As negotiations continue to sour between Candu Energy and the union representing its workers, the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates said Wednesday that its members would refuse overtime and may strike.
In a press release, the union said it “has given notice to SNC-Lavalin and the Canada Labour Board that it may respond to SNC-Lavalin action through strike activity or other legal actions to protect the interests of its members.”
An earlier announcement reported 94 percent of SPEA members had voted to authorize a strike, citing concessions and pension changes sought by the company. According to SPEA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers union have each pledged $1 million to the nuclear union should that happen.
Candu designed Canada’s fleet of commercial heavy water reactors. The company was previously part of state-controlled Atomic Energy of Canada Limited before AECL licensed its Candu reactor designs and sold its marketing business to SNC-Lavalin last October. At that time the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that 800 to 900 layoffs would result.
According to its website, SPEA represents more than 900 engineers and scientists employed by Candu, in addition to 300 tradesmen.