REGINA - The union representing Viterra workers could go on strike as early as Friday.
It was announced in a news release that members of Grain and General Services Union Local 1 (Viterra Country Operations and Maintenance), and Local 2 (Viterra Regina Head Office), issued their 72-hour strike notice to Viterra Canada Inc. and to Federal Minister of Labour, Hon. Seamus O’Regan of their intent to strike as early as Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. local time.
It is possible the labour dispute could be resolved before then. The union states that after rejecting Viterra’s final offer on Dec. 15, their bargaining committee had engaged in efforts to resume negotiations, and talks are scheduled to resume Jan. 3 and 4 in Regina.
“This strike notice provides for time for the company to come back to negotiations and address members concerns,” said GSU General Secretary Steve Torgerson in a statement. “But members are not willing to give the company much longer. It is time for them to take bargaining seriously.”
“This strike notice given by GSU members underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation… if significant progress is not made during the upcoming negotiations on Jan. 3 and 4, GSU members are prepared to initiate strike action to secure a fair collective agreement.”
