UPDATED: Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance granted Last Offer Vote, strike averted for now
By Nelson Daily Staff
Employers at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park have been granted a Last Offer Vote under the BC Labour Code according to a United Steelworkers Local 1-405 release Monday.
“Employer’s have the ability to apply for such a vote only once during any set of negotiations,” said Jeff Bromley, Financial Secretary of USW Local 1-405 which bargains for the 35 members at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park.
Bromley said the membership turned down the employer’s final offer July 18.
The Employer’s ‘Last Offer’ is to be voted upon by workers Friday (August 24) at the Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park.
The two offers are identical and to date, no changes or improvements to the July 18 offer have been made.
The workers at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance will honour the request and will not exercise any job action until after the vote and then will evaluate their next course of action.
Workers at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance issue 72-hour strike notice
There could be picket lines up at two local credit unions as early as Tuesday after the union representing staff issued 72-hour strike notice Friday the United Steelworkers Local 1-405 said in a press release.
Workers at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park served notice Friday (August 17) after exhausting all possible avenues to avert a work stoppage, meaning staff at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance will be in a legal strike position Tuesday (August 21).
The membership rejected the employer’s final offer July 18.
After commencing bargaining in May it was clear that the unilateral changes to the pension made in 2010 — identified by the membership as the number one issue on the bargaining table from the outset of negotiations — was going to be a major stumbling block.
“We’re approaching the crossroad with an employer that refuses to meet our members’ needs concerning the huge cut in pension benefits implemented in 2010,” said Jeff Bromley, Financial Secretary of USW Local 1-405 which bargains for the 35 members at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park.
“This isn’t the direction we wanted to go but the employer leaves us little choice,” continued Bromley.
The workers have been without a contract since May 31.
Bromley added that the membership at the Credit Union and Insurance Agency sincerely regrets the impact to their loyal customers any job action might have, but are left little choice as the employer refuses to sufficiently address the pension issue.
The Bargaining Committee with Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance remain committed to return to the bargaining table at any time to get a deal that meets the needs of the workers.
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