A huge powwow scheduled for this weekend is the first casualty of a labour dispute at Regina’s Exhibition Park.
The First Nations University of Canada’s 35th Annual Spring Celebration Powwow has now been postponed until May 11th because of a threatened strike by unionized workers at Evraz Place.
Powwow chair Richard Missens says it was a tough decision, but he says he did not want performers and spectators to walk through a picket line.
He says re-scheduling was the best option, but he adds it is a huge hassle:
“It’s a large undertaking, even to postpone it for 30 days. We expect more than 7,000 visitors for this event — and for the first time in 20 years, we have scheduled an alumni homecoming to coincide with the event. So, yes, people have booked annual leave from work, they have made hotel and travel arrangements.”
Despite the difficulties, Missens does not take sides in the dispute — but does say he hopes it does not last long.
He also says the powwow will happen and it will be one of the biggest in decades.
About 600 workers — represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union — could be off the job tomorrow. Wages are the main issue in the dispute. They want a 30% raise over three years, and have been offered 6%.
The workers have been without a contract for more than two years.