USW Local 9346 president Chris Nand sent a letter to Teck Resources president and chief executive officer Don Lindsay March 23 calling on him to move ahead with plans to return to the bargaining table.
On March 21, the producer announced the rejection of a tentative agreement with the union, noting that it planned “to recommence discussions with the Elkview bargaining committee aiming at reaching a new collective agreement”
"We're waiting nearly a week now for Mr Lindsay to respond to our letter and follow up with an important statement the company has provided to its shareholders and the public," Nand said.
"We think it's the responsible thing for Teck to do."
The Elkview strike has been in effect since January 30. Crews’ last agreement expired October 31, 2010.
Nand said the union’s bargainers were willing to return to the negotiating table at any time.
"We informed Mr Lindsay that we feel it is in the interests of both parties to get back to the bargaining table," he said.
"He knows full well that we are ready to resume contract talks."
The strike at Elkview affects more than 700 union members. Primary issues still outstanding in an agreement involve the employer's level of pension contributions and benefits for retirees, the union noted.
In the meantime, the union is planning a march from its union hall to Teck Coal’s offices on April 4.
The proposed five-year collective agreement brought to Teck last week received a 57% vote against approval. The deal would have put staff back to work March 22 and would have expired October 31, 2015.
The Canadian producer has a 95% interest in Elkview mine, with the balance being equally held by Japan's Nippon Steel and South Korean steelmaker Posco. Elkview’s annual capacity is 5.6 million tonnes.
