Vale Inco should stop complaining about poor press in the local Greater Sudbury media and get back to some serious bargaining, said John Fera.
Fera was responding to statements made by John Pollesel, VP, Production Services and Support, directed to Vale Inco employees on the Vale Inco website, www.valeinconegotiations.com.
Pollesel said he needed to “clarify misinformation being spread by the USW in the Sudbury press” about a recent Superior Court ruling by Justice Poupore.
“As was evident to anyone attending the (court) hearing, Justice Poupore delivered a clear and unmistakable message to union leadership and striking workers that further violations of the (court)injunction (related to picket line protocol) will not be tolerated.”
Pollesel noted that the Justice said persons operating picket lines could be reduced to zero if more violations of picket line procedure occur. He also said that the security company hired by Vale Inco, AFI, does not have to remain 30 feet from the picketers.
“The reality is that by the very fact that security is present, it helps to ensure there is orderly conduct on the picket lines,” Pollesel concluded.
But Fera said the court ruling by Justice Poupore was also win for strikers.
“When there is no bus (approaching) AFI has to remain on the company side unless there is an issue on the picket line. That is a win for us,” noted Fera.
“Before, the security company personnel were intermingling with our people and harassing them on the picket line. There were verbally abusive and had recording devices,” he added. He said the company was suing nine strikers because of alleged incidents on the picket line. He said he had no further information on the matter. That is in addition to a $25 million law suite against the union and 19 strikers over picket line protocol issues.
“Overall the ruling (by Justice Pourpore) was pretty fair. We can enter the bus to see who is on the bus.”
Fera said it was important for Local 6500 to see who was on the bus whether they be contractors, or “scabs” or even some union members who “have gone over”, he said. Information can also be passed through bus windows by picketers to those inside. Windows have to remain open, he noted.
“It is petty to complain and talk about who is winning on the picket line. If the company is serious then they should get back to bargaining.”
