About 900 B.C. elevator workers could be off the job by Tuesday, after union negotiations fell apart last week.

The International Union of Elevator Constructors含羞草研究社� B.C. branch (IUEC Local 82) says discussions around their new collective agreement broke off on Thursday (Oct. 12) when four international employers tabled a wage offer significantly lower than what the union was asking for.

The employers 含羞草研究社� Otis, Schindler, KONE and TK Elevator 含羞草研究社� have since issued a lockout notice set to begin Tuesday, while the union has served a 72-hour strike notice.

IUEC Local 82 says its strike would only be for maintenance and service mechanics, while the employers含羞草研究社� notice would also cover elevator construction workers.

含羞草研究社淥ur union is facing concession demands from four giant multinational elevator corporations who have made $7.7 billion in profits in 2021 and our hard-working members are not going to accept anything less than a fair and reasonable contract,含羞草研究社� said Mike Funk, business manager of IUEC Local 82, in a statement Saturday (Oct. 14).

If the lockout is imposed, the B.C. union says its workers will still ensure elevators in hospitals and long-term care homes are kept operational. Black Press Media has reached out to the union for comment on if and how it plans to ensure access to buildings for people who can含羞草研究社檛 use stairs.

Funk said Saturday they are hopeful negotiations will resume before any action is taken.

Black Press Media has reached out to Otis, Schindler, KONE and TK Elevator for comment.

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