Battlefield Equipment Rentals strike reaches one-month mark

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This article was published 25/04/2025 (185 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a sunny day on the picket line Friday, as union members from Battlefield Equipment Rentals marked four weeks of striking.

The 27 employees, who work as mechanics, drivers and in other roles at the heavy equipment rental facility, are striking for “fair and equitable wages and appropriate contract language,” according to their union, Operating Engineers of Manitoba Local 987.

Sick pay is among the demands the strikers are seeking in a new collective agreement, though union business representative Darcy Tiderman declined to specify other demands.

“We’re not asking to be the highest-paid equipment rental company but we’re losing members to other competitors across the city,” he said.

Union members voted to strike March 20; the strike began March 31. Prior to that, OE987 was in discussions with an employee negotiation committee led by the Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba.

Tiderman said the union offered to go into voluntary arbitration two weeks ago, but the negotiation committee rejected the offer.

“The situation’s disappointing, because a strike’s been called and business has been affected and relationships are strained,” he said. “It just comes down to we’re looking for a fair deal and respect. That’s all the workers are looking for here.”

The location of Battlefield Equipment Rentals — the corner of Irene Street and McGillivray Boulevard — has given the picket line ample visibility, Tiderman added.

Federal New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh delivered coffee to strikers during a campaign stop April 2. More than 100 union members from the Manitoba Federation of Labour walked the picket line Thursday.

Battlefield Equipment Rentals respects the right of union members to strike, said president Colin Goheen.

“We still remain committed to addressing their concerns, hopefully, through open and respectful dialogue,” he said. “We value the team and we look forward to a resolution that works for everyone.”

Battlefield Equipment Rentals is a division of Toromont Industries Ltd. The company is headquartered in Stoney Creek, Ont., and has a network of 70 locations across Canada.

About 40 people work at the Winnipeg location, according to a staff member.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca