Mining giant could be heading for major clash at Sudbury operation
The Toronto Star, 26 Aug 2009
By Tony Van Alphen
Mining giant Vale Inco and its union may be heading for a major and potentially violent clash after the company revealed yesterday it plans to break decades of picket line protocol and resume “partial” production during the ongoing strike at its Sudbury operations.
The United Steelworkers union said it will do all it can to stop Inco from removing any mineral production from its mines, mills and smelter while a six-week strike by about 3,100 employees continues.
Wayne Fraser, the union’s Ontario director, described Inco as “arrogant” and called on the community to express its outrage at the company’s tactics in the dispute over a new contract.
Last week, Leo Gerard, the union’s international president and a former Inco worker, warned a resumption of operations would trigger a union backlash and major safety concerns for employees working in unfamiliar jobs.
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