REGINA - A potential strike against Viterra is on hold for now, as the union representing Viterra workers says its members will cast ballots in a ratification vote.
According to a news release from the union Friday, Grain and General Services Union Local 1 (Country Operations and Maintenance) and Local 2 (Regina Head Office) representing Viterra Canada Inc employees, has decided to suspend the strike action scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon, pending results of a ratification vote by its members.
The GSU union stated their union officers have determined it is “in the best interest of the members to allow them the opportunity to vote on the company's final offer.” That vote will take place in the coming days and ballots will be counted Jan. 19.
"Our officers understand the concerns and frustrations of our members. The decision to suspend the strike action is a strategic move to give our members the chance to participate in the democratic process and have their voices heard through a ratification vote," said General Secretary Steve Torgerson in a statement.
Whether this vote will result in a resolution to the labour situation at Viterra remains to be seen. In their latest release, the union pointed to “frustration among members,” and adds that in the period leading to this latest ratification vote that employees will engage in a "work to rule" approach. According to the union, this means members will strictly adhere to work-related rules and procedures without undertaking any additional work beyond contractual and legal obligations.
Earlier this week, the GSU union had served a 72-hour strike notice. Viterra had said in a news release it would consider a lock out of employees if an agreement was not reached, and that contingency plans would in place to minimize disruptions to customers in the event of a strike or lockout.
“We are committed to the collective bargaining process and remain cautiously optimistic that we will be able to arrive at an agreement with the GSU”, said Jordan Jakubowski, VP of Human Resources for Viterra Canada, in a news release this week.
Both sides had been at the bargaining table with a government appointed mediator on Jan. 3 and 4 in last-ditch efforts to come to an agreement. Viterra's previous Final Offer had been rejected by the union membership in a vote in November.
The union states that Viterra had come back with a new Final Offer after extensive negotiations that continued into the evening on Thursday.
A meeting of elected officers of Locals 1 and 2 was set for today, Jan. 5 at 9:30 a.m., and what came out of it was the decision by the union to put the new Final Offer to a vote.
The union says it will release more information as it becomes available.
