Contempt hearing to be held against Unifor
Justice Donald Burrage isn’t prepared to issue an order for the removal of Unifor demonstrators at D-j Composites in Gander just yet.
A preliminary hearing was held Tuesday morning, which continued into the afternoon, as the American-based company is arguing that Unifor Local 597 violated a 2017 injunction that prevented those on the picket line from blockading the building’s entrance.
Last week, Unifor members cut off access to the building and extended its barricade by erecting a fence.
After contract negotiations broke down, the employees were locked out, which has been onging for more than 650 days.
After hearing the arguments of both sides, Burrage determined there was enough evidence to proceed with a contempt hearing against Unifor’s Atlantic regional director Lana Payne, Unifor Local 597 chair Ignatius Oram and Unifor Local 597.
The hearing is scheduled for next week.
Burrage also ruled a contempt hearing will be held for Unifor and Unifor national president Jerry Dias, but a hearing date has yet to be scheduled.
But Burrage held back on the claim made against those who are taking part in the demonstrations.
“I will defer my decision for the moment on what to do with those, respectively, on the picket line,” he said. “I’d like to reflect on that further.”
Burrage made it clear his decision was not about resolving an ongoing labour dispute.
“The court’s interest is solely and entirely the preservation of the rule of law,” he said. “This is not a labour arbitration board.”