Engineering and public works employees with the Region of Queens have voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action.
The workers are responsible for maintaining the region’s streets, sidewalks, parks and other properties. They also work in waste and recycling facilities as well as water and sewage treatment plants.
The 36 members of Local 1928 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted on the region’s settlement offer on Monday. All but one of the members rejected it, voting in favour of strike action if needed.
The two sides are scheduled back at the bargaining table on Monday with a government-appointed conciliator.
Members are some of the lowest-paid municipal employees in Nova Scotia. They’re seeking closer wage parity with people doing similar work in municipalities like Shelburne and Bridgewater. They also want to protect overtime provisions for working weekends.
