Steelworkers protest Vale CEO's citizenship award in Big Apple

About 200 protesters, including about 40 striking Steelworkers members from Sudbury, protested in New York Dec. 3 as Vale CEO Roger Agnelli received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award from the Business Council for International Understanding. Photo by Bill Belowos.

Dec 05, 2009- 11:58 AM

By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life

About 200 protesters converged on New York City Dec. 3 to protest the fact that Vale CEO Roger Agnelli had received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award from the Business Council for International Understanding.

The protesters included about 50 United Steelworkers members from Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ont., who are currently on strike against Vale Inco, and union members from the United States who support their cause.

“We left Sudbury Wednesday at around 5 a.m., and we got into New York at around 9 p.m. that night. It was a long trip,” said Bill Belowos, one of the Sudbury strikers who went along on the trip.

“(On Thursday) we (first) went to the Sheridan New York, where Vale had rented the whole fifth floor. There was a Goldman-Sachs investors' conference, where Vale was to be present. We went to that one, and we demonstrated down on the main street. We were being watched by security, and the police were there. We were there for a few hours.

“Then in the afternoon we went to the offices of a company called Mitsui. They own shares in Vale. This company has a representative on the board of directors. We were there for a few hours also. One of their (Mitsui's) representatives came down to talk to us, and took some of our information, and said he would pass it on.

“Later on in the evening, we went to the Waldorf Astoria (hotel), where we met up with other unions from the (United) States. We had a couple hundred (protesters) there. We were there protesting the award that Roger Agnelli was receiving.”

On its website, the Business Council for International Understanding says the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award is presented to “recognize exceptional accomplishments in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.”

Belowos said the people of New York were “very receptive” to the protesters' message. He said they handed out “tons” of leaflets “informing them of how Vale is working across the globe.”

“With this presentation to Roger Agnelli, we were making them aware of how other people view Roger Agnelli. It's not the same way corporations would view Roger Agnelli.”

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70 Comments

Phillip Morris 12/16/2009 8:57:20 PM - Report Abuse

More BS.
Desperate posturing by a lost union.
Woooooooo. Vale is so frightened. There's a plan "B".

We should be careful.

What a joke.
The replacement workers in the new year will have something to talk about in your old lunchrooms.
2010 12/11/2009 1:18:32 PM - Report Abuse

What's funny is that the type of people working on plan B are very low key. They greet staff with a smile when they cross the picket line. They stay calm when everyone around them are getting all riled up about this strike. I guess it's true that it is the quiet ones you have to worry about. lol
2010 12/11/2009 1:16:32 PM - Report Abuse

No rightofcentre it is not a suicide bomb as a matter of fact it is not even illegal but you have to be careful with plan B. Right now we are just a pimple on Vale @ss. But plan B is like shingles. What's bad about shingles is that you get it once and it tends to come back.
rightofcentre 12/11/2009 12:19:52 PM - Report Abuse

whats plan B then boots? do Fera and gerard have a mass suicide bombing planned?

The sheep would probably follow blindly aswell...
2010 12/11/2009 10:30:04 AM - Report Abuse

If we lose the battle and have nothing to lose at least we will be able to follow up with plan B which will make Vale and foreign companies regret for ever investing in Canada.
drifter 12/9/2009 11:26:13 PM - Report Abuse

If we can agree that Roger is at least as smart as any paisanos contributing to this blog, and lets say Vale didn't reformulate the nickel bonus calculation and the world nickel supply started to disappear (into space??)woouldn't Rog just pump up the production in Thompson? Indonesia? New Caledonia? Brazil? Zanzibar?

Either way, the Local 6500 grade 12 graduates would NEVER make more nickel bonus than the Vale Inco Staff or more than the proposed formula would pay.

Is this so hard to understand?

Local 6500 didn't have a chance but for some reason these kids believed they could take the summer off, burn the rest of their vacation and get a big signing bonus to come out even in September.

Leo Gerard played Local 6500 like a cheap violin.
Phillip Morris 12/9/2009 7:54:58 PM - Report Abuse

Ahh, Mr.Mario you're starting to figure it out.
That's the EXACT position Vale is using....and you actually agree!
What's the big deal for the Steelworkers not to sign? They're not losing any bonuses. And when the global need for nickel returns, they'll be in a better position to strike.
Vale and 6500 BOTH know that the current nickel bonus formula was never designed for absurd payouts quarterly averaging $12,000+. Its 25 years out of date.

Vale has proved they lost money in Sudbury with the current conditions WITH 6500 working. All things being equal, the union should be willing to give back, right?
Looks like the cold reality of things is slowing getting past the union propaganda.
Good for you!
Mario_3 12/9/2009 6:19:27 PM - Report Abuse

P.S.....Of course it has to be negotiated.Every three years,EVERYTHING has to be RE negotiated
Mario_3 12/9/2009 6:14:27 PM - Report Abuse

How does this tie in with the nickel bonus?

Look,lets use some common sense.The ONLY way the workers could make big nickel bonus,would be if the price reached,say.......$25 a lbs.For that to happen,there would have to be a huge demand for nickel,AND an equally small supply of it.Under these circumstances,Vale would make a huge profit........ie.......as in 2007.

On the other hand,under present conditions........high supply,low demand........the price would be low,and consequently,only a small bonus would be paid out.

Therefore,the problem is..........???????????
drifter 12/9/2009 5:51:17 PM - Report Abuse

The date of the end of a Labour Contract is the date that everything in the contract is no longer effective.

Each item, each bit of language, each agreement in a new contract is negotiated from point zero.

In 1985 (I think) Inco put the Nickel Bonus offer on the table because they had no money to off and it was accepted by the USW of America and agreed to.

24 years later, the company is restructuring the bonus calculation and putting it on the table.

The difference is, in 1985 Sudbury nickel was a huge part of Inco's income and the world supply of nickel. In 2009, the respective numbers are less than 10%.

To better understand the market realities, look at the Kitco charts on Nickel. In May/07 the price started to collapse and the inventory started to increase. Are the Boys from Pittsburgh so ???? they couldn't see this and understand the effect it would have on negotiations?

Get back to work guys.......the union has failed you.
Mario_3 12/9/2009 5:48:59 PM - Report Abuse

No argument from me.............on that point.

P.S..........The 'success'............is yet to be determined
rightofcentre 12/9/2009 4:30:43 PM - Report Abuse

but you assume what has been won in negotiations cannot be lost in subsequent negotiations. Well it can and the company is attmepting (quite succesfully) to do that right now.
Mario_3 12/9/2009 2:49:33 PM - Report Abuse

Some people have a hard time understanding the concept of profit sharing or nickel bonus as it applies to the Steelworkers.

'Sryvip' is absolutely correct,no one is entitled to profit sharing.......UNLESS it is NEGOTIATED.Its the SAME pattern as everything else.No one is entitled to vision care,dental care,drug plan,special vacations,floating holidays,etc.............UNLESS it is negotiated.

The point im making........NO worker is 'entitled' to ANY benefit,unless he 'negotiates' for it.Hence,the nickel bonus or profit sharing,is a negotiable item.........just as DOZENS of other items are.
sryvip 12/9/2009 10:06:44 AM - Report Abuse

Simple fact is that this company has the right to operate as they see fit, just like any company does. If they want to share profits in the form of bonuses, great, if they don't it is their choice. That is why 6500 workers are under contract and not staff employees, they negotiate their terms each contract. Union is not necessary in this day and age for negotiating fair contracts, the individual method would make more sense, like the non unionized staff workers. Union protects only the ones who wouldnt be kept by any company, the good workers that are seen as an asset will always be gainfully employed. Share holders are the ones putting up the capitol to provide cash flow to keep the wheels turning, they are the ones who have the say. You want shared profits, buy stock. If you want fair pay for hard work, sign the deal and get back to it. The days of having it both ways are long over. Globalization is what is happening here, if it was true that every worker had the right to company profits and bonus was leglislated would we not all be bank tellers, Wal Mart greaters or Home Depot cashiers? Now there would be some real bonuses...
rightofcentre 12/9/2009 9:50:03 AM - Report Abuse

how many mines are there in Rio oiaa?

Its not the end of the world though - if our labour is more expensive then we have to be more productive. However productivity and unions dont seem to go hand in hand. The more productive the worker gets the less workers are needed and the weaker the union gets.
2010 12/9/2009 5:27:18 AM - Report Abuse

It's estimated about 20 percent of Rio's 6 million people live in the shantytowns. With these standards how can we possibly compete?
green_2 12/8/2009 7:11:06 AM - Report Abuse

No support for the boys and gals on the line from local 800 thanks to ie lopes mechanical etc who tell their unionized employees work through the lines and it will keep the 6500 out on strike and keep the contractors in the smelter.
Lloyd 12/7/2009 10:59:22 PM - Report Abuse

When you read the pro strike comments on here, what else can you do but shake your head, and say "poor friggin' Sudbury"?
drifter 12/7/2009 10:57:10 PM - Report Abuse

Give it up PM

The guys on the Picket Line have to believe in what they're doing. They can't admit to themselves, their family or NL that they drank the Union Kool Aid and for a while believed Leo G knew what he was doing.

On the other hand there are a lot of them out there odd jobbing for less than $20/hr taking work away from people who depended on those jobs to put food on the table......we're not hearing about that side are we?
Phillip Morris 12/7/2009 7:41:01 PM - Report Abuse

Vale stated it was losing $7 million a day on projected total profits. The formula they are using shows how much the delays are costing on what they figure total sales should be. Vale is still in the black. Just not as much as they'd like to be.
6500 thinks they are causing gross losses. They are wrong. But, the union brass will do anything to try and keep the misinformation going.
Think about it people. Why would a company lose tens of millions with its overpaid union on the job, only to force a strike to continue to be in the red?
Vale is making headway. Just not as free flowing as they wish. That'll wait for the cheaper ore to come in 2010 from overseas. Totally replacing the high cost, low grade stuff here.
The unionists can hand onto anything they wish. Crying paid blogger or that people are jealous or simply haters. In the end, those that can see the big picture really know whats going on. And it ain't the line from Pittsburgh.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 7:16:36 PM - Report Abuse

Drifter you're right. I think thats why 6500 went on strike. Thats all they can legally do to protest what is happening. The hardship we are experiencing is only the beginning. 670 jobs lost in Timmins today. Its not just hard times for sudbury but for all northern ontario in the future.
2010 12/7/2009 7:12:44 PM - Report Abuse

You are a bad bad man Roger!
drifter 12/7/2009 6:19:35 PM - Report Abuse

Jeez Raspberry.........I know this is gonna rock your world but Vale Inco DO own the ore......they own the mineral rights and thats whatever is down there below given surveyed boundaries.

Canada hasn't owned the ground and whats below for about 100 years.

The Sudbury mines and processing plants are being run in a professional manner......run as typical capitalistic assets. They will be run to make as much profit as possible. If the bean counters in Brazil say Vale Inco can make more money by closing Sudbury and supplying the world nickel requirements from Goro and Indo and Brazil.....thats whats going to happen chum. Sudbury is mostly history
JOKE-r 12/7/2009 6:06:07 PM - Report Abuse

6500 members are hardly working for free. You know that, I know that. So the workers at Wal-mart should be getting Rollback Bonuses? And the workers at Timmies a double double bonus? While you may not like it DL the reality is, these corporations are in a business to, and brace yourself here, make money. Not for you. For their shareholders. Does it suck? Hell yeah. Will it change? Not likely. Oh and realistically, they are giving you a bonus. They could have said no bonuses at all, but that wasn't the case. They capped it. Fighting for pensions? They are actually doing you a favour. I for one, would much prefer the DC. I have always been on a DC plan and I take it with me when and if I leave a company. I reap the tax benefits associated with it. The company is still giving YOU a choice. If you don't like DC stick with your DB. LOL Slave labour... that is very funny. You make a very good wage. If that is what you consider slave labour, then go work at wal mart or timmies or some other place for minimim wage and then talk to people about slave labour. You are insulting every other person in this city who doesn't make the wage you make or even half the wage you make.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 5:59:19 PM - Report Abuse

Since Vale is losing 7 million per day due to the strike hopefully it won't be long before they sell Inco to a real mining company. These foreign bean counters have no clue how to run mines, millls, and smelters. They bought a turn key operation that made them 2 billion in profits a year and now look at the place. It really saddens me to see such a fine company (Inco) being driven into the ground by a bunch of clueless foreign investors (vale). On the bright side, vale doesn't own the ore, only the right to mine the ore. If they choose not to fairly compensate their workers the ore will stay in the ground and they won't make any money at all.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 5:41:22 PM - Report Abuse

So you're suggesting joke-r that 6500 should just be happy that they aren't working for free yet? If you work for a company you are entitled to part of the profits. There is no such thing as slave labour in canada anymore. If vale doesn't agree to fairly compensate the employees who help make them the billions in profit that they make then the ore will stay in the ground. Vale only owns the right to mine the ore here. They do not own the ore. Canadians do.
JOKE-r 12/7/2009 3:57:49 PM - Report Abuse

See D.L and worker? YOUR attitude is exactly why the people of Sudbury are wavering with their support. No, a lot of us are not on strike. However, you don't know what it is I do. How do you know this strike doesn't affect me? You don't. Again, if you showed integrity and character as many of the 6500 do, then I applaud that you are standing true to your convictions. To use blanket statements that everyone who disagrees with you, is jealous or haters or paid Vale bloggers is a cop out for dealing with your own behaviour.
Second point....really..who are you to state that because the company makes money, they OWE you something. They don't. As hard as that pill may be to swallow, given that it has gone the unions way for many years, its one that has to be taken. Vale is a business. They are not obligated to give you any part of their profits. Does it make the sting any less? Nope. Its not your company though. As someone said, buy shares. And yes DL. I do support Vale. You know why? Because when you are working, that company is supplying our community with 3000 + more jobs. Do I necessarily agree with all their practices? Perhaps not. But then again, its not my company....
Suez 12/7/2009 3:57:23 PM - Report Abuse

Thanks, Drifter, for you comments.

We have been fortunate enough to keep things going on our own, through odd jobs. We truly appreciate that fact, that we are able to get by. There are many families out there that are using food banks, though, and we have been contributing to the food bank run at the schools. There are still those in the community that are worse off than we are.

It is just frustrating when people are hearing rumours of negotiations and nothing is happening....
drifter 12/7/2009 3:49:25 PM - Report Abuse

Good Luck Suez.

I wish there was something we could do for families like yours......but there are so many in the same situation or worse.

All we can do is contribute more to United Way and Food Bank and we do.
Suez 12/7/2009 3:13:29 PM - Report Abuse

Thanks, Phillip Morris, for your input. I agree. It was a risk going into mining. Both of us come from families where our fathers were in the mining industry as well. It is cyclical; however, negotiations with a domestic corporation is somewhat different than what is currently happening. While there is no bias in our household regarding Vale, there are certainly a lot of stories being bandied about by various people that work there regarding their treatment of employees and more. Before the strike, there were tremendous changes regarding treatment of workers (no, not all miners are abusing the work environment) but that is the change that happens when there is a new business. The Vale way of conducting business is dramatically different from Inco. So, change is hard to deal with.

Still, the company claims they are losing money due to the work stoppage, the families are feeling the effects of the strike, so the natural conclusion would be to negotiate. There also has to be some give and take on both sides. Our family did not vote to strike. Why? We feel the workers will ultimately sign for what was, in essence, offered in the first place. Still, no one likes the situation - from the workers on the picket line to the business that are being affected by the strike.
Phillip Morris 12/7/2009 2:46:25 PM - Report Abuse

Well Suez, you can't just take part of the picture. You have to step back and take it all in.

I know it's a bitter pill to swallow, but your husband DID choose to take the shaky, cyclical, labour strife filled career as a miner.
Despite decades of evidence, and a long history of strikes, layoffs, and shutdowns, he marched into Inco. Any hardships from the downturns or labour disruptions are par for the course. As is the ever looming spectre of permanent job loss. Yes, your spouse does want to get back to work. Something he and his 'brothers+sisters' should have thought about when they voted strike. The laughter and good times of a short summer vacation-strike, and a fat signing bonus are long gone.

The choice to go back to work, for a fair settlement is still out there. All it takes is a few brave, self-thinkers to start demanding a re-vote.
Before one day longer is one day too late.
Informed 12/7/2009 2:15:00 PM - Report Abuse

Suez, I hope for you and your family that the Union pushes to get back to the table and start negotiating again.
Informed 12/7/2009 2:13:59 PM - Report Abuse

D.L. The contract was posted on line by Vale. Many people not working for Vale have read it. So I would not claim that people don't know anything about the contract. Also, I never said that I support Vale, and I've never blamed my neighbours for my problems...as you put it. I do not consider myself an un-informed 'hater' (which by the way proves my third point...). Just because I said I don't agree with the strike, doesn't mean that I'm trying to tell 6500 what to do either.
working man 12/7/2009 2:10:38 PM - Report Abuse

informed
you can disagree everyone has a right to express their opinions just to be clear i was talking about some people that are on here 24/7 bashing everything said those people need to get a life i am informed about the strike i"m directely affected by it if i wasn't i would not be on here blogging i'd have better things to do i'm sure of that.
Suez 12/7/2009 2:01:52 PM - Report Abuse

There has been a lot of "hate" mail regarding the labour dispute, but I will say again that it isn't many labour negotiations/contracts in this day and age that are made as public as Vale/Inco. We are a Vale family and my husband did not vote to strike. The majority rules and so he follows the rules, supports his brothers, does his picket duty, as is expected.

I am surprised, though, by the people that have been very vocal about the intelligence of 6500 workers and their opinions on working in the mining industry. Support in the community would be nice, but it is also understandable during an economic slow down that many would question the intelligence of striking at this time. It is really difficult for us right now, as I am sure it is for many others (whether employed by Vale or not). I can assure you - we all just want to be back at work.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 1:36:34 PM - Report Abuse

I especially like it when these uninformed haters continually try to tell the 6500 what to do. Guess what, you don't work there, so you haven't got a clue. So don't get so upset when the 6500 tell you there opinion of you. Remember we are all entitled you our opinions.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 1:33:15 PM - Report Abuse

Go ahead and express yourself, but I can tell you you don't have a clue of what you are talking about. You don't know anything about the contract or what kinds of impacts it will have. But yes, you are entitled to your opinion. I still can't believe that people in that live in sudbury would support a company like vale. I guess its easier to blame your neighbour for your problems rather than a faceless, heartless foriegn company.
Informed 12/7/2009 1:22:30 PM - Report Abuse

I'm sorry. But I disagree with you working man. I don't think that if Vale looses, every company will be looking for concessions. Also, on one hand you tell people who aren't affected by the strike to not bother posting, and get a life. But on the other hand you claim that this strike is so global, that everyone will be affected by the outcome. Doesn't that mean that everyone has a right to express themselves???
working man 12/7/2009 1:16:04 PM - Report Abuse

to all that support 6500 much apreciated to the so called concerned people union haters every one has a right to their opinion but some of you are on every site bashing every topic if the strike does not affect you why bother some of you need to get a life this is a canadian way of life fight the world is watching if vale wins the trickle affect will be enormeous every company out there will be looking for concessions everyone will lose
Informed 12/7/2009 1:14:55 PM - Report Abuse

Finally...and this is more personal. Everytime someone disagrees with the strike...all I read are comments like 'jealous'...or 'must not be happy with their jobs'...or 'must be getting paid by Vale'. I've read a few posts by other individuals claiming that anyone who disagrees with the strike are tossing out hurtful comments, or wishing gloom and doom on fellow human beings. This bothers me. Just because someone doesn't agree with the strike, doesn't automatically mean that they are jealous, or un-happy.

People are allowed to have different opinions. And as long as posts are written in a manner as to not offend anyone personally...then they shouldn't be be-littled or scorned for having a different opinion. And that goes both ways.

I personally don't think that a strike was the best course of action. But that's my opinion. If you dont like it...tough. Deal with it.
Informed 12/7/2009 1:08:11 PM - Report Abuse

DL: I think in boils down to a few things. First off, the contract that was offered was not a 'bad' contract as you put it. It's not like Vale was trying to take everthing away from 6500. I read the contract. And from what I understood, the nickel bonus was still there. It's just that it was capped. It's not like the company was saying that 6500 was not going to get anything. They just wanted to put a limit on how much they would be paying out. I've heard several people say that the bonus was created because there is no cost of living increase. Ok. I understand that. But once again, the company was not getting rid of the bonus. So I don't understand why everyone was upset. The economy is not good right now. Plain & simple.

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get some comments on that one. But hear me out. So, Vale was not going to take away the bonus...so effectively there was still a cost of living increase. In my mind...I just dont' understand why to strike over that...when things may be better 3 years from now, when the contract was up again...and things would have been in the workers courts...not the company's.

Second issue. The pension plan. All the existing employee's get to keep their current pension plans. All new employee's would have to pay in. Can someone explain to me why this is a bad thing? As far as I know...most pension plans (if a company even offers one) are contributory. I look at what happened with the GM workers...and how many of them have been scared of loosing their pensions because the company (another global, multi-national company) just doesn't have the funds to pay them. So I'll ask again...why is paying in a bad thing???
rightofcentre 12/7/2009 12:59:31 PM - Report Abuse

D.L

I don't know where your numbers come from but Vale doesnt make 1/3 of its profits in ontario. They are primarily an iron ore company with interests in nickel to augment steel production.

When nickel was $20 a pound in 2007/08 sudbury may have contributed significant profit but thats irrelevent. They are thinking long term and want to be sustainable through all business cycles which would benefit them and the community. Thats why smart CEOs earn the big bucks and not people like you that can't see the big picture.

They want out of the pension business and they want to put limits on nickel bonus. They have an obligation to their shareholders to return profits not pay their workers ridiculous salaries "just because". If USW want a piece of the Vale profit pie then GO BUY SOME VALE SHARES and become a shareholder.
drifter 12/7/2009 12:55:05 PM - Report Abuse

D.L.
Those are some interesting statements regarding income from Ontario operations.
I though Vale lost money...about 44 million...in Sudbury last quarter and the price of nickel was trending down and inventory trending up.
The Union expectation was based on history. The company offer was based on future expectations.

Sudbury's days of influencing the nickel market are history. There's no cheap nickel left in the basin and lots of it in the Southern hemisphere and Russial.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 12:47:34 PM - Report Abuse

It was vale that offered the bad contract. I can't believe of bunch of rich foreign investors are crying poor in sudbury and the people here believe them. Vale inco might only be 4% of their global operation, but 1/3 of the profit that Vale makes is generated in Ontario! Sudbury is one of the most lucrative mining properties in the world! The 3rd quarter reports from vale prove this. Profits were down 64% due to the lack of nickel, copper, and pgm production from Ontario. So why do you people insist on bashing the 6500 for wanting to make good money. Its not like the company can't afford to pay them.
rightofcentre 12/7/2009 12:23:46 PM - Report Abuse

Drfiter - I don't think all of what you are saying is down to 6500 being on strike. Sure, there is less money floating around the economy right now but to blame the City's economic woes on 3000 men and women in a labour dispute is unfair. This isn't the 70s and we are more than a one trick pony as a city.

To DL - don't confuse lack of support with hate. I don't work at Vale but I know what goes on there. I also read the papers and listen to the news - all this union has done is try and win community support and say what they are doing is in the interest of all sudburians. Thankfully most sudburians are able to think for themselves and can see through the desperate Union propoganda. If you want our support you must also take our criticism aswell.
Suez 12/7/2009 12:07:51 PM - Report Abuse

Vale families just want to be back to work. We want the company and the union to sit down and come to some sort of agreement. It's called negotiating, guys, where there is give and take on both sides.

To D.L., you intimate local 6500 took action that affects other businesses in Sudbury. That is true. Still, it affects the workers of 6500 even more, as we don't have any income coming into our home from Vale. Don't think, for a moment, that the men and women who work for local 6500 don't want a resolution to this work stoppage. They do - YESTERDAY!
drifter 12/7/2009 11:59:09 AM - Report Abuse

D.L
Local 6500 chose a course of action that affects a lot of people in Sudbury...from businesses that have closed, to businesses which have been forced to lay off workers, to businesses which are hanging in for a bit longer, etc etc. Each of these issues have resulted in people being out of work due to Local 6500.
This makes the action of Local 6500 and media coverage of strike related issues the business of all of us affected by the strike.

All of this misery is a result of Local 6500 turning down an offer which was fair in todays economy, Sudbury's place in the nickel market and Sudbury's place within the Vale corporate structure.
D. Laframboise 12/7/2009 11:31:06 AM - Report Abuse

Why do you haters continue to bash the 6500? You obviously don't work there, so why would you care. You people say the same hateful things every article thats posted about the strike. So why do you hate them so much?
drifter 12/7/2009 10:22:24 AM - Report Abuse

Price of nickel continues to drop. Unsold nickel inventory continues to hit all time record highs.

If Leo (Follow me to the Wilderness) Gerard hadn't taken Local 6500 out on strike, Vale Inco would have had to announce major layoffs. The staff "adjustments" that are taking place now are a real indication that things aren't gonna be the same when the smelter starts processing nickel again.
Informed 12/7/2009 9:03:51 AM - Report Abuse

Well said 'rightofcentre'!!

6500 need to get real, tuck their tails under their legs and come back to the table to see what Vale will offer them now.

I wonder if the original contract would be available still....
rightofcentre 12/7/2009 8:23:07 AM - Report Abuse

Lets put Vale into context here - they are a global mining company that have brought employment and development to over 100,000 workers accross the globe from Brazil to Africa to Canada. For the most part Vale has been a good corporate citizen.

What we have in Sudbury is a Union that has been pampered for over 40 years and in the eyes of Vale they are not worth what they are paying them. They feel they can get a better deal with the DB pension being central to this.

So 3,000 of the highest paid workers in Vale's 100,000 strong workforce are kicking up a stink. So what? Do you think Vale care? Do the shareholders care? Does the busienss community care? heck people in Sudbury don't even care about this strike.

We're doing fine without 6500s dollars being spent in this community and we certainly dont need boneheads going down to one of the greatest cities in the world and portraying a backward image of sudburians.

If you hate your employer so much and if their such a bad corporate citizen then LEAVE.
Phillip Morris 12/7/2009 6:52:21 AM - Report Abuse

Well said JOKE-r.
Who chose to go on strike? Who would be working today making the same base wages of nearly $90,000? Not collecting a bonus that is given out for simply showing up and tying your boots?
No layoff. No cuts to benefits. (Current workers pensions would be protected with new hires having what everybody else has pension-wise)
Imagine the fresh retirees with their $20k bonuses? The widowers with their doubled payouts.
The workers with an added stat holiday in the new contract...etc...etc..
Don't play the evil corporate versus the hard-done-by unionist. This time, that propaganda doesn't work.
The only people to blame for freezing and losing their homes are those standing around the barrel.
Their jobs are still there. They chose greed in a time of recession.
Nice try. And we do get that joke.
JOKE-r 12/6/2009 1:23:23 PM - Report Abuse

Well 'tis the season isn't it? Let's throw insults and demean others so we can feel better about ourselves!!! I understand that the people on the lines are standing true to their convictions. I actually applaud people who will do that. What I don't condone, and perhaps why a lot of people are getting fed up, is the bullying tactics of your union leaders. Independant thought is a wonderful thing!!! Do what is best for you and your families...if that is staying on strike then so be it, but do it with dignity and character.
At the end of the day, who is staying at a luxury suite in NYC, or Brazil or London and who is standing in the freezing cold weather around a barrel, wondering how they are going to pay their next mortgage payment?
VoiceOfReason 12/6/2009 11:25:47 AM - Report Abuse

Just what we need, a bunch of strikers representing our city like a bunch of gorillas. I am so tired of hearing the 6500 boys talk about how Vale is "Third World", yet all you hear out of this bunch is threats of violence and talk of how "You're either with us or against us." THAT is 3rd world.

Get back to work, you have no sympathy from the community and you're not going to bully anybody.
Mario_3 12/6/2009 10:52:13 AM - Report Abuse

Your absolutely right.......changing the nickel bonus and pension would not 'devastate the community'.However,everyone could see the writing on the wall.Perhaps next contract it would be .....reduce the benefits,then perhaps ignore seniority rights,then..........

Remember people immigrate to OUR country........NOT the other way around.And why is that? Do you think our great standard of living plays a part in that??????????????

Does anyone really want to see us..............go 'backwards'?
Northern Guy 12/6/2009 10:45:06 AM - Report Abuse

Breaking news... changing the pension and capping the nickel bonus will not devastate our community. I know that the real reason that the union doesn't like the company offer is because of the changes in contract language. Vale intends to rid themselves of the "undesirables", like the fools posting their verbal diarrhea on Strikeforce 6500. I can't say that I blame them, and I think that the civilized people of Sudbury will ultimately better off for it.
Mario_3 12/6/2009 10:34:54 AM - Report Abuse

EXACTLY.............its ALWAYS the 'bottom line'........make as much money as you can for the elite.

If you devastate a community and destroy the little guy..............oh,well...........too bad
drifter 12/6/2009 10:28:04 AM - Report Abuse

Mr. Agnelli was appointed CEO and president of Vale in July 2001. Prior to his appointment, he was the chairman of Vales board of directors from May 2000 until July 2001. Mr. Agnelli developed his professional career at the Bradesco financial group, the largest bank in Brazil, from 1981 to 2001, where he became executive director of Bank Bradesco in 1998, remaining in that office until 2000.

This is not the profile of an entrepreneur but is the profile of someone who will make decisions based on the "bottom line" not some bunch of people yelling at him from the street.
drifter 12/6/2009 10:19:22 AM - Report Abuse

Thanx Valley Boy

Isn't that performance special?

Kinda makes you sad for them doesn't it?
I hope those guys making the most noise were from Port Colborne and not Sudbury. We have enough problems with our image.
Mario_3 12/6/2009 10:15:50 AM - Report Abuse

Its amazing how some you guys twist things around..........to suit your needs.

The ONLY point i was trying to make is that Agnelli is NOT this great benefactor to society.Like most entrepreneurs,his goal is NOT to benefit society,but.........to make as much money as he can.

I sure hope you guys dont seriously think he is worried about Sudbury's economy.When the last ounce of nickel is mined..........we will be the FURTHEST thing from his mind
Northern Guy 12/6/2009 10:11:53 AM - Report Abuse

drifter... I'm guessing that you haven't seen the good ol' boys Facebook group... if not, you really have to check it out to appreciate why Vale doesn't even want to talk to these jokers. That is also where you can view this latest comedy and here's the link.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=720863142325
drifter 12/6/2009 10:02:14 AM - Report Abuse

Valley Boy
Where do you find the USW of America Visit NYC video?
I'd like to save a copy of it.
Northern Guy 12/6/2009 8:06:18 AM - Report Abuse

That explains everything Mario. The good old boys are on strike in their effort to prevent the nickel supply from drying up... that's funny!!!
I watched the video and those guys are an embarrassment to all intelligent Sudburians. It seems that the union is not getting the desired media coverage... maybe they should call the National Enquirer.
Mario_3 12/6/2009 7:51:13 AM - Report Abuse

Yep,Agnelli is a real HERO.When the nickel supply dries up or becomes economically unfeasable to mine............it will be bye bye Sudbury,and Agnelli and the boys from Brazil will be gone and never seen again
D. Laframboise 12/5/2009 10:18:16 PM - Report Abuse

Go local 6500! One day longer than vale. You're fighting the good fight.
drifter 12/5/2009 8:36:09 PM - Report Abuse

Looking at the pic of the demo in the above article, I think someone made a typo and added a zero in a couple of the numbers.

I'm sure Agnelli was shaking in his boots when some union members from Canada and the streets of New York were handing out "tons" of leaflets while he was inside receiving a prestigious international award to “recognize exceptional accomplishments in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.”

Hmmm......Internationally recognized, highly successful CEO of Vale is not popular with a couple thousand of the 80,000 corporate employees. They don't really know what they went on strike for and are trying desperately to get the company back to the table.

The union and members money would be better used if it were saved to buy food in a couple months for the members who haven't gone back to work.
drifter 12/5/2009 4:39:57 PM - Report Abuse

I think you got it right Sean10. The Boys from Pittsburgh are in "Damage Control" mode. They got their Axx kicked again in Sudbury like they did by the CIBC. Now they're trying to do as much high publicity stuff as they can so when 12 months is up and the de-certification vote is an option, Joe Lunchbox from Local 6500 will only remember these things......not the idiocy of going to a gunfight with a knife.
kissmyaxe 12/5/2009 4:24:25 PM - Report Abuse

word to big bird fella, it's called UNION DUES, that's what pays for it meathead. Secondly, quit crawlin' all over these guys because of what they are fighting for. You're just pissed off that you don't make a good wage, everyone I talk to regarding this strike says the same thing, they make too much, seriously can it. There's absolutely no reason to be hating on these guys right now, they have spines, standing up to big business, big FOREIGN business. That's what matters here, you think the Government is gonna come to their rescue? haha GUYS, Vale IS the Government, them and the rest of the corporations that run this country. You don't think they have countless lobbyists in there making sure that their workers don't get a fare shake in the coming years??? haha, if you wanna blame someone, blame yourself, you vote, and have the power as a voter to make sure that you elect someone that will work FOR the people NOT Special Interests, in Big Business. Peace.
The James 12/5/2009 3:23:10 PM - Report Abuse

I'd like to know who's paying for all these high class trips around the world. So all the big shot union leaders
are staying in fancy hotels while the real workers are out
freezing their butts off on the line every day. That doesn't seem right.
sean10 12/5/2009 2:59:43 PM - Report Abuse

? protesting in NY
? handing tonnes of leaflets
? everyone in the world how USW strikes bullied by Vale Inco

come-on!!! these strikes just want to console themselves or make themselves look good, in fact, i am sure they know that they are in the big shit now, and it is very difficult for them to go back to their jobs after going against this huge company !!! Because lots of people wants job now!!! after 6 months, they will be screwed!! wait and see....

The real situation is VALE does not need them, but the strikers need VALE (this is the true point), and with the New Caledonia, the world's largest nickel mine operating, these USW will be marginalised significantly.. Thanks to their smart leaders!! I really pity the strikers' families and I wish I can help them. The world has changed!!! Be SMART!!!

agree with me ?