The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) employees voted 82 per cent in favour of joining the United Steelworkers of America.
The vote was held at the Neutrino Observatory, a scientific research facility located at Inco?s Creighton Mine last Monday.
?These employees wanted the Steelworkers as their bargaining agent to deal with the institute on issues such as wages, benefits, jobs security and safety and health,? Denis Dallaire, organizing staff representative for the Steelworkers said.
?There certainly will be a unionized bargaining unit at SNO,? Dave Mellor, area co-ordinator for the Steelworkers in northeastern Ontario said.
?We are now waiting for the certificate from the Ontario Labour Relations Board,? Mellor said. It is expected within the week.
The next step is to notify the institution of the employees? intentions to enter into negotiations for the first collective bargaining agreement.
During the meeting next week, the new members will elect a negotiating committee, and according to Mellor, that will dictate the scope of what the final structure of the unit will be.
?Kari Cyr
