As we reported Friday members of the International Association of Machinists Local 1848 voted 71 percent in favor of a new three year contract with Hudbay.  Union President Rene Beachamp says over the 17 week strike their goal was to have a constructive dialogue over workplace issues important to their members.  He says last week they decided to give their members an opportunity to vote on the final offer received through the Federal Conciliator as the alternative was to break off negotiations for an undetermined period of time.  He says hopefully in the future this adversarial bargaining strategy will not be utilized adding if moving forward issues can be dealt with in a problem solving approach then further bargaining can be more productive with a different result.

Beauchamp adds a strike is a last resort and they thank the community for their support over the past 17 weeks.  Union members have started to return to work and the Company has 21 days to call them all back.