Federal NDP leader joins CLA picket line

Jack Layton, leader of the federal New Democrats, joined locked-out members of Local 1880 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees on Friday.

Joining a picket line in front of a Community Living Algoma residence at 1020 Queen Street East, Layton told the CUPE members that "you're going to win."

"What you're doing here is a part of something that's happening across the country," Layton said.

Both federal and provincial governments have adopted budget reduction philosophies in recent years, the CLA workers were told.

Now, however, governments have come to relish cutbacks for their own sake, Layton said.

"They seem to enjoy it. They forget that tax dollars are what we put on the table to share with those in need."

The NDP leader was critical of Community Living Algoma for locking out its workers.

'There didn't have to be a snap lockout'

"Negotiations are going on. There didn't have to be a snap lockout," Layton said.

At one point, he pulled out a camera and started photographing security guards posted at the CLA facility.

Asked by SooToday.com why he did that, Layton replied: "Just to rattle them. They're always taking pictures of us."

Layton also spoke Friday night at a "Dinner with the Leader" function at the Steelworkers Hall.

SooToday.com photo coverage

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