Voisey's Bay strikers leave mine

A group of unionized workers on strike atthe Voisey's Bay nickel mine in Labradorleft on Sunday after Inco promised not to hire replacement workers.

The striking members of the United Steelworkers Union arrived in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Sunday. They set up a picket line Monday morning on the road leading to the military base in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Inco, which supplies accommodations for minersworking at the remote mine, had been asking the worker to leave its property since the strike began on Friday and brought in a plane to transport them home.

About 40 workers refused to board the plane, saying they were worried replacement workers would take their jobs once they left.

The union, however, said the workers left on Sunday after a company official delivered a verbal commitment, on video, not to hire replacement workers.

The 117 members of the United Steelworkers union at Voisey's Bay went on strike last week over wages.

A spokesman with the union said mine workers employed by Inco in Sudbury, Ont., earn an hourly wage of at least $24, while their counterparts at Voisey's Bay make $19 an hour.