QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Lisa Gretzky rose at Queen’s Park to advocate for the 250 workers from Windsor Salt Mine (members of Unifor 240 and 1959) and over 400 workers from the Highbury Canco plant (members of UFCW Local 175) who are on strike for job security, job protection, wage improvements and to stop the outsourcing of jobs. Gretzky released the following statement in solidarity:
“These dedicated workers in Windsor and Leamington work hard every day. They deserve job security and a fair collective bargaining process. They deserve a government that has their backs.
Conservatives claim to be friends of labour – but real friends don’t encourage union-breaking actions, and real friends don’t introduce anti-worker legislation that undermines education workers with Bill 28, or nurses with Bill 124.
New Democrats have introduced anti-scab legislation several times, yet the Ford government consistently undermines the collective bargaining process at every opportunity and refuses to pass anti union-breaking legislation.
Without stronger legislation that protects job security and workers’ rights to free and fair collective bargaining, strikes will not only continue to happen but will be prolonged.
To Unifor locals 1959 and 240, and UFCW Local 175, I stand with you in the fight. The Ontario NDP has your backs, and we will continue to support your fight for fair wages and job security.
One day longer, one day stronger."