A Hudbay union is upset by a recruitment drive for contractors to work as underground mechanics in the event of a work stoppage.
Xpera Recruiting, a human resources company, has been advertising for underground heavy-duty mechanics “for a potential temporary work stoppage in northern Manitoba.”
Xpera’s ad does not mention Hudbay, but there do not appear to be other companies in the region that need underground mechanics ahead of a possible work stoppage.
Rene Beauchamp, president of IAM Local 1848, the union representing Hudbay mechanics and machinists, called the recruitment drive “the worst kind of bargaining agenda.”
“They have totally made a joke of this bargaining process and continue to do so,” added Beauchamp, who learned of Xpera’s ad over the weekend. “They refuse to deal with the issues at the table. They have not given us a monetary package to date, yet the replacement worker ad says $60 per hour, all travel paid, room and board. This is a union-breaking tactic and not the agenda of a
company [that] respects its workforce or its communities.”
Rob Winton, head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations, did not confirm that Hudbay is behind the Xpera ad, but he did say Hudbay has to be ready for all possibilities.
“We have responsibility as a business to our employees, our shareholders and the communities to ensure we have appropriate contingency plans in place to manage all potential scenarios that will unfold over the next quarter,” Winton said, “and for the life of our business unit, with the safety and wellbeing of our employees and families the number one priority. We will communicate with stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner.
“All energies are being focused on achieving a deal with our unions. Managing for business interruption will also continue to ensure we are prepared for any and all potential scenarios.”
IAM members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike if their concerns go unaddressed in bargaining. The union says a strike could begin as early as April 21.
Asked whether the call for replacement workers changes IAM’s approach going forward, Beauchamp said the union is still trying to reach an agreement with the company.
“We will not be sidetracked by cheap bargaining tactics,” Beauchamp said.
Asked about the likelihood of a strike by IAM, Beauchamp reiterated the union’s attempts to reach a deal.
“It is [Hudbay] management that seems to not want [a deal] and you will have to ask them why,” Beauchamp said.
Flexibility
With three of seven Hudbay unions scheduled for concilliation, Winton said the company is “focused on achieving collective agreements that are fair to our employees and ensure Hudbay Manitoba has the flexibility to operate in a challenging economy.
“Negotiations began in October last year and while we had hoped for a timely conclusion to settled agreements, the process continues. Hudbay does not have any demands on the table and is offering enhancements to wages, pension and benefits.”
Hudbay, which is federally regulated, would not break any labour laws by using replacement workers in the event of a strike. Even at the provincial level, no such laws exist in Manitoba.
The Xpera ad appeared on Kijiji, the popular classifieds website, and reached job-seekers in several different cities, including Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Moncton, New Brunswick, and the Ontario mining communities of Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
The ad was online at least as recently as last Thursday, April 2, but by the weekend was no longer active.
The ad promised a salary of $60 an hour plus overtime with mechanics working 12-hour shifts with 20 days on and 20 days off.
Applicants were required to have their red seal certification and have experience with 40-tonne trucks, eight- and 10-yard scoops, jumbos and rockbolters.
The Xpera ad also informed applicants that they would be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing.
In addition to mechanics and machinists, IAM represents pipefitters, utility servicemen and other trades. Members voted 97 per cent in favour of potential job action on March 17.
IAM has identified wages, retention and recruitment as key pillars for a new contract. All Hudbay unions require new contracts after their last deals expired on January 1.
