https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/results-from-local-2251-strike-vote-547715

Results from Local 2251 strike vote

Essar Steel Algoma. File photo by Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

Essar Steel Algoma's largest union has authorized its leadership to call a strike if they're unable to reach a collective agreement.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 2251 voted all day Tuesday and results were released Tuesday night.

Result of the vote shows 98 per cent of Local 2251 members who voted support a strike mandate. 

Strike votes aren't unusual in collective bargaining and don't necessarily mean that a strike must occur.

They are taken by secret ballot and more than 50 per cent of members must vote in favour.

 A strike may consist of:

• a cessation of work
• a refusal to work or to continue to work by employees in combination or in concert or in accordance with a common understanding
• a slowdown or other concerted activity on the part of employees designed to restrict or limit output

If a strike does occur it would be the first for Local 2251 since 1990.

Additional information will be posted by SooToday as it becomes available.