Workers reach agreement with Toyota suppliers and Chrysler
Jun 26, 2009 - 09:13 AM
By Reka Szekely
AJAX -- An employee blockade of an Ajax car parts plant that started Monday, after workers were told they were out of a job and wouldn't be paid severance, continued Thursday.
BBi Enterprises Inc.'s Ajax plant manufactured hood and dash acoustic insulators for General Motors, Chrysler and Toyota, said Steve Batchelor, president of Canadian Auto Workers union Local 1090.
Last week, the workers were told BBi was no longer a viable company and would be wound down and closed by the end of July, said Mr. Batchelor. But things were different when the workers came in on Monday.
"Just before 9 a.m., they were told BBi was no longer in operation, they were out of work and there was no money for severance packages," said Mr. Batchelor.
"Then GM, Chrysler and Toyota indicated they were coming into the facility to pick up all their tooling ... (so) we put the blockade up," said Mr. Batchelor.
Since then, the union says it has reached an agreement with the two Toyota suppliers and Chrysler where the companies would pay a portion of the severance. The union is now allowing them to pick up their tools and equipment.
At the time of the closing, there were 20 workers left at the plant and a total of 68 eligible for severance pay of up to 24 weeks for their 24 years of service. Mr. Batchelor estimates the workers are owed about $1.2 million.
Questions to BBi enterprises were directed to the company's head office and calls to the company's Michigan headquarters were not returned by press time. General Motors Canada also did not respond to calls by deadline.
Mr. Batchelor said GM officials showed up for the equipment with the police, the sheriff and an injunction on Tuesday, but the workers didn't budge.
On Thursday afternoon, the union leader indicated GM was still in court and the company hasn't offered to negotiate.
"We've not heard anything from GM and we are continuing to blockade the facility against GM," he said, adding that GM has been in court seeking further injunctions.
Terry Essery, who has worked at the plant for 18 years and is the committee member for Local 1090, said workers won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
"We're here for the long haul until we get what's owed to us," he said, adding workers have done what they could to keep the plant going including bringing in their own toiletries like soap and paper towels for the lunch room to save costs.
The fight now is not to keep their jobs, but for the pay they say is owed to them.
"Myself and my wife work here, so that's our household income," said Mr. Essery. "We really need this severance to carry us until we can find something."
He's especially upset about the auto bailout dollars his taxes are paying for.
"Each and every one of us helped with the bailout, so we're upset they're putting the thumbs on the little guy."
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