Unifor Local 127 members at Dajcor Aluminum have hit the picket lines after discovering the company’s plan to remove equipment and bring in replacement workers. Tensions flared when employees voted down a tentative agreement on Tuesday, July 29, prompting the union to extend the strike deadline and urge Dajcor to return to the bargaining table with a better wage offer.
Instead of negotiating, Canada-based Dajcor Aluminum doubled down sparking outrage by moving forward with efforts to relocate machinery and enlist non-union labour. Unifor is ramping up its Protect Canadian Jobs campaign as a wave of new threats puts domestic manufacturing in the crosshairs.
“Any attempt to remove equipment from a Unifor facility or bring in scabs will always be met with the swiftest possible response from our union. This is a clear case of escalation that calls for action. Our members have every right to defend their jobs, their plant, and their community from these deceitful tactics,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
From outsourcing production to shipping equipment across borders and hiring replacement workers, companies are taking bold steps that put Canadian jobs and communities at risk. The union is staying vigilant, pushing back hard to defend the livelihoods and industries that form the backbone of the country.
While the company has reaped the benefits of public support, including a $2.48 million repayable contribution from FedDev Ontario and over $1 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund to boost production in Chatham, it has recently sunk $19.6 million into launching a new facility in Chavies, Kentucky. For Unifor, that’s a red flag in the ongoing fight to keep good jobs rooted in Canada.
Also Read: From Canada to Europe - a noticeable shift in US aluminium sourcing
Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, representing 320,000 workers across every major industry. Committed to championing the rights of all working people, Unifor leads the fight for fairness, equality, and social justice, both at home and around the world. The union is a powerful force for progressive change, driving toward a more just and sustainable future for everyone.
“This strike is necessary to protect the integrity of our work and the future of this facility. Our members work hard and take great pride in producing high‑quality parts. The company’s plan to remove equipment and bring in scabs is a slap in the face to the very workers who help generate its profits,” added Unifor Local 127 President Jeff McFadden.
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