Listen Live
Listen Live
Listen Live

Gibraltar Union votes 98% in favour of strike

(Files by George Henderson-MyCaribooNow)

The bargaining committee, representing union workers at the Gibralter Mine, are now armed with a  strong strike mandate

Curtis Finley, President of Unifor Local 30-18, says members voted 98 percent in favour of going on strike if necessary.

“The mass majority of the membership did come and vote.  Up at the mine we work four different shifts and we run 24 hours a day so we had to set up a total of 4 meetings.  One was last week in Williams Lake, the other one was virtually in Quesnel because of the restrictions, the COVID restrictions, and then this week we did the same thing, one in Williams Lake and again virtually in Quesnel.   They ended last (Wednesday) night at 8-30 pm, and then our election committee tallied up the votes and it was at 98 percent.”

Here, Finley outlines the next steps.

“Going forward with the national rep from UNIFOR we will set up a meeting with the company and hopefully we can get back to bargaining and get a fair deal for everyone up here.  If the company doesn’t want to bargain or is still standing strong on their first proposal, the local will issue 72 hour strike notice.”

Finley says 407 of the 530 union members voted.

He says the impasse continues to focus on just one issue.

“We’re stuck on wages.  Ultimately when the first tentative agreement was turned down it was wages. The company just released their third quarter report and earnings from mining was 76 million dollars.”

Finley says he doesn’t want to get into the specific numbers right now, but he says they are still pretty far apart on wages.

Taseko Mines has issued a statement on the impasse as well.

“The company says Gibraltar management have been engaged in the collective bargaining process with representatives of Unifor Local 30-18 for the past several months, and even reached a tentative agreement this fall.”

   It goes on to say that they fully respect the union’s position and the exercise of its collective bargaining rights, including the right to seek a strike mandate, and that discussions toward a new collective agreement are ongoing, and that they are committed to ultimately reaching an agreement that is fair and beneficial for all parties.

Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Darin Bain
Darin Bain
Darin is a news reporter for Vista Radio's Prince George stations. His career started in the Cariboo in 2020, working as a News Reporter in both 100 Mile House and Williams Lake before making the move to Prince George in late 2021.

Continue Reading

ckbx Now playing play

cffm Now playing play

ckcq Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Care & craftsmanship transformed some scorched Pioneer logs

Just like the Phoenix that rose from the ashes, something has risen from some of the burnt logs at the Pioneer Log Homes site South of Williams Lake.

Emily Lowan wins leadership of B.C. Greens

Emily Lowan is the next leader of the B.C. Greens Party. It was a decisive win for the 25-year-old Victoria resident, who received 3,189 votes.

Counterfeit $100 bills found circulating in 100 Mile House

100 Mile House RCMP have seized six counterfeit 100-dollar bills found circulating at local businesses. Police are asking local merchants to be vigilant, and report when they find counterfiet currency.

The Cariboo is well represented at this years Union of BC Municipalities Convention

Representatives from the cities of Williams Lake and Quesnel as well as the District of 100 Mile House are in Victoria this week.

Recall of Shaikh Al Kar halva products expands in B.C.

A recall of Shaikh Al Kar products due to possible salmonella contamination has expanded to more types of halva sold in British Columbia.
- Advertisement -