Workers at a nuclear facility in Kanata have decided to end a nearly 10-month strike following intense negotiations between the disgruntled workforce and the company’s wealthy owner. The strike involved employees from Unifor Local 1541 at Best Theratronics, a company in west Ottawa specializing in manufacturing radiation therapy devices. The union, representing most of the approximately 60 striking workers, successfully reached a tentative agreement with the employer on Saturday. Subsequently, members unanimously voted on Sunday to approve the new contract, officially bringing the strike to a close.
Under the terms of the new four-year agreement, workers will see wage increases annually totaling up to 11%. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, commended the bargaining committee for ensuring that workers’ voices were heard and respected, describing the strike as a significant event that underscored the importance of robust labor laws safeguarding collective bargaining rights.
The strike began in May after the company proposed a package in January 2024 that included a zero percent pay raise for two years. This offer prompted Unifor members to initiate the strike, with their colleagues represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada joining the protest shortly after. After approximately nine months of striking, the company’s owner, Krishnan Suthanthiran, engaged in negotiations with the workers earlier this year.
Suthanthiran, a successful Indian-born businessman residing in Virginia, oversees a conglomerate of international companies specializing in medical device manufacturing. He cited substantial financial losses at Best Theratronics, attributing them to what he perceived as low productivity among Canadian workers, and even threatened to shut down the company. Best Theratronics is responsible for producing cyclotrons and medical equipment, holding a license to handle radioactive material for the manufacturing of radiation therapy units and blood irradiators.
In a separate development, a federal labor board investigated an unfair labor practices complaint against the company last November following directives issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Unifor criticized Suthanthiran for allegedly failing to negotiate in good faith, while the owner accused striking workers of engaging in an “illegal blockade” of the facility. As negotiations progressed, Unifor reported that Suthanthiran had recently altered his stance, causing further tensions.
Unifor announced that some members are expected to return to work as early as Monday, signaling an end to the lengthy standoff at Best Theratronics.
