IAM Local 1848 isn’t mincing words as it accuses Hudbay of bringing in replacement workers to perform tasks normally reserved for its striking members.
The union said last week that an Ontario-based contractor is supplying “scab mechanics.” IAM believed there were eight mechanics and two supervisors – four mechanics and one supervisor for each of the day and night shifts.
“As this strike continues, we begin to see the true colors of Hudbay,” read an article on IAM’s website posted by IAM member Kenny Oliynyk on Thursday, August 6.
Oliynyk’s post said a fence had been placed around the 777 North mine mechanic shop to restrict access for company employees and supervisors.
“This is where they are harboring these new scab mechanics and it will be their home base for operations,” read the post, adding that it is “unbelievable” that the company “protects these scab workers.”
Offered a chance to respond, Rob Winton, head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations, said the company is committed to safely operating for the benefit of its employees and the communities in which it functions.
“We fully respect the right of the IAM to strike, but we have the legal right to run our business, which is what we intend to do and have successfully done for the past three months,” he said. “We also have an obligation to the board and shareholders to meet our guidance production targets in 2015, especially given the current commodity prices. To that end, we will engage the help we need to ensure we safely and successfully achieve our targets and maintain the integrity of our assets. I will not comment on which aspects of [IAM’s] web page are inaccurate.”
Oliynyk’s post said the new mechanics work for Technica Mining, which bills itself as “a premiere underground mining and construction contractor.”
The Reminder offered Technica the chance to comment for this article, but as of Tuesday morning the company had not returned an email.
IAM has been on strike since May 2 with concerns that include contractual language, wages and the amount of time needed to resolve grievances.
