FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUÉBEC, QC – The unlicensed crew members with the Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) working on board the Bella Desgagnés, which provides maritime services to the Basse-Côte-Nord region in Quebec have voted in favour of a strike mandate, giving the SIU Negotiating Committee at the bargaining table the ability to call a strike with 72-hours’ notice, if discussions with the company continue to deteriorate.
Members on the Bella Desgagnés, which is owned and operated by Relais Nordik, a subsidiary of Groupe Desgagnés, voted unanimously in favour of a strike mandate, giving the union the power to give strike notice if the Negotiation Committee deems it necessary, as discussions at the bargaining table have stalled in recent days with the main point of contention being wages.
“The employer must demonstrate greater willingness at the negotiating table to guarantee competitive salary conditions that also provide them with protection against inflation,” stated Charles-Etienne Aubry, Executive Vice-President, Seafarers’ International Union of Canada.
SIU Members on board the Bella Desgagnés are required to maintain certain essential services to the area. The SIU Canada will need to provide a list of services that will be maintained, which will have to be ratified by the Tribunal Administratif du Travail.
About the SIU of Canada: The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) is affiliated with the Seafarers’ International Union of North America serving unlicensed sailors since 1938. The SIU Canada has been representing the majority of seafarers working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, East Coast, West Coast and Arctic since 1954. SIU members have acquired the reputation of being amongst the best-trained and most qualified sailors in the world. The SIU represents thousands of qualified seafarers across Canada.
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Source: Seafarers’ International Union of Canada
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