SARNIA, Ont. – Forty-seven unionized employees at the Blue Water Bridge went on strike this morning, according to the Federal Bridge Corp.

The bridge operator says the union “has refused to negotiate in good faith throughout the bargaining process.”

It says the bridge will remain open and traffic flow will be maintained throughout the labor disruption. Management and non-unionized staff have obtained certification in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and are trained to collect tolls, the bridge operator says.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents unionized workers at the bridge, said “Members have made it clear that if the employer is not willing to negotiate fairly, that we would take strike action.”

“We tried to get an agreement, but they refused to negotiate in good faith and remove the concessions and roll backs off the table,” said Paul Haney, local president. “I am sorry that commuters and commercial vehicles will be inconvenienced now because of the disrespect the Federal Bridge Corporation has shown its workers.”

The Ontario Trucking Association warns that, in the event of a strike, “there’s a reasonable expectation that traffic will be impacted to some degree and carriers could expect some delays.”