Port Colborne workers reject Vale Inco offer

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Mar 12, 2010- 9:43 PM

By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff

UPDATED - March 15, 8:54 a.m.

Members of Steelworkers Local 6200, located in Port Colborne, Ont., voted 98 per cent against a contract offer presented by their employer, Vale Inco. This came a day after members of Local 6500, located in Greater Sudbury, rejected the same offer on March 11.

Of the 112 eligible voters of the Local, 108 voted, with 106 votes cast to reject the offer, and two to accept.

"Our members would like nothing better than to return to work," Myles Sullivan, Steelworkers staff representative said in a press release. "But once they had the opportunity to fully assess the details and implications of Vale's offer, they realized to what degree this company continues to treat them with contempt and disrespect."

Since July 13, more than 3,000 employees with Vale Inco have been on strike, both in Greater Sudbury and Port Colborne. The strike enters its eighth month today, March 13. This is the first contract offer in the eight months.

"Our members are angry and disappointed," Wayne Rae, president of United Steelworkers Local 6200, said in the press release. "Our members may be hurting after eight months on the picket line, but they have sent a clear message to Vale that they must be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. They deserve a contract that benefits our workers and our communities, as well as the company."

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22 Comments

  • noofie 3/15/2010 6:15:15 PM - Report Abuse

    Camoman
    Those of us who know what we're talking about call it 5 nine nickel....not 99.998% pure. I think that was Ivory Soap you're describing.

  • noofie 3/15/2010 6:10:50 PM - Report Abuse

    Whats your proof or supporting evidence for this info bigriver?
    Did Myles discover this on his monumental tour of Brazil (just before the labour unions there signed a 2 year contract with Vale)?
    Why didn't the "Big Steal" stay in Brazil as advisers to these unions if things were so bad there?
    Ya gotta wonder don't you?

  • bigriver 3/15/2010 4:58:07 PM - Report Abuse

    So what's Vale's excuse in Brazil? Those workers are treated like indentured servants. GOD forbid they get hurt or sick or oops, "You're fired".

  • Phillip Morris 3/15/2010 2:45:34 PM - Report Abuse

    Problem is noofie that logic and basic economics are whitewashed with union rhetoric.
    The talking heads in Pittsburgh keep slagging out the same propaganda with false numbers. The Steelworkers don't have a clue to the real costs of operating the cost losing Ontario Division.
    Every time Vale reports its figures, legally mandated to its shareholders and audited, the union just manufactures some excuse that somehow Vale is cooking the books. No evidence. Just disinformation designed to stir up the members and give them something to 'fight for'.
    Look at how INCO has shut down many projects in the past. Rich ore bodies that are simply too expensive to reach. Crean Hill. Garson's 10-2. The Garson Ramp. Kirkwood. Levack #2. McCreedy West. Coleman Deep. Portions of Creighton. Gertrude Pit....etc...etc..
    The ones that still can be reached are being contract mined and reached by FNX. All the same economics at play except one thing - LOCAL 6500 on the end of the shovels.

    Don't get lost in the rhetoric. Stick to the facts. And that is the Steelworkers with their mediocre produciton, antagonistic attitude, and sense of entitlement have priced themeselves out of work. Today's economics will not support yesterday's union.
    The union has proudly stuck together. Manipulated by the head office. Martyrs for a cause they believed was right. Vale has taken the Clear Message and green lighted full produciton.
    One day too long.

  • noofie 3/14/2010 11:51:30 PM - Report Abuse

    camoman
    The project to access Kelly Lake, CCNorth Deep etc out of the shaft at CC North were economical at the nickel prices as they were. These high prices were expected to hold for at least 7 years. Think how quickly this entire project including the shaft collar, the huge vent raise at S. Mine etc etc were quickly scrapped when nickel price collapsed.
    The Ozzies and Russians are sitting in the wings right now with huge reserves production ready when nickel hits $12.50. Vale may not give Vale Inco the $$ to restart these projects.
    You have to separate the PM mines like Totten and Coleman from the nickel mines. (Note: Totten will likely remain a contractor mine).
    You're right though that the nickel powder is a unique and valuable product but you don't need Sudbury nickel to produce that....just nickel to refine..from Voisey's Bay & Creighton supplemented by the ore from the PM mines.
    I'm gonna have to start charging you for this shxt.

  • camoman 3/14/2010 11:19:52 PM - Report Abuse

    @noofie : Sorry but wrong again CHUM....
    Sudbury is the main jewel in the crown....
    They are just starting to explore Kelly Lake deep which is very high in "PGM'S", not to mention Toten.They are tossing around the idea of tapping into Kelly Lake from South mine which will save big time because the infrastructure is already there...
    There are major projects going on in the nickel refinery, which produces some of the most highly refined nickel products in the world, and are sought after by many companies world wide. Their "A" nickel powder is used in the aerospace industry, their nickel pellets are 99.998% pure and are highly regarded as some of the best in the world....
    Sudbury makes BIG time money(when they operate). They have done so for over 100 years, and if managed right they will continue to do so for a long time to come...

  • noofie 3/14/2010 10:32:38 PM - Report Abuse

    camoman

    HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THE SUDBURY DEPOSITS!!!!
    The huge laterite reserve in New Caledonia, Indonesia and Brazil, plus the sulfide ore at Voisey's Bay plus the original discovery ore body in Thompson which they haven't touched yet.

    The Sudbury mines are deep and expensive to mine. As an example, I don't think they will be able to back to mine Garson because of the ground conditions which haven't been maintained so that mine is done. Frood is low grade and not profitable but Clarabelle needs the tonnage to run well etc etc.
    It is unlikely Vale Inco will discover any new ore zones in the next 5 - 7 years and after that its probably too late.
    The "Big Kahuna" wouldn't be in that position if YOU could out think him chum.

  • camoman 3/14/2010 4:59:49 PM - Report Abuse

    Here is something quite amusing: A quote from the "Big Kahuna" roger a. when he was talking to the shareholders about acquiring Canada's INCO :Quote"Let's talk a little bit about Inco, the overview of Inco. Inco is a world leader in nickel. It's the world's second-largest nickel producer. It has the largest nickel reserve base, one of the world's lowest cost producers. It also has a very attractive growth pipeline of products, a global leader in nickel technology with a
    powerful brand name and premium products and more than that, expertise, people. And a very senior management team, a very qualified staff that we in this day, it's a very valuable asset and we believe that we have a lot to learn from them and we'll benefit from the exchange of experience of their workforce. They will help us a lot to developing our ambitious portfolio of non-ferrous projects. Inco has large-scale, long-life and low-cost nickel assets, as you can see on slide 17."
    Now that Canada's INCO is now vale, it's quite funny how their spiel has changed.....

  • bigriver 3/14/2010 10:06:25 AM - Report Abuse

    @LM, get with the times. Computers have spellcheck, Voisey's hydromet failed, and UIC is now EI and plants would have to be running at a certain capacity before being able to collect.

  • RobertHood 3/14/2010 9:27:44 AM - Report Abuse

    buf·foon   /bəˈfun/ Show Spelled[buh-foon] Show IPA
    –noun
    1.a person who amuses others by tricks, jokes, odd gestures and postures, etc.
    2.a person given to coarse or undignified joking.

  • noofie 3/14/2010 12:43:46 AM - Report Abuse

    youbet
    BAFOON???????
    Did you just make that word up? or is your english that poor?

    When you made up that word, youbet, did you make up a meaning for it too?

  • youbet 3/13/2010 7:56:56 PM - Report Abuse

    hey noofie, stop being a bafoon, it's no wonder you call yourself noofie.

  • noofie 3/13/2010 7:14:52 PM - Report Abuse

    ok youse guys, I'll try and say it so you can understand camoman & NativeSun
    The world of nickel doesn't need Sudbury any more.
    In the Southern hemisphere they can dig 2% ni + iron out of the ground with an excavator. (Want some pics of that? I was there and can send them to you)
    Since Local 6500 went on strike, the "published LME" nickel inventory has increased by more than Thompson's annual production.
    Fxxk Canadian resolve camoman. Vale Inco Sudbury can't produce nickel at a profit because it has a bunch of lazy as..oles who either don't know how to or won't work.
    The Russians and Ozzies have said they're going to kick in production increases when nickel hits $12.50/lb.
    You're a bunch of lazy axxholes thinking Inco still controls the world nickel market like it did in your Fathers day.
    I just don't understand how you can allow an American union with an international agenda determine the fate of you and your family.

  • lmmbm 3/13/2010 6:50:28 PM - Report Abuse

    When Voicy's Met plant come on line...Port Colborne will be history...They are all unfortunetly loosing time for pension right now. One day longer.....at least the USW would have been able to collect UIC...at a scattered return to work. Sudbury USW are taking many job in the communitee from JOE SMOW WHILE JOE WOULD DIE TO HAVE A JOB LIKE THESE GUYS HAVE AT VALE. \HE WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SCAB WELL THEN WAS ARE THE STRICKERS THAT ARE TAKING JOB AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY HAVE A BETTER PAYING JOB WITH BETTER PENSION AND BENEFITS WAITING FOR THEM AT VALE...SPOILED ROTTEN. YOU DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT THEREFORE IF YOU DON'T WANT THE JOB I KNOW MANY WHO WILL TAKE THEM.

  • camoman 3/13/2010 4:02:51 PM - Report Abuse

    I don't think that vale realized that the Canadian resolve is stronger now, than when this B.S. strike started. vale underestimated the strength and cohesiveness of Canada and Canadians....
    We've been holding this line for 8 months now, and we have no problem holding it for another 8 months, or more....

    All I know is that if I didn't have My brothers and sisters behind me , my lone voice crying "FOUL" would not be heard.

  • NativeSun 3/13/2010 3:52:06 PM - Report Abuse

    Noofie, Not sure how to read into your beastiality prowess comments but I'm sure the animal rights activists would have a fielday with you. For your benefit, Noofie, you should refrain from making your a$$enine comments, lay low and
    stay down for the count.

  • bigriver 3/13/2010 3:43:11 PM - Report Abuse

    Vale should realize that we don't take kindly to robber barons 'round here. Go back to the 19th century where you belong.

  • northside 3/13/2010 3:39:50 PM - Report Abuse

    The first offer is usually just to test the waters out.
    The first offer is ALWAYS a low ball offer.----This is usually true, however this is the second offer..Is the 3rd offer going to be any better? I think Vale wants to teach the steelworkers union who is the employer and who are the employees..The reason I say it is the 2nd. offer because Fraser said it was no better than the first offer..Good luck though on getting back to work..Too many people hurting over this.....

  • noofie 3/13/2010 2:56:33 PM - Report Abuse

    @ bigriver
    How about
    "Get over it Fera, Fraser and Gerard. You've been whipped like a rented mule."

    The once "Mighty Steel" has been whipped by an accountant at Goldcorp, whipped by bankers at CIBC and now whipped by another accountant at Vale. You should learn from the experience and avoid fights with accountants....in Ontario at least.

    You guys must feel like you trained for a match with Vince McMahons WWE and found out too late that you were in an MMA match with a black belt Brazilians.

  • camoman 3/13/2010 1:23:20 PM - Report Abuse

    The first offer is usually just to test the waters out.
    The first offer is ALWAYS a low ball offer.
    vale figured, that after 8 months off Canadians would come crawling back like whipped dogs. I don't think that vale realized that the Canadian resolve is stronger now, than when this B.S. strike started.
    vale wouldn't like anything better than to have this labour dispute behind them.
    (it’s costing them too much , in profits and public relations)
    There will be another offer.
    That's how the game is played.

  • bigriver 3/13/2010 9:56:32 AM - Report Abuse

    The message is clear to Vale: workers in Ontario won't be bullied. Get over yourself, Roger, Tito, and John and get back to the table. You're supposed to be professionals, so stop damaging our economy to make yourselves look good.

  • northside 3/13/2010 8:58:43 AM - Report Abuse

    Another bunch of guys that don't want to work. Too bad for them as their jobs will probably be contracted out also as is happening in Sudbury.Sad that Fraser got to them also..
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