A strike is imminent for nearly 50 Blue Water Bridge employees if a contract agreement is not reached this weekend.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada members, who've been in a legal strike position since October 6, staged a rally in front of the Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre Friday.
PSAC Local 501 President Paul Haney says one day of negotiation is planned Saturday.
"Our main issues are the gutting of our collective agreement that we currently have the removal of certain benefits that we now receive, such as maternity/parental leave, there's a discipline police they want to put in place that is totally unfair and unacceptable to our members," says Haney. "Pension eligibility requirements are changing and a host of other things that I can't really get into."
Haney hoped the rally showed the Federal Bridge Corporation they are serious about hammering out a contract.
"Our members have waited long enough to get a fair deal," he says.
The maintenance personnel, toll collectors, and currency exchangers have been without a contract since November of 2014.
The Federal Bridge Corporation says it is not seeking any major concessions.
Spokesman Andre Girard says the corporation is not seeking changes to benefits, maternal/parental leave, overtime, scheduling policies or pensions.
Girard says the corporation maintains its current offer is a very generous comprehensive package including a general wage increase, increased shift premiums and additional leave benefits.
Strike imminent for nearly 50 @psacnat members at the Blue Water Bridge if contract not reached this weekend. Workers rallied today. #SLont pic.twitter.com/RaFXYPIDn1
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) November 18, 2016
