Locked-out D-J Composites employees mark bleak anniversary with rally in St. John's

After travelling nearly 350 kilometres, some30 locked-out workers with D-JComposites in Ganderstepped off a bus in St. John's Tuesday to chants of, "One day longer, one day stronger."

Forming up in front of Confederation Building, the workers stepped into the spotlight after a year-long dispute with the American-based owners of their company.

"The stress that this has put on the members in the back hereit's been unbelievable," Iggy Oram, bargaining unit chair with Uniforlocal 597, told a gathering that included other labour leaders who offered support.

Desperate for a resolution

With the prospect of spending a second Christmas on the picket line, Unifor is ramping up its campaign.

And it's not just the company that inits sights.

Thelabour laws in this provincehave proven to be completely ineffective when dealing with employers who are intent on busting unions.- Lana Payne, Unifor

"This government rightnow that has done nothing to help this problem," said Oram, who called on the provincial government to tighten labour laws.

"Thelabour laws in this provincehave proven to be completely ineffective when dealing with employers who are intent on busting unions," echoedLana Payne, Atlantic regional director withUnifor.

Labour tension boiled over

D-JComposites is a Kansas-based aerospace manufacturing company that purchased the Gander operation five years ago.

The union saidthere has been labour tension ever since, but the situation boiled over a year ago when the company locked out 32 workers after they voted to strike.

Every attempt to find a resolution has failed, including mediation and a ruling by the labour relations board that the company had engaged in bad-faith bargaining.

• Mediator called in to help settle 10-month DJ Composites lockout

Uniforalso announced Tuesday that it has filed a second complaint with the labour relations board.

"This can only be seen as union busting," Payne said.

"D-J's owner, Rezaul Chowdhury, seems to be doing everything he can to try and divide the members and get rid of the union in this workplace.However, angry members will spend another Christmas in the cold more united than ever," she added.

Unifor has accused the company of trying to strip workers of their wages, seniority rights and even their right to unionize.

Renewed energy

Some workers admitted that morale has sagged in recent months, but felt renewed energy following Tuesday's rally, which included thousands in donations from otherunions.

"This rally today is really what we needed," said Donna Fretwell, a resident of Horwoodwho has worked at D-JComposites for 14 years.

Will Davis of Glovertown brought along his daughter Ashley, who is attending college in St. John's.

Davis said the workers are in the "fight of their lives" and he's staying strong for his daughterand future generations of workers.

"It's hard on families, and she's seen what I'm going through. And my wife. And my son. Enough is enough," said Davis.

Attempts to speak with representatives of D-JComposites were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and LabourLabour issued the following statement:

"Labour legislation must balance the rights of employees and employers, and the current legislation provides this balance."

According to the statement, the department hastaken steps to help end the labour dispute, including conciliation and mediation, but without success.

"The department will continue to monitor the situation and services remain available to assist the parties should they wish to avail of them," it reads.