REGINA (Staff) — The strike at Western Canadian Beef Packers in Moose Jaw is nearly two years old, and there is no sign of a settlement.
Darrell Barrett, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 226, said last week the company asked the workers to sign a recall agreement.
“That just lists the order in which we will be recalled if we go back,” he said.
However, Barrett said nothing has happened to indicate the 128 employees actually will return.
The strike began in July, 1992 after the workers asked for a wage increase. They had been without a contract since March 31, 1990. They had not received a wage increase since 1987.
A provincial mediator recommended the workers accept a deal increasing the rate by 10 cents to $11.35 for Tier 1 employees.
Management said the company could not survive unless the base rate is comparable to those at Cargill Foods, Lakeside Packers and XL Foods, about $1 per hour less.
Informal talks are continuing.
