The Saskatoon Co-op strike is now into its fifth week.

U-F-C-W 1400 workers walked off the job November 1st saying a proposed lower second tier wage grid for new employees was the main issue.

Saskatoon Co-op Chief Executive Officer Grant Wicks had hoped union members would vote on their now expired contract offer but said the company continues to work on a new proposal and is willing to resume bargaining.

The union’s Director of Negotiations said their employees committee decided not to take the company’s offer to the membership and no one attending a members meeting last Sunday asked for a vote.

Rod Gillies stressed the union has made a standing offer of binding arbitration which has been rejected by the company.

Gillies  said the union representing about 900 Co-op workers is also open to a return to the bargaining table.

Co-op workers began their job action November 1st.