Hudbay mechanics and machinists vote Sunday and Monday on a contract offer many believe faces certain rejection, raising the spectre of a strike among nearly 200 workers as early as next week.
Rene Beauchamp, president of IAM Local 1848, said union negotiators will not recommend members accept Hudbay’s final offer, tabled Thursday.
“The offer does not come close to meeting expectations of our members,” he said.
Several IAM members, speaking to The Reminder on the condition their names not be published, said the offer is unlikely to survive ratification.
If the offer is rejected, IAM could serve notice of a strike as early as this Tuesday, April 21.
Asked whether the union would serve its 72-hour notice at 12 am on Tuesday, Beauchamp had no comment. If that happens, a strike would begin at 12 am on Friday.
Asked whether IAM is asking Hudbay’s six other unions to join a potential strike, Beauchamp said: “Solidarity is a key principle among all unions.”
For its part, Hudbay has said it has contingency plans for different scenarios.
It is widely believed, but not confirmed by the company, that those plans include replacement workers to act as heavy-duty mechanics.
Rob Winton, vice-president, Manitoba Business Unit for Hudbay, said there will be no need for a contingency plan unless “IAM elects to cause a strike and create the need for a contingency plan.”
Speaking on Thursday, Winton said Hudbay remains interested in resolving the matter.
“We believe that the discussions between the company and the union are best held at the bargaining table,” he said. “We are among those who want a negotiated settlement to be reached and are working toward that end.”
These latest developments in the IAM-Hudbay impasse come as sources tell The Reminder that IAM asked its members to remove their personal tools from Hudbay by today.
In March, IAM members, without a contract since January 1, voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike if they are dissatisfied with Hudbay’s offer.
The six other Hudbay unions, including the largest, USW Local 7106, have not held strike votes.
IAM’s ratification votes are scheduled for 4 pm and 8 pm in Snow Lake on Sunday and 4 pm and 8 pm in Flin Flon on Monday. All ballots will be counted after the last Flin Flon vote.
For more on this story, see The Reminder’s print edition on Monday. The Reminder will continue to follow this story online and in print.
