FORT ERIE, ON – The Machinists Union, representing 335 striking workers here at Fleet Industries is demanding answers from Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan about a case where five Americans without work permits were brought into the plant and worked as scabs last week.

Dave Ritchie, Canadian Vice President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) asks the Minister in a letter sent today how the five aerospace workers from Phoenix “whose purpose was illegal” were able to enter Canada undetected?

The five were stopped in their van on the picket line by IAMAW Local 171 President Julius Antal last Tuesday as they attempted to leave the Fleet plant where Locals 171 and 939 of the union have been on strike since October 1. Niagara Regional Police had been called in advance and were there when the men were stopped.

Police took the five away, detained them for questioning, but later released them on condition they return to Phoenix.

Ritchie also asks Caplan:

“Why were they simply sent home without any charges being laid? Why were they not held for prosecution by your department?

“Have your staff been in touch with managers at Fleet who supervised the work being done by these five men? The company spin on this issue will be that the five were here to “study” Fleet processes. We have firm, concrete evidence to the contrary. They were here to do production work and did so for a period of at least two weeks before they were detected.

“Has your department discussed this violation of the law with Fleet Industries? Are you contemplating prosecuting Fleet for its part in this conspiracy? This is a clear breach of the law. Are Fleet and its senior managers beyond the reach of the law?”

“There are three issues dividing the union and the company,” says Local 171 President Antal. “The employer is basically attempting to gut the collective agreement – especially those clauses which relate to seniority and the grievance procedure. They also want to impose a freeze on our COLA which is totally unacceptable. Nine years ago our members made major concessions with promises they would be restored. Those promises have never been properly fulfilled.

“There has been no real negotiations. The employer has tried to impose a collective agreement. I’ve been a member of this union for 23 years never have encountered anything like their bloody minded attitude before,” Antal said.

CONTACT:
Dave Ritchie 416-727-0121
Julius Antal 905-371-3071

SOURCE: Neville Hamilton 613-795-1074