United Steelworkers Local 818L Members on strike against Goodyear have had their Christmas season made a little more enjoyable this year by the unprecedented support of many Unions, Social and Community Groups, and private individuals in our area. Thousands of dollars have been donated to the members of USW 818L to sustain them in their battle against Goodyear. Some of the larger contributors are the Power Worker's Union (CUPE 1000), CAW, ONA, OSSTF, ETFO, and OPSEU. The Grey-Bruce Labour Council has contributed financially and through material support, and has coordinated with the Bruce-Grey United Way to provide relief as only the United Way can.
 
In a meeting on the picket line in front of the strikebound plant in Owen Sound on December 27th Dave Trumble and Kevin MacKay, Grey-Bruce Labour Council executive members and Power Worker's stewards, presented to Ivan Long, USW 818L picket captain, cheques from the Power Worker's Union totalling nearly $2500. This is in addition to the nearly $2200 presented by the Power Worker's Union to USW 818L in the weeks before Christmas.
 
Dave Trumble, Labour Council President, noted "that if we do not stand together now we will all stand alone later" and this money from the Power Worker's is a combination of direct support from the members and stewards on the Bruce site and from the Power Worker's Union main office in Toronto, and that "even though it represents a significant financial contribution the real meaning and benefit is the show of solidarity that all those who have contributed have shown in this time of punitive and draconian treatment of USW 818L and all Union members in Canada and the United States in the employ of Goodyear".
 
Kevin MacKay, Labour Council Vice-President, clearly noted "that this type of treatment of workers by employers will only be enabled if the United Steelworkers on strike against Goodyear are not supported in this battle, and that an Injury to One is an injury to All". Kevin made it clear that the Labour Council would endeavour to assist in coordinating support for as long as the strike against Goodyear continued.
 
Word on the line was of a tentative offer, but in speaking with Ivan Long and the other picketers there was only guarded optimism. They were unanimous in one sentiment though; each of them felt that there cause was just and that they were now changed forever and that they would do it all again if the same circumstances confronted them.
 
For Further Information
 
Dave Trumble, (519)396-9452
 
(Ivan Long is on the left of the picture and Dave Trumble on the right, Kevin MacKay is in the yellow jacket in the group picture)