Employees at Thyssen Marathon in Boucherville Get Organized

Employees at Thyssen Marathon in Boucherville Get Organized

March 20, 2001

Thyssen Marathon Canada’s twenty employees stationed in Boucherville—specializing in laser and plasma cutting of stainless steel plates—will now be showing off their colours under the IAMAW–QFL banner, after having been organized by the Machinists Union. Last June, Marcel Chiasson and Stéphane Lévesque, both employed by Thyssen Marathon, with the help of Gérald Tremblay, Business Representative in charge of organizing activities for the IAM, convinced a majority of the employees to sign a petition in an attempt to unionize the plant.

The Honourable Robert Burns of the Labour Court recently reiterated the decision rendered by the labour commissioner, Gilberte Béchara, which the company had decided to appeal. The list of salaried workers was at the heart of the legal battle.

Thyssen Marathon workers have given themselves a collective tool to defend their rights, put an end to the employer’s abusive tactics and ensure decent working conditions. IAM business representative Yves Raymond will head up the negotiations of their first collective agreement.

The two workers who led the fight to gain the right to unionize fell victim of the employer’s retaliations, which went from changing the work schedules to disciplinary action and firings disguised as layoffs. “Nothing will be easy,” says Gérald Tremblay, AIM organizer. “Even though the Labour Code forbids employers from using threats, intimidation or retaliation to prevent their employees from organizing, they usually do as they please. Thankfully, the labour commissioner has the authority to order these employers at fault to reintegrate employees who were fired and cease all action that infringes upon the workers’ right to organize. The Machinists Union defends and will continue to defend workers who fall victim to their employer’s reprisals.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is the largest union of aerospace and air transportation workers in North America. The IAM is more than 700,000 members strong, spread out through all sectors of activity. Our members build, among others, aircraft, aircraft engines, electric and industrial turbines, refrigerators, stoves—as well as Harley Davidson motorcycles.

- 30 -

Source: District 11 (QFL) of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

For more information, contact Gérald Tremblay, Quebec organizer, (514) 956-1578

Press Releases 2001

What's New || Join the Machinists || SEARCH ||
HOME || Calendar || Press Releases || Meet the Staff || IAM Strikes in Canada ||
About the IAM || IAM Journal || infoXpress || Political Activity || Lodges and Districts ||
A Brief History of the IAM || Links || Downloads || Web Site Policy ||

ARTICLES:
|| Mario Clermont || Louis Erlichman || Gord Falconer ||
|| Heather Kelley || Bill Shipman || Steve Vodi ||

Any technical problems with this site, please email the WebSteward
Copyright 1999-2000, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Employees at Thyssen Marathon in Boucherville Get Organized
March 20, 2001 Thyssen Marathon Canada’s twenty employees stationed in Boucherville—specializing in laser and plasma cutting of stainless steel plates—will now be showing off their colours under the IAMAW–QFL banner, after having been organized by the Machinists Union. Last June, Marcel Chiasson and Stéphane Lévesque, both employed by Thyssen Marathon, with the help of Gérald Tremblay, Business Representative in charge of organizing activities for the IAM, convinced a majority of the employees to sign a petition in an attempt to unionize the plant. The Honourable Robert Burns of the Labour Court recently reiterated the decision rendered by the labour commissioner, Gilberte Béchara, which the company had decided to appeal. The list of salaried workers was at the heart of the legal battle. Thyssen Marathon workers have given themselves a collective tool to defend their rights, put an end to the employer’s abusive tactics and ensure decent working conditions. IAM business representative Yves Raymond will head up the negotiations of their first collective agreement. The two workers who led the fight to gain the right to unionize fell victim of the employer’s retaliations, which went from changing the work schedules to disciplinary action and firings disguised as layoffs. “Nothing will be easy,” says Gérald Tremblay, AIM organizer. “Even though the Labour Code forbids employers from using threats, intimidation or retaliation to prevent their employees from organizing, they usually do as they please. Thankfully, the labour commissioner has the authority to order these employers at fault to reintegrate employees who were fired and cease all action that infringes upon the workers’ right to organize. The Machinists Union defends and will continue to defend workers who fall victim to their employer’s reprisals.” The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is the largest union of aerospace and air transportation workers in North America. The IAM is more than 700,000 members strong, spread out through all sectors of activity. Our members build, among others, aircraft, aircraft engines, electric and industrial turbines, refrigerators, stoves—as well as Harley Davidson motorcycles. - 30 - Source: District 11 (QFL) of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. For more information, contact Gérald Tremblay, Quebec organizer, (514) 956-1578
Press Releases 2001