Locked out D-J Composites workers block managers from entering offices

Workers blocked 16 managers from entering the offices of aerospace manufacturer D-J Composites in Gander Friday, more than 100 days after the company locked out the 32 employees.

The workers have been without a contract for nearly two years, and say their lack of a living wage is one of the issues behind the lockout.

Friday morning, the workers extended their action to stopping managers from entering the offices at the site, saying the action is necessary to finally get the American-based company to listen to their concerns.

RCMP were called to the site and spoke to workers, but workers told CBC that wasn't going to deter them from continuing the blockade.

By 9:45 a.m., managers had agreed to go home, something the Unifor members called a win.

"They came up and waited around and we stood strong in line, hand in hand," said Ignatious Oram, plant chair with the union.

"It was a small victory today, and our message was loud and clear."

Unifor, the union representing the locked out employees, had previously said D-J Composites was trying to break the union by delaying talks and tabling new concessions.

The workers have been locked out of the facility since December, making Friday the 109th day of the lockout.