Striking workers at Toromont Industries overwhelmingly rejected the company’s contract offer in a forced vote ordered by Ontario’s labour board, signaling prolonged labour disruption at the heavy equipment manufacturer.
The 120 Unifor Local 112 members at the Bradford, Ont. facility voted 87% against the proposal on Monday, according to the union. The Ontario Labour Relations Board had directed the vote at the company’s request.
“This employer needs to understand that you can’t force our members into a corner instead of addressing the issues and bargaining an agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The workers have been on strike since July 8 after joining Unifor in May 2024. Negotiations between the union and Toromont have lasted nearly 10 months without reaching a first collective agreement, according to Unifor.
Wage dispute at centre of conflict
The union’s bargaining committee told Toromont repeatedly that its wage offer was inadequate and likely to fail in a membership vote, according to Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
“The company’s ongoing refusal to table a fair wage offer, even in the face of an overwhelming rejection by its own employees, is another clear indicator this company is not interested in reaching a fair deal,” Hashi said.
The positions at the facility are mostly skilled trades or semi-skilled roles, ranging from component cleaner to component rebuilder, according to the union.
Union considers arbitration
Unifor said it is reviewing next steps, which could include filing an application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board for first collective agreement arbitration to settle the dispute.
“Our members’ continued strength and solidarity shows we will not be intimidated by a corporation as large as Toromont,” said Unifor Local 112 Vice-President Dustin Philp.
The Bradford facility is a 137,000-square-foot Caterpillar equipment remanufacturing plant that Toromont opened in 2022 after investing $70 million, according to the union.
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across Canada’s private sector.
