UCTE members who work at the Port of Saint John were disappointed not to achieve a new collective agreement without a third party. But the employer refused to consider their reasonable demands for a wage increase that would allow them to match rates paid in similar jobs in their marketplace and applied for conciliation. Employees are seeking to protect themselves against the rising cost of living and to ensure a decent retirement from a defined benefit pension plan. Although the conciliation process is continuing, the Local met and gave their bargaining team a strong mandate by voting to strike if necessary.