Image credit: Taseko

By Aaron Schulze

Collective Bargaining

Gibraltar Mine workers vote to strike if new collective bargaining agreement can’t be reached by end of May

Apr 30, 2024 | 9:31 AM

McLEESE LAKE, B.C. — Workers at a copper mine in the Cariboo voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking legal strike action.

In a news release issued Tuesday (April 30) morning, Unifor Local 3018 – the union that represents 550 workers at Gibraltar Mine north of Williams Lake – notes 98 per cent of its members voted to strike if a fair settlement cannot be reached before its collective agreement with Taseko, which owns the mine, expires on May 31.

Bargaining between Taseko and Unifor began in February of 2024.

The union says its members highlighted wages, safety improvements and equitable workplace accountability as top priorities.

Additionally, Unifor’s negotiators say Taseko is resisting wage increases and not recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday and the leave for traditional Aboriginal Practices as outlined in the federal labour code.

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In an email to CFJC Today, Taseko states its committed to the collective bargaining process and will not comment further on negotiations.

Negotiations continue this week in Williams Lake and, if necessary, the union says more meeting dates are scheduled at the end of May.