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Join the LabourStart campaign to get striking Labatt workers in Newfoundland back to work.
Ottawa (20 June 2013) – An emergency resolution hit the floor at the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) convention on the weekend asking the 300 plus delegates to support the striking workers at Labatt brewery in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Representatives of hundreds of thousands of provincial government and private sector employees from across the country have voted unanimously to take part in and promote a national boycott of imported Labatt beers – including Stella Artois, Beck's, and Lõwenbrãu.
Strikebreakers hired to replace workers
Carol Furlong, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) spoke passionately at the microphone about the commitment of the long-time Labatt employees to their jobs, and to the company. Striking is the last straw for any worker but, when faced with concessions at the bargaining table, it can be the only choice.
NUPGE President James Clancy said there was no question of the union's support. “Our members are outraged by the way this incredibly profitable corporation is treating its employees in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Clancy.
Overwhelming support for boycott of Labatt import products
The boycott outside of Newfoundland only targets Labatt's imported products in order to prevent the brewing company's other unionized employees in Canada from experiencing any loss of work. The following products are those to avoid:
- Stella Artois,
- Stella Artois Light,
- Beck's,
- Brahma,
- Hoegaarden,
- Leffe,
- Staropromen,
- Boddingtons,
- Bass,
- Löwenbräu and
- Ozujsko Pivo.
In Newfoundland, people are being urged to boycott, in addition to those listed above: Budweiser, Bud Light, Labatt Blue, Labatt Lite, Blue Star, Alexander Keith’s, Labatt Maximum Ice, Jockey Club, Michelob and Kokanee.
Send a message to Labatt/AB InBev management
NUPGE is also launching a national email-writing campaign in support of the striking Labatt workers.
Clancy continued, “Through our boycott on Labatt's imports and our email-writing campaign, we intend to remind these business leaders that there are consequences for trying to take advantage of hard-working Canadians.”
Last year, AB InBev, the parent company of Labatt, posted a $9 billion profit. Supporters of the workers will be demanding that management better use those profits to negotiate a fair and decent contract for its employees.
To take part in the email-writing campaign, NUPGE is inviting its members and the general public to visit http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1867.
More information:
Labatt's position is a cold one: Billions in profit, cuts for workers
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE