Workers from one of Canada’s largest meat packing plants are set to go on strike after failing to reach a first contract with Tyson’s Lakeside packers a year after voting to unionize.
“There will be a strike on (July 20),” said Doug O’Halloran, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 401. The strike deadline fell after Western Producer press times.
“Unless something miraculous happens there’s going to be a strike.”
The union represents 2,300 workers at the Brooks, Alta., plant that slaughters 3,800 cattle a day.
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Under Alberta laws, the union must give 72 hours notice before going on strike. It will be in a legal strike position July 20. The two sides are set to go back to the bargaining table July 19, but O’Halloran was not optimistic when contacted the day before.
Last August, workers at Tyson’s Lakeside Packers plant voted 905-857 to unionize. The two sides have been unable to reach a first contract.
The union has already brought in tents and portable toilets to prepare for picketing. The 2,300 workers voted six weeks ago to strike if necessary.
In a written statement, Chris Borgren, manager of Lakeside Packers, said the company is disappointed in the union’s decision to strike.
“We believe it’s a mistake, since no one ever wins in a strike, especially the workers and their families whose source of income is disrupted,” said Borgren.
“Developing a first-ever contract takes time. Unfortunately, the union leaders have not shown the patience or willingness to get the job done and instead have chosen a confrontational approach. As a result, there’s been little movement on important non-economic and secondary issues that need to be resolved before much progress can be made on wages,” he said.
