WILLIAMS
LAKE, BC, April 30, 2024 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor
Local 3018 have voted 98% in favour of taking legal strike action
against Gibraltar Mines if a fair settlement cannot be reached in
May 2024.
"The employer's bargaining committee must get serious about
resolving key outstanding issues if it wants to avoid strike
action," said Gavin McGarrigle,
Unifor Western Regional Director.
Unifor negotiators say that the company is resisting wage
increases and recognizing the National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation as a statutory holiday nor the Leave for
Traditional Aboriginal Practices outlined in the federal labour
code.
Taseko and Unifor began contract negotiations in February 2024. At the time, Unifor members
highlighted wages, safety improvements, and equitable workplace
accountability as the top priorities.
Negotiations continue this week in Williams Lake and, if necessary, more meeting
dates are scheduled at the end of May towards the contract
deadline.
Taseko owns and operates the Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine. It is the
second largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and the largest employer in the Cariboo
region. The current collective agreement expires on May 31.
Local 3018 represents 550 workers at the copper mine north of
Williams Lake in British Columbia.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor