The workers have suffered from poor working conditions, and there have been reports of fatalities including death and blindness.

The Thai plant located in Amata City Industrial Estate in Rayong province employs around 1500 workers. This plant manufactures pipes for oil and gas, among other, for PTT, Unocal, Exxon Mobil, Chevron. Most of the company products go to countries in the Middle East.

Canadoil Asia is under Canadian management. 

The company has allegedly engaged in serious violations and discrimination against union workers. Union members have been intimidated by management to leave the union; special benefits such as pay increase are given to workers who resign from the union. There was also a conflict regarding the dismissal of union president last year. In addition, 18 union workers have also been dismissed as they refused to give up their union activity.

Last December, the union submitted a list of collective bargaining demands. The talk began on 24 December but nothing was agreed. The management refused to set the date for the next meeting. On 13 January, the union collected workers' petition and submitted to the management to confirm their demands but received no response from the management.

Ministry of Labour has been involved in trying to mediate the conflict but the management has been delaying to meet the union representatives. In the meantime, the company has unilaterally changed the work scheme from 2 shifts to 3 shifts.

The union CBA demands include:

-   Stop victimization of union workers       

-   Increase workers' annual holiday by one more day

-   6 per cent wage increase

-   Bonus payment equivalent to 2 months salary