Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen hopes replacement workers are averted and unions are united as the prospect of a work stoppage for Hudbay mechanics and machinists approaches.
“As a union member for over 33 years, I don’t like the idea of replacement workers,” Pettersen told The Reminder. “Hopefully both sides will reach an agreement and they won’t be brought in.”
Replacement workers have been a hot local topic since ads recently surfaced seeking underground heavy-duty mechanics for a potential work stoppage at an undisclosed northern Manitoba location.
That followed a vote by members of IAM Local 1848, one of seven Hudbay unions, that found overwhelming support for a strike if the union could not reach a satisfactory deal with the company.
Since then, The Reminder has spoken with some non-IAM employees of Hudbay who for financial reasons worry a strike or lockout of one union could temporarily close the company’s northern Manitoba operations or otherwise leave them out of work.
Asked what he would say to those workers, Pettersen offered an anecdote.
“In the 1971 strike, I walked the picket line in support of my dad, who was a steelworker, and my brother-in-law, a tradesman,” he said. “I’m not sure how much was gained in the end, but standing up for other union members is important, because next time it could be your turn. Unions are largely responsible for the standard of living we have today. It’s important to be united.”
For negotiations to work, Pettersen said, both sides must “feel successful.”
“As MLA, I represent all the stakeholders and will be looking for a long-term agreement that will benefit the workers, the company and our community for a long time to come,” he added.
Pettersen’s statements may be the most candid offered by any public representative since the apparent possibility of replacement workers at Hudbay surfaced.
Hudbay unions have asked both Flin Flon city council and Creighton town council to publicly state a position on replacement workers, but neither one has.
Creighton Mayor Bruce Fidler did tell union leaders that he sympathizes “for the seat you are in right now.”
This Tuesday, April 21, is the earliest date at which IAM, which represents 190 mechanics, machinists, pipefitters and workers in other trades, could strike.
As the unions have said, it is also the date at which Hudbay could lock out IAM members if it so chooses.
Hudbay and IAM were to enter concilliation this past Tuesday in hopes of advancing talks. IAM and the other Hudbay unions are working under deals that expired
January 1, 2015.
