Fighting for the Rights in -40 degree isn’t a joke: Strike of Steel Workers, Brampton

Jan 27^th, 2014 its 16^th day of the steel workers strike, sitting 24X7 from Jan 12^th in two different pickets. 12 to 14 workers are divided in these two pickets bringing down the production to level zero. While we were watching TV, drinking beer and having a cozy time with our families, 60 workers of a lucrative Johnsen Matthey  (130 Glidden Rd Brampton ) Steel Metal works company lit the fire against greedy management who refuse to increase their pay and improve their pension plan and other benefits.

Steel Workers struggle must be seen in the backdrop when Ontario government is under pressure to increase the minimum wage from $10.25 to $14 per hour. Inc. Canada is on the spree to squeeze positive flow of the benefits to its work force rather interested to employ more and more hands
through employment agencies and get the maximum output from Temporary workers without sharing the social responsibility by providing them a good wage, retirement plans, health and medical benefits etc. Social security cover is shrinking every year and thus creating huge piles of profit for Corporate sectors of Canada. One should not forget the historic statement of Ex Governor of Bank of Canada who said on the record in 2012 that more than $526 Billion surplus money is sitting idle in the bank and its Corporate Canada who is not investing in the market and not creating jobs anymore. This Idle amount in USA is estimated over $5 Trillions.

Canadian Govt under Conservative Harper regime has been notorious to roll back benefits from social sector and proactively busy with US administration to become a junior partner in all its imperial overseas adventures from Afghanistan to Libya. Canada seems to be more interested to show its tiny muscles in league with USA, they have huge funds to buy F35 for unknown security threats however its safest country in the world having border with USA which its historic ally  and enjoy unquestionable friendship and on the other hand it does not have sufficient funds for its Ex Military personals who have followed the orders of their masters in Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan or elsewhere and now they are fighting for their rights all over the country. They are not being given even their medical claims.

Working class of Canada is under tremendous pressure since cost of living are increasing, be it grocery bills or gas and on the contrary wages are dropping down drastically, particularly in GTA area. Working class people like Truckers, Factory Workers, Fork Lift Drivers were making more money 20 years before in less hours. They were having a comfortable life and enjoying more hours with their families now, the same working group is working like a mule more hours and making less money, paying more against his mortgage, insurance and utility bills ending up in more miserable life.

Steel Workers of Johnsen Matthey are waging the struggle by becoming voice of millions of working class families. They are getting some positive sign from management as they are inclined for a negotiation. Their possible victory could pave way for many more organized union to put up a legitimate fight against greed of Corporate world which has the same character worldwide consequently Working class of the world too have the same character which is Class Struggle. Workers of Johnsen Matthey are braving a fight sitting in their barely equipped pickets under -20 to -40 temperatures, the spirit of their resistance was great and morale was high. Dev, rightly said, ‘One has to sacrifice. We got it because somebody sacrificed 100 years before, now we are doing it and everybody will be benefited’ Greg, agreed by showing  his ‘thumps up’ as a valid justification.

Various representatives from different unions are visiting their pickets to show their solidarity with Coffee and food stuff, passer by honks the horn of their cars, establishing a connection with civil support to the striking workers.