Union calls for company to keep seniority rights intact
United Steelworkers (USW) members employed at the Texada Quarrying limestone mine on Texada Island, B.C., have been locked out by Lafarge management as of Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m., according to the union.
After several months of negotiations, the parties had agreed to most monetary and non-monetary items until Lafarge demanded that seniority be stripped of every employee at the quarry, said the union.
"Steelworkers have been working at Texada since 1947 and during that time we have strived to make improvements to the collective agreement every time we have bargained," said Earl Graham, USW district 3 staff representative. “It's shocking that after decades of a positive relationship, Lafarge now wants to attack its employees."
Texada Island has a rich history of mining limestone dating back as early as 1918. The mine is the oldest active mine in the province and produces limestone used to make cement.
The USW is calling on Lafarge to drop its attack on the seniority rights of its employees and return to the bargaining table.
