Gingrich Woodcraft, Unifor set for labour board hearings Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Director of organizing for union said it would like to see workplace near Fort Frances, Ont., reopen
Talks between Unifor and the owners of Ontario furniture maker Gingrich Woodcraft ended without a settlement Monday, and will now proceed to a labour board hearing at the end of September.
The furniture manufacturer from Devlin, near Fort Frances, is facing complaints of unfair labour practices after it shut down when its workers joined Unifor.
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The owners, who are Mennonites, say their faith does not allow them to work with unions.
The director of organizing with Unifor said the union wants to see the workplace reopened.
"We'd like to see the employer respect the wishes of the employees and respect the law of the land of Ontario," John Aman said.
"Workers do have a right to form a union and bargain collectively with their employer."
The parties started negotiations on Monday, instead of heading into an Ontario labour board hearing as scheduled.
Living 'their faith'
Aman said the company owners' reasons for closure aren't acceptable.
"I'm sure they do some business with some union outfits, so it seems to be an argument of convenience at this stage," he said.
The lawyer for the company's owners told CBC News "they feel bad that [workers] lost their jobs, but they intend to live their faith."
Gingrich Woodcraft said in a statement last week that, as Christian business owners, their personal beliefs do not allow them freedom to work with a labour union.
The company stated, "We are required by scripture to 'live peaceably with all men,' and not to use force to gain what we want or for what is required to succeed."
Earlier this month, 25 workers at the plant voted 69 per cent in favour of joining Unifor, the largest private-sector union in the country.
Less than a week later, workers were told the plant would be shut down.
Gingrich Woodcraft, which employed 25 workers, has been in business for 18 years.
The Ontario Labour Board dates are set for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.