Steelworkers, Evraz resume talks as strike looms

According to provincial law, unionized workers at Evraz North America’s steel plant in Regina could strike as early as next week. However, negotiators have decided instead to meet with Evraz to try to divert job action.

“We want a last opportunity to meet with the employer and make sure we’ve left no stone unturned before we commence strike action,” said Keith Turcotte, lead negotiator for the Steelworkers.

The United Steelworkers Local 5890 will be meeting face-to-face with the Evraz bargaining committee Sept. 5-7. The union will serve strike notice the first morning of negotiations. If a deal is reached during negotiations, the notice will be withdrawn.

When reached by email Tuesday, an Evraz spokesperson said the company is fully prepared to re-engage in collective bargaining.

“Our negotiating team is looking forward to resuming the dialogue on September 5 and is committed to working toward a tentative agreement,” Evraz said in an emailed statement.

Mediation talks happened earlier this month with Evraz denying requests from the Steelworkers to meet face-to-face, choosing instead to negotiate through a mediator. The union walked out after the sides couldn’t work through the monetary concessions the company was seeking.

The mediator submitted a letter to the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety on Aug. 14. The sides entered into a 14-day cooling-off period. By law, the Steelworkers could choose to serve 48-hour strike notice at midnight Aug. 28.

The union held its monthly membership meeting Monday night, which included an update on bargaining negotiations.

“The members are supporting the position and they’re hopeful that there will be a settlement but they’re also prepared to commence job action if necessary,” Turcotte said.

Contract negotiations began in May 2016, and the collective agreement expired in July 2016. In May, members of USW Local 5890 voted more than 99.3 per cent in favour of strike action to back their contract demands. At the time, Turcotte said the sides had worked through non-monetary issues, but reached an impasse once discussions regarding money began.