Five Reasons Workers Strike
Cargill workers at the High River plant, have issued a strike notice to the company through their union.
Workers may hit the picket line first week of December if negotiations fail.
Cargill workers pay their union dues and in return their union represents them in bargaining negotiations. Their bargaining demands are around:
- Increased wages for all including full retroactive pay
- Increased signing bonus
- Fair ways to monitor line speeds
- Limitations on benefit costs and co-pays
- Increased benefit coverage
- Health and safety improvements
- Sick leave
- Improvements to shift scheduling
Why Strike?
- The ability to strike is a fundamental part of the right organize and collectively bargain recognized in Canada. On June 14, 2017, Canada ratified the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).
- It is legal. The Supreme Court of Canada recognizes the constitutional right to strike for Canadian workers in a 2015 decision. The right to strike is constitutionally protected under the freedom of association in section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Negotiation and compromise are at the core of employment relationships. Workers want it because they want to avoid being at the complete mercy of employers. One of their objectives is to change the balance of power between workers and employer.
- Most strikes are about pay and better working conditions. Without the threat of strike action, corporations will be able to make bigger profits, while working conditions will get worse.
- Strike is part of their bargaining tool. Striking is sometimes their last legal option.
