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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.