A strike at a Kentville recycling plant is now in its third week, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.

Striking workers have been delaying trucks from entering the Scotia Recycling plant for the past three weeks. They're seeking better wages and better working conditions in the plant.

"Heat is one issue and cold is another," worker Debbie McMullin said Thursday.

"It's extremely cold and there are three little heaters above you that aim down your trash chute and they're on a timer. That's not right."

The company has hired replacement workers to cover the 24 full-time positions.

Dwight Whynot, president of Scotia Recycling, said it's business as usual and he's ready to handle a long strike.

"So far our production rates have been good, our curbside programs are still running," he said. "Hopefully, this will be settled a lot sooner than three months but if not we'll have to keep operating as we are."

But tensions are mounting as the company buses in replacement workers. The company said it's a safety issue.

There was an incident earlier this week when one of the replacement workers spit from the bus on to one of the picketers.

Police have charged that worker with assault and now police are on hand each time the bus comes in or out.

Worker Steven Nowe said there are bad feelings toward the replacement workers as the company pays to transport them to the jobs.

"A lot of them were our friends before this happened, so it's kind of tough to see them come to and from work," Nowe said. " Now they're being bused in and they would never cover our transportation, so it's kind of rough to see them pay transportation in and out."

There are no contract talks scheduled to resolve the issue.

The union is bracing for what could be a long strike, United Food and Commercial Worker union representative Blair Benjamin said.

"We've rented a location to get our folks in out of the weather, we're currently on site. We're in the process of putting up a small burn barrel so we're prepared for the long haul, too," he said.

Local residents who are bringing deliveries to the plant are supporting the striking workers.

"These people are working and they need to make an honest living," resident Steve Boudreau said. "And if they have issues, they should be brought out and dealt with."