Monday, May 28, 2007

Voisey's Bay Contract Workers

The aproximately 120 workers, mostly aborgional, that have been off the job now for a month and half are basically being ignored by Inco and even by the aborgional leaders.

I've heard that the Inuit Leader was sitting down having dinner with the Voisey's Bay Nickel President while the strike is on-going and that the Innu President says he can't intervene between the mining company and the union. What is going on with that, I wonder? Have their agreements with government and Inco prevented them from getting involved and rocking the boat, or what? Have they been paid to shut up?

Unionized companies should not be allowed to hire replacement workers (Scabs) to get around their obligations to their regular employees. It's as simple as that. The NL government should make a law to that effect asap. I understand that 100% of those contract workers are replaced by scabs. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. In fact those workers should legally be able to picket on the Voisey's Bay site where they worked not hundreds of miles away. What about their democratic rights as Canadian citizens?

Personally I try to help when I can whenever Labrador people are negatively affected in any way. I have spoken on the Open Line Show with Linda Swain and blown my vehicle horn and waved repeately to support the strikers in Happy Valley Goose Bay. I'm still learning the in's and out's of their situation. If any of the strikers have suggestions as to what else I can do or the Labrador Party can do, please let us know.

The latest situation is the ship coming in to take the Ore from Voisey's Bay and the protest planned for Nain. I support the best I can the stopping of this vessel from taking any mineral out of Labrador until this strike is over. I wish the people of Nain all the luck in the world to stop this ship. Use little boats and interfer as much as possible with the movement of this ship but do it peacefully and for Gods sake, be careful.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"I've heard that the Inuit Leader was sitting down having dinner with the Voisey's Bay Nickel President while the strike is on-going and that the Innu President says he can't intervene between the mining company and the union. What is going on with that, I wonder? Have their agreements with government and Inco prevented them from getting involved and rocking the boat, or what? Have they been paid to shut up?"

And what exactly did you expect from your NATIVE LABRADOREANS? You are a fool if you believe that the band leaders are going to do anything to hurt their personal bank accounts. Those leaders are looking out for themselves, get used to it.

Norman Andrews said...

I heard Tony E. on Backtalk will Bill Rowe on May 29,07 and I heard him again last night.

Way to go Tony and you are absolutely right. How can one work in an environment of constant tension, it certainly isn't an healthy situation. I know you walked off the job in May. All decent unionized employees down there should do the same in support of their fellow T.S.I workers.

It takes guts to leave the ruts, right?

Norman Andrews said...

I understand the ship for the Ore got in to Voisey's Bay today without any problems.

Maybe someone can let us know more about it.

Norman Andrews said...

Congratulations everyone on your new collective agreement.

I hope everything goes well for you far into the future.