IOC workers in Sept-Iles not on strike today as planned

['IOC port facility at Sept-iles, Que. - Photo by IOC']

Just over 300 workers, members of the Steelworkers local 9344, did not go on strike today (April 10th) as planned.

The issue revolves around the union workers falling under essential services regulations, thereby potentially disallowing them from striking.

Dany Maltais is the Steelworkers rep in Sept-Iles.

“A resolution to the provision of essential services stems around transportation of ore for another company, and that now has to go before the Canadian Labour Relations board,” he told the Aurora.

Maltais says they have engaged their lawyers and he was unable to say how long it would take to resolve the issue.

“It could take days or it could be weeks,” he explained.

In the meantime the workers of that union remain on the job.

Today in Labrador City it was picket duty as usual as the strike there now moves into its third week. There was a glimmer of hope last evening when at a rally of support for the striking Steelworkers Ron Thomas, President of local 5795 , said they had been contacted by IOC to explore the possibility of returning to the bargaining table.

The Aurora checked with Thomas at about 5 p.m. All he could tell us was “We are still working on it.”

The Aurora will keep up to date on any developments.

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