IKEA locks out Teamsters for 8 weeks

Our brothers and sisters in British Columbia are standing strong against IKEA, which locked them out eight weeks ago. The furniture giant made a concessionary contract offer that 84 percent of the workers rejected.<br /><br />David Halme writes in <a href="http://www.thestand.org/2013/07/ikea-lockout-aims-to-bust-union-in-b-c/">The Stand</a> that IKEA now wants to bust the union:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">More than 300 workers at IKEA here have been locked out of their jobs since May 15 when they rejected a company offer that included the imposition of a tiered wage structure. Teamsters Local 213 were thrilled June 5 when the British Columbia Labour Relations Board found IKEA guilty of using scab workers to keep the Richmond store open. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Even though IKEA profits worldwide have consistently increased, they have a lousy reputation beyond Swedish borders. When on North American soil, IKEA treats their “co-workers” in a very different manner than they would dare in Sweden where the workforce is more than 70% unionized.</blockquote>Teamsters local 213 tells us:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Store manager Janet McGowan set out further hardball tactics earlier in June in a letter stating that employees who didn’t come in to work would see their working conditions cut further by diminishing the already rejected offer in stages; starting June 3 by imposing a wage freeze and eliminating the lump and minor wage increase (1.5%). </span></span></blockquote>Here's a terrific news report about the lockout:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AE3pm1doWTQ" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />A recent youtube video (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKZfnilTlXk">here</a>) with images of the picket line includes this note:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Thank you for taking the time to watch this video </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">This is not just about IKEA, this is about the labour movement and what is happening to working people.Using scab labor is the lowest business practice out there.</blockquote>You can post a message of support on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal213">Facebook page</a> here.

IKEA lockout IKEA locks out Teamsters for 8 weeks

Our brothers and sisters in British Columbia are standing strong against IKEA, which locked them out eight weeks ago. The furniture giant ma...

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