Nygaard Workers Wage Wildcat Strike

Nearly 200 garments workers at Nygaard International's TanJay plant in Winnipeg waged a three-day wildcat strike from May 1 to May 3 to protest cuts in their piecework rates. The rates were reduced when new equipment was installed at the plant.

The Union of Needletrade, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE), which represents the workers, convinced the workers to return to the job while the complaint is processed through the grievance procedure. Both management and the union have stated that the collective agreement contains provisions allowing the employer to reduce piecework rates when the introduction of new technology results in increased productivity.