City of Kimberley serves 72-hour lockout notice
By Nelson Daily Staff
The United Steelworkers Local 1-405 said the City of Kimberley is ready to lockout its workers after serving 72-hour lockout notice.
The 72-lockout notice expires Sunday evening, August 28, 2016.
The move comes following a resounding rejection of the City of Kimberley’s final offer vote Thursday afternoon in Kimberley said the United Steelworkers Local 1-405 in a media release.
"The final offer was rejected by a 93 percent margin, 65-5 with 70 members casting their vote," the release said.
"A clear message was sent to the city that the offer was substandard, confusing, contained mistakes and was not negotiated or endorsed by the union."
United Steelworkers Local 1-405 said shortly after the results of the vote was tabulated, the union received a letter from the city serving the union and our members 72-hour lockout notice.
"The union communicated to the city that our bargaining committee is ready to return to the bargaining table anytime to negotiate a fair collective agreement," the release said.
"Unfortunately, the city has chosen to initiate a work stoppage starting Sunday afternoon or Monday, depending on when the Labour Relations Board receives the notice."
The union will advise of the expiry of 72-hour deadline.
United Steelworkers Local 1-405 said the Bargaining Committee will be meeting to go over the next steps in preparation for the city-initiated job action.