Voisey's Bay wins court injunction to halt blockade

Voisey's Bay Nickel has obtained a court injunction that will end a union-sponsored harbour blockade at the mine site in northern Labrador.

The Newfoundland Supreme Court issued an interim injunction on Thursday afternoon, ordering that shipping lanes around the mine site remain clear.

Using two boats, some of the 117 striking workers at the mine site prevented a massive cargo ship from docking on Sunday, and have continued a floating picket line.

The cargo ship MV Arctic has been anchored about six kilometres away from the mine site's wharf.

Voisey's Bay Nickel, an Inco subsidiary, told the court that two more ships are en route with supplies, and that the company would be adversely affected financially if the blockade were to continue.

The company also said that one of the people protesting is Gerald Saunders, local president of the United Steelworkers union.

A Transport Canada official testified as to why federal officials have not taken any action to halt the blockade. An official told the court that the department investigates and prosecutes illegal activity, but that it is not in the business of preventing incidents from happening.

The striking workers, who launched picket lineson July 28, are seeking parity in wages and benefits with Inco employees in Sudbury, Ont.

Production at the mine has stopped, although the mine site is still active with exploration and other work.

Union officials have said they are concerned that Inco may attempt to ship a large load of concentrate that has been stored near the mine site.

However, union representatives at Inco smelters in Ontario and Manitoba have vowed not to process concentrate from Voisey's Bay as long as the strike continues.

Paul Shelley, Newfoundland and Labrador's labour minister, this week asked both sides to return to the bargaining table.