Company demanding wage freezes: Union
Gander, N.L.-based aerospace company D-J Composites locked out its employees — members of Unifor local 597 late Monday evening — according to the union.
"The members, skilled aerospace workers, have been trying for nearly two years to respectfully negotiate a reasonable, fair deal and just days before Christmas this American owned company puts its employees out of work," said Brian Murphy, Unifor national servicing representative.
The company is demanding wage freezes for up to five years for some of the employees and three years of wage freezes for others with a small increase of 15 cents an hour in 2018, and 20 cents in 2019, said the union.
After 22 months trying to bargain a new collective agreement the employees authorized a strike with a 100 per cent vote mandate, according to the union.
"Our members are rightfully upset at the lack of progress at the bargaining table and with this lock-out just days before the holidays," said Carolyn Wrice, president of Unifor local 597.
