WATCH: FortisBC lockout ends; “Binding Interest Arbitration” begins

After nearly 6 months of labour dispute, FortisBC workers will return to work on December 20th.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 213 has accepted the electrical company’s invitation to bring an end to the lockout and move ahead with Binding Interest Arbitration.

“This is a positive step,” says Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC’s Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Customer & Corporate Services. “We’ll be welcoming our employees back in the coming days and now both parties can start to move forward.

The Binding Interesting Arbitration process includes a neutral third party who will help resolve the issues between the two parties.

This will happen at a later time and will result in a new collective agreement.