After more than three weeks, unionized staff at the Castlegar and Slocan Park StellerVista Credit Union branches remain on strike.
The 11 United Steelworkers Local 1-405 employees at the branches put up picket lines on April 30. The job action only affects StellerVista's Castlegar and Slocan Park locations and does not include the Greenwood or Cranbrook branches.
The strike follows about 11 months of negotiations between the union and the employer.
Both parties have been working with a mediator.
"StellerVista sees a positive indication in that the union has agreed to return to the negotiating table this week with the assistance of a mediator, and we remain focused on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement for our staff, our membership, and the future of our credit union," said the employer in a May 20 statement.
StellerVista warns that since strike action is expected to continue, branch services may be limited, and wait times could be longer than usual.
The union says the main issues include a proposed wage freeze for two years and the reduction of benefits and provisions that have been in the collective agreement for decades.
Meanwhile StellerVista says they need to align the organization with current market practices and industry standards because "outdated systems and contracts" no longer meet the realities and challenges of today’s financial environment.
