Lake Asphalt workers are planning a demonstration through the streets of La
Brea this Friday, over a refusal by the company to grant them a 35 per cent
wage increase.
The workers staged their
first round of protest on Monday, after rejecting a six per cent wage offer
made by the company. Around 12.30 midday, the workers
downed tools. They then walked to the company’s administration building
closeby where they embarked on a noisy demonstration.
Many of the workers held
up placards which read, “Start talking $$,” “We
want proper wages,” and “Respect workers rights, we need a pay
raise.” Beating drums and pieces of metals, they sang the union battle
song “We Shall Overcome.”
Branch President of the Contract and General Workers Trade Union Trevor Aberdeen
said negotiations between the union and the company, started since January.
“Ever since we began negotiations, the company has not put a decent
offer on the table,” Aberdeen said. He explained that the six per cent
offer was an insult to workers.
“We are aware of market cost and we cannot accept this. Everywhere workers
salaries are being settled, why can’t we get our just dues,” Aberdeen
said. He added that medical benefits and pension plans are also outstanding.
Meanwhile General Secretary of the Contract and General Workers Trade union
Ainsley Matthews vowed to escalate the protest if the company did not increase
the six per cent offer.
“We are already planning a massive protest through the street on Friday.
If this does not work, we will take more drastic action,” Matthews said.
He explained that negotiations for 2006 and 2007 are still outstanding. “We
are now in the third year and we have not settled. We want Lake Asphalt to
listen to our demands,” Matthews said.
Lake Asphalt’s Company
Consultant Clyde Earle and Manager of Corporate Services Sati Jagmohan could
not be reached for comment. All of the office
phone numbers rang constantly with no answer.
