I feel that I must respond to an article in the Wednesday, April 8, 2015 edition of The Reminder (Union pans strike-time contractors).
The contractors referred to are not what would normally be called such. They are, in fact, officially called replacement workers.
These types of workers are generally called scabs. Scabs are not usually from the community and are not interested in supporting any part of the community. Their sole purpose is to cross a legal picket line and attempt to do the work of striking members. They will add nothing to the community and will probably cause more harm and prolong a strike if one should occur.
Many of the usual contractors working in local facilities are from the community and contribute to the community. Hudbay won’t hire them for full-time employment, so they seek other employment. While not always the union’s favourite choice, they are better than scabs brought in from elsewhere. Some of the local contract groups have been contacted and they will be respecting the bargaining process. They are thinking of our communities, not like Hudbay.
In the Reminder article Rob Winton, [head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations], didn’t confirm this was going on, but has not publicly denied either. He did refer to Hudbay’s need to prepare contingency plans for all potential scenarios that will unfold over the next quarter. Perhaps if he and his management team had prepared to bargain in good faith from the beginning, there would be no need for these contingency plans.
I found it somewhat troubling that he listed the community as the last thing he is worried about (but not surprising). If he was concerned he would not be trying to bring in scabs. Mr. Winton also states over the next quarter Hudbay is concerned about the safety and well-being of employees. If he was that concerned he would not be trying to bring in scabs. These are our families’ members he is trying to manipulate and this type of action will certainly not be good for their well-being, nor the well-being of the community.
He talks about wanting to achieve a deal with unions. Then why has he not put pressure on his team to achieve this? Hudbay’s bargaining committee has refused to negotiate with five of the seven unions. All other unions have had their final proposal in since the end of December. But Hudbay has refused to talk about monetary and in this case refused to deal with IAM [International Association of Machinists] at all costs. This company has a long history of divide and conquer, but it will not work this time.
This is the most important agreement this company and the unions have negotiated in many years, yet their committee has to check with a third party before they make a decision. Hudbay’s committee is very inexperienced at negotiating a collective agreement. Two out of the three have never negotiated on behalf of Hudbay – ever.
There seems to be some confusion with Hudbay, as they state there are three unions scheduled for conciliation. In fact, there are four union locals scheduled. Hudbay has filed for conciliation with two of the Locals and the Operating Engineers, and IAM have filed themselves due to lack of progress at the table. Operating Engineers have only been at the table once, as Hudbay refuses to meet.
Mr. Winton said that Hudbay does not have any demands on the table. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Hudbay has in fact filed a proposal which has major concessions on the table. This included health plan changes that affect our spouses and dependents. They are also looking for concessions on our long-term sick benefits. They don’t want us to be able to file a grievance in case there is a dispute in both the health plan and long-term sick benefits. This cannot happen. They are also looking at attacking our seniority and certain monetary issues in the CBA [collective bargaining agreement]. But they have no proposals. I know everyone has an option, and that is fair but ask yourself this, who has a bigger stake in this community? The worker who will live and die here or a company that takes profits out and leaves our communities wanting? This will get resolved with the help of the people of the community, not corporate greed. We know our dollars stay in our communities.
In closing I would add that I remain optimistic that we can achieve a good agreement for all parties. If their contingency planning is no better than their normal planning we should be okay.
Tom Davie
President,
USW Local 7106
