Vol. 73/No. 30 August 10, 2009
The workers are trying to push back major contract concessions demanded by the bosses who claim that Sudbury is Vales highest-cost operation and its not sustainable.
The strikers Web site, www.fairdealnow.ca, reports that Vale Incos final offer demands takeaways from the workers pensions, cost-of living allowance, and the production bonus system. It also undermines job security through contracting out provisions along with many other concessions. According to the strikers, last year Vale made $13.2 billion in profits and currently has $22 billion in cash assets.
In March Vale Inco announced plans to lay off 423 workers in Canada, including 261 in Sudbury, and imposed a June-July summer shutdown there, reported the Globe and Mail.
The mood is pretty upbeat here, said picket captain Bob Ruff at the Clarabelle Mine Road near Sudbury. Were ready to sit it out as long as we have to.
Workers at the companys Voiseys Bay operations in Labrador on Canadas east coast have also voted massively to reject the same final offer and are set to begin a strike on August 1.
Related articles:
China: workers protest steel plant privatization
Front page (for this issue) |
Home |
Text-version home