Drivers and batchers who are members of Teamsters Local 91, working at Ready Mix/Essroc concrete have brought their fight for a better contract to the company’s regional office in Ottawa.

“Based on the company’s position throughout negotiations, the workers in Pembroke are viewed as second class workers by the Ottawa office of Essroc,” said Brian MacDonald, President of Local 91. “These are workers who perform the exact same tasks as other drivers and batchers under the Ottawa umbrella such as the Sheffield Road location, Ashton and Arnprior plants. But, the Sheffield, Ashton and Arnprior workers enjoy modest raises in each year of their collective bargaining agreements, the very same raises we asked for during negotiations. Our members have already endured a three-year wage freeze and now the company wants three more years.”

“This fight is about respect on the job,” said Bubba Davis, Director of the Teamsters Building Material and Construction Trade division. “We know that the Ready Mix drivers and batchers are prepared to stand up for fairness and the right to be treated like other employees.”