Canada: Kronos Canada Inc. lock-out brings international unions on the scene

The 2nd lockout within three months for Kronos Inc in Varennes, Quebec was called on September 20 and continues to linger. It was announced after 93% of the workforce rejected Kronos’ latest offer to replace the expiring agreement, amending working conditions and lowering terms. The struggles at the Kronos plant in Canada have caused reactions from IndustriALL Global Union and the Belgian ACV-CSC.  The company’ European headquarters are located in Ghent and production in Belgium increased after the lockout.  (Ref.  130592)
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Lock-out. After having been locked out a first time on June 13, Kronos’ workforce in Varennes, Quebec, Canada faces the second lockout within three months, which has been called on September 20. The lockout was called as direct reaction to the workforce’s rejection of a proposal to extend the collective agreement that included widespread use of subcontracted workforce, foresaw the elimination of 30 per cent of the jobs on sites, increased overtime work and restructuring of the workforce, as we

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