Viterra employees vote on company’s latest offer, results expected later today

The union which represents about 436 Viterra employees is counting members votes Friday on accepting or rejecting the company’s latest offer.

Negotiations for a new deal between the General and Grain Services Union Locals 1 & 2 and Viterra Canada Inc have been ongoing for over a year, but stalled over wages, a better work-life balance, and respect in the workplace.

Earlier this month, the GSU issued 72-hour strike notice to Viterra and the company made an offer in the 11th hour to avoid a strike. It primarily includes an overall wage increase of 13.25 percent spread out over 4 years.

Members of GSU Local 1 – which are employees at Viterra grain elevators around the province – and Local 2 – which are employees at the Viterra Head Office in Regina – had more than 10 days to review the offer and vote “yay” or “nay” on the deal.