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
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.