2024-01-04 15:31:42
More than 400 Canadian workers at grain handling company Viterra are set to strike Friday in Saskatchewan, awaiting a final round of negotiations, the Grain and General Services Union said ).
Viterra, headquartered in Rotterdam, is one of the largest handlers of wheat, canola and other crops in Canada. Saskatchewan is the largest grain-producing province in the country.
Viterra is owned by commodities giant Glencore, the investment arm of the Canada Pension Plan and British Columbia Investment Management Corp.
The negotiations have been going on for more than a year and focus on key issues such as salaries, work-life balance and “respect in the workplace”, according to a notice published Tuesday on the website of the union.
“This strike notice highlights the urgency and seriousness of the situation,” said general secretary Steve Torgerson.
Representatives from the union and Viterra are scheduled to meet Thursday in Regina for a second straight day with a federally appointed mediator.
Viterra might consider a lockout if a deal is not reached, and is working on contingency plans to minimize disruption to customers, the company said in a statement.
“We are engaged in the collective bargaining process and remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached,” said Jordan Jakubowski, vice-president of human resources for Viterra Canada.
Last year, rival Bunge Ltd said it would acquire Viterra, subject to regulatory approval in Canada and elsewhere. Canada is one of the largest exporters of wheat in the world.
Two union sections are affected: 384 operations and maintenance workers and 65 employees of the company’s Canadian headquarters.
The strike is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (2000 GMT).
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