About 500 Direct Energy workers on strike
Posted April 18, 2012 5:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
About 500 Direct Energy workers are on strike but the company says the job action will result in “minimal disruption” for customers.
The striking workers, represented by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union of Canada (CEP) Local 975, are field and clerical employees. They’re striking after the company failed to table its best offer at a 10:32 a.m. deadline Tuesday, the union said. The employees walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
The two sides have been negotiating since June.
Picket lines were set up at the Direct Energy offices on Allstate Parkway, near Highways 7 and 404 in Markham, Wednesday morning.
The company is implementing new terms and conditions on Wednesday, Local 975 said on its website. The employees have been working without a contract for a year.
“The company is taking a hard line and is seeking as much as a 25 per cent claw back in wages as well as sweeping concessions that have no impact on customer service whatsoever,” a statement on Local 975’s website says.
Direct Energy said it remains committed to negotiating a new contract.
“We are disappointed that a segment of unionized employees decided to walk-out, but we remain hopeful that we will soon be able to announce an agreement to both parties’ benefit,” company spokeswoman Anne-Julie Gratton said in a statement to CityNews.
“We are committed to doing everything within our power to meet our customers’ needs. We have a robust plan in place, and will strive to ensure minimal disruption. We will continue to make ourselves available to bargain with union representatives at any date and time in the hopes of avoiding a lengthy disruption.”
