Workers gathered outside the Oceanex building on Water Street in the capital city earlier today to protest treatment by management ahead of contract negotiations in the New Year.
Chris Gosse, union President of LSPU I.L.A. Local 1953, says the workers are out to protect their trade union rights, which they say the company is violating.
Gosse alleges the company of using coercion and intimidation, and undue influence on workers, saying workers have had enough.
The union first started organizing on the St. John’s waterfront in 1890. He says they have had good and bad employers, but they won’t be putting up with bad employers any more.
Gosse says they’re expressing their trade union rights and they will “take action” if needed.
What exactly taking action means, Gosse was reluctant to say, but he says they’re hoping for the best. @VOCMNEWS #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/NAzabRP2p9
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) December 30, 2019
Their collective agreement expires tomorrow and they will soon be entering into bargaining.
The union is hopeful that things can come to a resolution, but Gosse says if the company continues the way they have been, then things won’t lead to a positive outcome.
Oceanex would not offer a comment on the situation at this time.