Unionized employees at Viterra’s head office and country elevators were to begin voting this week on what the company describes as its “last, best and final” contract offer.
Head office workers, who have been off the job and picketing at the company’s Regina headquarters since July 7, were to vote Sept. 16, with the results expected to be released that day.
Voting by country operations and maintenance workers, who have been on a work-to-rule campaign, was to begin the same day, and likely carry on into next week.
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The union’s decision to take the offer to members for a vote came one day after the two sides resumed bargaining Sept. 11.
Grain Services Union general secretary Hugh Wagner said the final offer is slightly different from the original offer that was rejected and resulted in the strike. But it still includes the company’s contentious proposal to award pay increases based on performance.
“It was put to us as a best and last final offer, and under the circumstances we said we would take it to a vote,” he said.
The union is not recommending to its members either acceptance or rejection.
Viterra chief operating officer Fran Malecha said the proposed five-year contract would provide stability and enable continued prosperity and growth for the company and employees.
Concurrent with the decision to have a vote, the union agreed to halt picketing at eight country elevators in seven locations, which had started last week. The company agreed to lift lockout notices against country employees who had refused to cross the picket line.
Both the head office and the country operations and maintenance bargaining units have been without a contract since Jan. 31.
The main issues have included the proposal for performance-based pay, hours of work and a company proposal to take over sole control of the employees’ benefits plan, which is now jointly administered by the company and the GSU.
Most Western Producer staff are members of the GSU, but a different local.
