SASKATOON – Locked-out Cameco workers spent Labour Day picketing at the company’s Saskatoon headquarters.
A labour dispute caused the uranium giant to shut down its McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill Saturday morning.
The company issued a final offer to the union last week which was rejected.
Workers began striking around the same time Cameco issued a lockout notice.
Mike Pulak, the local union representative for the 535 locked-out members of United Steelworkers Local 8914, told Global News he believes the group could stick it out longer than the company.
“This mine produces all the uranium and all the wealth for the entire corporation,” said Pulak, who is also the lead negotiator for the union.
“Our people in the warehouses and in the industry tell us that they don’t have much in terms of supply, they may be able to fill 2014 orders but that doesn’t talk about 2015.”
In a press release over the weekend, the company said the work stoppage is not expected to affect the company’s 2014 uranium delivery commitments.
Both parties have applied for conciliation under the Canada Labour Code.
With files from The Canadian Press
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