CONTRACT TALKS BETWEEN VALE AND USW AT VOISEY'S BAY END WITH NO DEAL

TORONTO, Oct 4 /CNW/ - Vale expressed its disappointment today that contract talks with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9508, representing some 130 striking mine and mill employees at the company's operations in Voisey's Bay, ended without a settlement. 

"Once again we have come away from our negotiations with USW without any forward progress being made towards concluding a collective agreement," said Tom Paddon, General Manager of Vale's operations in Newfoundland and Labrador. "It is clear that the USW's bargaining committee is unwilling or unable to commit to meaningful negotiations. The Union has shown no desire to address the outstanding issues in a constructive manner. In fact, USW's bargaining committee keeps changing its mind on the outstanding issues - their list of issues changes every time we meet."

Talks aimed at finding a settlement to a strike that began on August 1, 2009 resumed Saturday with the assistance of a mediator appointed by the provincial government. Vale tabled its fifth settlement proposal on Sunday which contained a monetary offer that exceeds settlements in our industry, in this province and in our company. USW rejected this proposal and responded with new demands.

"We have been fully prepared to engage in collective bargaining from the outset," said Paddon, "however, it takes the commitment and willingness of both parties to discuss all issues and work towards finding common ground. We entered this round of talks with the objective of reaching a deal that meets the needs of our employees and our operations in Labrador. Unfortunately, the absence of any real progress being made at the negotiating table does not bode well for a settlement being reached in the near future."

No further talks are scheduled.

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