Company, union talking as strike begins at Vale in Sudbury
Talks are ongoing between the union and Vale, the union's bargaining committee told CTV News on Tuesday. Sudbury mining workers at Vale are on strike for the first time in more than 10 years after workers rejected a five-year contract.
The bargaining committee of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500 told CTV it heard the membership loud and clear has brought that message back to the company.
They confirmed talks are ongoing.
Tuesday morning Vale, declined comment on the labour dispute, saying in a statement:
"Our focus is on continuing to explore a path to a settlement with the United Steelworkers while preserving the health and safety of all employees, unionized and non-unionized, as well as the safety and integrity of our operations."
The dispute began when workers rejected a five-year tentative contract in a vote Monday night.
"Vale regrets to inform that employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500, representing production and maintenance employees in Sudbury, voted to reject the company’s offer of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement despite the unanimous endorsement of that deal by the union bargaining committee," the company said in a news release Tuesday morning.
At 12:26 a.m. Tuesday on its website, the union said 87 per cent of its members voted on the new contract and 70 per cent rejected the tentative agreement.
"We are newly energized with this result and are looking forward to bringing your message to the company to let them know our work is not complete," the union's bargaining committee said.
"The company’s offer, and the union bargaining team’s endorsement of that offer, reflected months of hard work and commitment on both sides and a sincere demonstration to favorably conclude negotiations," Vale said. "Vale is committed to the long-term sustainability of its base metals business and its Ontario operations. The Company will continue discussions with USW in the hopes that both sides can find a path towards a ratified agreement in the near-term."
Vale has implemented contingency plans as workers head to the picket lines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.