Covered Bridge Potato Chips strike enters week 6

Workers on strike at the Covered Bridge Potato Chips company in Hartland (NB) are still on the picket line, five weeks after the strike began over better pay and seniority issues.

Approximately half of the company's 32 unionized workers walked off the job on Jan. 5, but on Friday, about 10 were outside carrying signs.

Tom Broad, a fryer operator, said he's determined to see the situation through.

"It doesn't matter how cold it gets we're staying here," said Broad.

He says one of the hardest parts of the past month on the picket line has been seeing other unionized staff cross the line and go to work.

"We don't really like to see them going in, crossing our picket line. We're fighting for them as well," he said.

Yves Leger, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 1288 representing the workers, says community reaction has been almost completely supportive.

"They've actually been dropping off coffee, donuts. The highway's right behind me here and they always honk their horns when they pass by," said Leger.

He said it appears some people are boycotting the product in solidarity with the striking workers.