Canada’s Lakeside Packers will seek permission to allow workers at its Brooks beef plant to vote on the company's latest contract offer. The move follows the decision by union officials to reject the company's pay proposal and issue a strike notice.

Leaders of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 issued a strike notice effective Wednesday, October 12.

"We're extremely disappointed the union has refused to allow our team members to vote on our most recent offer, which includes wage increases beyond those recommended by a government mediator," Chris Borgren, manager of the Lakeside beef complex, said. "We will now go to the Alberta Labour Board and seek authorisation to hold a proposal vote, which will allow our people to vote on the company's offer, despite the opposition of union leaders."

Even though strike action has been proposed, Lakeside intends to operate the plant with those employees that are willing to continue to work.