EST

Electro-Motive (Caterpillar) has locked out CAW members as of this evening. Workers had planned to report to their regular shift as of tonight at 11p.m. the first shift back following the holiday shutdown.

"This is a case where our members have been locked out by corporate greed," said CAW National President Ken Lewenza. "This is a serious attack on working people, their families and the greater community of London and the surrounding area. Caterpillar may be one of the richest corporations to ask for the deepest of cuts."

No new dates are set to resume negotiations. Talks broke off on December 27, after Caterpillar tabled a final offer that would slash wages in half, eliminate the pension plan and drastically cut benefits.

The collective agreement extension between CAW Local 27 and Caterpillar expired last night, December 31 at 11:59.

The union has set up picket lines as of 6 p.m. today. The facility is located at 2021 Oxford Street East, London, Ontario.

The CAW is once again calling on the federal government to disclose the terms and commitments made during the 2010 purchase of Electro-Motive by Caterpillar, under the Investment Canada Act.

(www.caw.ca)

[Submitted by Brian Tansy]