I received some correspondence from concerned Inuk [CI] this week. CI was wondering if I had any interest in a press release [see below] from the Leader of the Provincial NDP and the on going strike at Voisey’s Bay and the latest war of words and legal action taken by Vale against the union.

I have been following the goings on in the media with great puzzlement and have not written about it for two reasons. One is; I was always against the mine mill opening and the second is; these union employer negotiations are complicated and unless you are directly involved then all you seem to get out of reading news reports is ‘he said she said”. The third would be; who really gives a hoot what I think.

Having said that; it is apparent that if the province had anti scab legislation this thing would have been settled long ago.

According to this report things are going swimmingly over at the mine at the moment. The provincial and NG treasury will be pleased with that, which speak volumes.

NG does not have any legal sway as the mine/mill is not inside Inuit land so the onus is all on the provincial government. You do not have to look hard to figure out their attitude to workers rights.

I will say also that I am puzzled that these days’ workers on strike can go and find work in other areas while the strike goes on. I can understand that families need to be fed and mortgages paid, back in the day that was a big NO NO in the workers solidarity movement, times change I guess.

I know of some strikers who have not been working and just relying on strike pay, but others have and are working in other jobs for almost the duration of the strike.

Sympathy from the public may be stronger if there was more solidarity and seriousness and resolve shown by the striking workers. It would seem a lot easier to say ‘we are holding out for our rights’ while at the same time you are holding down a good paying temporary job.

These are my thoughts and I hope they are not construed as support for the company who I revile.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2010



Vale statement of claim and government silence appalling



NDP Leader Lorraine Michael (Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi) is appalled at the bullying tactics by Vale
towards the striking workers at Voisey’s Bay Nickel. They have been on strike for over a year
now.



“Vale will not get away with these actions in Canada. We stand in support of the striking United
Steel Workers. They are not slandering; they are saying what they believe is true, which they
have a right to do.” says Michael.



“The statements of claim by Vale reported in the media as examples of defamation seem
preposterous,” says Michael.



Michael continues to call on government to get involved.



“Government is ignoring its responsibility to uphold the legal rights of workers to strike and to
speak freely,” says Michael. “Government is doing nothing to support workers’ rights while Vale
is ramping up its attempts to break the union by using this intimidation tactic of a legal
challenge,” states Michael.



Michael says that the Williams government is silent when they should be protecting workers; a
clear sign of where government’s priorities lie when is comes to corporations versus workers’
rights.

Matt White, Director of Communications, 729-2137 or 699-8610, mattwhite@gov.nl.ca