WINGHAM,
ON, Aug. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Unifor is
intensifying efforts against Wescast Industries and its owner,
Bohong Industries Group based in China, as the company continues to withhold
approximately $10 million in
termination and severance pay from 200 workers who lost their jobs
at the Wingham, Ontario facility
in July 2023.
"This is not just a violation of laws and collective agreement
language, it's a complete betrayal of Wescast workers and their
families who built this company over many decades," said Unifor
National President Lana Payne.
"Basic labour standards are being trampled on in small-town
Ontario by a corporation who
clearly believes it can walk away from its obligations to workers
and their families with impunity."
The union maintains that Wescast Industries has a clear
obligation to pay Unifor 4207 members who became eligible for
termination and severance pay in April
2024. Unifor estimates the amount to total approximately
$10 million.
Given the situation, Unifor requested urgent support from the
Ontario Director of Employment
Standards, Melissa Faber, and the
Ontario Ministry of Labour on April 17,
2024. The union also held a public rally the following week
at the facility urging the company to follow Ontario labour law and pay workers what they
are owed. Despite these efforts, Wescast continues to evade its
responsibilities.
"This is not just about one community or one group of workers,"
said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. "It's about
holding corporations accountable, especially those who think they
can exploit Canadian workers without consequence."
The dispute deepened after Wescast informed the province that
the matter between the union and company was subject to the
grievance and arbitration procedure outlined in the collective
agreement. However, once in front of the arbitrator, the company
continued to demonstrate a complete lack of integrity when they
argued the collective agreement was expired and therefore the
arbitration process did not apply. In a decision released on
August 1, 2024, the arbitrator
rejected Wescast's objection.
"The Wescast dispute is a stark reminder, especially amid
ongoing efforts by China to enter
the North American electric vehicle market, of the urgent need for
stricter regulations and enforcement by all levels of government to
protect Canadian workers from companies that attempt to undermine
fundamental labour rights," added Payne.
In a letter released today Unifor has requested a meeting
with Premier Doug Ford and Minister
of Labour David Piccini to discuss
the situation in Wingham.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 320,000 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