There were discussions between the bargaining committees for the striking Unifor Locals and the Crown Corporations over the last 2 days, but they are at an impasse. National Unifor President, Jerry Dias, is suggesting binding arbitration. He believes the Crowns want to make a deal but the provincial government is keeping them from doing so.

He says there was some movement on Thursday with a bit of an improvement to the economic offer, but on Friday, the offer regressed. Dias says the Premier needs to “take the shackles off the crowns.” He has sent a letter to the Premier suggesting a third party arbitrator look at the economic feasibility of the Crowns, look at the rate of inflation, and that arbitrator can then make a decision outside of government interference.

Dias says the Crowns know they have the ability to afford the 2 per cent increases and they want an agreement, but the proposal remains at a zero percent increase for the first 2 years, followed by 1 per cent in the third year and 2 per cent in years 4 and 5. If Premier Scott Moe doesn’t agree to binding arbitration, the Unifor Locals will continue to strike, and Dias emphasizes they will do what they need to do to get the Premier’s attention. They will “ratchet up the picket lines and ratchet up mobilization” and will continue to speak to residents about how irresponsible they feel the Premier is being.