City of WL Union workers give strong strike mandate

In a move that I personally expected - 95% of the IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers) workers that work at various City buildings have voted to go on strike, if necessary, to back their contract demands

On Welcome to Williams Lake's Facebook page - one person expressed concern that a shutdown of the local Rec Complex, by striking IUOE workers, would potentially have on future hockey tournaments.  In my view - that would be a very good move by the IUOE to 'pressure' City of WL Management into a fair deal, given the economic impact of out of town hockey teams for the City

Williams Lake is not the only muncipality in the Cariboo-Chilcotin with labour problems as the City of Quesnel's collective agreement with CUPE is up for renewal later this year.  The last agreement was arrived at through mediation

See the story from Williams Lake Tribune below:

The union representing city workers in Williams Lake has voted 95 per cent in favour of going on strike.

"We had high voter turn out. It's a strong message our members want to send to management," John Dube, Union of Operating Engineers 882B representative said Sunday evening half an hour after a day of voting by members closed at the Coast Fraser Inn.

The next step for the union will be to go to the Labour Relations Board because the employer plans to ask for a mediator, Dube said.

"We are not in favour of going with a mediator," he added.

If the union does decide to go on strike, they will have to serve the city 72 hours notice.

Previously Dube told the Tribune there are between 105 and 110 union employees working for the city.