Hydro workers call off strike
Nearly 3,000 Manitoba Hydro employees are leaving picket lines and heading back to work.
A strike by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2034 ended late yesterday afternoon when a tentative contract agreement was reached between the union and management for the Crown corporation.
“Workers will be returning to work tomorrow,” Hydro spokesman Jim Peters told the Winnipeg Sun minutes after the agreement was reached about 4:30 p.m.
Information on the deal — which has yet to be ratified through a membership vote, possibly to be held today — was not immediately available.
The strike began last Friday at 6 p.m., and was the first walkout by Manitoba Hydro staff in the utility’s approximately 50-year history. Wages were a major issue.
Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider refused to divulge details of the agreement before the union’s vote, noting that would take place in the next 24 hours.
“And then we hope things will return to normal,” Schneider said.
“Some of the shifts will start toward the end of the day.”
Officials with IBEW did not return calls for comment. However, the union says on its website that the deal provides “a fair general increase for all members” during a period of less than three years.
