The workers of one of Canada’s oldest and most successful companies Labatt Brewing Co., based in Montreal city, have overwhelmingly rejected the brewer's latest contract offer which the company called a final one. "The conflict will continue," union spokesman Robert Daneau said in a statement Wednesday after 97 % of workers at Labatt's west-end distribution centre turned down the offer. "We want to keep fighting to block subcontracting and get better conditions for temporary employees," added Daneau. Labatt's proposal calls for a wage increase of up to $4 an hour spread over seven years. Annual salaries would increase to $67,236 for a delivery worker, and to $70,886 for a general labourer.

Paul Wilson, a Labatt spokesman, said the company is awaiting a call from the conciliator to see if negotiations will resume. "We are ready to look at the offer that was made to restructure it only if it remains part of the global package that was presented because employees in the regions have accepted it by 93 per cent," he said. "It's a question of equity for all the Labatt employees because we can't give more here than in the regions."

Besides its role as a brewery, the plant in suburban LaSalle houses the distribution centre for all 3,000 Labatt retailers in Montreal and also serves points of sale in a number of other cities and towns across Quebec. Wilson attributed the vote result to union members who believe they may have leverage during the summer season, which is critical for the brewery. He acknowledged the strike has had a major impact on Labatt's market share, which will be difficult to regain.

The union says about 150 of the 950 unionized workers at the plant are temporary employees who earn half the salary of the full-time workers. The union wants more full-time employees. It says some workers with 10 years seniority are still considered temporary employees. The company has been willing to offer protection against sub-contracting only to full-time employees while adding 20 full-time workers - far short of what the union wants. "As of today, Labatt must know that we aren't fighting for money, but more to maintain good working conditions," Daneau later said in an interview. The workers' contract expired last Dec. 31.
They have been on strike since June 16.

02 July, 2003