Voisey's Bay strike could last months, miners' union warns

The United Steelworkers union says it will hold out for the best agreement for workers atthe Voisey's Bay nickel mine — even if it means a strike continues for months at Inco'soperation in northern Labrador.

Inco Ltd., meanwhile, has said it does not expect the strike to impact production because the company has stockpiles of nickel concentrate to maintain its other operations in Ontario and Manitoba.

Gerald Saunders, the president of the United Steelworkers union local,said Inco might be holding a trump card in negotiations because of its stockpiles of nickel concentrate.

But he warned the union has no intention of caving in the strike, which saw117 workers walk off thejob on July 28after a year of contract talks failed to producean agreement over wages and other issues.

"We're holding out for the wages and the benefits and just to be treated like other miners around this country," said Saunders.

"If we give in now and call this company back to the table, the whole bargaining process is, you weaken your position by doing that.

"Our members know that this mine has got a hell of a lot longer lifespan than the anticipated 11 years. If we go ahead and negotiate a substandard agreement now, we've got to live with that."

The union saysmine workers employed by Inco in Sudbury earn an hourly wage of at least $24, while their counterparts at Voisey's Bay make only $19 an hour.

The Steelworkers also sayhourly rates of pay at Voisey's Bay are about $3 lower than rates paid at the Iron Ore Company of Canada mine in Labrador City.

Not 'good time' for strike, premier warns

Although the province has remained neutral during the strike, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams said a prolonged strike would mean bad news for the province's economy, and for the workers' families.

Voisey's Bay Nickel Company — the Incosubsidiarythat operates the mine — also employs more than 200 additional workerswho belong to other unions.

"It's not a good time for the operation to be down, it's not a good time for the strike to have occurred," said Williams.

"I guess from a personal perspective, I'm more concerned about the impact that it'll have on the workers and their families, and I would just urge both parties to get to the table as soon as possible because there's lost opportunity.

"I think it's more of a hardship individually on the families as opposed to on the province as a whole."

The Voisey's Bay Nickel Company has said it is committed to getting back to the bargaining table.

No further talks have been scheduled.