The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2034 says it has cancelled a general strike for all its Manitoba Hydro workers originally scheduled to start overnight Thursday.
Michael Espenell, IBEW 2034 business manager, confirmed to 680 CJOB early Thursday that Hydro has sent another offer and the union is reviewing it.
The labour action would have implicated around 2,300 employees, who have already been engaged in rotating strikes for over a week.
In a letter to union members, Espenell said the offer would be presented to union members for a final vote.
Espenell said the union “anxiously awaited Hydro’s final offer” Tuesday at 5 p.m., and then extended the deadline to Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“The Corporation replied 2 hours later without any notification stating that it was finally able to give the bargaining unit an offer to present to our members,” he wrote.
“This is not a deal!! We will be presenting the corporation’s final offer to the membership for a VOTE in due course.”
“It’s hoped the IBEW leadership takes the offer to its membership for a vote,” said Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Jay Grewal on Wednesday evening.
“We understand this is a difficult time for everyone involved. We find ourselves in a position that no one wants to be in. We believe our offer is fair.”
Grewal said Hydro has robust contingency plans in place to ensure it can continue to provide essential service.
The IBEW says it has now been without a contract for more than 26 months.
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