Ontario PPG Workers Successfully Avert Two-Tier Contract
After a week of bargaining ending November 3, 2006 the Union Committee at the Clarkson, Ontario PPG coatings plant were able to reach a tentative agreement between the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (C.E.P), Local 200-O and PPG Canada Inc. Tam Gallagher the President for Local 200-O reports "We felt able to make a recommendation of acceptance to our members and the three year agreement was ratified by 96% of the voting members on Sunday, November 5th."
Tam went on to say "It was not a concessionary contract. Although we accepted annual lump sum payments [72¢/hour equivalent] instead of an hourly increase, it's important to recognize that in December of 2005, basic wages for 65% of our members increased by an immediate amount of $1.46 per hour after we adopted a Work Centre (work cells) type structure and this was in addition to the annual general increase in wages of 2.5% that came into place the month before in November 2005. The average plant wage rate is $26.09. We also bargained increases in Pensions, Life insurance, Weekly Indemnity, AD&D, LTD, Death Benefit, Meal Allowance, Safety Shoe Allowance and Shift Premium's. The Savings Plan and the Performance Award Plan remain in effect."
"There was good reason to believe that the Company was intending to introduce a discriminatory two tier wage and benefit system, but very early in the bargaining process when we asked if that was their intent, we were told that it was not their intent to introduce this system in these negotiations. We can now only speculate that they either withdrew their plans, if indeed that was the plan, or shelved them for future bargaining. We also took this opportunity to accuse PPG of being in violation of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 23 (2) that reads: "Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work." We tabled the proposal to adhere to this Declaration and we were amazed that according to Bert Birdsall, PPG's chief negotiator, they had never read or had been presented with this Declaration before, as an amendment to a collective agreement. They finally would not agree to add this to the agreement. I should add that we do, in our current and newly ratified agreement, adhere to the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code."
"By the end of negotiations the PPG team was very well aware of the UN Declaration. I promised them that this maybe the first time that they have seen this document, but it certainly wouldn't be the last. I urge all negotiating committee members to raise this issue whenever two-tier schemes are brought to the bargaining table, and to educate all union members on this. In Canada there is a move afoot to petition parliament to end this discriminatory practice through Canada's Human Rights legislations. In the mean time, and if nothing else we should shame them into recognising the fact, that is clear, to every fair and reasonable person, that PPG and many other companies are currently in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
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"I also suggest to our U.S. friends, and I am sure that this is as difficult for many of you as it was for me, to note the statement of your country's President in his address to the UN Assembly on September 19th 2006 when he lauded the principles of this declaration."
"The principles of this world beyond terror can be found in the very first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document declares that "the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom and justice and peace in the world." He continues by saying ... "In the nearly six decades since that document was approved, we have seen the forces of freedom and moderation transform entire continents ... The words of the Universal Declaration are as true today as they were when they were written." Click here for video link.
"I think it would be appropriate to ask President Bush if he believes that PPG is in violation of these principles, in particular Article 23 (2). I am positive that you would see this statement from the "great statesman" (I would equate as the statement of a butterfly), become cloudy and reversed, and we will see, perhaps for the first time in human history, the metamorphosis of a butterfly in reverse and see him for what he is a slug, with a trail of slime in his wake!"
"I closed our bargaining session with my remarks directed at, and translated to, PPG negotiator Bert Birdsall, in recognition of those workers that have stood up to PPG's discrimination against them, with these words - Tiocfaidh ár lá! This, brothers and sisters, is the un-official slogan of the Irish Republican movement made famous by the great Irish Republican hunger striker and patriot, Bobby Sands M.P. Translated from the Irish Gaelic and phonetically pronounced -chuck ee ar la-, it means "OUR DAY SHALL COME". And indeed it shall. Please feel free during your negotiations to mention this and remind them!"
"Finally" said Tam "I want to salute the workers of Natrium and Lake Charles for their commitment to themselves, their families, their communities and the Labour Movement in general, in their struggle against corporate discrimination and greed. The struggle will continue."
Our thanks and congratulation to the workers at the Clarkson, Ontario PPG plant, their negotiating committee and Tam Gallagher local 200-O President. - J.B.
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