Kitimat, B.C. – Mediation has failed to yield a deal and end a strike that’s dragged on for close to three months in the District of Kitimat.

The first round of mediation broke down on April 20, after just three days at the bargaining table while the second round of mediation broke down May 13.

Over 125 Unifor members have been on strike since February 28 with the major sticking points centering around wages and workplace issues.

It’s been a contentious dispute as seen back in March when the union accused the District of “abuse of power, abuse of process, and bad faith bargaining.”

The union also argued at the time both sides were at “war.”

The District’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the time Ron Poole, who has since accepted a position as CAO for the District of Mission, remarked “I’ve never seen this kind of tactic. I refuse to call it a war, we’re negotiating.”

The labour disruption has closed both arenas in the district and its swimming pool. It has also closed Radley Park and Hirsch Creek Park for camping and hiking.

The strike has not affected garbage collection, as that service is contracted out.

Calls to the union and the district on the issue this week have not been returned.