IBEW-locked-out workers look for public support at rally in Trail
By Nelson Daily Staff
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213 is taking its labour dispute to the streets and is asking the public to join along.
“IBEW members and others are holding a rally at the FortisBC Trail Head Office Trail, BC 1290 Esplanade to send a message that FortisBC needs to balance corporate greed with respectful treatment of their employees who facilitate their success,” said a union spokesperson in a written statement.
“FortisBC is adversely affecting customers by prolonging a dispute with skilled and committed workers in order to prove they are in command.”
The rally begins Thursday (August 29) at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Trail FortisBC offices.
IBEW Local 213 members are asking the public, along with fellow union members, to join in to show support for the worker who have been locked out since June 26.
FortisBC and IBEW Local 213 have been without a contract since January 31, 2013.
The two parties have been bargaining since January but have been reached an impasse.
FortisBC negotiators and IBEW Loal 213 members met in mediated talks with hird party private mediator Vince Ready on August 22.
However, the talks broke off after the two sides exchanged offers.
The last strike at the power company happened in 2001, which lasted just short of four months.
