Falco workers walk off job in Sudbury

More than 1,200 workers at the Falconbridge nickel plant in Sudbury, Ont., went on strike after their contract expired on Aug.1.

Negotiations for a new contract between Falconbridge and Canadian Auto Workers Local 598 lasted into the evening on July 31 but broke off after Falco submitted its latest offer.

“We made an offer for settlement . . . one that we believe addressed a large number of the remaining employee concerns,” says Ann Marie Lorenz, head of the Falconbridge bargaining team.

Highlights of the proposed 3-year deal are as follows:

– a wage increase of 50 per hour plus a 47-per-hour cost-of-living adjustment;

– a $1,500 signing bonus for each employee; and

– a $3,000 monthly pension (up from $2,700) after 30 years service.

Also, employees would receive 1 per hour for every cent that nickel increases over US$2.15 per lb. For example, if nickel were trading at $3.15 per lb., each employee would receive $1 more per hour.

However, union spokesman Hemi Mitic says the strike is not about money but about the need for a completely overhauled collective agreement.

“The key issues are the items Falconbridge deleted from the collective agreement,” he says. “They deleted about half the agreement.”

Mitic is not optimistic the strike will end soon. “It could go on for months — these are serious matters we have to deal with.”

According to Mitic, provisions in the old agreement protected seniority and limited Falconbridge’s ability to hire contractors, whereas Falco’s latest proposal does not.

Craig Crosby, the company’s communications supervisor, disagrees: “Since 1997, Falconbridge has met its commitment to reduce contractors significantly, and this program will continue.”