The City of Williams Lake and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 882-B will return to the negotiating table on Monday morning, however union workers will take job action beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and all of Sunday, and then will return to work on Monday as usual.
“This news is a very positive step forward,” said Geoff Goodall, acting chief administrative officer. “We are eager to get this collective agreement settled as soon as possible with minimal disruption to our workforce and to the community.”
The union has also indicated that there will be an overtime ban in effect starting Monday.
Picketing locations will be at the Williams Lake Regional Airport, Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, which will be closed, and the RCMP detachment on Borland Avenue.
The airport will remain open, with all scheduled flights in effect, however RCMP services will be affected during the weekend's job action.
While police will still respond to all calls for service, the front counter at the RCMP station will be closed.
All calls for service will be routed through Prince George.
The city warns residents there may also be longer wait times for less serious offences (thefts, hit and runs, etc.).
Some responsibilities that will be delayed, or not serviced, would include non-emergency items such as disclosure requests and criminal record checks.
Residents will still be able to talk to local police officers at the RCMP station, but there will likely be delays in this process.
The RCMP have ensured that public safety will not be compromised, but that non-emergency services will be affected.