Advanced Solutions International Intermediate Tecnnical Analyst Monitoring interview questions

They requested an on-site interview in Victoria(I'm in Vancouver). After finding out it would be like a day trip to Victoria and back with travel cost mounting up to $90, I politely pointed out the 'financial implication' and asked for a telephone instead. It went well and they insisited on a face-to-face interview. Off I went and shortly after I was informed of being the successful candidate. The subsequent salary negatiation turned out a nightmare; the job description stated a salary range of $60~69k but they insisted the salary must be $60k(Step 1, the lowest in the range) quoting it's a unionized position and employees get paid the same for doing the same job, regardless of matching experience, qualifications and certification.