Granny's Hatchery Lock Out in Second Month

 The 10 UFCW Local 832 members employed by the Granny's Poultry hatchery on Pandora Avenue in Transcona have been locked out by the company since October 4. The company indicated at that time, after six weeks of bargaining for a new contract between the union and the company, that they were not interested in bargaining any further - and locked the workers out. The company has still shown little to no interest in resuming talks.

The picketers created 'Frosty' to keep them company on the picketline - and to convey a message to the scabs in the plant and company management. Click on the image above for a close up of the sign and its message.

Despite the length of time that the workers have been locked out - and despite the fact that the company has been using replacement scab workers to keep the hatchery operating - spirits remain high on the picketline. They've received support from the MFL and other unions - sometimes moral support by having union activists drop by to join the picketers on the line for awhile - sometimes through financial donations. On November 10, Alex Forrest, President of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg, Local 867, dropped by the picket line to present the picketers with a cheque for $500.

The picket line in front of the plant is active between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Especially since this lock out involves a relatively small number of union members, any support from people who can join them on the picket line for even a short time would be welcomed by the picketers.

UFCW Local 832 members at the hatchery in Transcona are responsible for hatching eggs into chicks, which are provided to Granny's producers. The lock out will in time have an impact on the Granny's processing plant at Blumenort in southeastern Manioba where 450 workers are employed.