According to city councillors, the municipal level of government may be the only level of government that can impact the almost eight-month-long strike between members of the Steelworkers Local 6500 and Vale Inco.
That is because the city has jurisdiction over the housing provided to people, whether the housing is on individually-owned or business-owned property.
Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume, Ward 11 Coun. Janet Gasparini and other city councillors received cheers from about 20 Steelworkers Local 6500 members and supporters at city council March 10 when they stressed that Vale Inco must comply with city regulations, including fire and building codes as well as zoning bylaws.
Berthiaume raised the issue of Vale Inco's need to comply with city codes and bylaws for the housing of its workers during question period at the end of the city council meeting.
“Our fire chief has inspected the premises at Vale Inco for the possibility of violations of our bylaws,” Berthiaume said. “What steps are we taking to make sure these issues are being dealt with?”
Greater Sudbury chief administrative officer Doug Nadorozny said complaints about safety were received in late February about the housing conditions on Vale Inco property.
“We did respond immediately to those complaints on Feb. 26,” he said. Inspections of Vale Inco property were carried out Feb. 26 and 27 by Greater Sudbury Fire Services to assess the situation and later on March 2 by Building Services, he noted.
“Formal orders were issued concerning violations of the fire code, building regulations and zoning bylaws,” Nadorozny said.
“Vale Inco looked after the fire code violations immediately after inspection.” He said discussions concerning the building code and zoning bylaw infractions are ongoing.
Steve Ball, Vale Inco spokesperson, said that up to 200 people are being housed on the Vale Inco site near the smelter complex.
“We have been ramping up the number of people housed on-site since we started up the smelter in early January,” Ball said. “Because this is a 24 hour seven day a week operation we need 100 per cent access to our plants. We have at least a dozen trailers, and we house the rest in various buildings.”
Ball said orders were issued to Vale Inco by the city regarding the fire code after inspections, and the company dealt with them immediately. Vale Inco is working with the city to address other issues.
“We are looking into those issues with city staff," Ball said. "We are are happy how the process (with city officials) is going.”
In the past, workers have been housed on company property, Nadorozny explained. Precedent had been set during previous strikes, and the city should be taking that into consideration as it continues to work with Vale Inco regarding bylaw and zoning issues.
The city indicated it did not want to see any more trailers used for housing in the meantime. Nadorozny also said some workers were evicted from housing that was not deemed to be safe.
Treat them like everyone else: Craig
Gasparini said other levels of government were not doing anything to help end the strike.
“If we are the level of government to put some pressure to bear then we have to," she said. "When I see a plume coming out of the smokestack, I know our workers and retailers are not benefiting in this community.”
Berthiaume insisted the Vale Inco administration buildings were being used as a rooming house, and pointed out that allowing Vale Inco special treatment could set a precedent in the city.
“Why is this case different?" he asked. "What is the message being given out to the community?”
Fairness was an issue brought up by councillors Doug Craig, Frances Caldarelli, and Joe Cimino.
“(Vale Inco) buildings were not zoned for (housing),” Caldarelli said. “The average citizen, when they contravene the bylaw, they have to comply. Why is it easier for Vale?”
"Treat them like everyone else," Craig agreed.
“This is not a matter of taking sides, this is a matter of treating people equally," Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino added. "This should be black and white. Here's your order. Come to the planning committee, or remove the violation.”
Safety was also a concern, brought up by Ward 5 Coun. Ron Dupuis.
“We have to ensure people are not in unsafe living conditions,” he noted.
Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyn Landry-Altmann said in the future the city's bylaws should be air tight so a situation like the current one would not reoccur.
