More than 100 Unifor Local 195 members remain locked out of Titan Tool & Die in Windsor, Ont., as the labour dispute enters its fourth month with no resolution in sight.
The lockout began Aug. 11 after the Canadian-owned company presented what the union calls punitive concessions, including a three-year wage freeze, reduced pension contributions, and elimination of retirement health benefits. Workers marked the 100-day milestone Nov. 18 with a vehicle caravan through Windsor.
Company demands and worker impact
Titan Tool & Die is demanding workers accept a three-year wage freeze and elimination of cost-of-living allowances and annual lump-sum wage supplements, according to Unifor.
The company also wants to reduce pension contributions from seven per cent to five per cent for employees hired before October 2012, and from four per cent to three per cent for those hired after that date. Under the proposal, the company would only contribute to pensions if employees also contribute, despite the wage freeze.
“The combined effect of the company’s pension demands could result in a loss of nearly $13,500 in pension contributions over a three-year contract,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president.
Other demands include elimination of retirement health care benefits for those retiring at age 55 or older with at least 10 years of service, a permanent lower wage grid for new hires, and mandatory overtime.
Allegations of U.S. relocation
The union says the company has been removing equipment and raw materials from the Windsor facility during the dispute. Unifor believes Titan Tool & Die intends to relocate work to its Warren, Mich., location.
“We do not believe Titan Tool & Die’s owner and managers ever came to the negotiating table intending to reach a contract with our members,” Payne said. “We believe their intent is to move our members’ work to its U.S. facility and leave its Canadian workforce behind.”
The company has operated in Windsor since 1956. It was founded by Joseph Szecsei, a Windsor autoworker.
Union response and community support
The dispute has drawn support from union members across southwestern Ontario. The Nov. 18 caravan included Unifor members from Windsor and surrounding communities.
“When Titan Tool & Die attacks one group of workers, they’re attacking all workers,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario regional director.
Three workers have been injured on the picket line since the lockout began, according to Emile Nabbout, Unifor Local 195 president.
The lockout surpasses Windsor’s historic 99-day Ford strike of 1945 in duration. Unifor represents 320,000 workers in the private sector across Canada.
