Strike action could be looming for more than 2,000 workers with the New Brunswick government.
Talks have broken down between the province and CUPE Local 1190, the union announced Wednesday.
The union represents labourers and tradespeople working in eight different government departments.
Jonathan Guimond, president of CUPE Local 1190, said wages remain a key sticking point in the dispute.
“We’ve been in bargaining talks with GNB since November 2022 and we’ve moved quite a bit from our original demands, but the province has not reciprocated,” Guimond told reporters on Wednesday, noting they have been without a contract since December 2022.
According to CUPE, the province’s most recent offer included a wage increase of $3.25 per hour for someone earning the median wage of $25.44.
The union’s last official offer was an increase of $7.25 per hour plus other benefits for someone earning the median wage.
Guimond said they presented the employer a one-time offer of $6 per hour plus other benefits to avoid a work stoppage, but the employer rejected it.
“We felt this deal was a fair offer for both parties and we feel that it would address the retention and recruitment and give the members of 1190 the opportunity to have a real living wage,” he said.
“The government-proposed wages are insufficient to deal with recruitment and retention. They fail to recognize how investing in our frontlines will save our province money.”
Officials said a strike could have an impact on road and bridge repairs, ferries, and provincial parks around the province.
A strike vote will be held soon, and Guimond said workers could be on the picket lines as early as late July.
In a statement, the province said it remains open to a return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations.
“Despite CUPE releasing confidential bargaining information, the employer will not comment on the specific wage adjustments at this time,” said the statement.
“We hope to reach a fair agreement for all, and as the bargaining process remains ongoing, we are unable to comment further.”
