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UPDATED: Halifax Shipyard workers protest alleged workplace bullying

Above: Hundred of workers at Halifax’s Irving Shipyard walked off the job Thursday, angry about the way management is treating them and what they call an oppressive work environment. Ross Lord reports.

HALIFAX – Workers at the Irving-owned Halifax Shipyard walked off the job Thursday morning in protest after they say a co-worker killed himself after being suspended by management.

Rick Rose of Unifor says a worker took his own life on Wednesday after he was suspended for 30 days.

Rose says the death came after a series of disciplinary actions involving various employees.

He says other employees are upset over what they say is an increase in disciplinary actions by management.

Flags flying at half-staff at the Halifax Shipyard. (Photo: Natasha Pace/Global News). Natasha Pace/Global News

In an email statement, Irving said it was “devastated” to find out one of its workers, whom it identified as Peter MacKenzie, had died.

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Police were on scene to keep things under control and so traffic doesn’t get back up. Protesters were crossing Barrington Street earlier in the morning, which caused lengthy delays for downtown commuters.

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Rose says he is meeting with management today about the death and the workers’ grievances.

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WATCH: On scene video of shipyard workers protesting.

*With files from The Canadian Press

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