Workers at Flex N Gate in Lakeshore have rejected a tentative agreement and are now on strike.
During a ratification vote Friday afternoon, 55% voted against a three year deal which included skilled trades workers receiving $0.25/hour now, another $0.25/hour in November and then $0.25/hour cents each of the following two years.
A worker at Flex N Gate votes on a tentative agreement. May 19, 2017 (Photo by Teresinha Medeiros/AM800)
Unifor Local 195 President Gerry Farnham says the union is disappointed but accepts the vote outcome.
He says the 200 employees have accepted concessionary agreements during tough economic times and now that the auto industry is turning around, workers want more.
Flex N Gate supplies floor rails to the Windsor Assembly Plant and Farnham expects it won't be long before the minivan plant is affected.
"I would say in a rather short time in 6-12 hours that it could have that type of affect on that facility now I don't know if they have a bank in there," says Farnham.
Unifor Local 195 President Gerry Farnham. May 2017 (Photo by Teresinha Medeiros/AM800)
He says workers in the past have made sacrifices to help the company.
"The membership has spoken and we always support the membership and the problem with Flex N Gate is the fact that in the last 9 years there has been some concessionary agreements."
He says workers haven't had a pay increase in at least ten years.
Workers on strike at Flex N Gate in Lakeshore May 19, 2017 (Courtesy of Victor Renaud)
Workers make between $21-$25/hour.
No new talks are planned.