Smoke was seen billowing from the smokestack in Copper Cliff yesterday evening, Jan. 19, and it has been confirmed the smelter is back in operation.
Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball confirmed the smelter began operation yesterday morning. He said the smelter is working at half capacity, with one of two furnaces running.
He also stated safety concerns raised by the union were nothing more than "fear mongering," as the individuals working in the smelter operations were either former smelter workers, who had moved into management, or contractors with experience in the field.
Other individuals — members of United Steelworkers Local 2020 — had been trained in the last several months for the purpose of restarting the smelter.
The restart is "disappointing," said Local 6500 president John Fera.
"It's not a surprise,” he said. “(Vale Inco has) said all along they're going to do this. We find it unfortunate that the company is disrespectful towards its workers."
He noted workers on the picket line were aware the smelter had restarted, and they were still holding strong.
"They know these jobs are theirs and we're going to get back there," Fera said.
The strike with Vale Inco began July 13, and is now in its seventh month. The Steelworkers filed a bargaining in bad faith application against Vale Inco Jan. 13, and both parties are scheduled to be before the Ontario Labour Relations Board later this month.
