Sudbury Steelworkers Local 6500 rejects Vale's second offer
Update:
After an 87 per cent majority vote Monday evening, United Steelworkers (USW) members in Sudbury have rejected contract concessions by mining giant Vale.
"Vale's employees have said emphatically that they want this employer to stop attacking their benefits, to stop eroding the standard of living for the next generation, to stop taking more and more away from our families and our community, especially during good times," said USW Local 6500 President Nick Larochelle. "The message from our members is clear: 'Back off the concessions, get back to the table and negotiate a deal that puts people before profits - then the profits will flow."
The union is calling on the company to commit to good-faith negotiations to settle the strike by 2,500 workers.
Original:
Vale and the United Steelworkers Local 6500 continue to struggle to reach a deal.
Vale expresses "disappointment" that the union bargaining committee is recommending rejection of a new offer tabled June 12.
Officials say the new offer addresses union concerns over wages, pensions and benefits for new hires.
"Our efforts at the table have focused on reaching a deal that benefits employees and the community while addressing challenges in the business. We feel our revised offer does that," said Chief Operating Officer, North Atlantic Operations Dino Otranto in a media release.
Adding, "While it is disappointing that the union has chosen not to endorse the company’s offer, our commitment to finding a path forward to a ratified deal has never wavered."
Around 2,500 members of the USW walked off the job on June 1 to "protect health benefits and proper compensation during good times" according to the union.
"Vale knows it provoked this strike by demanding concessions, yet it continues to attack health benefits," said USW Local 6500 President Nick Larochelle in a statement. "We want to be clear – our members want to get back to work, but they expect a good-faith offer from Vale that respects their concerns."
A union meeting will be held Monday following by online voting on the latest offer.
The union claims that Canadian taxpayers have been subsidizing Vale’s operations, despite the company’s massive profits.
"Taxpayers gave the company $67.7 million last year, in the form of pandemic-related subsidies from the federal government," Kim Kmit said in a post on the USW Local 6500 website.
Vale responded with a statement to CTV News when asked about the subsidies:
"At the onset of the pandemic, specifically Q2, all of Vale’s base metals markets experienced significant demand shocks resulting from global COVID-19 related shutdowns. Further, Vale’s Voisey’s Bay operation in Labrador was placed into care and maintenance for three months to reduce risk of transmission to neighboring Indigenous communities. Vale was the first mining company in Canada, perhaps the world, to shut down operations voluntarily in the interests of health and safety. The Canada Employment Wage Subsidy allowed us to continue to pay employees and contractors who were not working due to concerns about the virus being potentially transmitted to vulnerable communities."
"Vale's employees have said emphatically that they want this employer to stop attacking their benefits, to stop
eroding the standard of living for the next generation, to stop taking more and more away from our families and our
community, especially during good times," said USW Local 6500 President Nick Larochelle.
“The message from our members is clear: 'Back off the concessions, get back to the table and negotiate a deal that
puts people before profits - then the profits will flow.”
"Vale's employees have said emphatically that they want this employer to stop attacking their benefits, to stop
eroding the standard of living for the next generation, to stop taking more and more away from our families and our
community, especially during good times," said USW Local 6500 President Nick Larochelle.
“The message from our members is clear: 'Back off the concessions, get back to the table and negotiate a deal that
puts people before profits - then the profits will flow.”
"Vale's employees have said emphatically that they want this employer to stop attacking their benefits, to stop
eroding the standard of living for the next generation, to stop taking more and more away from our families and our
community, especially during good times," said USW Local 6500 President Nick Larochelle.
“The message from our members is clear: 'Back off the concessions, get back to the table and negotiate a deal that
puts people before profits - then the profits will flow.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
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.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
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.
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.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
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.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.