Sudbury MPs Frustrated with Vale Inco’s Smelter Postings, re-posted from: December 10, 2009

Source: Claude Gravelle's NDP Site



Sudbury, ON- Area MPs Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) and Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) are frustrated with Vale Inco’s most recent tactic during its five month long strike. The company recently posted three positions for the Copper Cliff smelter: Instrumentation, Mechanical and Electrical support. All three of these positions are within the USW Local 6500 bargaining unit.



“Everyone in our community is hoping that both sides can come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal. This move from Vale Inco will just further push the two sides apart,” said Gravelle, “Scab labour divides communities, it’s troubling enough that they are operating the Coleman and Garson mines, starting the Copper Cliff smelter is very dangerous and I’m worried for these workers’ safety.”



“It has already been 5 long months on the picket line and this strike is hurting thousands of Sudbury families” added Thibeault. “The company needs to understand the impact in our community and make a serious attempt to resolve this dispute. Everyone is starting to wonder if Vale Inco is true to its word of being a part of Sudbury for the long haul.”



Staff representative Myles Sullivan shares the MPs concerns, “We’re disappointed that Vale Inco is going to operate during the strike; the first time in the company’s history. Instead of wasting its money on scab labour, private security, and lawyers they should be investing in their workers and the community. It’s time we go back to the table and negotiate a fair deal,” said Sullivan.