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With over 350 unionized workers, the Goderich Salt Mine in Ontario is the largest employer in the city.
So when mine workers went on strike 12 weeks ago, Goderich Coun. Trevor Bazinet says it was not just the company employees who felt a pinch. That was just about every business, from restaurants to sports organizations to exterminators.
"We had customers who decided not to renew their pest control contract with us because of the strike," said Bazinet, who also works with Truly Nolen's pest control.
"There are entrepreneurs who have struggled, their businesses have dropped by 30 to 40 percent. 100, so it just shows what the salt mine and the people who live in that community are giving back to our community. 19659005] I will always support Unifor Local 16-0. Unifor Local 16-0 is a big part of #Goderich They support our local businesses and support many different organizations in our city. The least we can do as a community is to show them that we are back in their strike. pic.twitter.com/qvCDhv1j7f
On Monday, Unifor Local 16-0 reached an agreement with Compbad Minerals, the company owning the mine. The three-year contract provides for a 2.5% wage increase this year and the next, and a 3% increase in 2020. It also maintains past pensions and benefits, according to the union.
Workers will return to the mine on Wednesday. But Bazinet says he's expecting the economic impact of the strike to continue.
"When someone leaves their job for 12 weeks, it will take time for this bank account to become what it once was," he said.
During the strike, placards similar to these sprouted in front of houses and windows all over Goderich. The mine is the largest employer in the city and a large part of the community's businesses depend on the money miners make. (Colin Butler / CBC News)
For Mayor Kevin Morrison, the strike had a personal impact; he owns a local restaurant and has noticed a drop in numbers.
But he says that he was also struck by the number of people who helped each other. He says many companies have stepped up their efforts by offering discounts and free meals or services to the most affected families.
"It's just an example of what small towns are like when such things happen," he said.
But not all are clear skies and rainbows.
During the 12-week labor dispute has become increasingly hot. Workers blocked the entrance to the mine to prevent replacement workers from entering. Compbad Minerals responded with a court order that forced the workers to move the blockade.
After all this, Morrison said that he was expecting to see a persistent tension between the mine and its workers.
"There is still a bit of unrest with some of the employees," he said, adding that he was proud of the way the union had handled the strike as a whole.
million. Morrison said the laws regarding the use of replacement workers will remain an area of political interest to him, and he has already asked the new provincial government to reconsider this legislation.
"Provisions must be put in place, because it is unfair with respect to the negotiation process as far as I am concerned," he said.
