SEPT-ILES, QC. - The 305 members of local 9344 of the Steelworkers union cast their ballots and decided 94 per cent in favor of strike action. Those workers are assigned to the railway and port activities of IOC in Sept-Iles.
Steelworkers Coordinator Nicolas Lapierre explained in a release late this afternoon, April 19, this action was logical after the Steelworkers locals 5795 and 6731 rejected an offer from IOC earlier this week in Labrador City.
Lapierre explained the members of local 9344 were not comfortable signing a new contract giving the situation in Labrador West. He went on to say that until there is activity in the north there will be no activity at the rail way or the port.
Meanwhile 9344 has the right to strike but cannot go on strike until they agree with IOC on the level of essential services they must provide. It’s expected an arbitrator will decide on this in the coming weeks.
“This has to be shown as a gesture of solidarity,” said local 9344 President Eddy Wright in a statement. “We believe we had a good deal but the rejection by the workers in Labrador has changed the game, even though some way our issues are different, and we want to start negotiations with our brothers and sisters in Labrador.”
Ron Thomas, president of local 5795, told the Aurora the vote in Sept-Iles shows “democracy at its finest.”
“The rejection votes from three of the locals proved that the offers are not good enough and it’s time to actually give all the workers what we have been asking for from the beginning which is a fair contract,” Thomas said. “At some point Rio Tinto needs to realize this and reward their number one resource, the workers.”
Shortly after the results of the vote Heather Bruce-Veitch, director of Communications and External Relations with IOC, released a short statement.
“The most recent offer we made to the union was a fair and equitable agreement for all stakeholders with significant movement on a number of key elements. The effective work stoppage date will depend on the resolution process on essential services with the CIRB. However the 72-hour notice will still be required.”
Bruce-Veitch said IOC must be positioned for the highs and the lows of the mining cycle in order to remain a responsible and competitive business in the global market for the long term. This is in the interest of all stakeholders, she said, including the union. She said IOC remains open for discussion and is looking for an agreement that will be beneficial to all.
The Aurora will continue to cover the latest developments.
Related:
Week four and counting in Labrador West strike
Latest offer turned down by Steelworkers in Labrador West
Labrador West Steelworkers meeting Monday to hear latest offer from IOC
Tentative agreement reached between Steelworkers and IOC
