Members of the Society of United Professionals at Bruce Power have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
The vote, which yielded a result of 98.6% in favour, aims to support meaningful bargaining and achieve a fair collective agreement.
The contract for the 1,200-member local, representing various professional workers such as Bruce Power Reactor Safety Engineers, Safety Specialists, Radiation Safety Supervisors, Control Room Shift Supervisors, Authorized Health Physicists, and others, expired at the end of 2022.
Key issues discussed during negotiations revolve around concerns of contracting out Society members' work, mandatory shift work, the implementation of more flexible work arrangements including remote work options, and the urgent need for whistleblower protection provisions.
The union has also requested the intervention of Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development Monte McNaughton, seeking the appointment of a conciliator to facilitate a negotiated settlement with Bruce Power. If no satisfactory agreement is reached during this process, either party may then request a "no-board report." Following the report's issuance and a mandatory 17-day cooling-off period, the union and Bruce Power would find themselves in a strike-lockout position.
CKNXNewsToday.ca has requested an interview with Vice President of Bruce Power Local Dave Ceksters seeking comment on this story.