In an attempt to resolve the labour dispute between PSAC-UNE Local 70369 members, who have been on strike since May 10, 2024, and their employer Best Theratronics, the PSAC bargaining team proposed to resolve any outstanding issues in arbitration and work on a return-to-work agreement. However, Best Theratronics owner Krishnan Suthanthiran refused this proposal without explanation.
Our proposal included:
- An agreement for a third party to resolve outstanding issues in binding arbitration.
- The joint selection of an arbitrator.
- The joint negotiation of a return-to-work protocol that would allow members to return to work while outstanding issues are dealt with in arbitration.
Since the beginning of negotiations, Mr. Suthanthiran has refused to negotiate in good faith and repeatedly shown disrespect to his employees and the bargaining process.
His latest decision is yet another example of the disregard he shows his staff; in an email sent to his employees in May, Mr. Suthanthiran chastised them for having too many statutory holidays, called them lazy, and threatened to move striking workers’ jobs overseas.
The employer’s contempt for his employees has been on full display since the beginning of negotiations. He is refusing to offer any wage increase to our members, who have not had one in over two years. As essential staff during the pandemic, they put their lives at risk to continue to deliver lifesaving nuclear equipment and they deserve a fair deal.
Our striking members make a shocking 24-26% less compared to workers who hold comparable jobs at BWXT and Nordion down the street from Best Theratronics.
Best Theratronics received a 1.2 million dollar grant from the Ontario government in 2011 to add new jobs and support employment at the Kanata facility.
PSAC-UNE Local 70369 members have been on strike since May 10, 2024, along with Unifor local 1541 members.