CORNWALL, ON, Nov. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - In a deal reached this evening, five Unifor locals have averted a strike Monday along the St. Lawrence Seaway by agreeing to send the outstanding issues to binding arbitration.
"We have been meeting night and day the past week to reach a deal, and came to the conclusion that arbitration was the best way to resolve remaining issues," Unifor National Representative Joel Fournier said.
Details of the issues sent to arbitration and the complete contract will be revealed with the decision of the arbitrator. Both sides expect to meet with the arbitrator as soon as possible to resolve this matter.
The 460 members of Unifor along the St. Lawrence Seaway from Niagara to Montreal are in Locals 4212 and 4211 in Niagara and Cornwall, Locals 4319 and 4320 in Montreal and Local 4323 in Iroquois, Ontario.
Unifor had set a strike or lockout deadline for October 31 at 12:15pm, but extended the deadline to 5pm Monday while negotiations were continuing.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
SOURCE: Unifor
Unifor Communications National Representative Stuart Laidlaw at [email protected] or (cell) 647-385-4054.
Share this article