Gold-producer Placer Dome (TSE) has put the fate of the 80-year-old Dome mine here in the hands of the United Steelworkers of America. On Oct. 11, the company delivered videotaped messages from Anthony Petrina, Placer president, and mine manager Bob Perry to every member of USWA Local 7580.
The videotape outlined the company’s “final and decisive” offer to the union. At the same time, the company announced the immediate layoff of 354 employees from the Dome’s total staff of 750. “We have told the union that our proposal must be ratified by Nov. 16, or the mine will close,” Perry said.
The 575-member union local went on strike May 7.
Since that time, Placer completed an operational assessment of the Dome mine. “The Dome is an old, low-grade, high-cost mine that lost $4 million in the first quarter of this year,” said Perry.
“Placer has already taken action to reduce costs at our other high- cost operations, and we must do the same here if the mine is to continue operating.”
“Our policy is to pay employees better than the mining industry average,” said Petrina. “To do this we expect every operation to stand on its own and make a profit.”
Placer wants to operate the mine with, what it calls, 400 of its best miners. “The mine can only be profitable and provide employment with above-average pay if we reduce costs. And the only way to significantly cut costs is to have fewer and better employees,” said Perry.
Local 7580 President Bill Crockett says a final decision on whether to have a vote on the final Dome offer is at least a couple of weeks away.
Crockett said the union executive expects to field numerous questions from the membership before recommending for or against a vote.
The union is upset over the company’s decision to terminate 12 employees for disciplinary reasons.
“We’re checking the legality of those 12 terminations,” said union staff representative Gerry Loranger. “We think it’s ridiculous that the mine would fire people for their behavior on a legal picket line.”
The Dome is one of 19 properties Placer operates around the world.
Gentlemen
Dare Fowler was a great leader and a friend. But well before Dare Fowler, there were many talented poeple that builded this company. The Henderson, Taylor, Regimbald, Watson, Ouelett, Rivard and Demers to name only a few largely contributed to the success of N.Morissette Diamond Drilling. The aquisition by Longyear in 1986, from my humble point of view, was a strategic move for different reasons.
Rejean Laramee
-former N.Morissette Diamond Drilling, employed for 30+ years.