Union president Rick Grylls said contract negotiations between Xstrata Nickel and Mine Mill Local 598 are scheduled to resume Monday.
It was announced Friday (Jan. 26) that talks had fallen apart after Xstrata rejected a counter-proposal presented by the union hours after the union had turned down a proposal from management.
Grylls said Saturday that he was informed by a mediator that the company would like to resume negotiations Monday. The strike deadline is set for Jan. 31 at midnight.
"Their last proposal is back on the table minus a $4,000 bonus," Grylls said. "They will be costing out our counter-proposal that was given Thursday."
According to Grylls, the company had originally proposed a settlement that included two $4,000 signing bonuses.
Grylls said the company's senior vice-president of Sudbury operations will be involved in contract talks.
"I don't think he's ever bargained before so I don't know if it's going to be of any value," Grylls said. "But there's lots of time if this company is willing to negotiate a collective agreement."
Grylls told the media Friday the union was disappointed the company's negotiating team is the same one involved in negotiations three years ago when workers were on strike for three weeks.
