The Mixer, December, 2007 IBEW 213 vs. Sears Sear has locked out their service technicians in the lower mainland. Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213 are the people who repair your Sears appliances. They are also the skilled technicians who can repair anything from your furnace, television, exercise equipment and/or your lawn mower. The workers have been in negotiations with Sears for revisions to their collective agreement. After the union members refused to work under an imposed collective agreement, the company locked them out on October 1, 2007. Sears is demanding many concessions, including: a four year agreement with no negotiated wage increases, split work weeks, loss of Boxing Day as a paid holiday, and working 2½ hours a week extra without overtime pay. IBEW claims the company is trying to break the union and the long time workers, many with families, are now without a paycheque. British Columbia’s labour movement is supporting these workers with a boycott and is calling on all union members to send a message to Sears demanding they treat their employees fairly. Show your disapproval to Sears management by calling 1-800-973-7579 or 1-800-469-4663. And don’t spend any of your hard earned money at Sears until this dispute is over. | 
