International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: Only One Option Left-We Strike!

FLIN FLON, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - April 30, 2015) - Negotiations between the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Hudbay failed because management never wavered from their opening stance, leaving the workers with only one option - strike!

Members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 will set up picket lines at Hudbay operations in Flin Flon and Snow Lake at noon Saturday, May 2, 2015.

"This bargaining process never stood a chance," explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ian Morland. "None of the outstanding language issues were addressed and the wage enhancements still leave us far behind the wages paid to apprentices and certified trades at sites in The Pas and Thompson, Manitoba."

'From the beginning, management's attitude toward us has been hostile," said Morland. "We offered to assist management with a controlled shut down of all operations in the event a strike, but they rejected this offer outright. They believe they can run the equipment without us. But we repair and maintain this equipment and it will break down if it is not maintained properly. This could have been avoided."

"We are willing to resume bargaining at any time provided the employer has something better to offer," said Morland. "In bargaining you can push people only so far and then they stick, that's where we are right now."