Uranium mining company Cameco says it will be locking out employees at two of its northern Saskatchewan operations on Saturday if a contract dispute remains unsettled.
The announcement comes in response to strike notice served by United Steelworkers Local 8914 at both the McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill for the same day.
Company spokesperson Robert Gereghty says the shutdown would be a precautionary measure if the contract dispute is not settled within the next few days.
“The lockout notice was issued to ensure a safe and orderly shut down of our operations,” he says. “The public, our regulators, expect us to operate in a safe and responsible manner and this step allows us to do that.”
Although the clock is quickly ticking away, he adds the company remains hopeful an agreement between the two sides can be reached before either a lockout or strike becomes reality.
“If you look back at the negotiations last time, as well, there were a number of offers and that so it seems to be getting progressively closer each time. However, we do have meetings scheduled for this afternoon and we’re hopeful we’re going to reach an agreement.”
Gereghty would not say what the sticking points between the two sides, in terms of reaching a contract, are.
Cameco says a labour disruption would not affect its 2014 delivery commitments to customers.
The approximately 535 employees at the two sites have been without a contract since December 2013.
The company and union tried conciliation in early July and a mediator is currently involved in negotiations.
If a strike were to occur, it would be the first time such a labour disruption has occurred at any of the uranium mining company’s operations.