The company that owns Windsor Salt says contract talks are suspended after an employee was beaten late Wednesday night.
According to a statement from Windsor Salt Ltd., three masked individuals entered the Ojibway property shortly before midnight. Armed with baseball bats, they ambushed and repeatedly struck an employee.
"Fortunately, the victim's injuries are not life-threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery," read the statement. "In light of this despicable and unprovoked criminal action, the company is suspending further negotiations with the union."
The employee's identity or job description has not been disclosed.
Unifor Local 240, one of the two locals representing striking employees, has confirmed on its Facebook page that an alleged incident is being investigated. The other is Unifor Local 1959.
The company's statement also said that it had not previously commented on the labour dispute out of respect for the bargaining process. However, Wednesday night's incident forced Windsor Salt to speak out on negotiations, starting with a denial that the company is union-busting.
"The company's proposals limit the company's use of outside contractors to supplement the current workforce when its union workers do not have the skills or availability to do certain kinds of work," read the statement. "The company's proposals expressly state that the company will not use contractors to eliminate union jobs. Any suggestion to the contrary is false."
About 250 members of Locals 1959 and 240 walked off the job on February 17. It is the first round of bargaining since Stone Canyon Industries bought Windsor Salt.
Windsor Salt has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the assault.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to Windsor police for additional information.
