Picket lines begin at high-profile sites
On Monday morning, with the sun on their face and a breeze at their backs, tradespeople from a newly striking union launched their picket lines at some of Winnipeg’s highest-profile projects.
Standing in front of the growing spire on the future Canadian Museum for Human Rights, United Association Local 254 strike captain Rick Fournier said while most workers could “not afford to be on strike,” the mood was high among the 80 walkers pounding the pavement at 7 a.m.
For the day, members of the steelworker, ironworker, carpenter and electrical unions joined the lines at sites, which also included the new Winnipeg airport terminal. However, those non-striking trades workers are expected to be back on the job today after their one-day show of solidarity.
A spokeswoman for the airport said the effect of the strike remained to be seen as only about eight of the 450 to 500 workers on site daily at the airport are part of the striking local.
