CAW Demands End to Two-month Labour Dispute: Rally Tuesday, May 18

TORONTO, May 14 /CNW/ - Hundreds of CAW members from across the Greater Toronto Area will rally in support of striking St. Marys Cement workers on Tuesday, May 18 in Bowmanville, Ontario.

The 100 St. Marys workers, represented by CAW Local 222, have been on strike since March 14 - with the employer making no sign of getting back to the bargaining table any time soon.

St. Marys Cement is demanding the elimination of the pension plan among other concessions, including a drastic reduction in benefits.

CAW President Ken Lewenza said that the Brazilian parent company is making enormous profits, yet is trying to go after the workers to give up important benefits, like retirement security. "This is outright bullying of this small group of workers," said Lewenza. "This company is far from destitute and the rollback of any hard won workers' benefits is out of the question."

"As so many aging Canadians are struggling to scrounge up enough money to live on in retirement, it is outrageous for this company to force workers to give up their hard earned pension plans."

Solidarity Rally for St. Marys Workers

Tuesday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

400 Waverly Road South in Bowmanville, Ontario

The workers have been without a contract since January 31. St. Marys is a major aggregate producer with quarry, gravel and cement operations in Canada and the U.S.

For further information: CAW Communications, Shannon Devine, (cell) [phone]