By Jason Foster, AFL Staff

Three days before Christmas, the workers at the Georgia-Pacific Edmonton Drywall Plant found themselves locked out of the plant. It was a company ploy to impose rollbacks and shift changes on the 50 workers, all members of the Boilermakers union, Local D-513.

But rather than accept the company demands, the union called a strike vote and received an 83% strike mandate. Their strike has now passed its 6th week.

"They are importing American-style bargaining tactics to Alberta," says Jeff Wood, President of Local D-513, which is affiliated to the AFL. Georgia-Pacific is North America’s largest manufacturer of building products. Based in Atlanta, it bought the Edmonton plant 24 months ago. The plant makes drywall for wholesale and retail sale in Alberta.

"If we give in to Georgia-Pacific’s demands for a compressed work week, it will mean longer layoffs for workers in the plant," says Wood. "They also want big cuts in our health benefits and want to end premium pay for Sundays."

Wood recounts the difficulty negotiating with Georgia-Pacific. "All the decisions are made in Atlanta. They refuse to look at our proposals and called off the mediator. They are doing everything they can to drag on negotiations."

The latest round of bargaining, held in late January, lasted less than 4 hours, as the company negotiators had to "consult" with Atlanta before responding to the union’s latest offer.

Despite the company’s tactics, the strikers are determined to win the fight. "Our guys refuse to let them get away with this garbage," says Wood.

The labour movement is behind the strikers. Last month, over a hundred union activists showed up at a support rally for the striking workers. Earlier in the day, members of UFCW 401 held a barbeque to warm the picket line on a chilly January afternoon.

"We need a strong showing of solidarity for Local D-513," said Audrey Cormack, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour. "Alberta workers need to send the message that we do things differently in Alberta than they do in Atlanta."

Cormack also pointed out that Georgia-Pacific is looking to make the workers pay more out of their pockets for health benefits at a time when the company is racking up huge profits. "In three months last year, Georgia-Pacific made an operating profit of $257 million."

The union has plans to keep the pressure on the company. "We have been contacting local retailers and wholesalers asking them to stop stocking G-P products until the dispute is settled," says Wood.

"We have been getting a hopeful response. Many stores feel we are being treated unfairly and want Georgia-Pacific to start bargaining seriously."

Even with the winter temperatures, Wood says the strikers are upbeat and prepared to hold out until Georgia-Pacific starts taking them seriously.

"I don’t think they knew who they were dealing with. We don’t crack so easily. The members remain strong and determined to get a fair agreement."