Local 6500 says it will respect court injunction

UPDATE - An injunction, which sets out rules for picketers belonging to Steelworkers Local 6500, was upheld in a Sudbury court Sept. 22.

Vale Inco had taken the union, which has been on strike since July 13, to court because picketers had prevented contractors' ore-laden trucks from passing through picket lines at several of its plants since late last week.

The injunction, which was originally imposed July 29, states that any vehicles exiting or entering Vale Inco's plants, including ore trucks, can be stopped by strikers for no longer than 12 to 15 minutes.

Local 6500 president John Fera told Northern Life, during an interview before the court appearance, that he felt the injunction did not apply to contractors' trucks carrying ore.

“We think that Vale Inco's changed the rules now that they want to start producing,” he said. “When they originally did the injunction, it was about vehicles, and not ore trucks and rail cars full of ore.”

When contacted Sept. 23, Fera said the union and Vale Inco had interpreted the injunction differently, and the court appearance the day before had caused both parties to “re-think” things.

“Really, the decision was the same injunction that we've had all along. It was just clarified,” he said.

“The court injunction says that they (trucks carrying ore) are to be treated like any other vehicle. So our people will respect that.”

Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball said the court has “clearly sent a message that the activities of the last few weeks were violating the injunction.

“Our goal was to look for the law to be upheld in terms of the provisions of the injunction that's already in place. We weren't looking for the existing injunction to be re-opened and re-negotiated. The courts have provided us with a greater certainty of understanding regarding the details of what the injunction protocol means.”

Ball said the company was having some problems with picketers walking in front of vehicles, and the judge stated that this activity isn't allowed for safety reasons.

Fera said that Vale Inco has also been violating the court injunction, but said “I'm not going to be specific,” when asked to speak further on the issue.

Ball countered that Vale Inco has received “no indication from the courts ... that we've been in violation of (the injunction).

“Certainly our expectation is that we will continue to follow the injunction and the Steelworkers will do the same.”

Ball said he realizes that this is a stressful time for all Vale Inco employees, whether they're on strike or not.

“As we move forward, we will remain to be courteous and respectful with our striking employees on our picket lines, and we certainly hope we get that in return.”