Unifor says Jamieson workers willing to sit outside on picket line for 'as long as it takes'

Emile Nabbout said the results of a ratification vote by union members who work for Jamieson Vitamins in Windsor, Ont., shows workers are willing to sit outside on the picket line for "as long as it takes."

The Unifor Local 195 president said the message from members was clear.

"They don't believe that the company came with all the money they feel they deserve," he told CBC News.

Unifor has said members' wages and workload were concerns in the bargaining process.

A tentative agreement was reached on Friday and endorsed by the national union and Local 195 bargaining committee.

However, during a Sunday ratification meeting the union said 76 per cent of the roughly 300 workers voted down the deal.

"Everybody went back to the picket line, and we'll see if the company is willing to step up to the plate and address those issues," said Nabbout.

Workers have been on strike since Feb. 1 at the company's Rhodes Drive facility in Windsor. They manufacture and package health supplements.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said Jamieson was "disappointed that [the agreement] was voted down in Sunday's ratification meeting."

"The tentative agreement reached Friday had the unanimous endorsement of the local and national union, and the local 195 bargaining committee," said Ruth Winkler. "We were proud to present our unionized team with a fair and competitive agreement that more than reflects the current market and economic realities."