The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District 250 has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Finning Canada's B.C. branches.
The union represents approximately 100 employees at the Prince George branch of Finning Canada, located in the BCR Industrial Site, union directing business representative Stan Pickthall said.
"We took a strike vote... the result was approximately 90 per cent across B.C.," Pickthall said. "Our intention is to get back to the bargaining table next week."
The union issued ballots to its 650 to 700 members across B.C. on Wednesday, and announced the results of the vote Friday afternoon. The earliest a strike could go into effect is Monday at 2 p.m.
In a written statement, the union said it will continue to try to resolve the negotiations with Finning without going out on strike.
"We plan to do all we can to resolve these negotiations without a strike," a written release by the union said. "But the company needs to take these negotiations seriously, and it is our view that under the pressure of a potential strike, they will focus on the issues at hand."
The union cited wages, benefits, contract duration, employee pensions and contract language as the key issues for employees.
According to the union, the previous two-year contract negotiated in 2009 saw no wage increases for workers.
"The company is proposing a four-year agreement with wages [increasing] at 2.75 per cent, three per cent, three per cent and four per cent," according to union's statement. "We have pointed out to the company bargaining committee that the cost of living in B.C. has increased 3.7 per cent over the two-year period that he employees received zero increases."
A spokesperson for Finning Canada could not be reached as of press time.
The local Finning Canada branch serves the forestry and mining industries across northern B.C.
