D-J Composites in Gander picket after 'shocking and disrespectful' lockout

About 40employees ofan aerospace manufacturing plant in Gander were on the picket line Tuesday morning after being locked out by the company.

"It was shocking and disrespectful, as far as I'm concerned," saidIgantiusOram, plant chair of Unifor Local 597.

Workers at D-J Composites, part of the U.S-owned D-J Engineering Inc., voted 100% in favour of a strike Monday afternoon, but the company locked them out first.

Union leaderssay workers have been without a collective agreement for 21 months, and added wages and job protection are the most contentious issues.

Mike Stockley, who has worked with the company for 12 years, said his wage of just over $13.50 per hour does not cover his cost of living.

"We [have] some technical skills in there that are not found anywhere else in any other industry," he said, adding there have been no raises in 21 months.

"That's all we ask for is a fair raise, to make a living to feed our families and that's it."

LanaPayne,Unifor'sAtlantic regional director, said for some employees, the company wants to "red-circle them, meaning no wage increase for five years."

UniforLocal 597 President Carolyn Wrice said members want to be back at their regular jobs, not on the picket line.

"We are hoping the company will calls us back to the bargaining table. We're ready and willing to go back," she said.

D-J Engineering has hired a consultant who is currently in Gander to negotiate with the union, said company vice-president Ray Tuschhoff when reached by phonein Augusta, Kan.

Thecompany doesnot expect to reach a resolution withworkers before Christmas.