HAMILTON, Ontario — “We’re out here for the long haul,” United Steelworkers Local 7135 President Frank Crowder told the Militant on the picket line outside the National Steel Car plant Nov. 3. “We’re discussing how to reinforce the tent for snow plus we plan to build another structure out of pallets.” National Car is a major producer of railroad freight cars for North America.
Twelve hundred USW members went on strike here Aug. 12 for better wages and safe working conditions. Huge banners where they picket read, “We work to live, not die at work.” With an average of six “critical injuries” every year at the plant, the company far surpasses the two injuries that make employers liable for fines of up to 500,000 Canadian dollars ($352,000). The government has administered no fines for the injuries.
“If you know your ability to pay your rent is dependent on 25% production quotas, you skip breaks and work through lunch,” Local 7135 health and safety chair Will Foresi said, pointing to the so-called incentive program.
The union is fighting to get some control over the production quotas. In response, Jessica Carter, the company’s vice president of human resources, sent a letter to every union member saying, “Employees can earn extra pay when production targets are safely met.” She added, “The Company alone will continue to manage the program.”
Andrew Richardson, a striker with 12 years on the job, said, “Three years ago we struck and won a 13% raise. That’s gone. The company took it back by increasing the piece rate. My brother-in-law works here too. They upped the rate on his job from eight to 10 cars. For 10 weeks he asked for a time study to adjust it because it was impossible. He got no piece-rate pay for all that time.”
The bosses have refused every union attempt to negotiate, rejecting both talks and mediation. Striker Danial Ibrahim told the Militant the company is sending them a message: “You support the union, you stay out here on the street.”
“Canadian Union of Public Employees and Ontario Public Service Employees Union have come by the line to extend solidarity,” said Crowder. “And steelworkers on their way to Ottawa took the initiative to visit.” The latest food drop came from the Hamilton and District Labour Council, which brought Jamaican patties for the pickets.
The strikers have participated in solidarity for other workers. Jake Agner, a welder with five years seniority, wore a cap backing a fight by Hamilton healthcare workers against 413 announced layoffs. He joined a rally in front of Hamilton General Hospital three weeks earlier. “Teachers were there, too, and people came down from Toronto,” he said.
“Ottawa’s ‘Buy Canadian’ campaign is a show,” Crowder told the Militant. “If you make me buy Canadian, it’s going to cost me more. National Steel Car wants ‘Buy Canadian’ so the railroad companies here, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific, buy their product and increase their profits. When will workers get something from that?”
This is a serious fight. Join the picket line to bring solidarity. It is up 24/7 at 600 Kenilworth Avenue North. Send messages to frank.crowder@usw7135.ca and donations to USW 7135 Strike & Defense Fund, 1031 Barton St. E., Hamilton, ON L8L 3E2.