With negotiations stalled for a new collective agreement at Stelco in Nanticoke, workers have given their union a strike mandate.
United Steelworkers, Local 8782, said that a vote June 27 resulted in 99.1 per cent in favor of authorizing a strike.
The union filed with the Ontario Labor Relations Board on June 22.
The current five-year collective agreement expires on June 30.
Talks for a new agreement between the union and Stelco began on March 14.
According to the union, key issues at the bargaining table are wages, benefits and pensions.
More than 1,000 USW members work at Stelco’s Nanticoke operations in production and skilled trades, producing hot-rolled coil steel.
“Other large Canadian industrial companies, like Bombardier and ArcelorMittal Long Products are paying their workers 18 to 26 per cent increases over five or six years,” Randy Graham, president of Local 8782, said in an earlier statement. “Our members see that and they know they deserve to keep pace. Instead, the company is offering to shuffle around our pay and bonuses to disguise the fact that there’s only a small overall increase.”
“It’s time to recognize the workers that are doing the hard work that contributes to the company’s success.”