The workers at IMT make trailer axles and shell casings. The casings are sold both to the U.S. and Canadian armed forces. The new owner is demanding massive concessions from the 136 members of United Steelworkers of America Local 2918. The strike began March 5.

Initially the bosses’ demands included a 12 percent wage cut, 32 percent lower wages for new hires, the elimination of four paid holidays, cutting vacation to one week per year, and reduced drug and dental benefits.

On May 17 the strikers rejected by 97 percent the company’s offer, which withdrew these demands but maintained filling positions by “skill and ability” rather than by seniority. It also suspended for two weeks 10 workers who had been fired for “strike activity,” Local 2918 vice president Terry Coleman told the Militant.

The company added that if these workers received even one disciplinary notice in the future they would be fired. A sign on the picket line lists the fired strikers’ names and their seniority, ranging from 38 to 7 years. The strikers have made clear that they will not return to the job without these 11 workers.

Coleman said the bosses “think the union has too much control. They don’t care if the union is there as long as it is handcuffed and can’t do anything.”

During the first few days of the walkout the workers kept strikebreakers out of the plant. Strikers report that some are young people who were threatened with losing their government welfare payments if they didn’t cross the line. The unionists have faced court injunctions aimed at preventing them from stopping the strikebreakers from crossing the line.

The latest injunction allows workers to have five picketers in front of the plant and to delay crossings by 10 minutes. Across the road, the strikers have put up two tents and have a radio playing loudly so that security has trouble monitoring their conversations electronically. The company has hired the notorious AFI security agency to escort the strikebreakers, who come in buses, and to videotape the strikers on the picket line.

The walkout is winning wide support. Strikers reported that one restaurant in town refused to serve security guards and instead sent spaghetti to the picket line.

About 2,000 workers, organized by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), are employed at the CAMI auto plant down the road. Other plants in the area are organized by the Steelworkers. The strikers have received support from unionists in these plants and beyond. At a May 7 barbecue held downtown, they raised $1,800 for the strike. The CAW local at CAMI is donating $2,000 a month. CAW members from the Sterling truck plant in St. Thomas have joined the picket line.  
 
 
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