As Labor Day approaches, two unions and a silver valley mine will begin arbitrations over higher wages and benefits for workers at the Sunshine Mine in North Idaho’s Silver Valley.

On Wednesday, officials from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Steel Workers and Sunshine Mining & Refining Co. exchanged their final offers after months of negotiations.

As part of a six-year contract, labor unions were able to renegotiate wages and benefits starting May 1.

Both unions and Sunshine officials met periodically but without reaching resolution during the past five months, said Harry Cougher, vicepresident of metals and mining for the Boise-based Sunshine. The next step will be selecting an arbitrator.

Neither union nor company officials would discuss details of the wage and benefit offers. However, Cougher said, “Both final offers from labor and the company show improvements in wages and benefits.”

Sunshine Mine employs 250 people, with about 220 represented by the two unions.

As part of the arbitration agreement, union members agreed they will not strike.

While no deadline has been set for the arbitration proceeding, “We would like it to be as expedient as possible,” said Doug Barnard, business manager for the Electrical Workers union.

, DataTimes