25 October, 2005Local Union of Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) of Canada Needs Solidarity Assistance in Strike
Dear visitor,
The dispute has been settled since we issued this solidarity alert.
Action is no longer required.
Thank you for your support.
Since 4 June, union members of Local 28, Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) of Canada, have been on strike against Invista at a chemical plant in the province of Ontario. The plant manufactures nylon fibres, and Invista is global spin-off of DuPont that Koch Industries of the United States purchased last year.
The union and management of Invista had a tentative agreement that would have ended the strike in September, but included in the final settlement was a back-to-work agreement that would have, amongst other things, removed seniority.
The 380 union members voted to reject this proposal because, quite simply, their jobs are at stake. The company’s back-to-work protocol included language stating if a worker was not called back to work within 12 days of the strike’s ending, he/she would be on indefinite layoff. A large section of the plant was completely shut during the strike. A start-up is not expected for some time. Invista’s intention is to subvert the union’s entire seniority system.
In mediation sessions since the rejection, Invista has been unwilling to amend this harsh provision.
The ICEM is calling on all its affiliates to take two actions:
1.) Write a message of solidarity to CEP Local 28 expressing your union’s support and appreciation for its courageous stand to protect an essential part of any union’s collective bargaining agreement; and
2.) Lodge a protest with Invista. The same protest can be sent to Invista’s parent company, Koch Industries.
We include model letters of each that can be used. Please modify your letters as you see fit. And please copy ICEM’s Chemicals Sector Officer, Michael Wolters, at [email protected] with all correspondence.
Thank you very much for your co-operation.
More information on this dispute
ICEM Inbrief (3 October 2005)
CEP Members in Canada Reject Invista Contract
ICEM Inbrief (5 september 2005)
Invista Unions Rally Behind CEP at Canadian Chemical Plant Strike
ICEM InBrief (11 July 2005)
CEP Members Strike Former DuPont Plant in Canada
Mr. Jeff Walker
Chairman and CEO
Invista
41 23 East 37th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220
USA
Fax: +1-316-828.11.60
[email protected]
And:
Charles Koch
Chairman and CEO
Koch Industries
4111 East 37th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220
USA
Fax: +1-316-828.57.39
[email protected]
and
[email protected]
Dear Sir,
I am writing to lodge a serious protest with your company’s labour relations posture in Canada. Our union has learned of an ongoing strike in the province of Ontario by the Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP), an important ally of our union.
We understand that a strike at one of your Ontario chemical plants, ongoing since 4 June 2005, could have been settled in September with a mutually acceptable labour agreement.
Instead, management at this plant attempted to insert a back-to-work protocol, which would drastically change the seniority structure of this plant. We take deep exception to this affront on workers’ rights. The notion of a seniority system, particularly in a chemical plant in which a high level of skill and knowledge is necessary for safety and productivity, is an essential element in a well-run worksite.
We strongly call on you to change your company’s position on this issue at this struck worksite in Canada.
Sincerely,
Brother Steve Armstrong
CEP
Local 28
Highway 29, PO Box 231
Brockville, Ontario
CANADA K6V 5V2
Fax number: +1 613.498.1562
Brother Armstrong and Members of CEP Local 28,
Our Trade Union has heard of your five-month strike against the chemicals company Invista through our affiliation with the ICEM.
We write to bring greetings of Solidarity and Unity to your members who are striking for very justified reasons at this company in Canada. We understand that a labour agreement was nearly in place to end the strike, but that management inserted unacceptable language that would severely damage your member’s seniority provisions.
The principle of seniority in the collective bargaining system is a sacred provision that assures a systematic and uniform progression of the workforce. It also assures the highest quality of skills and experience for a company, and it is hard to understand why a company such as Invista would disregard this.
Again, please accept the Solidarity and Best Wishes from the entire membership of our Union. We stand with you in your pursuit of justice on the jobsite and for the protection of your rightful work rules.
In Solidarity,