Strike chatter.

Some talk over at freenewfoundlandandlabrador about the strike at Voisey’s Bay VBNC site, something about the unfairness of wages and the fact that the resources are being taken out of the province. One thing for sure is that Ottawa can’t be blamed for allowing the resources to be taken out to Ontario. Politicians in this province of all levels and all stripes went along with that big con job.

As to wage parity, as far as I can tell there is a $5.00 an hour difference between Voisey’s Bay and other INCO facilities. At least in the mill where most of the strikers seem to be from. There are other issues in the grievance, but they are not being talked about. I don’t think that difference would come to $30,000 a year as is the speculation.
Workers for VBNC get a set salary per month, with overtime added if worked. Shifts are two weeks on two weeks off.

Travel costs by air are covered by VBNC from anywhere on the north coast and out of Goose Bay. There was rumblings some time ago about expanding that free travel outside Labrador, not sure what came of it.
VBNC workers while at the site receive free accommodations and three free meals a day. TV, access to internet, telephones recreation room, exercise room are all there. Not a big compensation for being away from home, but no one is holding a gun to any ones head to go work there.

As to coastal strikers, the big worry I would think is to prevent, if possible, any shipping movement into Antalok Bay, and to some how prevent any strike breakers from starting the mill up again. I see on the VBNC web site that they have removed any indication of shipping in the next little while, next due ship is September, OR NOT.

I’m just writing this for information purposes, some may have gathered that I’m no fan of the whole shebang.