Militant/Natalie Stake-Doucet

Members of UFCW Local 175 on strike against Quality Meat Packers in Toronto stand in doorway of picket shack. Sign has “on strike” written in 19 languages, reflecting the many nationalities of the workforce.

During the first week of the strike, which began November 1, the 573 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 175 have been taking initiatives to strengthen the picket line and have refused to be intimidated by the bosses who have threatened them that they may lose their jobs. A large picket shack was built at the main plant entrance with most of the wood being donated by some freelance carpenters who work in a warehouse across the street from the plant. The carpenters make sets for movies and the theater. “This will help keep you warm,” said Jon Brooks, one of the carpenters.

The strikers also collected over Can$200 (Can$1=US$0.83) in one-dollar contributions among themselves to buy some of the wood. Shelters have also been put up at the three other entrances to the property.

The picket shack has also been decorated by strikers. Some brought in framed paintings, a coat rack, and a television. On the outside wall of the shed the words “on strike” have been written in 19 different languages, including Chinese, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Spanish and French, reflecting the multinational composition of the strikers and their unity.

One of the signs attached to the company fence reads: “Six years you took 40% of my pay; it’s time to pay us back.”

This is the main issue in the strike. Workers say the company’s offer for a small wage increase was an insult given the slashing of wages six years ago after a two-month strike at the time failed to push back the bosses’ concession demands.

Some strikers have started bringing food on the picket line. Two very successful barbeques have taken place so far involving dozens of strikers on the morning shift. Amado Panda, a worker with eight months in the plant, joked by saying, “We’re not going to be any skinnier when we go back in the plant!”

UFCW chief stewards from the Maple Leaf Foods hog cut and kill in Burlington near Toronto, the Maple Lodge poultry processing plant, and the Coca Cola plant in Hamilton have also been walking the picket line.  
 
Company threats backfire
On November 3 workers received a letter by mail informing them that their prescription and drug coverage was suspended for the duration of the strike

The next day, workers were forced to line up in front of the main entrance of the plant to receive their paycheck. The workers were let in one by one by a security guard. Some had to wait over an hour to get their check.

Along with the paycheck came a unsigned letter from the company saying that the bosses were “very disappointed that you rejected our contract offer” and the “signing bonus of $500 per employee conditional on ratification October 28/04—NOW OFF THE TABLE.” The letter also stated that the offer from the company was better than the recently ratified agreement at the Maple Leaf Foods plant in Burlington.

The letter ended by stating, “every day the strike continues, the more difficult it will be to get back your hours and your customers,” and as a result, “WITH THIS STRIKE YOU HAVE PUT YOUR JOBS AT RISK!”

The company’s tactics backfired. Many strikers spontaneously decided to put this letter to good use by throwing it in the fire barrels as fuel. Some said it proved the strike was hurting the bosses because they had admitted they were losing customers.

A meeting between company and union officials, arranged by the Ontario Ministry of Labor, took place November 8. The bosses “reiterated the position contained in the letter to the employees,” Sam Cataeno, the UFCW chairperson in the plant, told strikers on the picket line after the meeting—that is, the same offer minus the $500 signing bonus. “They said they had no more money and would have less because they would lose customers. The meeting was a waste of my gas money.”

In face of the bosses’ intransigence the mood on the line is determined. Kenny Terrero, a 28-year-old worker who pushes hog carcasses, told the Militant: “We want them to treat us as human beings, including on the question of pay. Our job is very hard and we’re not paid what we deserve.”

Natalie Stake-Doucet and John Steele are members of UFCW Local 175 at Quality Meat Packers in Toronto.  
 
 
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