The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Tradespeople crashed Hudbay's party Tuesday, picketing a major company celebration ahead of a possible strike vote. More than 50 union members and supporters paraded around the Rotary Wheel, where Hudbay held a staff event to cap off ribbon-cuttings at two Snow Lake area mines. 'We're trying to draw attention to the fact that we can't get Hudbay back to the table to negotiate a settlement,' said Erik Nasselquist of the local International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM, which organized the protest. Members of IAM, the last Hudbay union holding out for a better contract offer, were joined by members of other unions and unaffiliated supporters. Shortly before 6 p.m., with rain pouring down, the protesters marched the short distance from the Dadson Row park, where they held a barbecue, to the Rotary Wheel. IAM president Rene Beauchamp and former Flin Flon MLA Gerard Jennissen, a strong supporter of organized labour, led the way, hoisting a large IAM flag. Behind them, protesters wore plastic placards bearing tightly-worded messages such as 'Talk Now Or Pay Later' and 'We Will Not Sell Out Our Kids Future!'. See 'Union...' on pg.3 Continued from pg.1 The main disagreement between IAM and Hudbay, organizers said, is the company's insistence that the apprentices it funds commit to four or five years with Hudbay after completing their schooling. There is presently no requirement for apprentices to remain with the company, and IAM wants to keep it that way. 'These are our kids that Hudbay is taking advantage of because they know how hard it is for these kids to successfully move up in trades in today's world,' read an IAM handout. Blair Sapergia, IAM vice-president and co-organizer of the protest, also accused Hudbay of ignoring tradespeople's seniority rights. He said 10 workers from the now-defunct Trout Lake Mine are being relocated out of seniority, with Hudbay 'sticking them wherever the hell they want.' Such seniority concerns were a key reason Hudbay unions, as a temporary protest in 2010, exercised their right to work eight-hour shifts rather than the standard 12. Sapergia said the issue was resolved at that time but has 'bounced back' even though he believes Hudbay is breaching its own written agreement. Also at issue were wages. IAM opposes what it describes as Hudbay's plan to further widen the wage difference between apprentices and tradespeople. 'We already have a gap there that we think is fair and equitable and now they want to make it bigger and we don't agree with that,' Sapergia said. Nasselquist said Hudbay tradespeople are paid so low compared to their counterparts at other companies that 'it's starting to get too attractive for our members to (leave) this community.' But Brad Lantz, the highest-ranking Hudbay official based in Flin Flon, defended the company's plans. Lantz, vice-president of Hudbay's Manitoba business unit, said the return-for-service agreement with apprentices offers raises and improved benefits. 'We then require the apprentice to maintain employment with Hudbay for a period equal to their apprenticeship term,' he said. 'Hudbay has an extensive and very effective apprenticeship program which represents a significant investment both financially and organizationally. Several other companies, including Vale, currently have return-for-service agreements in place.' Added Lantz: 'not only (do) we provide the training opportunity, we are asking for the commitment in equal time for the return of service. I don't see that as taking advantage of our employees.' As for relocating workers from Trout Lake, Lantz said this 'was done according to the language in the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), which provides for junior mine employees to be bumped.' 'Hudbay has decided not to lay off any mechanics as a result of the closure of Trout and the resulting movement of employees,' he said. On the wage issue, Lantz said Hudbay's turnover rate of one per cent is 'significantly below' the industry average of about six per cent. 'Once the profit-sharing is factored in, Hudbay wages are near industry average,' he added. IAM has already gone public with its intention to hold a strike vote at a future date if Hudbay does not offer contractual terms it supports. The union believes it gained the right to strike as of July 1, 2012, while Hudbay counters that no strikes are allowed until after 2014. Asked whether he sees anything in writing that supports Hudbay's position, Sapergia said 'absolutely not.' But since bargaining began last November, Lantz said, 'it is (Hudbay's) position that the 2012 agreement (which includes a no-strike clause) is in effect until the expiry of the new collective agreement.' A strike by the 176 IAM members has the potential to disable Hudbay's northern Manitoba operations and affect nearly 1,300 permanent employees. Sapergia said he believes IAM has 'a great deal of support' for a strike if necessary. It's unclear what would happen if IAM took part in a strike that Hudbay considers illegal. Sapergia said he hopes a negotiated settlement can still be reached. There is still the very real possibility of arbitration, whereby a third party would hear arguments from both IAM and Hudbay. Sapergia worries the process would not be objective, but Lantz said it is 'used extensively to resolve disputes in many industries without strikes.' 'The process is conducted by an independent arbitrator and their decision is based on the facts presented,' Lantz said. 'The current arbitrator is a very well respected arbitrator and is used elsewhere throughout Canada.' Again, IAM and Hudbay differ on what steps are available to the union. Sapergia said IAM believes binding arbitration ended July 1 along with the no-strike clause. Tuesday's protest came just hours after Hudbay officials were at the Lalor and Reed mine sites for ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
