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
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Montreal man facing charges following contraband drone drop at Millhaven: OPP
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a 40-year-old man from Montreal is facing charges following a suspected drone drop of unauthorized items at the Millhaven Institution.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Nigeria's fashion and dancing styles in the spotlight as Harry, Meghan visit its largest city
Nigeria's fashion and traditional dances were at full display on Sunday as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in its largest city, Lagos, as part of their three-day visit to the country to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Police investigating after tow trucks shot at in Scarborough two hours apart
Toronto police are investigating after tow trucks were shot at in Scarborough about two hours apart Saturday night.
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
U.K. foreign secretary says halting arms sales to Israel would only strengthen Hamas
Asked whether the U.K. would follow the U.S. in threatening to cut the supply of offensive weapons to Israel if it carried out an attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the two countries cannot be compared because unlike the U.S., Britain supplies a very small amount of Israel's weapons.