Members of the United Steelworkers' Local 5220 at Stelco Inc.'s Edmonton subsidiary, AltaSteel, have voted 97% in favor of renewing the strike mandate first granted to the local's bargaining committee last September during ongoing contract negotiations. The mandate had been renewed in February.

Local 5220, which represents 266 bargaining unit members, has been without a collective agreement since July 2004. The Local is currently in mediation talks, alongside the Steelworkers' Local 8782 (Lake Erie Steel) and other Steelworker locals in the Stelco chain.

"Local 5220 members are declaring their full support for the Steelworkers' goals in this mediation — ensuring that Stelco emerges from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) with a properly-funded pension plan and a financial restructuring based on principles that we believe will create a strong foundation for the future of the company," said Local 5220 President Paul Perreault.

"We want the company to understand, in no uncertain terms, that the union must be part of any sales process of AltaSteel. In order to be successful, potential buyers must negotiate with us and our team. Period." Perreault said the local is now in a position to serve 72 hours' notice of strike action. "Our members are mobilized for action if it becomes necessary," he said.