UPDATE: GSU locals 1 and 2 announced at 2:30 p.m. Friday that they have suspended the announced strike action until a ratification vote, with ballots being counted on Jan. 19. Workers will be working on a work to rule approach until the ballots have been counted.
Strike action or a lockout could be on the table as Viterra continues contract negotiations with its unions in Saskatchewan.
GSU locals 1 and 2 said another final offer was brought forward after the first one was rejected by members in November 2023.
The unions said it would be reviewing the latest proposal Friday morning.
Viterra received a 72-hour strike notice from the unions representing 436 employees in Saskatchewan.
If an agreement couldn’t be made by 2 p.m. Friday, Viterra said the unions would be in a strike position and that the company would also consider a lockout.
“We are committed to the collective bargaining process and remain cautiously optimistic that we will be able to arrive at an agreement with the GSU,” said Jordan Jakubowski, VP of human resources for Viterra Canada.
Viterra said contingency plans are in place to minimize disruptions to customers if a strike or a lockout happens.