OKANAGAN, B.C.–Employees have gone on strike at two unionized branches of VantageOne Credit Union.
The two branches, Vernon Main and North Vernon, have closed as a result. MoveUP, the union that represents 34 employees, commenced the strike action, which includes picketing, according to Global News.
“We are very disappointed in this action as we have made every effort to conclude a collective agreement before Christmas,” VantageOne Credit Union CEO Glenn Benischek said in a released statement. “As a member-owned financial institution, we greatly value our employees so it’s disappointing to see the action and how the union is characterizing the situation.”
The credit union said it offers excellent wages and benefits, including paid sick days, which are also available to part-time employees.
Benischek further said VantageOne has also avoided laying off employees during the pandemic, Global News reported, and has provided an offer to the union that meets or exceeds agreements reached with other credit unions in British Columbia and that it remains open to returning to the bargaining table.
‘Back to the Bargaining Table’
On its website, MoveUP says union members voted 100% to strike on Nov. 27. Global News reported that on its Facebook page, the union said “we want to get the employer back to the bargaining table while minimizing the impact on customers. We are thankful for your support yesterday on the picket line and we hope for your support as job action continues.”
MoveUP says it represents more than 12,000 union members at public and private sector companies in western Canada, the report stated.
Christy Slusarenko of MoveUP told Global News that members are mainly striking to protect language in the bargaining contract.
“For us, it’s not so much about the wages,” said Slusarenko, union vice president. “We’re hoping that the employer will give us some language that will protect the bargaining-unit work and the members that do that work.”
Slusarenko told the publication the contract language the union is seeking is basic, standard fare in collective agreements.
The language, she says, generally states that the bargaining unit belongs to union members and can’t be done by other parties.
Slusarenko further told Global News VantageOne isn’t backfilling union positions with union members, and is instead hiring management to take over those roles and responsibilities.