Canada and abroad who expressed frustration over Brazilian-owned Vale’s refusal to table a deal that would bring Local 6500 employees back to work. Two  weeks ago, 88 per cent of all members voted against the latest five-year offer, a higher percentage than the initial vote that sparked the strike last June. It is hoped that Vale-Inco will finally agree to third party arbitration which would allow these union members get back to work. – Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes joined Federal NDP leader Jack Layton, Northern Ontario MPs Glenn Thibeault and Claude Gravelle, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas at a rally in support of striking Vale-Inco workers today in Sudbury.   

Sudbury

The rally drew union representatives from across

“We stand behind Vale-Inco workers,” Hughes said. “They deserve to retain all of the pensions, benefits, and job security that they have fought so hard for all of these years. Part of the agreement that Vale was required to follow during the takeover was that the purchase was supposed to be of ‘net-benefit’ to Canada.I would hardly call leaving 3000 people on the picket lines for more than half a year while their savings erode being of ‘net-benefit.’”  

“Vale claims it isn’t out to break the union,” concluded Hughes.  “They may want to explain why their actions at every turn indicate otherwise.”  

For further information, please contact:
Burgess, Office of Carol Hughes,   613-996-5389  613-996-5389