More than 1000 activists from locals across Ontario have converged in support of this Barrie local since they occupied their plant Sunday November 21st at approximately 10 p.m.
Talking to workers on the front line reaffirms the reality of what workers are facing today. While headlines scream that workers at local 306 are being offered large amounts of money, workers on the line react to this news with shock and anger. $200,000 who wouldn't take it, we'd be crazy not to, was a typical comment made by very angry workers.
Reality for these workers lies in a severance package that would give them anywhere from $10,000 to 50,000 and benefits that would continue for a whole 30 days after the plant closing. So where do the magical figures of an average$90,000 per employee and some as high as $200,000 given by John MacDonald, the vice president, come from?
Once again inflated figures are used to defend a weak and totally absurd position taken by management. The Molson plant is scheduled for closure in September of 2000, and management is making up the rules as they go. Not only are they ignoring the past practice of allowing workers to transfer to their other plants such as the one in Etobicoke but they have been quoted as saying the $90,000 to $200,000 dollar figures are over and above the wages they will earn from now until September when the plant closes.
How considerate of them to pay their workers while they finalize the elimination of their jobs.
Job losses resulting from the closure of the Barrie plant are scheduled to go to Etobicoke and workers want their jobs. At the very least they want the option to transfer with their jobs to other full time positions.
But full time positions are not a part of corporate agenda. According to the workers on the line they have been given two options.
Option A is the creation of 50 temporary positions at the Etobicoke plant. BUT in order for 50 workers to be able to take advantage of this offer they need to agree to an unrealistic and absurd list of demands.
Option B is only available to the workers if option A is not exercised.
This "generous" offer gives every employee, all 350 of them, an additional $ 5000. For a company making millions in profit how can this be considered generous, it's not even close to being acceptable.
It's time Molson's faced up to its responsibility and dealt equitably with the dedicated workforce that made it the successful corporation it is today.
If you are not happy with Molson's you can voice your opinion. Their customer service number is:1-800-Molson1 (1-800-665-7661)
Diane M. Albrecht
Local 1325 Stratford