It's business as usual at Rio Tinto Alcan's Kitimat works this morning, as collective bargaining between the company and the Canadian Autoworkers Union continues.
    The current collective agreement between R-T-A and Local 23-01 of the C-A-W expired at midnight last night -- but both sides are still at the negotiating table this morning -- and there's hope an agreement may be in place later today.
     Rio Tinto Alcan issued lockout notice Friday, and the union responded with strike notice.   However, both sides said this is not unusual in negotiations -- and didn't necessarily mean a work stoppage was inevitable.
     If there is job action, the two sides have agreed to essential service levels set by the Labour Relations Board, including the management of water levels in the Nechako Reservoir to avoid flooding in the area. 
     R-T-A will also continue to generate power and export to B-C Hydro, and part of the power generated will be used to maintain the potlines in a hibernated state. 
    The L-R-B also ruled that union members are restricted from any form of picketing on any of the Bechtel sites involved in the Kitimat Modernization Project or the Kemano Back-Up Tunnel.