Monday June 11, 2007
For Immediate Release
Milton, ON – The second attempt by the IAMAW to organize workers employed by Excel Technologies Limited has set an Ontario Labour Board precedent.
The first attempt to organize the workers in June 2006 narrowly failed when the company was located in Brampton. Under Ontario Labour law, once an organizing drive has failed, the union must wait a year before it can try again.
“Earlier this year we were approached again by some Excel employees who told us they wanted union representation because working conditions had become even worse than before,” explained Scott Jackson, IAMAW District 78 Organizer. “When I told them Ontario Labour law prevented the union from mounting a new organizing drive for one year at that location, they informed us of the plant relocating to Milton.” Added Jackson, “We knew this had never been done before so we decided to test the law and set a precedent.”
Despite the best efforts of the employer, District 78’s organizing team was successful in April 2007, with an overwhelming majority of the workers voting for IAMAW representation. The company immediately challenged the validity of the vote based on the one-year restrictions imposed by the results of the previous failed vote. During a hearing in front of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the IAMAW contended that the vote was valid because the plant had moved since the last vote. In a precedent-setting decision, the OLRB agreed with the IAMAW.
“The bulk of these people have worked for years without permanent status and over one third of them are agency employees without benefits so they were determined to get union representation,” said Jackson. The 35 newest members of IAMAW District 78 package and warehouse metal fasteners for the retail hardware sector.
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For further information:
Scott Jackson – IAMAW District 78 Organizer
416-225-9003/416-579-0854
Bill Trbovich – IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765
