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“We respect the right of our employees … to exercise their right to strike,” said Moe. “But in saying that, we hope very sincerely that we’ll be able to get to some type of an agreement and avert action.”

No further bargaining had been scheduled before the deadline as of Thursday afternoon, making a full-scale walkout look increasingly likely.Dias said all members — some 3,000 of those employed at SaskTel — will hit the picket line Friday if it comes to that, but he still held out hope Thursday that it wouldn’t be necessary.

“We’re not asking for outrageous increases,” he said. “All we’re asking for are increases consistent with the rate of inflation.”

He said a deal could still be struck within minutes. “This is not complicated.”

The union maintained it has repeatedly tried to find a resolution but has been “rebuffed” by the provincial government and now has “no other option than a strike.”

Dias says the Crown’s hands are tied by the provincial government, despite supposedly being “enthusiastic” about Unifor’s latest proposal.

“They can’t claim a hands off approach while they have their hands all over this dispute,” he said of the provincial government.

Photo by BRANDON HARDER / Regina Leader-Post

Asked if the government is mandating wage freezes, Moe said the Crowns are negotiating within a framework and that the government feels their current offer — a five per cent increase over five years starting in year three — is fair.

Moe added that the salary increases for MLAs over the last five years have been “much less” than those received by Unifor members during that same time.