[URBAN NOTE] "Tibetan Food Terminal Strikers Spoke to Larger Issue of Precarious Work"

[rfmcdonald]

Writing at Torontoist, Rignam Wangkhang celebrates the successful unionization of some Tibetan-Canadian workers at the Ontario Food Terminals, on its own terms and as a sign of hope for workers more generally.

Working at produce wholesaler Fresh Taste, situated away from the public eye on the Gardiner Expressway, Thupten Nyendak faced racism, discrimination, and unequal pay. Routinely told by management to “go back to his country” and that he “was stupid,” Nyendak, the eventual union steward, had had enough. He could no longer accept that his co-workers, some of whom had worked 19 years at the Ontario Food Terminal, were stuck making $14.50 an hour, while other unionized workers at the Terminal were being paid $20.

In November 2015, the first Toronto Tibetan union was born.

Months of seeking fair treatment and wages at the bargaining table eventually amounted to nothing. The only option was to strike. The initial number of strikers quickly ballooned into an entire community standing in solidarity. Almost every labour union in the area, concerned community members, politicians, and a large swath of Tibetans all supported the movement.

After 11 days of relentless, resolute picketing, an agreeable contract was reached. It was a huge victory: the first ever collective action by Tibetan immigrant workers in Toronto was successful.

Fourteen produce pickers of Fresh Taste ratified their first union contract earlier this month. Through this movement, other newcomer and marginalized workers have come to believe that they too have the power to seek fair wages and dignity.