Union workers at Cargill’s further processing plant in Calgary have voted unanimously to authorize a strike if an agreement is not negotiated.
Local 401 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Union said the first time a strike vote in Alberta has been unanimous. The workers want pay increases, similar to union members in Guelph who have been on strike for three weeks at Cargill’s plant, the largest east of its plant a High River, Alta.
Ontario cattlemen have hardly any slaughter options closer than the United States and some are going as far at Alberta.
The next bargaining sessions in Alberta are June 20-21 and will be facilitated by a mediator.
Local 401 has not said publicly what specific concessions it is seeking from Cargill and did not issue a potential strike date.
The union said despite ongoing negotiations ”there is a very real possibility that we will ultimately go on strike.”
Local 401 said it would be the “first affordability crisis strike, an action that could set a precedent for future fights for workers’ rights and fair contracts that address people’s needs at workplaces such as Safeway, Superstore, JBS, Olymel, and Cargill’s plant in High River.”
The union said it was considering “job action and protest options” at the High River plant.