Electrical union threatens walkout

Darcy Henton, The Edmonton JournalPublished: Thursday, July 17

EDMONTON - More than 450 workers who operate TransAlta's power plants plan to walk off the job Friday for five hours, but the utility says electrical generation in the province won't be disrupted.

The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, served TransAlta with notice earlier this week of the planned walkout to back demands for a new collective agreement, said Local 254 assistant business manager Carter Woloszyn.

"We ran into some problems," he said. "We didn't feel we were getting a rich enough offer."

The union, which represents workers at Sundance, Wabamun and Keephills plants west of Edmonton as well as 13 hydro plants, says its members will also refuse to work overtime until a new deal is reached.

Woloszyn said TransAlta responded by announcing plans to lock out employees during the strike action.

Both sides planned to meet today to try to avert the brief walkout.

"Hopefully we can resolve our outstanding issues," Woloszyn said.

TransAlta spokesman Michael Lawrence said management will operate the plants during the walkout.

"This won't affect the safety or the reliability of the Alberta power grid in any fashion whatsoever," said Lawrence. "It's disappointing that the members voted to take this action, especially since we've been working with their leadership for the past eight months to provide them with a very competitive offer."

He said TransAlta remains confident it can reach an agreement with the union.
The union said the strike will be the first labour disruption in the 58-year history of negotiations with TransAlta.

Workers say they are looking for the same $13,000 bonus, paid out in $500 increments every two weeks, that Epcor workers are receiving.

Read More HERE