Workers locked out at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw: union says

Support staff at CFB Moose Jaw are on strike after contract negotiations failed. (CTV News/Katy Syrota)

Workers at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw say they were locked out Wednesday morning without the required notice.

According to a release from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), workers were turned away by Sodexo when they arrived for their shifts and were not given the required 48 hours’ notice before the lockout.

“These actions show a disregard for workers and their rights,” said Marianne Hladun, PSAC regional executive vice-president for the Prairies.

“Our members deserve a fair contract, decent wages and benefits, and respect throughout this process.”

The PSAC Prairies members are represented by the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) Local 40807.

The workers began a rotating strike on Tuesday after serving notice.

“As is standard practice, the union is not required to disclose in advance when members will be on the line during a rotating strike,” PSAC wrote.

“Sodexo has continued to spread misinformation by suggesting workers are ‘essential.’ In any labour dispute, employers are required to formally identify essential positions. In this case, the employer waived that option.”

UNDE is calling on Sodexo to comply with the law, end the lockout and return to the bargaining table with a fair offer.

“No worker wants to be on the picket line,” said June Winger, UNDE’s national president.

“But when a multinational corporation like Sodexo has the audacity to offer an 18-cent raise to workers who are barely making ends meet, they simply do not have a choice.”

CTV News has reached out to Sodexo for comment.