One bright spot coming from Tuesday's talks between Husky Energy and United Steelworkers Local 624, but the union says there is still a long way to go to reach any kind of deal.
U-S-W Local 624 President Mike Edelbrock says the two sides met for 2 1/2 hours and did reach a tentative agreement related to workers 401-k.
He says the deal would eliminate the "cash balance pension plan", which was based on years of service and age and instead the company would contribute to the workers 401-k plan.
Edelbrock says beyond that no progress was made.
He says the union rejected a couple of company proposals because Husky wants to tie international and local issues together.
He says the union is reviewing a company proposal to cut maintenance workers pay but he's not expecting that to go very far.
Edelbrock says the company wants to "piece meal" the deal together, not giving the union a whole package to vote on.
He says its concessionary bargaining, which is taking the process backward not forward.
The two sides did agree to meet again Thursday, July 12th.
The company did confirm the meeting but had no comment beyond that.
The union will hold an informational meeting for members at 12:30 and 6:30 Wednesday, July 11th.
