The Independent

Union officials say a strike at Clean Harbors near Brigden is about equity.

Unifor Local 914 says 76 workers walked off the job Monday morning to back demands for equity in the workplace. The employees are responsible for treating the toxic waste that comes into the site.

National Representative Gary Lynch says seniority, a wage increase in line with the current inflation rate and safety on the job are big issues.

“The inflation rate is at 4.7 per cent and the company is offering two per cent or less,” Lynch says. “We’re so far behind we’re not even up to the industry standard.”

Lynch also says gender equity is an issue with female workers using the same lockers and washroom as men.

Lynch says Unifor and Clean Harbors met with an concilliator until the last moment but couldn’t avert the strike. No new talks are scheduled.

The workers were last on strike in 2010.

Clean Harbors truck drivers reached an agreement in September.