FFWD REW

Oilsands strike looms

Five unions are edging towards a strike that could stop $100 billion worth of oilsands activity. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 424 rejected a contract offer this week and plans to discuss its next course of action with unions representing millwrights boilermakers refrigeration mechanics and plumbers.

The electrical workers are seeking a two-year contract with an overall 14.5 per cent raise which they say is necessary to keep pace with runaway inflation and transportation costs to the oilsands. The unions have been without a contract for three months. In early July the unions voted in favour of a strike meaning they could walk off the job with 72 hours notice.

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