KITIMAT B.C. -- A "Save the Northwest" rally is planned for Kitimat's Centennial Park this afternoon (Thursday), as the strike at Rio Tinto nears the end of its second week.

The rally, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., is to urge both Rio Tinto and Unifor Local 2301 to return to the bargaining table and hammer out an agreement.

The negotiations remain stalled, as the two sides wrangle over issues such as the use of contractors and post-retirement benefits.

Skeena M.L.A. Ellis Ross, who has talked to representatives of both sides, also is hoping to see a resumption in negotiations -- and he'd like to see the province help out too.

"I am in the process of writing a letter to the B.C. Government to say you've got to get these parties back to the table as well, and I understand you can't use legislation to do that just yet, but you can encourage the parties to get back together," he said in a video post on Facebook.

Ross says he doesn't want to play politics with the dispute and he's talked to representatives from both sides, but he says a lot of families are hurting, along with businesses in Kitimat and Terrace.

"What we're talking about is not just Rio Tinto Alcan workers getting affected, it's businesses and suppliers in Kitimat and Terrace that are getting affected -- it's a supply chain issue and so if businesses aren't supplying any services to the smelter, they have to lay off people as well."

The Haisla Nation is also urging the two sides to resume talks, with Chief Councillor Crystal Smith noting that many Haisla members are affected by the dispute and are hoping for a fast resolution.

Haisla members are also being encouraged to reach out to the Haisla Liaison team to talk about options available to help them.