Approximately 700 B.C.-based Finning International Inc. (TSX: FTT) workers are continuing to strike at 25 locations across the province, after rejecting the company’s proposed collective agreement.
The workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 692, have been striking since June 22. (See “B.C. Finning workers walk off the job” – BIV Business Today, June 23.)
Mediation ended Thursday, July 7, with an offer for the employees to vote on. On July 15, the company announced the union’s rejection of the company’s proposed four-year agreement, including annual wage increases of 4% in year 1, 3% in years 2 and 3, and 4% in year 4.
Mauk Breukels, the company’s vice-president, investor relations and corporate affairs, noted that the company has a contingency plan to mitigate the impact of the labour action.
“We are able to continue to provide full sales and financial services from all our facilities in B.C,” he said. “We continue to accept parts orders and process those from all locations and then we have service management available at all of our locations to provide service consulting and warranty advice.”
The company noted in its press release that shop and field services will be unavailable during the labour action.
Breukels said the strike affects only the company’s B.C. operations, which he said constitutes only a small part of its Canadian operations, which has a workforce of approximately 4,600.
“Most of our business in Canada is generated in Alberta. We do very much value the business in B.C., of course, and the contributions of our employees in B.C., but that’s our reality.”
Breukels added that the strike won’t affect the company’s overseas operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and South America.
Finning is the world’s largest Caterpillar equipment dealer.
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV