Things are getting back to normal — labour-wise — in Kimberley, as the City and Steelworkers ratified their collective agreement last week, avoiding a work stoppage.
The Steelworkers also announced late last week that the Nelson and District Credit Union and its unionized staff had settled on a new four-year collective agreement and it was ratified at the end of the week.
However, there is still one set of negotiations ongoing and that is between Kootenay Savings Credit Union and its unionized employees, represented by the Steelworkers as well.
Steelworker lead negotiator Jeff Bromley said that the Nelson deal worked for both parties and showed what can happen when both parties work as partners rather than adversaries.
He added that this left only Kootenay Savings to settle but that in that case his members still faced concessionary bargaining. The parties were scheduled to meet Monday in Kimberley and Tuesday in Trail, Bromley said.
“We’re currently evaluating the next steps/options but we also have some possible dates back with a provincial mediator in a couple of weeks. At this point things are stalled, but I hope to have more information soon.”
Credit Union members ratified a strike vote last June but there has been little progress over the summer.
