Buzz Get the Story Straight
Open Letter
RE: A.G. Simpson Strike (Oshawa)
By Eddy Ochej (AGS, Unit Chairperson, CAW Local 222)
The recent labour dispute at A.G. SIMPSON in Oshawa Ontario was not an illegal strike, as some people would have you believe. The company told us to leave the plant. You should have spoken to me or one of my Committeemen for our version of events before you slammed us in the papers.
When the CAW National Union failed to file the appropriate paperwork in the proper timelines required by law to have the strike mandate on its original date of May 15th the membership became suspicious. The company attempted to move the
dies from the press-line on Friday May 19th one day before our new Labour Board and National Union approved legal strike date of Saturday May 20th. Our CAW National representative put a flyer through the plant on May 4th confirming the new date. I would show it to you Buzz, but you refused to meet with me.
At the bargaining table the committee with the Membership’s support made a stand of ‘No Concessions’, as is the Policy of the Union. We were willing to take the risk and give up our employment to back this Union to protect the Auto Parts Industry that is under attack by the corporations. One would think our National President would support us. Buzz you had the nerve to tell me that eliminating our early retirement language and the millions of dollars in funding it was not a concession. When I disagree you hung up the phone on me. If you want to work
until your 65 that’s fine but my members want to retire early and we succeeded in preserving their right to do that by taking a stand. At a time that the Government is going to eliminate mandatory retirement at 65 would you have us work to 70 or 75?
We feel let down by you and I hope you can support the next bargaining unit who is trying to fend off corporate greed.
Willie Lambert, your competition in the upcoming election, supported our membership on the picket line! Where were YOU?
The AGS Oshawa Committee