One year lock-out

Marks the first year of the lockout at the refinery Petro-Canada, east of Montreal. Workers affiliated to the union Canadian Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP-FTQ) highlight the anniversary. "It is incomprehensible that leaders of Petro-Canada had not yet understood that this is not through threats and intimidation they come out of the conflict they have triggered," said Daniel Cloutier, representing the CEP. The CEP, in collaboration with the FTQ and the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) has started the past few weeks a boycott of petrol stations in the company. According to the union, this operation is gaining momentum and enjoys support from the union not only in Quebec but across Canada. In addition, the union said that financial aid is sent regularly to 260 employees in lockout. The bone of contention between Petro-Canada and the union is that the company refuses to obey the rules negotiated model in the petrochemical sector in Canada. Moreover, entrepreneurs and traders in Montreal create a group to try to resolve this labor dispute. The new Coalition for jobs in 4000, the conflict hinders the expansion site of the refinery. The project, estimated at $ 1 billion, could create 4000 jobs during the works and 400 permanent jobs at the refinery. The coalition fears that Petro-Canada abandoned the project. At a press conference Monday, the chairman of the coalition, Louis-Pierre Lafortune, said that entrepreneurs who purchased equipment in anticipation of the project have suffered loss of income. He also stressed that the lockout affects the sector as traders caterers and cleaners. Wishing the settlement of the conflict by Dec. 15, members of the coalition sent a letter to the union and Petro-Canada. The coalition seeks a meeting with all parties in the coming days. The coalition also benefit from the election campaign under way to question the heads of political parties.