Miners' Strike at Vale in Sudbury
Miners' Strike Opposes Anti-Social, Anti-Worker Concessions
Production and maintenance workers at the Sudbury facilities of the
mining giant Vale went on strike on June 1 after the workers, members
of United Steelworkers Local 6500, rejected a tentative agreement
reached between the union's bargaining committee and the company.
A negative feature of the rejected tentative offer was a demand to
terminate health benefits upon retirement for all employees hired on or
after June 1, 2021. This concession would mean no health benefits for
new hires, such as a drug plan, after working 30 years in the industry's
hazardous environment. This demand would split Local 6500,
pitting one section against another with the inevitable weakening of
their collective struggle in defence of the rights of all.
June 11, 2021. Clarabelle Mill picket line.Other
concessions in the rejected tentative agreement include the elimination
of coverage for over-the-counter drugs, increased co-payments from
workers for the existing drug plan, and an unacceptable wage offer of
just four per cent over the entire five year contract. At this time
price inflation is beginning to rise sharply. Local 6500 currently
has a cost of living adjustment in its contract. The wage is adjusted
to cost of living once a year, when it applies. June 1 this year was
the date the wages were to be adjusted $0.82 an hour and the adjustment
should take effect once the strike is over.
On June 13, Vale tabled a second contract offer that includes similar concessions with minimal changes. Vale's
second offer still proposes to eliminate the existing retiree health
and medical benefit plan for all future hires. The company is now
proposing to offer the future retirees a $1,000 "health-care savings
account," which would take away nearly 80 per cent of the coverage
currently provided to members under the existing plan. Coverage for
some medications and medical supplies would still be entirely
eliminated. Over-the-counter drug coverage for current workers is still
eliminated. Vale's new contract offer calls for one per cent annual
wage increases, plus cost of living adjustment when it applies. The
union's bargaining committee is unanimously recommending that members
reject Vale's latest concessionary offer. This offer is being reviewed
by Local 6500 members today, June 14, followed by online voting on the
proposal this evening.
 Mineworkers
produce enormous quantities of economic value within a dangerous
environment, often resulting in injuries and poor health. To be
deprived of health benefits in retirement when they are most needed is
an intolerable attack on workers' right to live in dignity. This
concessionary demand is an assault on the conscience of the human
person declaring workers as disposable when they become old.
For Vale to attempt to split the miners based on when they were
hired is unconscionable and reveals its aim and practice as out of
touch with the modern reality of work. The rights of all at work and
throughout their lives are a concern of all and the very essence of
life. The fight for rights is a fight for life. This is clearly evident
in work such
as mining and refining.
The company wants these concessions to pad its self-serving aim of
maximum profit on the backs of workers and their community. It must not
pass! By their rejection of a concessionary contract and by launching
their strike the workers are making a clear statement opposing Vale's
attack and willingness to jeopardize their lives and those of
the coming generation. The deliberate attempt to break the fighting
unity of the collective of workers at Vale by attacking the rights of
future generations is despicable and must not pass!
Concessions are not solutions to the problems working people face or
those of the economy. Canadian workers across the country have
experience of the demands for concessions and anti-social cutbacks
which target the working people and make the rich richer.
All Out to Support USW Local 6500!
Our Security Lies in the Fight for the Rights of All!
The Fight for Rights is the Fight for Life!
This article was published in
June 14, 2021 - No. 56
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/WF2021/Articles/WO08561.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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