Striking Finning workers in Prince George said they are prepared to stay off the job as long as it takes for the company to meet their demands, which includes wage increases.
"Of course, we're hoping for a speedy settlement, but most workers would stay out until September," said Brandon Herlehy, shop steward for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at Finning's Prince George branch.
The union, which was in a position to strike Monday afternoon, announced the job action would start at 4 p.m. on Wednesday for its 700 B.C. workers.
Finning, which had also issued 72-hour lockout notice, has said it is willing to resume negotiations any time. Finning representatives did not respond to specific union concerns.
"We worked hard at the bargaining table in the past few months in hopes of coming to a mutually agreeable collective agreement, and we believe our offer is fair and competitive," said Finning spokesman Jeff Howard.
Herlehy said Finning mechanics and welders used to earn top wages in their fields, but have slipped behind in the past several years at a journeyman rate of about $35 per hour. He said they want to catch up to workers who make more than they do, some of them at nearby similar businesses like Wajax, Brandt and SMS in the BCR industrial site.
Herlehy added that another key concern is contracting out. He said that at the Prince George plant, there are two welders, but work is being contracted out to a non-Finning plant with six workers.
With all the overtime, there is enough work to support jobs at Finning, he said.
Herlehy noted that overtime is also an issue, as workers are going six to seven days a week, often in tough conditions at mine sites or outdoors in cold weather. It's the kind of work that is tough on your body, and it can be dangerous as well, he noted.
The Prince George branch has about 100 workers, but Finning also has operations in Terrace, Houston, Tumbler Ridge, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
Finning used to focus on the forest industry, but recently has shifted attention to the mining sector. Because of the strike, work servicing and repairing Finning equipment at mines in Northern B.C. has stopped.
Finning says it has a contingency plan in place to help support its customers.
Equipment and parts sales remain open at its 20 locations in British Columbia, including in Prince George. Technical advise from management, who have experience working on equipment, is also available. "We just won't be doing the turning of wrenches and that kind of stuff," said Howard.
Finning won a contract earlier this year to supply mining equipment for Thompson Creek Metal Co.'s $1.3-billion Mount Milligan gold and copper mine. The mine, 155 kilometres northwest of Prince George, has just started construction.
Thompson Creek spokesperson Jocelyn Fraser said the Finning strike has had no impact on the project, as equipment onsite is being maintained by the contractors.
The 42 machines Finning is supplying Mount Milligan will be delivered in 2012.
