Edmonton Journal
October 28, 2005
Meat Inspectors Back at Lakeside: Union Says it has Plans to Slow Production at Plant, Pickets May Even Stop Highway Traffic
BROOKS -- Federal meat inspectors returned to work Thursday at Lakeside Packers, ending a three-day stalemate that saw work at the Brooks-area plant grind to a halt.
However, striking workers said they will increase efforts to slow production at the factory by taking their fight to the streets.
Doug O'Halloran, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401, said pickets may stop traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway near the town to get their message to a wider audience.
They are also considering asking the public to reduce their beef consumption.
"I think there's ways of picketing that will probably slow them down more," O'Halloran said.
Early Thursday, a Calgary Court of Queen's Bench judge ordered striking workers to clear the way for Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspectors to enter the plant.
The ruling allows inspectors to enter the factory without delays at picket lines. Without the inspectors, slaughtering and processing at Lakeside had been at a standstill since Monday.
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