Windsor won’t tolerate use of duty-free scab labour at border

Warning for billionaire private owner of duty-free shop at busiest Canada-U.S. border crossing

Update

Windsor - Staff at the Ambassador Bridge Duty-Free Store went on strike Friday morning after the company walked away from talks.

The 45 members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), all students at the University of Windsor, want a longer term of employment. Currently, they cannot work for more than one year.

The store was closed after Windsor labour leaders, led by OPSEU, warned the private owner against the use scab workers at the store.

“We're glad that the employer has shelved its plans to run the store with 'replacement workers' at least for this weekend," said OPSEU president Leah Casselman.

"The labour movement in Windsor has joined with OPSEU in making it clear that we won't tolerate strike breaking by the Ambassador Bridge Corporation. The next step is for the company to return to the bargaining table with a response to the union's last proposal."

Windsor – Labour leaders on the Canadian side of the border are warning U.S. billionaire Manuel (Matty) Moroun to back off on his plans to use scabs at the Ambassador Bridge Duty Free shop if a strike by staff occurs. It could begin as early as today.

Moroun owns the bridge, the busiest crossing point on the Canada-U.S. border.

Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), issued the warning to Moroun at a news conference this week. She was accompanied by key labour leaders who pledged their support to ensure that scab workers will not cross picket lines. They included:

• Marie-Claire Coupal, president of Customs Excise Union representing Ambassador Bridge customs officers;
• Dave Croswell, first vice-president of CAW Local 200;
• Aldo DiCarlo, President, CUPE Local 1393 and Member of the University of Windsor Board of Governors, and
• Ellsworth Banks, first vice president of the Windsor District Labour Council.

Last week the Ambassador Bridge Corp., controlled by Maroun, walked away from contract talks with the 45 University of Windsor students who work the Canadian-side duty-free outlet.

“The employer had better get back to the bargaining table if it wants this store to stay open on the long weekend,” says OPSEU’s president.

“When you employ scabs, you’re not just taking on 45 students – you’re taking on the entire labour movement in Windsor,” adds CAW representative Dave Croswell.

Maroun has a history of questionable labour relations. When toll collectors working for Maroun wanted to organize, he moved toll booths across the river and out of range of Canadian labour laws.

Duty-free employees are paid a maximum of $9.25 an hour; less than $150 in total for an average work week at the store. It’s been three years since their last wage increase. NUPGE

More information:
• Duty free workers to strike at busiest Canada-U.S. border point

Web posted by NUPGE: 2 September 2005