Workers walk off the job at Dr. Oetker plant, demanding consistent pay
CBC
Early Wednesday morning, 251 workers at Dr. Oetker Ltd. plant in southeast London walked off the job, demanding consistent annual pay increases for employees.
The Germany-based company, which manufactures and sells frozen pizza and desserts, had proposed offering different classes of workers different pay increases, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175 representative Fred Teeple.
"The management team here and the members butt heads quite a bit, you know, creating a toxic environment," he said, adding that it's one the issues the union wants addressed.
Teeple said that on Feb. 12, Dr. Oetker representatives put an offer on the table, which the workers found unsatisfactory. This led to the strike on Wednesday with dozens picketing near Bradley Ave., and many carrying placards, playing music and chanting slogans.
"A strike is not something you want to have to do," said Teeple.
"Sometimes it works out for you, sometimes it doesn't, but at the end of the day, I'm hoping that this group is able to get what they're looking for," he added.
Teeple said that there are no timelines or next steps but hopes Dr. Oetker will offer something that workers will be happy with.
According to the director of the union, Sam Caetano, 56 per cent of the employees rejected Dr. Oetker's offer of varying pay increases for staff.
"There are some members that felt that the agreement was a good agreement and voted in favour," said Caetano. "However, the majority did not."
"Usually on the first day, you get some mixed feelings on the line and I was there last night from 12:01 a.m. till seven in the morning and everyone seemed to be in good spirits."
Caetano said most workers on strike are making $20 per hour but some can also make as much as about $38 per hour.
CBC News reached out to the company for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
Lawyers for a man acquitted in a high-profile Toronto murder trial where a police officer was killed are holding a news conference Thursday to address a recent Ontario Provincial Police report that re-examines evidence from the trial.
Quebec provincial police arrested two men after a suspicious package grounded flights headed to Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Wednesday.
A nurse in Winnipeg says Canada's immigration system is undercutting efforts to address a shortage of health-care workers, after his application for permanent residency was rejected based on a technicality.
This year's provincial budget is "essentially" the status quo for wildfire preparation and response, the finance minister says.
Parts of B.C.'s coast continues to see heavy rain as Environment and Climate Change Canada warns of a prolonged atmospheric river this week.
Alberta teachers say they face increasingly dangerous conditions at school, with the most common threat coming from their own students.
Cataract surgeries at Charlottetown’s outpatient clinic are expected to resume in April, after procedures scheduled for March were cancelled due to the clinic reaching its annual funding target earlier than expected.
Shannon Elgazzar can see planes taking off from Cairo International Airport from her balcony.
Yellowknife city council has voted in favour of signing an agreement with the federal government that's aimed at bringing piped water and sewer service to the city's airport.
While Canada's economy is far more reliant on exports to the U.S. than vice versa, Canadian negotiators have crucial ammunition in their efforts to land a trade deal that reduces or eliminates tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nova Scotia PC MLA Rick Burns says he and his wife are victims of blackmail after hackers accessed and shared videos and intimate images on his personal devices this week.
The Saint John Board of Police Commissioners and Chief Robert Bruce have lost a bid to permanently deny public access to all court documents related to conduct complaints nine officers filed against the chief.
With the looming October election, Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard has delivered a modest budget as the province aims to withstand ongoing trade disruptions and mounting geopolitical pressure.