Steelworkers blockade contractors' trucks at picket lines

Over the last few days, striking Steelworkers Local 6500 members have been stopping trucks trying to move through their picket lines at Clarabelle Mill and Stobie Mine.

Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball said he heard some trucks were stopped for up to seven hours Sept. 17, although he wasn't sure if the same thing happened Sept. 18.

Northern Life observed Day Group trucks being stopped at the entrance to Clarabelle Mill off of Highway 144 during the morning of Sept. 18.

“Over the last couple of days, it's been evident that the trucks trying to get in and our of Clarabelle Mill and Stobie Mine have been blockaded for lengthy periods of time by a large number of pickets,” said Ball.

“Obviously, these actions are to prevent the movement of stockpiled ore from Stobie. We have an injunction in place where we expect certain protocols to be followed. We have a right to enter and exit our plants in accordance to that injunction, and we're disappointed that we're not being permitted to do so at this time.”

When contacted by Northern Life Sept. 18, Steelworkers Local 6500 president John Fera refused to comment on the situation, saying he needed more information before doing so.

Former union vice-president Patrick Veinot told Northern Life at the picket line Sept. 18 that the trucks were being stopped because they are moving ore from Stobie Mine to Clarabelle Mill.

“This is our work. This is the work we normally do. Obviously, this ore from Stobie would normally be moved by train. But we're on strike, and the company has elected to hire this contractor from Sudbury to do our work. We can't let that happen.”