AECL Whiteshell Laboratories technicians and technologists to strike

AECL Whiteshell Laboratories technicians and technologists to strike: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/aecl-technicians-and-technologists-to-strike-1709593.htm "Technicians and Technologists at the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) Whiteshell Laboratories voted overwhelmingly to reject the company's final offer and strike as they pursue a first collective agreement. These employees recently formed the Whiteshell Technical Employees Group (WTEG) and joined the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).
Until June 2011, the AECL Whiteshell Technicians and Technologists were not unionized. As a result, they were regularly bypassed for the salary increases and benefits received by their unionized counterparts. Their bargaining objective is to achieve salary and benefits comparable to their colleagues.
On September 13, 2012, without notice AECL tabled a "take-it-or-leave it" offer. If accepted, Whiteshell Technicians and Technologists would continue to have lower salaries, inferior severance and pension protection and significantly lesser maternity and parental benefits.
PIPSC President Gary Corbett said, "It's unconscionable that the same class of employees working for the same employer would receive significantly different pay and benefits. Pensions and severance should be protected for all, not just some. Until AECL stops treating them as second class employees, there's going to be push back"."