Bruce Power Local members of the Society of United Professionals voted 98.6 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary.
A release says the contract for the 1,200-member union which represents Bruce Power Reactor Safety Engineers, Safety Specialists, Radiation Safety Supervisors, Control Room Shift Supervisors, Authorized Health Physicists, and other professional workers, expired at the end of 2022.
The union says, “major issues at the bargaining table include contracting out Society members’ work, forced shift work, more flexible work arrangements like remote work, and the need for whistleblower protection provisions.”
On May 8th the union requested a conciliator to work for a negotiated settlement with Bruce Power.
Once the parties have met with the conciliator, either party may request a “no-board report” if negotiations do not progress. Following the no-board report and a 17-day cooling off period, the union and Bruce Power would be in strike-lockout position.
The Society of United Professionals says, “Our members are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable and affordable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province, as well as life-saving medical isotopes around the world.”
In a statement, Bruce Power Local Vice President Dave Ceksters says, “A 98.6% strike vote is an overwhelming mandate for our bargaining team, and I hope the company takes this as a sign that it is time for them to come to the bargaining table with a fair offer that respects the work and efforts of our members.”