LABRADOR CITY - While the weather was gloomy on Good Friday, the mood on the Steelworkers picket lines in Labrador City was anything but.
Local 5795, with approximately 1300 members, and the smaller warehouse local 6731, with about 30 members, set up picket lines early Tuesday morning after members rejected the last offer from the Iron Ore company of Canada.
On Thursday, just over 300 workers with local 9344 in Sept-iles rejected their latest offer by 98 per cent. They have the right to strike April 10.
Today (March 30th), the executive of local 9344 travelled to Labrador City as a show of their solidarity to their union brothers and sisters.
“We were at the bargaining table together, and we support each other,” the President of local 9344 Eddy Wright told the Aurora. “In doing so we send a strong message to the company, that we will only accept what we feel is a fair offer.”
The executive members of all three locals mingled with the striking workers, and visitors to the picket line to talk about the current situation.
The executive from Sept-Iles then presented Ron Thomas and Tony Reccord, the presidents of the Labrador City locals, with a check for $25,000.
“We are overwhelmed with the generous donation, and the solidarity the union from Sept-Iles has shown us,” Thomas said.
Reccord echoed that comment and said, “They have our full support as well, solidarity and equality are two of the cornerstones of the Steelworkers.”
Reccord said even though his smaller warehouse union has no temporary workforce, and there were no concessions in the offer to his members, they voted against the offer as a show of solidarity to the larger local 5795.
Also visiting the striking workers today was Labrador City Mayor Wayne Button.
“Most of the people here on the picket line are residents of Labrador City, it’s important to meet with them and hear their thoughts and concerns,” he said. “I am hoping for the sake of all concerned, a solution, suitable to both parties will be found as soon as possible.”
In a statement earlier this week, the Iron Ore company of Canada said, “We believe our offer was competitive and included improvements for employees across a range of areas from increased pay and pension contributions to health benefits and the use of temporary workers.”
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