The same day workers at the Labatt brewery in Toronto ratified a contract, with 93 percent in favor.

"We're not asking for money, just ethical treatment," millwright Bill Cathcart said on the picket line here. "We're prepared to sit this out until summer. The company has been stockpiling in Quebec and in the States, we know that. This could easily be a three-month lockout."

Workers say they rejected the company's offer because of numerous concessions demanded by the company. The proposed pact failed to address the union's two top concerns--outsourcing of work by the company and the bosses' attempt to keep 80 workers out of the union who work part-time, and earn only $12 an hour with no benefits. In addition to the part-time workers, there are about 300 unionized members at the London plant.

The workers are members of Local 1 of the Brewery General and Professional Workers' Union (BGPWU).

The company's offer included an 18 percent salary increase over six years, a $2,000 signing bonus, and a pension upgrade. The union wants the company to create more full-time jobs with the same pay and benefits as the rest of the plant, where the average union wage is $26.75 an hour.

"We're all getting older and we're all going to retire but there's no one to replace us," said Julius Halsema, who has worked at Labatt for 30 years. "Let some of the part-time workers join the union and get benefits."

Picket captain Guy Harrington told the press that "money was never an issue. The problem is the abuse the temps take in the plant."

One worker on the picket line described how a part-time worker was ill but felt he couldn't take off work because he isn't in the union. Harrington said that one worker in the plant has been part-time for 18 years. "These people have families, they have mortgages, and there's no reason they can't be in the union," he said.

Bob Chant, Labatt Breweries Ontario's public relations director, said the company has been preparing for the lockout for several months and they are "resolved to fully supply the marketplace." Labatt's seven other Canadian breweries are still operating, he added.

Workers on the picket line described the solidarity they have been getting for their fight--from the many drivers honking their car horns in support, to a rally with donated chili last week where workers from several unions, including the Canadian Auto Workers, Steelworkers, Ontario Public Service Employees Union, and carpenters and engineering unions came by the picket line.  
 
 
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