A confrontation at a St. John's picket line that led to criminal charges is an indication the labour dispute could be a long, drawn-out battle, a union official warns.
Pickets outside the Toromont Cat premises in St. John's were outraged when two replacement workers — brought in by the company from Ontario — crossed the lines at different points during the day.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was called to the picket line at the heavy equipment dealer twice.
Roy Hawco, 57, has been charged with assault and mischief to property. Edward Farrell, 45, has been charged with mischief to property.
The 14-week strike had been peaceful until replacement workers arrived about a week ago, said Mike Ezekiel, the business manager of the International Operators and Engineers union, which represents the striking workers.
"Everything was OK until the scab labour showed up. I guess, really, what they're trying to do is provoke us," Ezekiel said Friday.
"All it's going to do is prolong the strike. If they are allowed to bring scab labour here, that strike is going to go on for a long time.… You're probably looking at months, and you could be looking at a year," Ezekiel said.
Toromont Cat is not commenting on the dispute, other than to say what happened on the picket line on Thursday was unfortunate.
More than 45 employees in St. John's, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Labrador launched a strike in August, seeking better pay and to protect benefits.
The picket line was comparatively quiet on Friday. Picket Paul Bailey said, however, that he has sympathy for his coworkers.
"When you see fellows coming here and getting in your vehicles and doing your job, you know the tempers are going to be a little hot," he said.
Hawco and Farrell are scheduled to appear in provincial court in St. John's on Dec. 7. St. John's and District Labour Council president Sam Kelly said the incident shows the Newfoundland and Labrador government should ban the use of replacement workers.
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