On Feb. 25, just before the exploratory talks began with the United Steelworkers Local 6500, Vale Inco filed a $1 million lawsuit against the Steelworkers because of content on two websites related to the strike.

The lawsuit cites 25 people who are either Local 6500 leaders or have been running the union’s official website, www.uswlocal6500.ca, or a Facebook site called Strikeforce 6500, which is run by the union’s supporters.

USW Local 6500 president John Fera said he would not comment about the lawsuit.

Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball said the websites “promote some of the intimidation, violence and vandalism that we’ve seen in the community.”

One section of www.uswlocal6500.ca includes pictures of “scabs,” as well as AFI International employees (the contractor hired by Vale Inco to provide picket line security), Vale Inco staff and contractors crossing the picket line.

Ball said Vale Inco is concerned that these pictures, as well as some of the comments on the websites, have led to violence and intimidation.

A statement on www.uswlocal6500.ca warns against posting “scabs’” addresses, phone numbers or threats. It also states that www.uswlocal6500.ca and www.fairdealnow.ca are “the only two electronic forms of communication authorized by Local 6500.”

While the Strikeforce 6500 Facebook page is not an official Local 6500 website, Ball said several members of the union are involved in running the website. “It doesn’t matter. It’s still a site that’s being used to intimidate and threaten people.”

When asked about the timing of the lawsuit, filed just two days before the beginning of exploratory talks, Ball said they are “separate issues.”

“Obviously, it’s taken awhile for us to build a case. We feel we have a case now.”