Some 1,200 workers went on strike Oct. 24 at Highland Valley Copper in Logan Lake, British Columbia, Canada’s largest open-pit copper mine. Owned by Teck Resources, the mine reported profits of 854 million Canadian dollars ($605 million) in the second quarter this year.
“Despite record profits, Teck Resources isn’t paying workers what we deserve. It’s even seeking concessions in the contract,” said Kyle Wolff, president of United Steelworkers Local 7619, in an Oct. 26 media release. “But it should be in no doubt, steelworkers are ready to fight for fairness and our fight has only just begun.”
In a phone interview with the Militant, Wolff said 5% of the workforce suffered work injuries last year. The company refuses to repair unsafe railings, protruding pipes and generally unsafe conditions.
The vote to strike was unanimous. On the picket line “morale is high,” Wolff told online news portal CFJC Today. “We’ve built up some infrastructure here, heating stations, heated running water, a nice washroom.”
The key issues are improved safety, better wages and a halt to the company’s threat to cut its contribution to workers’ pensions, Wolff said. “The atmosphere created by management is one of intimidation, including threats of violence against the staff and union workers.”
“We have gotten significant support from other unions, including Canadian Union of Postal Workers, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, International Association of Machinists, British Columbia Nurses Union and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, as well as the Kamloops District Labour Council and the BC Federation of Labour,” Wolff told the Militant by phone.
People from across the region bring food, coffee and encouragement to the picket line, he said.
The federation announced Nov. 6 that it has issued a “hot edict” against Teck Resources, which means all unions should refrain from handling products from the mine in any way.
Messages of support can be sent to Wolff at president@usw7619.com.