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Conciliation has failed at tables for SaskPower, SaskWater and the Water Security Agency. There is still conciliation scheduled for SaskEnergy, due to delays in finding a mediator.

“At each table there’s different issues, but I would say the common issue is the mandate,” Britton said.

Government employers have offered two years of flat salaries followed by raises of one, two and two per cent in negotiations with other unions, notably in the health sector. Britton said it’s the same with the Crowns. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer has referred to it as a “framework” rather than a mandate.

Other sticking points include the use of contractors, according to Britton, though there has been “minor” movement on other peripheral issues.

The law forces the two sides to negotiate essential services agreements that will determine who keeps working in the case of a strike, including those needed to deal with emergencies.

If they can’t come to an agreement on that, the matter goes to a tribunal. It all must be ironed out before members can strike.

But Britton expects that will be resolved soon and votes will follow late this summer, likely in early September.

He said that goes for all four bargaining tables, unless there’s a surprise at SaskEnergy. If it comes to a vote, he’s confident in the results.

“I fully expect to get a strike mandate from all four of them,” he said.

Britton said he’s still optimistic that a strike mandate will give workers enough leverage to prompt concessions.