Windsor Salt Ltd. has suspended its negotiations with its union following a violent attack at its Ojibway mine facility. Three masked individuals entered the facility armed with baseball bats and brutally assaulted one of the company’s employees, the company said in a press release.
Windsor Police have opened a case in their major crimes unit to investigate the incident.
The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery, it said. However, the company has decided to halt the negotiations in light of the “despicable and unprovoked criminal action” that occurred.
Out of respect for the bargaining process, the company had previously refrained from responding to “mischaracterizations” made by the union and others, it said in a press release. However, the attack has led the company to speak out and “set the record straight” on certain issues.
Firstly, the company denied any intention to eliminate union jobs through subcontracting, it said. The company’s proposals state that outside contractors will only be used to supplement the current workforce when union workers do not have the skills or availability to perform certain kinds of work. The company’s proposals also expressly state that the company will not use contractors to eliminate union jobs.
Secondly, the company reaffirmed that it has been bargaining in good faith from the start of the process. The company’s sole goal is to operate a safe and competitive business that will continue to provide good, high-paying Union jobs into the future. Until the attack occurred, the company believed it was making steady progress at the negotiation table, it said.
The company is now focusing its efforts on identifying the perpetrators and anyone who acted in concert with them. It is offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who brings information to the police that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the attackers.
The Windsor Police have not yet identified any suspects in the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Windsor Police or Crime Stoppers.
