Hudbay’s final offer to its largest union includes raises totaling $4 an hour over three years, a 15 per cent increase depending on current wage, sources say.
Details of the offer to USW Local 7106 began trickling into the public late Thursday afternoon following the first of two information meetings hosted by the union in Creighton.
USW has not spoken publicly about the offer, which it is recommending its members accept in voting to take place Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
But several USW members spoke to The Reminder about the terms of the offer.
The offer is said to consist of an extra $1 an hour in year one, $1.75 in year two and $1.25 in year three. The offer also includes pension increases and increases to benefits such as vision care.
One USW member said members of the union are somewhat divided on the offer but that he expected it would be accepted.
On its website, the striking IAM Local 1848 union encouraged USW members to defy their bargaining team and vote against the offer.
IAM said the offer is “almost identical” to the one its members rejected in April. One difference: whereas IAM was offered an extra $3.75 an hour over three years, USW was offered $4.
“In plain and simple English, it is a BAD DEAL!” IAM said.
USW, which has about 650 members, has an information meeting on the offer scheduled for Snow Lake on Friday.
A ratification vote will take place in Flin Flon on Saturday and Monday, and in Snow Lake on Sunday and Monday.
Hudbay has operated for nearly a month without the services of IAM, whose 180 members went on strike May 2.
At last report IAM and Hudbay still appeared far apart on a new deal.
The Reminder will have more on USW's tentative agreement in print and online.
