A tentative deal for unionized workers at Flex N Gate in Lakeshore has been rejected.
The results of Friday’s ratification vote were 50.3 per cent opposed and 49.7 per cent in favour.
The current collective agreement expires on Sunday but bargaining will continue.
Unifor local 195 President Emile Nabbout says the union has been fighting for across the board gains including wages.
Nabbout says the vote was 0.4 per cent off from being ratified.
“Our members feel that there is more money that needs to be on the table to catch up with all this inflation and difficulty they’ve been facing with their family. We respect the democratic process that we have here for our members.”
He says bargaining will resume as soon as possible.
“There will be no strike action being taken at this moment, we have a great relationship with this employer. We contacted the employer and we will return back to the table. Hopefully we can find something, collectively we’ll bring it back to the members and ratify it.”
Nabbout says it’s a difficult time for many.
“If you go to fill your car with gas, everybody knows the pain, and the grocery stores, and they feel that there should be more money for them to be able to pay their bills, and justify the way the economy is going.”
Unifor represents 166 workers at the plant on Patillo Road.
Flex N Gate manufactures metal and plastic automotive components.