A two-week-long strike has ended at Owens Corning in Guelph as members of Workers United Local 1305 negotiated a new contract with management.
Prior to the Nov. 20 start of the strike, management had offered a final offer of a one-year contract. On Thursday the union announced it had successfully negotiated a new two-year contract, ending the strike.
The union members voted 60 per cent in favour of the new contract, with almost 100 per cent worker turnout.
“On behalf of the members I would like to thank the Guelph community for dropping off food, coffee and even propane to keep us warm and joining us on the line, said union president Tom Cunningham. "This support kept us going through 2 snow storms.”
In an emailed statement, Owens Corning communications leader Sally Culling said the company is pleased the union had accepted the contract and returned to work.
"This two-year contract is fair to employees and good for the plant. We look forward to resuming normal operations and continuing to serve our customers,” said Culling.
In addition to the extended length of the new contract, the union also negotiated a two per cent wage increases each year and a new wage increase for new hires.
“Although we certainly didn’t get everything we were after it was a good dress rehearsal for future negotiations as many of us had not experienced anything like this before,” said union vice-president Paul Madsen.
Ten minutes after the strike began the union said management attempted to bus in replacement workers, sometimes referred to as scabs.
"Workers refused to allow the bus to enter though it did allow trucks to enter after a 10-minute respect for the picket line wait," said the union in a news release.
Owens Corning filed for an injunction and order to get the bus in and on Nov. 24 an agreement was made between both sides to address picketing protocol.
