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Unionized crane operators join the picket line in Thunder Bay

Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers are on the picket line in Thunder Bay to support a province-wide strike by Local 793.

Thousands of crane and heavy equipment operators working in the industrial, commercial and institutional sector across the province went on strike Monday after rejecting a tentative contract agreement.

They include mobile and tower crane operators, and earth-moving operators who work with heavy equipment such as track excavators, bulldozers and loaders.

The employers reportedly offered a pay hike of about nine per cent over three years, which is similar to what ironworkers accepted in March.

The previous collective agreement expired on Apr. 30.

John Kelly, the area supervisor for the IUOE in Thunder Bay, said members are facing increasing costs for things such as travel and room and board, due to inflation.

Kelly said the strike involves between 50 and 100 workers in Northwestern Ontario at various ICI projects.

(TBNewsWatch)