Nova Scotia Power workers are getting ready to vote on the latest contract offer from the utility but they are being advised to reject the offer.

Jeff Richardson, the business manager for the union representing the affected power linesmen, electricians and plant workers is recommending they vote it down because of the proposed pension plan. Richardson said the latest offer simply doesn’t cut it.

Nearly 1,000 members of IBEW local 1928 were set to vote Wednesday.

NSP said it’s well-prepared if there’s job action.

“In the event of a labour distruption, as I said, we will do all we can,” NSP spokesperson Neera Ritcey told News 95.7. “We have conducted extensive contingency planning now for months in various areas related to our business so that we can continue to provide the services to the best of our ability to our customers.”

Ritcey says the power company continues to prepare for a strike, even as they hold out hope for resolution.

“Our supervisors and managers who’ve had the same jobs in the past and for the last few weeks and months, they’ve been receiving the required training so that we have our plan in place in the event that there is a labour disruption,” Ritcey said.

Details of the contingency plan aren’t being revealed.

If the workers do walk out, the company will focus on minimizing the impact on customers, Ritcey said.
 
If the deal is rejected Wednesday, the employees could strike or be locked out as early as Oct. 20.