Police on Scene Due to Labour Dispute in Milton

Published August 10, 2017 at 5:36 pm

Halton police are currently on scene at the North Star Aerospace building (located at 180 Market Drive) in Milton due to an ongoing labour dispute.

Halton police are currently on scene at the North Star Aerospace building (located at 180 Market Drive) in Milton due to an ongoing labour dispute.

The ongoing protest has been launched following an announcement that Unifor has taken control of the facility to demand that the company fund “a dramatic 24 per cent pension deficit.”

“This action sends a clear message to Northstar that the company cannot short-change workers and the pension of retirees that have made it profitable for so many years,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president, in a statement. “There is no financial reason for refusing to fund the plan. The only excuse is corporate greed.”

Northstar Aerospace recently announced that it plans to relocate equipment in the Milton facility to Chicago and Windsor. The union says the company “refuses to meet the 24 per cent pension shortfall for workers facing job loss.”

“Since January, Unifor and its Local 112 have attempted to negotiate a closure agreement to protect current pension provisions and benefits,” the Unifor release reads. “This shortfall will affect future and current retirees, some of whom are already on a fixed income after having worked at the facility for more than 40 years.”

Production at the facility has been halted.

“We have stopped production at this facility until Northstar holds up its end of a commitment, a commitment to the workers who have made this company flourish,” said Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 president. “After months the company has refused to discuss the matter. Time is running out – Northstar needs to do the right thing.”

The shutdown began at 4 a.m. and is currently underway.

Unifor members and supporters are holding a picket line outside the facility and will continue to demonstrate around the clock.

Halton police is on scene with labour dispute officers who establish a liaison with members of organized labour and management and advise and assist where possible. Police will be on the lookout for “breaches of the peace” and are currently liaising between management from North Star Aerospace and representatives from Unifor.

No incidents have been reported in connection with the picket.

Photo courtesy of Unifor Facebook page

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