Submitted
After being certified to the United Steelworkers Local 1-405 on June 6, 2016 and numerous negotiations/mediation days with the assistance of a mediator from the LRB the parties have reached an impasse.
USW Local 1-405 have been trying to negotiate the standard forestry contract that applies to the Union's certifications in the Kootenay's including Stella Jones in Jaffray, which is also a pole treating plant.
USW Local 1-405 got a 86% strike vote on September 18, served 72 hours strike notice on Monday October 24 and were in mediation again on October 27.
"We have tried everything to get agreement on the major outstanding issues related to monetary and crucial collective agreement language, outside of strike action but have no options left," says Doug Singer President of USW Local 1-405 in Cranbrook.
"The Union has given the company a deadline of Monday November 7, 2016 to have an agreement in place or we will take strike action," said Singer.
"We will get a fair collective agreement for our new members at Brisco, it's just a matter of when," Singer said.