The OPP are investigating after a standoff between strikers at the Goderich salt mine and a bus trying to cross the picket lines Friday morning.
National Unifor Representative Glen Sonier says at about 6am, the company tried to drive in a busload of staff, but strikers held their blockade. He says the bus ended up going over the curb and almost hitting one of the union members.
The OPP was called in to investigate.
"The company has been consistent at making attempts one way or another at trying to bring in either their staff or replacement workers, and so I think they're [relentless] on trying to do that, however, that's been matched with the tenacity of the strikers," says Sonier.
This morning's incident comes after replacement workers were escorted out of the mine Thursday night, in what Sonier had hoped was a breakthrough. However, the company now maintains that the workers who were walked out were leaving on a scheduled break. And a company spokesman said they never promised to stop using replacement workers.
"We're not going to have replacement workers coming in, at the same time we're saying look, we're more than available to get back to the bargaining table," Sonier stressed.
He adds he feels like Compass Minerals top management is preparing to return to the bargaining table, but in the meantime, strikers will continue to blockade the Goderich mine.
The 348 workers in production, shipping, and maintenance at the mine have been on strike since April 27.
Glenn Sonier, National Unifor Representative (Bob Montgomery photo)
