BY GABRIEL CHARBIN
This column is written and edited by the Young Socialists
(YS), an international organization of young workers,
students, and other youth fighting for socialism. For more
information about the YS write to: Young Socialists, 3284 23rd
St., San Francisco, California, 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1429.
E-MAIL: 105162.605@COMPUSERVE.COM
CHATHAM, Ontario - Entering their 11th week on strike, members of the United Auto Workers continue picketing outside the Best Western, Wheels Inn, Resort and Conference Center here. The Bradley family are the proprietors of the hotel.
Since Nov. 25, 1998, scabs and customers have been greeted by strikers, who delay the would-be picket line crossers and urge them to go to other hotels in the area. These strikers, some quite bruised, have been bumped and even run over by entering cars throughout the strike.
Three-quarters of the strikers are part-time workers and high school students. One of the striker's negotiation committee members includes 18-year-old Kevin Stirling. Steve Oosterhoff, 19, a maintenance worker who is now active in the strike committee, said, "You grow up fast in situations like this." These workers have shown determination to win their fight.
Unionists at the hotel have received much support from workers throughout the town. Remnants of the solidarity rally of 1,000 supporters of the strike are still visible, with a "No Free Press" sticker from Detroit newspaper workers still stuck on an entrance sign. Honks and waves of support are frequent, as cars drive by. One striker told the Militant that some teachers from her high school near the hotel have visited the picket line.
Strikers have begun outreach to other workers for support. Approximately 50 unionists went to a Chatham Council meeting recently to protest the arrests of two dozen strikers on charges of mischief, assault, disturbance for impeding traffic, and other bogus claims.
A condition of release for strikers who have been arrested on any charges has included staying way from picket line - usually women: 250 meters, men: 500 meters
Jean Janssens, a front desk receptionist, is one of those charged. Janssens told the Militant, "If the strike is settled, I can't go back to work unless the charges are dropped."
Janssens was arrested and strip-searched by police after being hit by a car on the picket line. Janssens explained that she could not even go to the local bank, as it is located right behind the hotel.
Pickets are constantly watched as guards hired by Wheels Inn sit in parked vans within a few meters of the picket line. Strikers said the guards' role in this strike has been to find out who the so-called troublemakers are, as they take notes and film them all day and night.
Nicole Demers, an 18-year-old recreation worker, said, "Some people are going back in to work because they're sick of being out here... but I'm going to stay out."